Games to Play while Waiting in Line
There is nothing more daunting than waiting in line with tired, hungry or sleepy kids. Running errands or doing things that aren’t considered “fun” for them, like going to a Passport Agency office, can get challenging. However, there are some interactive and enjoyable activities that will keep them occupied.
Here’s a list of activities I keep in my back pocket for when my kiddos get squeamish:
Eye Spy- A classic go-to game for any situation
Practice multiplication problems- Enzo is in the third grade, which means multiplication tables! This is a great way to keep his brain engaged and active outside the classroom (and mine too).
Rock, paper, scissors (this one is Enzo’s favorite)
Test your memory- Have your kids look in one direction for 30 seconds and try to memorize everything they see. Then, have them turn away and recite what objects they can remember. Quiz them by offering clues and keep score.
Impromptu Spelling Bee- This may be a test for you too, so be prepared!
Test your balance by standing on one leg- It’s more challenging than you might think.
Guess my number- This simple game is excellent if you are waiting with children of multiple ages, as it can be easily adapted to be a fun challenge for anyone. I pick a number and tell my little one, “The number is between 1 and 10.” He has to ask me yes or no questions to figure out my number. For example, “Is it 4 or higher? Is it lower than 6?” and so on, until he guesses correctly. Not only does it keep him engaged, but also works on his deductive reasoning skills. For older kids, you can increase the range to 1-100 or 1-1000!
Guess what’s in my purse- Each kid list as many items as they can think of that might be inside your purse. The one who comes closest wins!
Two truths and a lie- Everyone takes a turn making three statements. Two are true and one is a lie. The other people in your group try to guess which is the lie (it is fun to see how creative the stories can get trying to fool one another).
How many can you name? Name a category and your child has 10 seconds to name as many things in that category as possible. Make categories general (animals, ice cream flavors, etc.) for younger kids, and specific/ more difficult (types of fish, animals with big ears, etc.) for older kids.
Penny drop- Take out a penny and try to drop it so it lands on your shoe without falling off.
Scrap of paper drop- Drop a small scrap of paper and have your kids try to catch it with two fingers before it hits the ground. This one can get silly so save it for a place that doesn’t mind flying fingers and uncontrollable laughter.
EAT! Food should be every parent’s best friend; it will keep little stomachs happy, and also cure boredom and ease irritation (at least for a few minutes).
In today’s world that relies heavily on technology, it can be difficult to entertain children with anything other than the iPad. It is important to me that my kids stay observant and engage with their surroundings. My hope is that these games can do the trick– at least while they are still young.
XX,
MD