How do you occupy your kids while waiting in line?

[6Smiles]

I was thinking about bringing bubbles. Do you think this is a good idea?

 

[deejdigsdis]

My little guy (4) likes to play "I Spy" while waiting for anything. Your youngest might enjoy that. I remember reading about bubbles a long time ago on the DIS. They wouldn't bother me at all -- my kids would enjoy having bubbles fly by. But someone was complaining about the soap residue landing in their hair.

 

[Nala83]

I don't think bubbles are practical. People are packed in pretty tightly in lines. You are invariably blowing them right in people's faces- and there's no room for jumping around to "catch" them (and that's really what makes bubbles fun, right?).

I'm a big fan of eating snacks in line (things like trail mix are easy to munch on while zig zagging). Looking for hidden Mickeys is always fun too.

 

[wendypooh22]

When my kids were younger, we would play "I Spy". Not sure about the bubbles ... They are fun for kids, but I would be bothered if the little one next to me in line was blowing them and I could not escape from the soapy bubbles.

 

[Todd Lee]

I've been wondering what to do for entertainment as well. Our upcoming trip will be DW, DS 6.9 yr, DD 3 yr. and me. We took DS a month after turning 4, he did outstanding. It's our DD that I'm more concerned about, that and occupying 2 LO's at a time. I thought about letting them play Itouch in longer lines, but I don't want video games to become the focus of the day. Bubbles sounds like it could be fun, but I can see it becoming a big mess too.

Typically, we talk about the ride, and everything around us, almost like "I spy".

 

[Minniemouse07]

Ds was 2yo our last trip and as long as he had a wheeled vehicle he was good. He literally laid down on the floor and played w/ his cars/trains and would move up when the line moved.

He's 4.5yo now and we leave tomorrow. I'm guessing that the vehicles will work again but he won't be laying down this trip!

I carry a few new small toys, small bubble containers, search & find puzzles, etc. We also play I Spy and look for hidden mickey's. Dd (now 8) is really good at spotting the HMs.

 

[RobertaMomof2]

When we went we found that the lines really were moving most the time. DL is great at moving lines along. Since we were almost moving through the zig zags the kids didnt get too bored (then they were almost 5 and almost 2). They are 6 and almost 3 now and we go back next month.

I always had a ton of snacks for them while in line. When we were going from place to place they never wanted to eat, but in line that was food time. It worked out for us and I never had to hear the "I am hungry!".

We plan to bring the fruit chews, pretzels, some trail mix, squeeze fruit pouches and such for just that. Stuff that they can eat relatively quickly.

Hope this helps!

 

[sandgrace]

I have found that Tic Tacs work great for my 5 year old, I know that they aren't the healthiest but I usually don't give her Tic Tacs at home so she's excited about them at DL. I wouldn't advise bubbles as I can see that really annoying others around you in line.

 

[specialks]

Another vote for snacktime during line waits. Also we let the kids have their own maps and they talk about the rides and where they want to go.

 

[letthembelittle]

Another vote for snacktime during line waits. Also we let the kids have their own maps and they talk about the rides and where they want to go.

I agree, I was really worried about this on our first trip but my kids really surprised me with how well they just waited in line, they liked eating snacks or looking at the map or talking to the people in line with us. It really was much better then I had imagined, I hope it is for you too!

 

[6Smiles]

Minniemouse07 have a wonderful trip!

Thank you all for getting back to me so quickly. I've decided not to do bubbles. Great ideas - Disneyland map, I spy, Hidden Mickey's and snack time. I think my girls will be okay with wait times. Thank you for all your help .

 

[jmainaz]

The problem with bubbles is that it might be the closest that some of the people who visit Disney, come in contact with soap!
Well, at least it seems that way after a long day in the parks.
I say blow away!

 

[pixiewings71]

I'm not sure I would want bubbles blowing around me while at DLR, I mean in theory it's a great idea but realistically it may not work so well.
Our girls are older but when we first took them to DL we did things like talk about where to go next, talk about what they liked best so far, what they might want to eat later and they both had DS's that they carried in their backpacks. We also have a "family rule" that we don't wait in lines over 45 min long so that helped. Of course not everyone has that luxury but our first trip we didn't have APs and that worked well for us.

 

[darph nader]

Maybe we'll take some string next time and teach the grand-kids how to play 'cat's-cradle'.

 

[amym2]

We play games like the ones we play in the car on long trips... pick a category and everyone takes turns coming up with things that start with every letter of the alphabet (ie food- A for apple, B for burger, etc). That might be fun to do with a Disney category. 20 Questions is another good one.... I think of a Disney character and kids have to take turns asking questions to determine who it is. As others said, our kids love snacks (esp. Craisins) and looking at the map. We don't lug around much to do and make every effort to avoid long lines.

 

[mommyof2boys1girl]

snacks and the Iphone were our most requested "in line" entertainment options.

 

[NMMickeymom]

We bring cards and play easier hand held games like go fish. Often a parent is the stack holder for our games in line. We have also brought little trivia games and conversation games along the lines of "if you were stranded on a desert island who and what would you bring". Amazon has lots of little conversation cards that you can purchase. Nice for adults too and a fun way to connect. We have Nintendos as well but try to save those for emergencies.

 

[shishigirl]

I second (third, fourth?) the "I Spy" but we call it "I Spy with My Disneyland Eye" and we describe places in the park. Im gonna have to try the conversation cards! Thanks for the idea NMMickeymom.

 

[joeysmommy]

I use this Hidden Mickey Checklist if we happen to be in a long line.
http://findingmickey.squarespace.com/hidden-mickey-checklist-dl/
Not necessary to buy the hidden mickey guide book, this is perfect for kids.

We also eat snacks while in line (pretzels, dried mangoes, granola bars, crackers etc) helps keep the crankiness to a minimum too.

I Spy is always fun with so much to look at.

Since we usually are at DL in September during the week, long lines aren't really a problem.

 

[ironlou]

My kids are 9 and 11. The both have Nintendo DS's and iPods and a backpack to carry them in.

They also love just looking around and finding somethign new they didnt see before. This will be their 3rd time to DL so they are becoming veterans at an early age. I have been raised to go from open to close at DL and I do the same with them. It helps they are both really good athletes so their bodies are trained to keep going and going.