Designing a Kids' Menu in Your Restaurant
From the dishes to the menu description: what it takes to create a kids' menu that families will love.
Less Choice, Clearer Decisions
Three to four dishes are sufficient for a good children's menu. Too much choice prolongs ordering time and increases the margin for error in the kitchen. A sensible approach is a mix of a familiar classic, a warm vegetable option, and a smaller portion of a dish from the main menu. Portion sizes should be realistic. An overly large plate looks unappetising if half of it is returned; a portion that is too small leads to reorders in the middle of service.
Pricing and Calculation
Kids' menus are often offered as a fixed package: a main dish, a small drink, and a dessert or a surprise. A package simplifies decision-making at the table and makes your calculations more predictable. If you include a toy capsule with the menu, factor its unit cost into the menu price – this keeps the amount per guest constant, regardless of how often the offer is taken up.
Describing the Menu Correctly
Write the children's menu for the parents, not for the children: What's included, how large is the portion, are there allergens, is there a surprise? A sentence like "Every KidsMenü includes a token for our toy vending machine" answers the question before it's asked at the table, preventing discussions with children whose menu doesn't include a surprise.
Components of a Good Kids' Menu
Clear Structure
Three to four dishes, a choice of drinks, a dessert.
Transparent Information
Specify portion size, allergens, and menu contents.
An Experience
A surprise that the child collects themselves, instead of a toy from the counter.
Fast Service
Serve children's meals before the main courses.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many dishes should a children's menu have?
Three to four dishes are practically manageable and cover most preferences.
Should the KidsMenü include a surprise?
A surprise significantly increases the appeal of the menu. It's important that it's announced on the menu and applies to all KidsMenü options.
How is the capsule accounted for?
The unit cost of the capsule is factored into the menu price. No cash changes hands at the vending machine.
Enhance Your Kids' Menu with an Experience
We'll show you how a toy vending machine integrates into your existing kids' menu.
Request Consultation