keeping 2 year old occupied in line/waiting for shows

[WuvEeyore]

Looking for ideas. We've got a magna doodle and crayons, snacks, too. Any other good ideas from those who've survived a trip with a toddler?

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

On one of the various toddler questions I've posted someone suggested pipe cleaners and a spice container cleaned out to use...Kiddo's put the pipe cleaners in the holes of the spice container...I thought it was genius!

 

[WuvEeyore]

That is a great idea, thanks!

 

[GinnyBear's_mom]

Before every trip, I head to the dollar store and load up on glow sticks. My daughters (2 & 5) love them! DD2 does not put objects in her mouth, so we don't have to worry about her eating the glow sticks. When we are waiting for evening parades or in long low-lit lines (say that 10x fast!) such as Pirates or Nemo I break them out. They're also good for low-lit rides.

 

[LKB23]

I bought my son a Nabi tablet, got it on ebay so a better deal. It was actually his christmas present, but I decided to give it early so he'd have some entertainment. He is 2.5

 

[alc571]

iPod Touch! Our sons first trip was when he was three. It was a life saver on the plane, car rides, long lines, waiting for food, etc.

 

[Lilliputian]

For rides, get there at rope drop and have a plan. Don't waste precious opening hours. It varies based on time of year, but you should be able to just keep walking through the lines most of the time.

Shows are harder. I carry glow jewelry, tiny packages of Skittles, and juice boxes.

 

[Schmeck]

When we first started to go to WDW, when my kids were little, there were no FP lines, etc, so the queues were long. We played guessing games, counted, talked about what we had already seen or might do that day, etc.

Age 0-5 is the time the brain is doing most of the hard wiring for learning - if you can avoid using electronics to pacify your toddlers, you may end up with smarter ones, IMO! Or ones without ADD, anyways.

 

[4kids4karen]

Looking for ideas. We've got a magna doodle and crayons, snacks, too. Any other good ideas from those who've survived a trip with a toddler?

On pinterest you can find ideas for "discovery bottles," "calming bottles," or "sensory bottles." I think these may keep a 2 year old occupied. My youngest is now 10 so I am a bit out of the loop. I don' think crayons sound realistic in a line unless she is sitting in a stroller with a tray attached?

Oh some of the discovery/sensory/calming bottles do contain liquid (water/oil) so you will not want to take that through the airport. There are some that do not contain liquid (like the ones with rice). You could bring the supplies and add the water/oil after you get to your hotel. I would suggest not to let the girl see them in advance anyways so they are "new" in line to keep her attention. Maybe you can even do a Disney themed bottles?

 

[wiigirl]

iPod Touch! Our sons first trip was when he was three. It was a life saver on the plane, car rides, long lines, waiting for food, etc.

 

[Haley]

Bring a lollipop! We don't give dd candy in real life so she is super excited by a small lollipop. I would probably only use it on a long line or if they are old enough to understand " ok lets put it away right now but when we are done with the ride you can have it back" to avoid a melt down...lol

 

[WuvEeyore]

Thanks for all the great ideas!

 

[lovetogowdw]

The best way to keep a little one happy is not to stand in lines in the first place.

- Arrive at rope drop and hit the top rides/shows of interest without Fast Pass first. Study the map and have a plan before you arrive.
- Two exceptions:
Pooh's ride and Dumbo -- both have fun things to do IN the line - but you want to hit them before the line is "too" long. (My youngest likes the line parts better than either ride.)
- Study up on how to use Fast Pass, as well as where to go to GET the Fast Passes for the rides you want to use it.
- We never arrive way before a show starts. If it is a "big deal" show on a super busy day, then we find an ADR with a meal package that includes seating and arrive right before the designated time for the package.
- Most other shows will still have seats available (even on a busy day) shortly before the show starts. Might not be great seats, but you can still see and enjoy the shows. And the kids aren't bored.
- Little kids often like the small group/individual performances better than the big shows. The MK's Main Street performers, the Hollywood Studios performers along the side streets, the bands in Africa area in AK, etc. have all been big hits with my kids in the infant to 5 year old stage.

 

[Caseheidi]

Don't forget to actually enjoy the surroundings of the line when you are there and point things out to your little one. Disney does such a great job in their lines, and there is really so much to see while in line. We started playing "I Spy" with DD when she was 2, and the lines are a great place to play this. Or other games that deal with colors, shapes, matching etc. Just asking them something like " do you see something red?" And pointing too everything that applies can take a lot of time, keep team distracted and have fun. After all a child's favorite play to is usually their parents, so most little ones will be thrilled with the attention!

 

[FlightlessDuck]

The best way to keep a little one happy is not to stand in lines in the first place.

This is my go-to answer to this question as well.

 

[Trip planner]

I brought mini-slinkys, silly putty, wiki stix, finger puppets in my diaper bag. It was a little bit annoying to untangle the slinkys.