Need Some Activity Ideas For In Hotel

[usschmidt]

We're going next week (Sat-Wed) and I really want to take mid-day breaks this time. The girls are just too young to stay in the park the whole day, but they're too old for naps. What can we do entertainment-wise? I was thinking of getting some Pixos, bringing our Mr. Potato Head pieces, and some dollar store stuff...along w/the car ride things like Leapster, dvd player, and ipod.

What do you do when your kids don't nap and it's too cool to swim?

Thanks!!!

 

[jemilah]

we are bringing cards uno and a regular deck, you can also try travel sized board games.

 

[Brancaneve]

My kids really liked the Color Wonder packs from Crayola. The markers only work on the special paper so you don't have to worry about markers getting all over the hotel room and clothing.

 

[PinkBudgie]

You don't say how old they are, but you can do "quiet time" where they have to read a book, color, or maybe play with something quietly they just got at the park. I used to do this when my boys were around 4. They usually didn't nap everyday but I need them to take a break. Seems like you could do the same thing at a hotel for maybe 45 min or an hour.

 

[Disney Princess]

I don't have kids, but things we did when I WAS a kid were as follows: coloring books, activity books (like what we worked on at school - math, reading, etc.), check out books at the library before leaving home so we could read, play games (lots of travel sized games at Wal-Mart and Target), watch a DVD (which sometimes enduced sleep on us even though at home we'd never have napped). Those are just a few things I can think of. I hope you have fun!!

 

[usschmidt]

You don't say how old they are, but you can do "quiet time" where they have to read a book, color, or maybe play with something quietly they just got at the park. I used to do this when my boys were around 4. They usually didn't nap everyday but I need them to take a break. Seems like you could do the same thing at a hotel for maybe 45 min or an hour.

Oops, sorry. My girls are 5 and 7 yrs old.

Thanks for the ideas!

Has anyone ever tried those plug-and-play video games? Do the tv's at Hojo's have jacks to plug them in?

 

[avalon451]

I wouldn't discount swimming just yet, especially if you are staying at HoJo. It's quite possible it will be plenty warm enough. Although the air quality is questionable, of course. Anyway, that Castaway Cove is just about irresistable, and right next to the hot tub ("YESSSS!" says the mom and dad! ).

Also, even if your kids have given up naps, you might be surprised what can happen when you have them stretch out and "relax your eyes for 5 minutes." None of our girls nap of course, but we ALL fell asleep every afternoon on our break, all 5 of us.

Have a great time!

 

[swimrsal]

Hi Susan!

Leapster
Color Wonder
Small Lego sets
Mad Libs (remember those?)
Board games (they make some that are smaller like candy land, chutes and ladders, memory, hi ho cheerio)
Dominos
Watch Disney Movies
Aquadoodle

Those are my ideas off the top of my head.

-Sally

 

[bumbershoot]

I wouldn't discount swimming just yet, especially if you are staying at HoJo. It's quite possible it will be plenty warm enough. Although the air quality is questionable, of course. Anyway, that Castaway Cove is just about irresistable, and right next to the hot tub ("YESSSS!" says the mom and dad! ).

Also, even if your kids have given up naps, you might be surprised what can happen when you have them stretch out and "relax your eyes for 5 minutes." None of our girls nap of course, but we ALL fell asleep every afternoon on our break, all 5 of us.

Have a great time!

I agree with Gail!

We're going in early December, and my guys have absolute plans to swim, only giving up IF the water is just too too too cold.

And at 3.5, being done with his nap for a long time, DS would pass out for short periods while we wandered around DL/DCA, and he actually started sleeping without much help and sleeping through the night during that visit! Disneyland is a magical magical place full of sleeping children too tired to think about going all day or waking up at night. For us, at least.

 

[tracer]

I am laughing as I type reading some of the PP. We go back for a "rest/nap" mid day everyday we go. The boys always think they aren't tired but as soon as we all get back to the room and lay down for a second, we are ALL out. We just tell the boys they need to relax and have quiet time and it ends up lasting for an hour or two. Then we are good to go for round two at the parks.

I think quiet things are good, books, coloring, puzzles, math or spelling work books...down time is always rejuvenating.

 

[ylatan]

i will second the uno suggestions. we love to play it as a family. even my 4yo can play, and everyone gets plenty of chances to win.

 

[Krissy Marissy]

I agree with the pp's that suggest quite activities. Even if they dont nap the down/quiet time might help more than more loud games. I bet they will be plenty tired enough when they get there if you can only just get them to lay down and close their eyes

 

[DTDkettleCORNfan]

I was at Walmart today, and got my daughter one of those pink craft foam crowns (like the craft foam visors) for $0.97. They also sold a pack of peel and stick foam shapes.....pink glittery ones with a castle and starbursts. She has been decorating her visor for quite awhile now (and I am able to check the boards uninterrupted.....)

 

[kiwitravel]

If you are taking a laptop you could get your kids to do a diary each complete with digital photos, my son did a powerpoint display for both our trips (he was only 7 for the first one) and had a ball. Also if there is that all important must have photo they need its not too far to go and get it...

 

[Canyon girl]

If you are staying in a hotel with a DVD player, bring movies. It was so hot for a couple of days that we were there. I had taken Sleeping Beauty on DVD with (I'm not sure why!), but it sure came in handy. Your younger one may fall asleep during the movie! If there is no DVD, you could huddle around the laptop (if it is going with). If you are staying in one of the Disney hotels, check out their cartoon viewing area. Sit in the lobby at the GCH and take in the ambiance.

 

[Vacation Dad]

Watch the TV (I'm sure it has the Disney Channel), it's vacation!