Ideas for 3 yo "keep busy in line and restaurants" activity bag

[idreamdisney]

Thanks for all the GREAT ideas, you creative peeps! I'm definitely going to get wikki stix and had not thought of bringing play-doh...he'll LOVE both! I've been getting those "Spot What?" books at Chick fil a and he can sit and look at them for an hour, so I'll throw those in my pack too. I also liked the coloring on Post-its idea...perfect for the plane!

What are surprise ink books?

OT...Since I have no idea if he'll be scared of the dark rides, I was thinking of packing a little flashlight for him to hold...that way he could feel like he had some control and could have fun w/ the flashlight if he got scared on some of the dark rides. Would this be a problem? I wouldn't want the light to interfere w/ anyone else's experience, but if I remember right...the dark kiddie rides aren't pitch black dark are they?...I'm hoping people in other cars wouldn't see the light. and of course, it would just be a mini-flashlight too.
Just an idea!

 

[Princess Roo]

OT...Since I have no idea if he'll be scared of the dark rides, I was thinking of packing a little flashlight for him to hold...that way he could feel like he had some control and could have fun w/ the flashlight if he got scared on some of the dark rides. Would this be a problem? I wouldn't want the light to interfere w/ anyone else's experience, but if I remember right...the dark kiddie rides aren't pitch black dark are they?...I'm hoping people in other cars wouldn't see the light. and of course, it would just be a mini-flashlight too.
Just an idea!

I think it's a good idea. DS on our most recent trip all of the sudden decided to be scared of the dark and we were so glad we had one of those little key-chain flashlights. They don't cast enough light to bother people around you and it made him feel better. As long as you don't get one of the super-powerful lights or let him shine them at other people it should be fine.

 

[tink2005]

We were always fine until we were seated at a restaurant and ds had to wait for the food (too much anticipation???). A ziplock baggie of legos was always a big hit. Also, if the restuarant has sturdy coffe cups, he enjoyed drinking"coffee" (water! ) and that kept him acting grown up (for a few minutes!). We always liked coloring books and crayons until our crayons melted into one giant crayon! After that it was colored pencils.

hope you enjoy

 

[Girly_Qs]

We are HUGE fans of Namits. Kind of a variation on the alphabet game, with all sorts of variety (and various skill levels). Plus, they clip onto the diaper bag, they're light, and nearly indestructible!

 

[DVCJEN]

PLease don't bring bubbles. Many people have allergies and they also can stain the clothing of those around you. There have been posts from people with allergies that had a bubble land on their bodies and then have to deal with skin problems the rest of the trip.

I have to agree. Please don't bring bubbles. They are messy and can cause all sorts of annoyances to others.

 

[luckey-lasvegas]

When my DD was little I would always order a childs meal for myself at Mickey D's etc. and ask for the under 3 toy. I would keep those toys in a ziploc bag in my diaper bag and she would only get to play with them when we were out at a restaurant. She loved the tops that could spin on the table and also the dancing Disney princess (wind up toy) that we bought at Disneyland. The last time we were at Disneyland DD10 brought her gameboy to play while we stood in line.

 

[clownchk]

Another game she likes to play is "animal sounds." Everyone takes turns thinking of an animal and then you pick someone who has to make that animal's sound (or make the sound and dd has to guess the animal). We still play this game, but with harder animals. Dh likes to trick dd by giving her animals that don't make any sounds (turtles, giraffes, butterflies) but she started catching on.

We play this game, I was naming animals and she was making the sounds. I tried to trick my now 5 yo DD by saying "Giraffe" Without missing a beat she said "Hi! I'm a giraffe" It cracked us ALL up LOL!


There are a TON of great suggestions here.

 

[tjmw2727]

When my DD was little I would always order a childs meal for myself at Mickey D's etc. and ask for the under 3 toy. I would keep those toys in a ziploc bag in my diaper bag and she would only get to play with them when we were out at a restaurant. She loved the tops that could spin on the table and also the dancing Disney princess (wind up toy) that we bought at Disneyland. The last time we were at Disneyland DD10 brought her gameboy to play while we stood in line.

Just fyi you don't even have to buy the food - my sil hits McD and BK and just purchases the toddler toys prior to a trip esp for the airplane.

Also for dark rides and toddlers I recommend just a glow stick rather than a penlight/flashlight so it dosen't interfere with other guests. Some of the cars are close enough together so others could see a light esp a flashlight.

TJ