Language Development at the Restaurant – Games and Ideas for Meaningful Moments

 The demands of daily life often leave us with limited time for our children. But even a simple meal out can become a valuable opportunity. Below are some ideas to enhance your child’s language development, imagination, and social skills — while enjoying quality time together.

🍽️ Language-Boosting Ideas at the Restaurant:

• Talk about the menu: Name ingredients, describe flavors, compare dishes and cuisines.
  • Let your child order by themselves: Builds confidence and social communication skills.
  • Play word games: For example, say food-related words in turns. The first to run out of ideas loses. Get silly too — it’s fun!
  • Take photos: Later, create a story together. “What did we do first, next, and last?” This improves narrative skills.
  • Spot words around you: Who can find “menu,” “exit,” or “WC” written somewhere first?
  • Clock guessing game: Who can guess closest to when the food will arrive?
  • Stay away from screens: Mealtime is sacred. Use it to connect and communicate meaningfully.

💡 A simple outing for food can become a chance for learning, parent-child bonding, and making special memories.

Maria Lazarou
Speech and Language Therapist (SLP, BSc, M.A.)
Head of the Multidisciplinary Team, Evlogon