What makes a Child Friendly Cafe/Tea Room

[Reflectionsbyjackyharding]

Hi there, I am in the process of opening a cafe which I want to make a great place for all - including children. My son is now 16 (today) so I need some more up to date thoughts on what make my place where you want to come with you babies, toddlers or even just friends. We plan to open in June, it will be called Reflections. We have a garden too.

I need ideas on menus, facilities, and thoughts on what would make you come to visit.

Thank you

Jacky x

[Needathickerskin]

Space indoors for buggy parking
Basket toys/books
Highchairs
Nice baby change facilities
Staff who don't at the kids

[Needathickerskin]

Extra points for nappy sacks and wipes in the loo
Handcream
Sofas
Quick service

[ShatnersBassoon]

Small, plainly-filled sandwiches.
Plastic cups of milk/squash for a few pence - I hate having to buy an expensive bottle of juice that will have two sips taken from it.
No vases on the table.

[Reflectionsbyjackyharding]

brilliant - thank you!

[Lostgirl27]

The attitude of staff is a big thing for, as I'm sure it is for a lot of parents/carers, you want to know that your children are welcome.

Nothing dainty or breakable. Comfy couches as well as spacious tables and chairs. Colouring books and crayons - have a weekly or monthly colouring competition where the winning picture gets put on the wall for a certain length of time.

Price deals for after school kids. I'm always looking for some where reasonable to go when I pick DS up from school.

I love this topic!! Id love a wee cafe too

[Longdistance]

Sandwich bags for kids with simple sandwiches, fruit, drink, treat inside.
Enough Ikea high chairs
Child friendly staff.
I go frequently to a cafe that has a children's play area ha s cordoned off with toys and books. Bloody ingenious, and a good bribe for 'you can go play once you've eaten xyz'. But only works if you have the room.

[Reflectionsbyjackyharding]

Thank you so much - this is really great input - I hope some of you will be close enough to visit when we open - cant disclose too much at the moment - but its near Sonning....xx

[Molehillmountain]

My children really like a very grown up feeling cafe that we go to. They do a child sized drink, at a child sized price, have a small basket of toys and books (but I do bring anyway) and smiley staff who don't appear to see us as an inconvenience. Oh-and the ikea high chairs are the absolute best. I think being in a grown up environment with a few nods to the needs of children brings out the best in my brood.