What Makes A Restaurant Family-Friendly?

Being childless myself, I usually don't have to consider whether a restaurant is child-friendly or at least child-proof. When dining with friends or family members with children, I'm usually fairly flexible about where they want to go. I totally understand the value of "

" deals at Piccadilly, O'Charley's and Appleby's, but I usually don't go there unless somebody else's kids are the deciding factor.

But I've learned that pricing isn't always the deal-maker or deal-breaker. Some folks I know swear by the Pied Piper Eatery because they have a little play area for kids that isn't as involved as the ball pit at a McDonald's. Restaurants that allow the kids to take part in the assemblage of their meal like Sweet CeCe's or Pfunky Griddle are always entertaining for children but can rack up quite a bill for their parents with all the available add-ins. Use caution.