Burrito and Phil packing up some toys for a meal out.
Daybar Bugler and her husband, Phil, are the creators of the awesome, local podcast, Eat Drink Explore. Each episode explores the food and beverage industry. They weigh in with their experience, interview industry professionals, and recommend great places to eat in and around the North Shore. In today’s guest post, Salem mom, Daybar is sharing tips and must-have toys for dining out with their 2-year-old son. (And all of the toys can be purchased from a small business owned by a Sudbury mom of 2!)
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Going out to dine in a restaurant with a small child is no small feat.
The anxiety of it can be almost crippling and make you want to stay in and order takeout. Being young parents who consider themselves huge foodies, dining out is non-negotiable.
Burrito (AKA Philip IV) is now two years old. The toys he loves, the food he eats, and the shows he’s obsessed with are continually changing. He keeps us on our toes. The roller coaster ride of whims we are on with him feels never-ending at times.
There are a few toys we never leave home without when dining out with our Burrito post-quarantine. These toys are not always foolproof, and every child is different, but we did want to share our five favorites with you.
Shopping online at Owen + Sage is always our go-to.
We love how this brand is bringing personal connection back to retail. It makes us feel good to support small makers, and we love how Burrito goes crazy for anything we purchase from this small shop. 10% of all sales get donated to the Black Mamas Matter Alliance, and there are tons of eco-friendly and sustainable goodies for you and your little ones.
These are our Top 5:
1. Blue Racer #8 Candycar
Its made out of solid beech wood, water-based paint, with plastic rims, and plastic tires.
2. Pebble Peg Dolls (ABC)
These are made out of maple wood and come with an awesome cotton bag for storage/ travel.
3. Car Playmat
Canvas playmat that has a screen-printed road. Rolls up nicely and fits in purse/ diaper bag easily.
4. Crayon Set
A set of 6 crayons, handmade using environmentally friendly soy and beeswaxes. Crayons come in a carrying case perfect for traveling. Pre-COVID, we would look forward to getting a set of crayons and coloring sheets, so now its nice to have our own that we can bring with us.
5. Baby Animal Lacing Cards
Six sturdy, durable lacing cards that encourage hand-eye coordination and develop motor skills. Keep the box for secure travel/storage!
We know dining out with the entire family can be an uphill climb, but don’t give up. Let the hospitality industry work its magic. Hopefully, one of these five toys allows you to enjoy a peaceful dinner out. Let one of your favorite restaurants take care of cooking and cleaning!
Follow along with Daybar and Phil on Instagram (@eatdrinkexplore_podcast), Facebook (@eatdrinkexplorepodcast) and listen to their podcast episodes at eatdrinkexplorepodcast.com/podcast, or download from your favorite platform.