A child menu, also known as kids' menu, refers to a specialized menu in restaurants or food establishments that offers a selection of dishes specifically designed and catered for children. Typically, a child menu consists of a variety of dishes tailored to suit the taste preferences and dietary needs of young children, generally between the ages of 1 to 12 years. These menus mainly aim to provide child-friendly options that are appealing to kids while ensuring a balanced and nutritious meal.
Child menus typically feature smaller portions compared to regular adult menus, taking into account the smaller appetites of children. The dishes offered often comprise familiar and easily recognizable foods that are popular among kids, such as chicken nuggets, macaroni and cheese, spaghetti, hamburgers, grilled cheese sandwiches, or fish fingers. In addition to the main dish, child menus may also include side dishes like french fries, mashed potatoes, vegetable sticks, fruit cups, or small salads. Sweet desserts like ice cream, cookies, or fruit salads are commonly included to conclude the meal.
One of the primary objectives of child menus is to provide parents and guardians with convenient and appropriate choices specifically tailored to their children's preferences and nutritional needs. These menus are typically labeled or visually designed with bright colors and child-friendly imagery to make them visually appealing to young customers. Additionally, child menus often come with interactive elements like coloring pages or puzzles to engage children further during their dining experience.
The term "child menu" comprises two parts: "child" and "menu".
1. Child: The word "child" has Old English roots and can be traced back to the Old English word "cild", which referred to a young human being. It is also related to the Gothic word "kilthai" and the Old High German word "kilid", both meaning "womb" or "womb-child". The word eventually evolved into "child" with its modern meaning.
2. Menu: The word "menu" originates from French and has its roots in the Latin word "minutus", which means "small" or "detailed". In late Latin, "minutus" transformed into "minutus scriptus", referring to a written list of dishes or a detailed account. Over time, "menu" was adopted in English to specifically denote a list of food and drinks available at a restaurant.