Tips on entertaining 3 1/2 yo waiting in line

[Tigger7570]

Hi:
Need some tips on how to entertain a 3 1/2 yo while waiting in line. Any suggestions would be great.

 

[tlbwriter]

Bubbles! Carry a small bottle of bubble solution. You could even get the little party favor size that would fit in a pocket. We also like to play "I Spy."

 

[Tigger7570]

Hi: tlbwriter: I will definitely do the I spy game, but bubbles are out. I had read on these boards about someone suggesting bubbles and someone pointed out that bubbles are very harmful to anyone who has a dry eyes problem and that they can really irritate them. I hadn't thought of this until a poster pointed it out. Thank you for the other tip.

 

[Laurajean1014]

We always keep my DS interested. While on-line, we talk to him about anything that's interesting. How long do you think the ride is? Do you think we will see Mickey? I was 5 when I first rode this ride.

I have always communicated with my DS and it's second nature for us. I'm also an informational freak and love to tell him interesting factoids. My DS is quite smart and speaks very well for his age.

It's more intimate than playing games.

We also don't lose any of the pieces!

 

[ThreeMusketeers]

We always keep my DS interested. While on-line, we talk to him about anything that's interesting. How long do you think the ride is? Do you think we will see Mickey? I was 5 when I first rode this ride.

I have always communicated with my DS and it's second nature for us. I'm also an informational freak and love to tell him interesting factoids. My DS is quite smart and speaks very well for his age.

It's more intimate than playing games.

We also don't lose any of the pieces!

I agree! My dd is 3.5, but even for the long car rides to grandma and grandpa's. She will be content just talking to us about "whatever" everything from Daddy explaining why it rains, or mommy telling her about when Daddy and I were kids. She enjoys the little stories. And it has brought us So close.

 

[3DisneyKids]

Pipe cleaners! Very cheap, quiet, won't disturb other guests, and are small enough to go in a baggie in your fanny pack. Our kids make all kinds of shapes, letters, etc. out of them. Their favorite? Mickey ears, of course! They say that they are maing their own Hidden Mickey's...LOL

 

[missymagic]

Great ideas!!! I have also taken mini coloring book & a couple crayons they fit well also. Stickers we a big hit one year. The stores hand them out to the children. We would talk about each one, who they were where we got it etc.

 

[KristiKelly]

It depends on what time of the year you're going. We just got back on Saturday and lines were not a problem, never stood in line more than 10 minutes. There were a few lines, Splash Mtn, Big Thunder RR, that had long waits but we got a fastpass for those. We've never taken anything with us to occupy while in line, just talked to our kids. I don't need one more thing to keep up with .

 

[solferino]

silly putty is a possibility too. You can do lots of things with it and the little egg fits easily in a fanny pack.

 

[pixiepower1971]

Pal Mickey! He has entertained us all with his horrible jokes and games....he was the best investment I have made over the years.

Other then that I don't take anything, though there are times I wish my girls WOULD stop talking....

If you carry snacks standing in a long line is a great time for that.

 

[Tigger7570]

Thanks for all the great ideas. Our own children were 7 and 9 the first time we visited WDW and didn't have to worry about entertaining them. My other gd who is 9 is easily entertained and has always been that way. She loves to hear stories about when her Dad (my son) and his brother were little, but 3 1/2 gd is much more active and although we do talk with her and she is very smart, I just thought it would be great to have some ideas to entertain her if she did get restless. Having been to WDW many many times in October, I can tell you that there are times when the parks are really crowded and the lines are long and other times when they are not. Again, thank you for all the wonderful ideas. The pipe cleaners are a great idea because she loves to make things and so doesn't her sister who is very artistic. Also, she loves stickers. DH and I are so excited about this trip with ds, dil and two gds. Again, thanks everyone.

 

[CarnotaurDad]

If you have a couple of stuffed animals, or figures, put on a show for her! When our DD was younger, I would take the characters out and have them put on a little skit. It helped pass the time and she loved it.

 

[KimWDW]

You could look at the park map together and point out the rides you've already been on, what you're going on later, etc.

 

[Dale-n-Chip]

I posted this one in another thread, but thought it might belong here, as well:

1. Has anybody tried carrying some of the Disney Trivial Pursuit cards? I just got a game off eBay for that very purpose. DTP has both kid and adult cards. I figure to put them in a ziploc to protect them. New, the game runs $25 on Amazon.com. Note: OK, a 3.5 year-old might not be good at TP, but could you create some questions of your own based on her favorite books/movies?

2. Great list broken down by age in a book called "Hidden Disneyland and Beyond." (We're planning a DL trip for Dec 05). 20 in the "all ages" category and 14 for the "6-90" category. The list is at the very beginning of the book and I liked it so much I paid $14 for the whole book, just for the list!! If you are more inclined to select a few than buy the whole book, check it out at the library or your local bookstore. Author: Lisa Oppenheimer.

3. Meeting people is a great way for DS(5) to practice his introduction and conversation skills! At a wedding in April, he went to EVERY SINGLE PERSON in the room at the rehearsal dinner, introduced himself, DH, and me. "Hello, my name is Dale. These are my parents. . . " followed by "What is your name? (reply) Nice to meet you!" What a riot!!

4. Along those same lines, many kids need a good lesson in geography--I know I do! LOL! A small (8x10) folded map of the US and/or world would allow people to point out where they are from. Surely there's one you could print from the internet, right?

Keep those strategies coming! You never know when you are going to need them. . .

 

[rchristiansen]

My DD is 3 and we didn't do anything to entertain her in line. The line itself was entertaining enough. She also learned patience and "waiting our turn" - She would ask "Is it our turn yet?" or mention in excitement "It's almost our turn"

I think it may actually be more of a hassle to have a toy or coloring book in line. I'm not sure how you would use it as the line is moving. It may work while you wait in line for a show like Playhouse Disney or something, but I can't see it being anything more than something extra to pack.

Also, I just mentioned this to my DH and he said the same thing - Just something else to lug along. Also, I didn't want to teach my child that she gets to be entertained and catered to constantly - a little waiting and patience is good.

 

[rchristiansen]

I think another reason I say no "entertaining" a kid in line is that your setting yourself up for a tantrum. What happens then if you need to stand in line somewhere else or some other time and you don't have the entertainment? Or at what age do you stop entertaining them in line?

Also, when I think about our last trip in Sept, I didn't notice anyone with special toys for their kids in line.

 

[CarnotaurDad]

I respectfully disagree with a couple of items mentioned. For example, just because you entertain your child, it doesn't mean you're setting them up for a tantrum. You don't have to have a toy or book to entertain them, you can just use your imagination and make up games in your head or just talk to them.

Also, I don't agree that entertaining them causes them to not have patience. If we are on a long car trip, or on a plane ride, we always bring books and stickers to pass the time or put on a CD and sing songs together. This makes the trip fun and, IMHO, does not cause her to not have patience.

Finally, I believe that the entertaining in line (or in a car or on a plane) provides special moments with our DD that would otherwise not be there. We have great memories of the "shows" done in line, silly jokes being told, planning for the next ride, that I wouldn't trade for anything.