Does the cafe offer more than hot chips and vegemite sandwiches for tiny diners?
So you've decided to bundle up baby and go on your first big outing since coming home from hospital. It can be a daunting experience with so much to take, gone are the 'wallet & keys' days! Will you and bubs survive the outing?
Let's face it you don't want to drive across town to the newest café to find that there is no room for your pram, it's so loud you can't hear yourself think and when you go to pay you find out they don’t take credit.
Many cafes proclaim to be family friendly, but what does that really mean? Taking a newborn out is a lot easier than a toddler, so here are our ten tips on what to look for in a 'family friendly' café.
- Is it pram friendly? Is there enough room for you and a few friends to manoeuvre your prams without the disdain of other diners?
- Is there a high chair, or multiple, available?
- Are there toys, books, crayons for toddlers?
- Are there change facilities or adequate bathrooms?
- Are they open early (or very late!) to suit your waking hours?
- Is the café reasonably safe for toddlers? Avoid cafes too close to main roads, or cafes they have ponds/fireplaces or hazards.
- Can you child wander within reason and you can still keep an eye on them?
- Does the café have easy access with free or cheap nearby parking?
- Does the staff have a baby/child friendly attitude? (This can make all the difference!)
- Do they have a child-friendly menu?
If you're unsure follow the crowd, if you see any cafes with a lot of families, babies and children, make a mental note!
For more on child-friendly cafes, check out the following links:
SMH Entertainment
The Age Entertainment
