Do you bring things to occupy your kids while in line?

[maxiesmom]

Bubbles
Silly String
Water guns


Just kidding! We have never ever brought anything along to keep the kids entertained in line. And we are not the types that let the kids enter the line at the last minute so they are not bored either. We spend the time talking about our day, about what we are looking forward to, and basically just enjoying our time together. When the kids were young we would play I Spy if we were in a longish line.

Maybe I'm crazy, but I don't get rewarding for good behavior. Good behavior is what is expected. Bad behavior (and I'm not talking about a little meltdown) is addressed at the time.

 

[Juliet25]

No, I won't being anything special, but I'll certainly whip out he iPhone if I think it will help diffuse a meltdown. I'm all in favor of using any tool at my disposal to keep the peace. However, I do think learning patience is a good life skill, so the kids will get a crash course in at Disney.

 

[purpledisneyprncess]

I think the idea of a Nintendo DS or Ipod touch is fine to keep them occupied and not fighting with each other. I have two children; a 6 year old boy and 3 year old girl and they are always bickering too... The only thing I'd worry about is them losing such an expensive item. The "I Spy" game may work on my kids but yours are a little older and I don't think that will keep their attention. Keep snacks on hand and give that to them or some gum. Also, someone brought up the idea of having them look at the park maps, that is a great idea!

Another idea: you can purchase two small journals (my daughter has a disney fairy notebook/journal that we picked up in the $1 section at Target) and have them write their favorite moments in there, how long ride times are, appx. how many people they think are in the parks, the weather of each day, etc..

 

[ireland_nicole]

My kids have been carrying their own stuff for the last several trips. My son knows exactly how valuable hi DSi is since he saved the money for it. He's planning to being it on our trip next month. He's never been careless with it, and I he were to lose it he would have to replace it. If other People don't want to being a game with them, fine- but it works for us and has been a lifesaver

 

[maxiesmom]

My kids have been carrying their own stuff for the last several trips. My son knows exactly how valuable hi DSi is since he saved the money for it. He's planning to being it on our trip next month. He's never been careless with it, and I he were to lose it he would have to replace it. If other People don't want to being a game with them, fine- but it works for us and has been a lifesaver

Just make sure he also brings a baggie to put it in, for when you go on any water rides.

 

[iheartdisney]

I will not bring their DSs for lines, but will bring them on a day I know we are planning on watching F! or WOC. A 30 minute moving line is a completely different animal than a hour wait (WOC) or a several hour wait (Fantasmic)

 

[Samar]

On vacation, we are leaving all electronics aside from phones (and laptops for faster speed than our phones) at home. I may bring stickers for my 3 year old or a small figurine for imaginary play but the older 2, nada. There is just so much to see and standing in line also is good for family talk time

 

[mummabear]

Mine are quite a bit younger but the most I would have is some bubbles (bubbles go everywhere!) and snacks. Waiting is part of the deal sadly. I am worried enough about carrying the camera around without it getting lost or broken (by getting wet on splash mountain etc) I wouldnt want to have anything else

 

[WildGrits]

My youngest is 14 and she hasn't left the house with out her DS or a MP3 player for years. They even come to restaurants with us.

That being said, my youngest has High Functioning Autism. But there are loads of reasons people have a difficult time waiting inline or standing near other people.

This is the way I see it, impatient kid entertain themself by either annoying the other kid or bouncing around annoying others in line. Now either other kid is upset or folks around you are causing mom/dad to be annoyed. Great time had by all.

I say this is one of the reasons DS's are such a great invention. It's also a great chance for a kid to learn to be responsible for their own stuff. Only once has my daughter left her backpack on a ride. Thankfully we got it back quickly, but she knew if it was gone, I would not replace it.

If you think having the DS with you will make the day go smoother, by all means bring it. But I would make him responsible for his own bag and making sure he charges his stuff every night.

 

[maxiesmom]

Being patient is also a taught skill for most people. Most kids who are constantly being kept busy by some form of electrical devise are missing out on learning that skill.

I also think that most people get a kid bouncing around a little in line. If they are way out of hand, smacking into people or throwing a fit, they need to be removed from line and taught that that is not acceptable behavior. Kids are smart and will learn what they are taught. Note I am not talking about a child with a disability of some kind. However we do our kids a great disservice by not teaching them how to get along without an I-Pad or DS in their face all of the time.

 

[Samar]

Being patient is also a taught skill for most people. Most kids who are constantly being kept busy by some form of electrical devise are missing out on learning that skill.

I also think that most people get a kid bouncing around a little in line. If they are way out of hand, smacking into people or throwing a fit, they need to be removed from line and taught that that is not acceptable behavior. Kids are smart and will learn what they are taught. Note I am not talking about a child with a disability of some kind. However we do our kids a great disservice by not teaching them how to get along without an I-Pad or DS in their face all of the time.

Exactly.

 

[OurMinnieFamily]

It comes down to YOU know whats best for YOUR children. I can say whatever I'd like in regards to my parenting style, however chances are yours is much different.

If you believe your children are going to be fighting and misbehaving while waiting on line, bring something to help prevent them from doing so. I wont be bringing anything for my daughter. I dont want to carry it and I wouldnt expect her to carry it all day either.

When asking a group of parents all with different parenting methods, you are going to get many different opinions, thus causing you to second guess what you know is right for your family!

Enjoy your vacation, with our without electronic devices.

 

[Wadecool]

Lots of great ideas! I remember reading on here before about suggestions for riding in the car with kids that may apply in lines, too, and you can start them while you're still at home. If your kids have a tendency to squabble, try to "catch" them being good and reward them to encourage the opposite behavior. People have suggested having rolls of quarters or little toys on hand to give for good behavior (or take back for bad). A few instances of this, and maybe your kids won't be as tempted to bicker in line if they know they could get a little something for being nice to one another! Just a thought.

Question? Does anyone take bottles of bubbles for lines in the park?

In order to start WWIII and cause pandemonium on the DIS, all you have to do is say one simple and seemingly innocent word... bubbles.

 

[tessa67]

Nothing, DD has been going since she was 2, she is now 5. She can interact with me, introduce herself to other children and interact with them, watch the ride or watch the people.

If standing in line for a ride is too difficult for her to handle we will get out of line and go somewhere else (did this once at Dumbo).

 

[Lizzybean]

I'm packing my husband.

Seriously though, I can say I have good kids (I only bc people tell me in astonished voices how well mannered they are all the time) but when it's hot out and a line is long even my kids will fight. My DH is a saint. He is the fun, goofy, cool parent while I'm the disciplinarian. If he can't entertain them when they get to that point we get out their phones and they play angry birds, dream zoo, whatever. My rules in line are do not bother other people, do not touch or bump into other people, do not raise voices, do not invade other's personal space. Oh and have fun!! Usually if they start to fight I give the look out of the corner of my eye and that ends it unless they are exhausted. I just really don't want them to have any behavior that would interfere with other peoples enjoyment in the park so if we have to break out the phones to zip them up I'll do it.

 

[Lizzybean]

In order to start WWIII and cause pandemonium on the DIS, all you have to do is say one simple and seemingly innocent word... bubbles.

I'm too new to know about the bubble controversy but as soon as I read the post I thought...man if *I'm* having a bad moment and all of a sudden start getting hit with bubbles in line I might stroke out!!! But I'm inconsistent. Catch me in a good mood and I think they're cute. I do know for sure I'd never ever bring them.

 

[momH2the4th]

Entertainment for standing in line? Disney is entertainment enough and definitely a time for the kids to be away from electronics. There's too much electronic stimulus in our kids' lives. I think vacation is a time to be away from all of it. Kids need to learn patience. Standing in line to do something fun is a great time to learn it. If a child has difficulty standing in line and is causing an issue, they get to leave the line with a parent and not go on the ride. It only takes 1 or 2 times before they learn and do the right thing and the other child gets the lesson also. It's their choice to have fun or not. Life lessons...so much fun!

 

[tjmw2727]

I will not bring their DSs for lines, but will bring them on a day I know we are planning on watching F! or WOC. A 30 minute moving line is a completely different animal than a hour wait (WOC) or a several hour wait (Fantasmic)

This is us as well!

Another exception is Christmas and New Years when there is alot of waiting and downtime !! My dd found a .99 app that had lots of interesting Disney trivia and we all played that together throughout last year's trip.

 

[miami305]

Entertainment for standing in line? Disney is entertainment enough and definitely a time for the kids to be away from electronics. There's too much electronic stimulus in our kids' lives. I think vacation is a time to be away from all of it. Kids need to learn patience. Standing in line to do something fun is a great time to learn it. If a child has difficulty standing in line and is causing an issue, they get to leave the line with a parent and not go on the ride. It only takes 1 or 2 times before they learn and do the right thing and the other child gets the lesson also. It's their choice to have fun or not. Life lessons...so much fun!

This should be standard response for every "What do I do with my child?" question. It covers everything.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

This should be standard response for every "What do I do with my child?" question. It covers everything.

Wow! I really wish I lived in your world where everything was so incredibly simple. In my world, there's a wide variety of children with varying needs. And what may work with one child may never work with another.