Gear for Eating on the Go
When we travel we eat in many different places. Our top choice is usually to spread out a blanket and go for a picnic. We just as often end up eating in people’s homes and restaurants. It is always nice to be prepared.
Our travel high chair is on its way to the Netherlands ahead of us. I’m already missing having it and can’t wait to be joyfully reunited. We went through several versions. (Thanks Amazon for an amazing return policy!) I finally found the perfect one for us – the Inglesina Fast Table Chair.
The Inglesnia travel high chair fits into our L.L.Bean rolling duffel bag with all our clothing, without much trouble. It also slides into our stroller basket easily as the arms collapse in allowing it to fold almost flat. The cover is removable for hand-washing. It cleans up beautifully. After three years of heavy use it has minimal wear and staining.
This is a case where the less bells and whistles make it a better chair for travel. It does not have a tray but the design allows it to get close to the table so we have never really needed one. A tray would also be one more thing to cram into the suitcase or car backseat. It does not pivot, like some models, a feature that we have never felt we needed.
The best feature though is the arms that screw down to accommodate a variety of table widths. Other similar products use a clip of sorts that is bulky and limits the table type it can be used on. We have used the Inglesnia on every type of table imaginable from English Pub Tables (yes it got over the lip and connected to the table) to bar’s and picnic tables to hotel desks. There has only ever been one table we were not able to attach it to!
The Inglesina has a large pocket on the back. I always keep a bib, a plastic table cover and a spoon in the pocket.
I used to purchase those take and toss bibs. They were expensive and the kids could rip them right off, not to mention the amount of trash they create. I switched to a bumpkins bib. The bumpkins bibs are easily washed in the sink. The bib pocket catches most of the mess and I dump it out in the trash.
The plastic table are not great for the environment but they do turn any surface into a place for my kids to eat. The table covers are great for the one-year-old so we do not need to use a plate. He is in the grab it and throw it phase, so plates are a bit of a liability. I also use the place mats to make picnic tables and other eating surfaces with holes easier to manage. Neat solutions makes some cute ones that are my go to for the baby. There are also some that are biodegradable, if that makes you feel better about all the waste. There are also some that come with stickers and activities, which I love for my three-year-old.
We used to use Plum Organics Boon Spoon, that screw onto the end of the pouches, when we were feeding the littles on the go. One day H stuck the whole thing in his mouth and squeezed and we have never gone back. Although the kids both eat whatever we are eating I always try to keep a pouch or two for a quick snack.
For keeping my three-year-old busy while we eat I love Usborn’s Sticker Books. They are lightweight and fit in my purse easily. They keep the kids entertained once they have finished eating. I also use the Crayola Wonder Coloring Packs. I’m still not entirely sure how these work, but I can let both kids color and not worry about marker all over everything.
Do you have any other great gear for eating on the go? Let us know!
Disclosure: I’ve recommended a few products from affiliated vendors, so when you purchase something from them I receive a small commission. I would never recommend anything that we did not try out ourselves and love.
