It can be hard for parents to find a restaurant that is child-friendly, food and ambience-wise, without going to a place that is overly cartoony and silly. When you are a restaurant which wants to cater to parents on the go with their children in tow, you need to have options that can keep kids happy. The default meals that market towards children are snacks and desserts because they are meant to come in small portions. However, keeping it sweet is not enough to make you recommend the dish. Here are three factors to consider when creating treats for your young patrons:
Keep it simple
Children are naturally attracted to bright colours and varied textures since they are slowly learning about the world. But when it comes to food, do not assume that frosted doughnuts and pretty cookies are enough. They may ask for it, but you must also consider the parent’s perspective. Will it create a mess? Does it have unnecessary food colouring and preservatives? Will it interfere with naptime? Try to make treats that can easily be eaten by kids, either with the assistance of their guardians or on their own.
Keep it healthy
The biggest thing to consider when creating desserts is sugar. Children love it, but their parents avoid giving it. You can leave the confectionary dishes for the adults and have a healthier option for the children. Seasonal fruits paired with cream or yogurt, fruit smoothies with chocolate and nuts as toppings, and butter cookies are some examples of how you can keep it healthy. If you are located in a place that does not have fresh fruit available, you can work with fruit puree suppliers to make your treats. If you cannot avoid the sugar, play with the portions instead. Give them a smaller amount and serve alongside milk or juice to even out the sweetness. While you do not have to market it in the children’s menu because the options can be eaten by adults, having a small marker to show that it was created with kids in mind can help the adults have an easier time ordering.
Keep it delicious
Just because it is for someone young does not mean you can cut corners. Children are very honest. They say what they think and feel. If they do not find it delicious, it can be taken as a cue for their parents to look for another place in the future. Creating a dish that can become a child’s favourite will guarantee repeated visits in the future. Parents may even make your restaurant a reward after celebrations and achievements.
There will always be picky eaters and fussy parents. Work with their struggles in mind and create an environment that can give the adults some reprieve from the child-targeted restaurants and be a place where they can be among other adults without isolating the children they have to bring along. Catering towards children is not as easy as it looks, but it is rewarding.
