Ollie's Pretend Restaurant

What you need

• Paper, 2-3 sheets for the menu
• Crayons or markers
• Plate or tray, 1 per guest
• Clear cups, 1 per guest
• Notebook, 1 notepad for orders
• Bread or English muffins, a few slices
• Shredded cheese, a small handful (optional)
• Soft veggies (peppers, cucumber), sliced (optional)
• Berries, a small bowl (optional)
• Fork and spoon, 1 of each per guest
• Napkins, 1 per guest
• Bowl, 1 small bowl, for berries
• Knife, 1, for the grown-up
• Kid scissors, 1 pair, for paper money
• Water, half a cup per guest
• Buttons, a handful, for kids 4 and up (optional)

How to do it

Grown-up prep: Pick a simple real snack or lunch and slice any veggies or bread ahead of time. Gather plates, cups, utensils and napkins. Make a little pile of play money: paper bills cut from scrap paper, or buttons for older kids. Buttons are a choking hazard, so use paper money if any little ones under 4 are around. Check the snack for allergies before you start.

1. Name your restaurant and write it at the top of a sheet of paper.
2. Draw each menu item and add a price, like 2 or 5 coins.
   Ask: Which food should cost the most, and why?
3. Slice veggies, bread and cheese, then set the food out in the kitchen. A grown-up does this
4. Set the table with plates, cups, utensils and folded napkins for each guest.
5. Everyone washes their hands with soap before touching any food.
6. Greet your customers, hand them the menu and write their orders.
7. Put the ordered food on plates and carry it carefully to the table.
8. Eat and chat like real restaurant guests, while the waiter checks on everyone.
   Ask: What would make a customer want to come back again?
9. Add up the bill on the notepad and give it to the customer.
10. The customer pays with paper money, and the cashier counts out the change.
11. Swap jobs so everyone is chef, waiter and customer. Who will you invite next?
    Ask: Which job did you like best?

Play it again

• Daily special: pick one dish each round that costs less, and see who orders it.
• Silent waiter: take orders using only drawings and pointing, no talking.
• Theme night: turn the restaurant into a pizza place, a breakfast cafe or an otter seafood shack with a brand new menu.