Parents across the Surrey and Sussex region know all about the importance of spending time in locations that are particularly welcoming to family groups, but just saying a place is child-friendly isn’t anywhere near enough. Here are five excellent ways to make sure a café is doing all it can to not only attract children, but also to make them want to stay longer.
Create the ideal physical environment
The most child-friendly cafés are generally those that are airy and spacious. They offer clean, accessible baby-changing facilities, and have aisles wide enough to accommodate pushchairs. Needless to say they will need to be as safe as possible, with no sharp corners or low-hanging objects that curious little hands may come into contact with. Child-size toilets will also prove practical.
Offer the most appealing menu options
As a general rule, cafés can offer a wide range of adult food and then wait for the diners to come in, but menu options for children are a different matter altogether. If café owners are genuinely looking to attract a family clientele, catering to younger tastes is a must. This can include the likes of colourful meals that are pleasing to the eye and to the palate, and plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. Pasta, chicken nuggets and burgers are also good ideas, not to mention child-sized portions of the more popular adult menu items.
Keep the kids entertained
Every good café will have a good play area for the little ones, equipped with a range of toys, building bricks and such. If the budget allows, it could be worth considering the installation of digital tablets, with suitable games pre-installed, of course. Crayons and colouring books are always popular, and you could offer board games for older children. And don’t forget many cafés also host live entertainment such as singers, magicians and play supervisors.
Make sure the team is on board, too
The enthusiasm of the café’s employees is crucial to creating a child-friendly environment for everyone, especially the children. Staff members need to be chirpy, friendly, patient and understanding at all times, so make sure you have trained them correctly. Making the kids happy is vital in making parents comfortable enough to want to return time and time again. There are a number of cafés in Sussex and Surrey that have become particular favourites with parents, and it’s easy to see why.
Don’t forget the atmosphere
The overall atmosphere will dictate the mood of every diner that comes through the front door, and as a result it’s important to understand what your café is offering. The location should be warm, inviting and unpretentious, so consider the colour schemes, the furnishings and the artworks. Choose music that’s pitched at a comfortable decibel level and that never overwhelms the clientele, young or old.
To find out more about the exceptional cafés that we have in the south-east, take a look at GoLark’s helpful café listings today.
