Dining out with kids: Perks at Long Island restaurants

Modern Snack Bar

Kids who dine at this classic North Fork restaurant (628 Main Rd., Aquebogue; 631-722-3655) will receive Wiki Stix to keep them occupied; if they need more just ask your server as there's a small stash of crayons available upon request. For more information, visit modernsnackbar.com.

Buffalo Wild Wings

At Buffalo Wild Wings, you'll find tablets for guests upon request with ordering ability at no charge; crayons are also available. Buffalo Wild Wings restaurants are located in Bay Shore, Centereach, Farmingdale, Hicksville, Miller Place, North Babylon, Oceanside, Riverhead, Valley Stream and Westbury. For more information, visit buffalowildwings.com.

LT Burger

Parents visiting LT Burger (62 Main St., Sag Harbor; 631-899-4646) can buy children an "LT Kids Box" that comes with a choice of children's menu items, sides, drink, fruit and kids toy; box has a maze and word search printed on the sides: $17. Crayons are available for free; a free-standing video arcade game is available for play (takes quarters; 50 cents a game). For more information, visit ltburger.com.

Olive Garden

At Olive Garden, tabletop tablets are placed in seating areas with ordering ability; games are available on each tablet for kids to play (for $1.99, added to your bill; crayons are also available for free). Restaurants are located in Bay Shore, Centereach, Valley Stream and Westbury. For more information, visit olivegarden.com.

Red Robin

Red Robin eateries feature tabletop tablets placed in seating areas with ordering ability; games are available on each tablet for kids to play (for $1.99, added to your bill; crayons are also available for free). Restaurants are located in Bellmore, Carle Place, Commack and West Babylon. For more information, visit redrobin.com.

Friendly's

At Friendly's, children receive crayons and large activity/coloring placemats, as well as cardboard crowns for no added charge. Restaurants are located in Baldwin, Commack, Coram, East Islip, East Meadow, Franklin Square, Levittown, Massapequa Park, Medford, Middle Island, Miller Place, Mineola, Riverhead, Ronkonkoma, Sayville, Shirley, Smithtown, Stony Brook and Syosset. For more information, visit friendlys.com.

Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar

At Applebee's, tabletop tablets are placed in seating areas with ordering ability; games are available on each tablet for kids to play (for $1.99, added to your bill; crayons are also available for free). Applebee's restaurants are located in Baldwin, Bellmore, Bethpage, Bohemia, Brentwood, Commack, Elmont, East Farmingdale, East Islip, Farmingville, Huntington Station, Lake Grove, Lindenhurst, Miller Place, New Hyde Park, Patchogue, Riverhead, Shirley, Westbury and Woodmere. For more information, visit applebees.com.

Texas Roadhouse

Both the Deer Park and East Meadow locations of Texas Roadhouse host visits from live entertainers on a weekly basis from 5 to 8 p.m. Check out a balloon-twisting artist in East Meadow on Mondays, while children can either get their faces painted and do crafts or enjoy tricks from Ivan the Magician in Deer Park on rotating Tuesday nights. For more information, visit texasroadhouse.com.

Benihana

Kids dining at Benihana receive crayons and cardboard hibachi chef hats with activities printed on the reverse side; no added charge. Restaurants are located in Manhasset and Westbury; for more information, check benihana.com.