We all love going out to eat ? without the kids, that is. If an evening out with the family at a restaurant leaves you feeling like you endured an aerobic workout, take heart with these tips on keeping the little cuties occupied while you wait for your food.

1. Create a box of "goodies." Find a small leftover container and fill it with things you find around your house or at a craft store such as paper clips, foam pieces that come in different colors and shapes, shiny things, dull things, cotton balls, etc. Keep this container in your car so you are always prepared, and the children don?t get tired of playing with it. (If you are really creative, you can decorate the container).

Take it into the restaurant and pull it out after you decide what you want to order. Show them the contents and begin to ask questions. Can you find the round things? How many blue objects can you find? Which things go on a Christmas tree? Which things are soft? How many squares can you find? Your imagination is your only limit. Kids love digging through the container and exploring the objects.

2. Play a guessing game. Lay out a few different objects on the table. These can be objects from the above container, or simple things from your purse. You can even use the sugar packets, salt and pepper shakers or whatever is on the table. Have your children study the objects, and then close their eyes. When their eyes are shut, quickly slip one of the objects away. Then see if they can figure out which one is missing. This game not only entertains but helps children develop memory and thinking skills.

3. Play "I spy" or other games. Many restaurants have interesting decorations hanging around. A round of "I spy a cowboy hat," or "I spy a picture of someone riding a horse" can keep little ones entertained for a few minutes. To help with math skills, practice counting that cereal you carry around in a bag. Or help your children to begin recognizing patterns by drawing a pattern of square, circle, square, circle, and then have them figure out what shape comes next. For older children, you can create longer, more difficult patterns. Of course, there?s always the perennial hangman and tic-tac-toe games that work for older children as well.

4. Play with magnets. It?s amazing how much fun a small magnet can be to a young child. If you carry some paperclips along with it, the children will be entertained for a long time. Have them experiment with what the magnet sticks to. You can also use this with your goody container above. Ask them to see what objects in your container the magnet will pick up. Twist ties and clothes-pins usually work well.

5. Keep a book bag ready to go. If all else fails, usually a bag of books, sticker books or other activity books will keep children occupied for quite a few minutes. Keep it in your truck or in the back of your van. That way each time you bring it out, it?s new again.

With a little thought and preparation, meals out can be a fun family experience.