Keeping Kidlets (Big and Small) Occupied in Line

[Malcon10t]

I liked the Disney themed games listed in another thread. What about going in a circle naming attractions at Disneyland (no repeats or food places, otherwise the ODV carts win....)

[adriennek]

Do they still make those carbon things with a plastic sheet type thing over it. You draw on it (tic tac toe) and then you lift it and it clears itself. Those are cheap and have endless possibilities.

Now we have magna doodles. (Which is actually a trademark much like calling a tissue "kleenex" or a soda pop a 'coke' - but "iron shaving drawing board with a magnet wand" is so long to say... ;) ) They rock hard. Target has a little self-branded Magna Doodle that's something like 5 bucks or less. Love 'em!

Adrienne

[Malcon10t]

Another word game is "Back to you". You choose a topic, then see who can keep going with items the longest. Each person gets something like 5 seconds to name the next item. When they can't, they drop out. As an example you can say "Things that fold". Then you start with something like Chair, then the next person could say arms, then maybe paper, or newspaper, etc... No repeats. Interesting to see what unique things they can come up with.

[basketballmom]

Another word game is "Back to you". You choose a topic, then see who can keep going with items the longest. Each person gets something like 5 seconds to name the next item. When they can't, they drop out. As an example you can say "Things that fold". Then you start with something like Chair, then the next person could say arms, then maybe paper, or newspaper, etc... No repeats. Interesting to see what unique things they can come up with.

We like to do this one with "Disney characters" or "Disney movies." Or we will do the alphabet game....name something at DL that begins with A then B.....

[DrAlice]

2) I am a prenurisng student and I am taking a human body class this summer quarter, I have made up several sets of flash cards for myself (heart, bones, muscles)and will have my DH "quiz" me on them. I figured an hour and a half of standing in line will be very good use to "study" and have fun at the same time and the broken up times between that gives my mind a break (because I'm sure it will need it). Hoping this works.

As a Professor who is teaching Human Anatomy to prenursing students this summer, I have one word for you: AWESOME!

I will pass on your tip to my students. :)

-A

[DrAlice]

Since we usually have a packed schedule of running from from one ride to the next, we usually use line time to drink water (or mint juleps or smoothies) and eat (big purse full of snack food!).

I'll never foget the envious looks from fellow lunchtime linegoers as we busted out cheese and crackers.

I suppose we should've offered to share... oopsie...

-A

[mkraemer]

When our kids were littler, we used bubbles to entertain them (and other people waiting in line too). Who can be uncheered by bubbles?

[minniemom]

I was thinking about how we keep our kids occupied in line & the real answer is actually, keep them out of line as much as possible!!!

Some might think I am odd, but we take the kids out of school to be at Disneyland during off peak season. Even then we still use fast passes and try to hit the park during the week, not weekends. That way the time in line is very limited compared to what it could be.

Of course not all rides have fast passes. This is when we feed the kids their snacks. Nothing keeps my kids busy like an ice cream sandwhich or an apple!!!

These are the little strategies I spend my time thinking of!!!

[neverlander]

Well, there's this clapping/rhyming game I know...:D
(Just kidding!!!)

[wvnative]

Luckly for me, she's pretty well self entertaining. We also always go in the off season adn we don't spend a lot of time in lines. She brings her Zen and/or texts with her friends who are very jealous that they are not there with her. I tend to take pictures and people watch. Line time is snack time for us too. There's also no better time to decide what our next stop will be.

Now, while waiting in line in the esplanade, we are usually singing along or trying to figure out what the song is. lol

[MickeyDogMom]

Well I just packed my 'entertainment' bag for Disneyland and here's what went in:

-Electronic Sudoku game (6$ at Walmart)
-Gameboy Advanced (with 4 games)
-Electronic 20Q's
-Deck of cards
-craft string (you can make a chain out of it)
-a book
-iPod (will be in soon) with 10 videos and 3,500 songs
-Digital camera (in soon)

Does anyone think I have a short attention span? ;) I'm actually a suprisingly quite and patient person. :D

[MickeyDogMom]

I was just thinking those craft lace things are fun to make in line, they are quite and take some concentration. Unless you are used to knitting and crocheting and you can do it without thought. Plus they're cheap.

http://www.makingfriends.com/plasticlace_crafts.htm

Here's a place that tells you how to make different ones.

[WDW heart]

Whenever we are waiting in a restaurant or in a line, we always play an animal version of 20 questions. My kids are animal lovers, you can ask any question yes or no, no limit to how many questions. We never seem to get sick of this game. My kids are also old enough now, that we can just pick a topic and debate.