How to Have a Dinner Party With Children

It's fun to throw a dinner party as a family. Not only do your children get to learn some of the basics of entertaining, but you get a chance to visit with your friends. Plus, no one has to find a sitter, fight traffic to get to a restaurant on time or worry about reservations.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Stick with a simple menu. This is not the ideal time to bake a souffle. Focus on a menu that provides a delicious meal with minimal fuss, since many little feet are likely to be running through the kitchen. Consider a terrific salad, yummy baked potato and steaks fresh off the grill.
2. Have a separate child's menu or not. If your children like what you normally eat and your friends' children feel the same, just make more of the regular menu. But if you know the children are picky eaters, tonight's not the night to force the issue. Serve pasta and sauce, grilled hot dogs, chicken fingers or mac 'n cheese if you think it will make the evening more enjoyable for everyone.
3. Prepare as much in advance as possible so that you can enjoy time with your friends and children. Choose foods that you can prepare in advance. Consider a salad, lasagne fresh out of the oven and some delicious garlic bread.
4. Say "yes" if your friends offer to bring something. It can be a simple dessert or salad or a couple of bottles of wine. But you're feeding a crowd here, so let your friends help out.
5. Keep the kids at the table. Don't send them off to a separate location. This is a great opportunity to teach children about social interaction and basic table manners.
6. Have entertainment for the children available. The children are likely to get excited or bored as the evening wears on. Have a video ready to go to distract them.