Tink Gifts/Things to Do in Line

[sara74]

Went to Michael's Craft store yesterday and found some great Disney stuff for the kids. I want to leave a little gift in our room for each day that we are there, hopefully something to keep them a little busy in line (maybe I am being optimistic here!) The kids will be 4 and 21 months when we go. There were Disney yoyo's - automatic return ones that don't require skill, doorknob hangers with mini markers and sidewalk chalk in princess and Mickey/Donald etc shapes. All for about $1 each. So I picked those things up so far.

Any other suggestions? Some people had mentioned bubbles but others seemed to have concerns with them. Also, would the chalk be appropriate for the ground in outdoor lines or should I leave that for Easter baskets at home. Believe me, the kids will be CLOSELY supervised and will not be allowed to write on buildings or anything other than the ground. Is it still inappropriate? I don't want to offend anyone, deface Disney, etc. TIA!

 

[powellrj]

I would leave the chalk and bubbles at home.

While you might not think you are bothering anyone, trust me, after 30 minutes of bubbles in your face, having to watch where you step, staying out of the way so you don't get chalk on you or bubbles on your clothes, you aren't going to be the most popular family in the park.

The lines move pretty quickly and most kids can be distracted by Ispy type games and just general Disney watching. Things like hidden mickeys, character look-out can keep them pretty busy.

 

[TinkerBess_SnowTori]

I haven't heard about the trouble with bubbles - what has been happening?

 

[ThreeMusketeers]

We had a Great December Trip with our little one..(3.5) she did get a bit bored in lines from time to time, but nothing that some creative word games or singing couldn't fix. Less is More when you are packing for the parks, I know I wouldn't have wanted to lug around chalk, bubbles, books, ect..ect.. One thing that did work like a charm was a pen and some paper. When she got a little cranky we just put her in the stroller and let her draw for a while. Centered her attention again so we could all move on with the day.

 

[poohs4me]

When DD was 4 we took pipe cleaners (I think I go the idea from the boards) and she had a blast. We worked on letters, tried to create Mickey Mouse, made funny shapes, anything we could think of. We did have one restriction - the pipe cleaners were only for lines and we were firm about that. If the line was short, we did not pull them out. The amazing thing happened she looked forward to the lines.

It is now 5 years later and whenever we are in a line, she wants a pipe cleaner - at least on the the last DCL trip. We have not been back to WDW with her in 4 years.

I also would vote against the bubbles. I think it is very intrusive to the surrounding people.

 

[sara74]

Thanks for the ideas! I had vetoed the bubbles fearing that they would pop on people other than us! I will have a double stroller with us with a big basket, so I am not worried about taking stuff with me if I can get some more ideas. The pipe cleaners sound like just what we need. I want to leave gifts every night for hte kids but we are not into the candy/fruit snacks thing and they will be eating plenty of junk anyway that week!

So far I have yoyo's and pipe cleaners. Any other little things to give/bring?

 

[poohs4me]

Have you looked at Target lately? I noticed in their dollar bin a few things, but they might be too old for your little ones. I cannot remember what they were. I know not helpful, but you could look.

 

[linda_loo]

When DD was 4 we took pipe cleaners (I think I go the idea from the boards) and she had a blast. We worked on letters, tried to create Mickey Mouse, made funny shapes, anything we could think of. We did have one restriction - the pipe cleaners were only for lines and we were firm about that. If the line was short, we did not pull them out. The amazing thing happened she looked forward to the lines.

that is GENIUS!!!

 

[HiddenMickey3018]

My kids always seem to have fun playing "I Spy" while we are waiting in line. I also, (sounding so old) I bring Mad Libs. My kids love playing those games!!! I also get a kick out of it because I loved playing it when I was their age!

 

[Schmeck]

I think the chalk would be best left at home - you'd be pullling the kid from her drawing every ten seconds as the line progressed. Besides, WDW most likely would frown on graffiti!

While some people are annoyed by bubbles popping on them, my daughter is actually allergic to some bubble solutions. We've been lucky so far that the ones Disney uses in the shows haven't caused a problem (although DD tucks her arms into her shirt and sits on her legs to avoid as much contact as possible) but those little bottles that they sell at the dollar store have caused a weird, itchy rash on her skin. We can avoid bubbles out in the open, but in line we are trapped. So we thank everyone who has left the bubble bottle closed in line!

 

[sara74]

DH and I love madlibs too! We actually brought some with us on a kid-free trip to the Rockies last year! I was thinking that DD is still too young. We do play the "I'm thinking of a person game" Maybe we could do it with Disney characters while we are there?

 

[ChloeChipper]

When my kids were little, many years ago, I made these cards. They are kind of like bingo cards. I drew (but now you can actually find real photos of these things with the help of the internet) pictures of things that I knew we'd see during the course of our day. We used them at Disneyland in California and used them very successfully. I think the kids were 6, 4 and 3 at the time.

I got card stock, drew 9 boxes (you could do more or less) on each. I made 5 or 6 for each kid
In each box (different locations on each card of course) I drew items. I probably did a total of about 25 items and put a variety of easier ones, and harder to find ones on each card. Things I put: castle, mickey mouse, a shoe, a soda cup, box of popcorn, dumbo, etc. As soon as they finished their card they got to get an ice cream or a small toy. When they got 3 in a row on their card they got to pick the next ride we went on.
I let them draw on the backs of the cards, too, when they got tired of looking for things. I saved those cards somewhere, I think I need to find them and show the kids.

Silly putty is always good too. They come in the little egg shaped plastic holders. Easy to store and get in and out quickly.

Here is one more idea: Get each kid a small spiral pad of paper and at the beginning of each meal when you are sitting waiting for food have them draw a picture of their favorite thing that day. Then have them dictate a sentence or two to you about what they liked & you write it down. I have heard from others who have done that and what a great momento that would make. I wish I would have done it.

Now my kids are teenagers and will probably just talk to their friends on their cell phones while waiting in line.

 

[sara74]

When my kids were little, many years ago, I made these cards. They are kind of like bingo cards. I drew (but now you can actually find real photos of these things with the help of the internet) pictures of things that I knew we'd see during the course of our day. We used them at Disneyland in California and used them very successfully. I think the kids were 6, 4 and 3 at the time.

I got card stock, drew 9 boxes (you could do more or less) on each. I made 5 or 6 for each kid
In each box (different locations on each card of course) I drew items. I probably did a total of about 25 items and put a variety of easier ones, and harder to find ones on each card. Things I put: castle, mickey mouse, a shoe, a soda cup, box of popcorn, dumbo, etc. As soon as they finished their card they got to get an ice cream or a small toy. When they got 3 in a row on their card they got to pick the next ride we went on.
I let them draw on the backs of the cards, too, when they got tired of looking for things. I saved those cards somewhere, I think I need to find them and show the kids.

Silly putty is always good too. They come in the little egg shaped plastic holders. Easy to store and get in and out quickly.

Here is one more idea: Get each kid a small spiral pad of paper and at the beginning of each meal when you are sitting waiting for food have them draw a picture of their favorite thing that day. Then have them dictate a sentence or two to you about what they liked & you write it down. I have heard from others who have done that and what a great momento that would make. I wish I would have done it. QUOTE]

Wow! Great ideas all of them! What great mementos of the trip too!