Keeping kids occupied while out eating

Do you ever have trouble keeping your kids from going crazy when you're all out a restaurant? My kids have little patience. They can't seem to figure out how to sit in one place and behave while waiting for the waitress. For them waiting to order, waiting for food and waiting for the check is an losing battle.

I have come up with a few ways to keep them occupied if the wait isn't too long. Here's a couple games we play...

I spy: The person who's turn it is gives out clues. "I spy with my eye something (fill in the blank). Usually we start with a color then the clues may include shape, size, what item may be used for, etc. It can keep them occupied for a few rounds each.

20 questions: The way we play is, the person who is it comes up with something in the room. Everyone else takes a turn asking questions to figure out what it is. We usually start out by determining if "it" us a person, place or thing and whittle down what it could be from there. The person that guesses right goes next, unless (like mine sometimes) they argue over it. Then my rule is youngest to oldest or vice versa.

The alphabet game: This is a new game we started playing last week. First player status with the letter A. Looking around the room they find something (anything, I even include actions and feelings) that begins with their letter. They can choose to pass if they can't come up with something. Advanced version: Alphabet game but the player doesn't reveal what they're thinking for that letter and everyone has to guess. Kind of like 20 questions. It helpful if the player can write down their pick so there's no cheating involved.

We also play lots of tick- tac- toe and connect the dots to close off boxes. I find even at 7 and (almost) 9 it pays to keep them busy while waiting.

Today was a bit trying in that department. They tried to be patient but when it takes forever to be seated, 10 minutes to place order and another 20 for food it's rough. This is why I have a love/hate relationship with Friendly's In our area. We all survived though. Hooray!