A family of 8 can cost plenty of money to dine out even with the specials.  It is a special treat for my family to eat that is usually done to celebrate good grades on report cards.  My family does not seem to mind especially when we have restaurant night at home.

Our Buffet Night is just a fancy term for leftovers.  All the leftovers are set out, everyone gets to pick what they want just like they would at any buffet.  There is no rule that you have to try everything on this night.  The same applies to all the below themes.  With a choice of two to three entrees and four or more sides, everyone gets plenty to eat of what they choose.

Our other nights have themes to make it fun.  We usually name it after the various restaurants around.  There is McDonald's night where we have hamburgers, Mc-Chickens, French fries and soda.  We can make all of these items for a fraction of the cost.

The breakfast bar serves as the counter as each member comes up to place an order.  I am the short order cook, of course.  A menu is placed on the counter with the items available.

There is Taco Bell Night with burritos, nachos and tacos.  Denny's Night serves up pancakes and other breakfast food to the family.  We have Family Restaurant Night (chicken fried steak plus another main dish and sides) where a waitress/waiter take orders from "customers" and bring water to the table and the orders.  I even have a bell I can ding and yell, "Order up!"  We have Mexican Restaurant Night which is just a fancier Taco Bell.  This one has wait staff to serve you.  The ideas are as numerous as there are restaurants to imitate.  Our Chinese Restaurant Night is complete with fortune cookies.

The all-time favorite is our Carnival Night.  I set up the kitchen like a concession stand.  The family places their orders from the menu provided.  Funnel cakes, lemonade and cotton candy are musts to have on this night.  Other items are various sodas, nachos, pizza slices, and hot dogs.  I even have pretend money that I give the kids so they can "buy" their food (that would work with any theme).  We have fun, and I find my children prefer these nights to the real thing!  I can also control a bit of the cooking for healthier eating.

My next theme to try is a car hop.  It is going to be complete with cars that the children can make from appliance boxes and a waitress on skates.  The dinner menu will consist of hamburgers, chili dogs, French fries, onion rings, sodas and shakes.  We will then "drive" to the drive-in for a movie after dinner (aka watching a new release rental on our television).

Family fun doesn't have to be expensive, but the memories that they create are worth a million bucks.

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