Print or write a simple menu with 6–8 items and prices. Give each child a pretend budget, like $15 for dinner.
They place an order, you play server, then they pay with play money or a calculator.
Build the menu
Mix cheap and pricey items: water ($0), pasta ($8), dessert ($5), soda ($3). Include one combo deal.
Add 8% tax and optional 15% tip on the receipt. Teens can run the math; younger kids round to whole dollars.
Make it harder
Round two: budget drops to $12. Round three: a friend joins and they split one appetizer.
Someone orders over budget and must swap an item. No bailouts from the bank of Mom.
Connect to real life
Before a real restaurant trip, give kids a max spend and let them choose from the menu online first.
Use the allowance split calculator to show how one dinner compares to a weekly spend jar.