Both our boys are still really difficult to take out for any length of time TBH, as they're just so active.

We've tried taking books and games, letting them play games on the iPhones, doing stories, and other things, but really, since they've been walking, it's just not very doable.

UNLESS we go somewhere with a playground - which works out fine.

Otherwise, half an hour really is about all it's good for, unless we're happy with them being active little boys - wanting to walk, wriggle, play, explore, investigate, introduce themselves to anything with (or without ....) a pulse, and other stuff - which is a-ok in many contexts, but often not in a restaurant.

I've seen other friends very successfully have their toddlers at the table, but they're generally the kind of kids who will quite happily sit and draw or look at books, or watch Octonauts on the iThing etc. Our kids are just way too active for much of that.

So we go to kid friendly places (where a mess on the floor is ok, and a playground is present) or we go when we can get a babysitter!