I have certain kids who would love to play rather than eat. I make them sit at the table for meals. They don't have to eat but they have to sit there because it is good manners and I don't want them going hungry on account of toys/play time.

I usually expect them to sit there until about 60% of the meal/eaters are done and then I say "okay you can go play now."

If one or two children are off playing then the other kids also want to get up and play and you get an empty table pretty quick