What to Bring for kids to do while standing in line??

[Schmeck]

Our kids will be nearly 4 and 26 month old twins -- we are bringing several bottles of bubbles -- that will entertain all 3 of them for hours should we need it. However, we're going to read Tourguide Mike to avoid the lines altogether (if it's possible)....

Please do not blow bubbles in lines! Some people (my DD included) are skin-allergic to bubble solution. If someone was blowing bubbles in a line we were in, and a bubble popped on her, we'd have to get out of line, rush to the nearest ladies room, and wash her skin off with a ton of water.

Also, stray bubbles can cause a lot of trouble with little ones - kids can dash under the queue lines after a stray bubble a lot faster than a parent can follow. Bubble solution can also stain fine clothing, and make an awful, slippery mess if they spill.

 

[pixiemomamy]

We have done bubbles many times we use the little party ones like you get at weddings, they make small bubbles that dont travel far and we are always considerate of thoes around us... Usualy everyone around us thinks its fun... no stray kids getting lost !!!!

 

[The Moonk's Mom]

I took small cans of playdoh last year and a few hot wheels for my kids...only needed them once the entire trip! (It was for an unexpected day at Animal Kingdom...we were not going...then we were...LONG LINES becuase I was totally caught off guard and had not planned the day out!) For the most part, we just talk to the kids, play games or just look at all the cool stuff around us.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

My boys are now 9 and 11 (12 in March). We have tried a few things. When they were very young, we played word games with them in line. A few years ago we bought some of the small hand-held games that sell for a few dollars at WalMart. They liked them, but after a while, stopped using them. Two years ago they brought their Nintendo DSs with them, but they were afraid that they would break them or get them wet, so didn't bring them into the parks. Last year, my older son kept himself busy with his new camera. He loves to take pictures.

In the end, we always end up using the time to talk - about what we have done, what we are doing, and what we want to do next - about anything. That is actually one of my favorite parts. Lines are not a hassle if you take advantage of them to connect...

 

[DVC Sadie]

We have done the bubbles, and talk of whats to come... and of course snacks.. just wondering if anyone had anything new....

Keep them coming...

Please do not do bubbles while in line. A lot of people are allergic. Thank you.

 

[Taylor'sMom]

I search on-line at sites like Highlights for hidden pictures and print a bunch. I have also color-copied Disney "Look-and-Find" pages at the library and I'm able to pull out a Beauty & the Beast one for example while waiting for the B&TB show at DS. Last year (perfct timing right about now) I found Valentines at the Dollar Store that were I-Spy and each had a different I-Spy game on it.

These are esentially WEIGHTLESS, will fit in any pocket or bag, and are fun to share & swap with others nearby.

We don't often wait in lines, I usually just pull these out while waiting for a parade, Fantasmic, etc.

 

[irene_dsc]

I was worried about lines, too, and most of the time, they weren't a problem. My son with ADHD who HATES lines and waiting did bring his new Nintendo DS (bought with the trip in mind for his major Christmas present the week before), and he used it a lot - but most kids would be ok without anything, at least most of the time. Dd did end up playing a lot of the "got your nose" game in line. She also played with my digicam a bit - either taking photos, or looking at the ones I'd taken recently.

I will say, waiting for shows and TS was more of an issue than ride lines, because you are generally moving a lot in the ride lines, but in one spot for the shows or waiting for your table.

 

[Stitch76]

We took my 2 DD ages 8 and 6 last year and I was prepared for the long line melt down, I had snacks, and small inexpensive videogames, in case they got wet or dropped and broken, no big deal (Littlest Pet Shop, pocket pets, $10 each).
But guess what, my kids were so excited about being there they didn't care to wait in line. Disney does a good job incorperating cool things into the line ques that you don't feel like your wait is that bad. (like the splash fountain while you wait for Ariels Grotto, Astronauts working on a space ship at Space Mountain, Pirate skeletons at POTC). We also took advantage of the FP system when we could.
While we were in line, we talked about the things we had seen, or what we was going to do next, I packed around the snacks and toys for 5 days and the girls never asked for them, until the trip home.

 

[dis75ney]

I'm a former day camp counselor, and when we went on field trips, I found pipe cleaners to be invaluable. The kids could make whatever they wanted, then straighten them out and start all over again. Plus, they're light, fit easily into a fanny pack, and inexpensive, which worked for a camp couselor's budget!

I also used bubbles when I worked with the younger kids (I worked with 5-12 year olds, but my main focus was the 7-8 range), and with the older kids, I would bring cards from my Trivial Pursuit for Kids and Mindtrap games. All the kids wanted to be in my group because I had the fun stuff!

 

[figueroa4]

Who is tour guide mike?

I would also like to know! Anyone?

 

[duffy]

I would also like to know! Anyone?

Here he is!!

You pay to subscribe to his site. The most valuable part of it, I think, is his day-by-day chart of the most crowded days. He tells you which park to go to on which day of your trip.

I sometimes read trip reports, and I like having Tour Guide Mike's page open too. When I read posts saying how crowded a certain park was on a certain day, I turn to Mike immediately. Sure enough, it's usually a park that he advised to stay away from on that day.

 

[1LuckyMom]

We usually just talk in line, but now that we have started pin collecting we are usually eyeing others landyards!

 

[Krissy Marissy]

I agree about the bubbles...that soap makes my skin itchy and I get very annoyed with kids who are blowing them in the parks.

Just talk to your kids, sing...be silly. You will be surprised how much fun waiting in line can be. Just try to avoid long ones

 

[TammyLynn33]

Snacks..Snacks Snacks...lol

I also bought a sticker book and stickers for DD who will be 3 and has NO patience whatsoever (no idea where she gets it from..hahaha) I also got her the small clip on magna doodle etc i may pack a few other little things..

If shes happy Im happy, if shes crabby there goes my day....lol

 

[katieandemismom]

Well.... by the end of the day, we're pretty talked-out - lol! So the girls bring their Leapsters and 1 game each (which get traded at a specified time). Dh brings his phone with games on it, and I ALWAYS have a small paperback book available. Longer waits are our "chill-out" time where no one is allowed to pick or snipe at each other (including the grown-ups lol).

 

[disneydave2003]

another vote for no bubbles. please, no bubbles. why not talk about the day so far and what's ahead??????

 

[MEF01]

We usually talk about what we've already gone on and what we are looking forward to. We also go over the map and schedule of events that we pick up at the park's entrance.

Please leave the bubbles at home!!! Thank you!

 

[FoundMyPrince]

My kids play "I Spy", trade pins with others around us in line, take photos, look through their autograph books, etc.

Another "no" vote for bubbles. Maybe those are fun for the kids blowing them, but not too fun for anyone around them.

 

[2littleprincesses28]

My girls are younger but we loved bubbles and so did other people in line!!

 

[Moeluv4u7]

hate to say this guys but I'd rather a kid blow bubbles respecting other people's space than a couple kids playing "who can slap their hand the fastest" or "who can spit the farthest" (We have experienced this)
Bubbles are non-toxic and I'm sure for those allergic- If you mention that to the mother they would usher their child to an opposite direction-
Chlorine from the pool is much more harsh than liquid soap...
JMO
We are the type who tell jokes in line, talk about our day, peruse our park maps, and play "Do you see what i see"- etc We also take pics- great for me because I usually have my kids all in one area and they are all overjoyed at the next ride they are about to get on... Great photo op.