occupied in lines About This Page:

[donner family]

Any tips on how to keep kids occupied in lines and eating in a restaurant everyday

[tylerdylansmom]

I don't remember having any issues keeping kids occupied in line. They were just so excited everytime we rode something and there was so much to look at. Also we went during a non peak time and so lines were not that long

[joshuasmom]

Nintendo DS, it even fits in his waistpack for when we are on the move!

[B.M.]

Last year I was so concerned with long lines and such......... I had planned on taking books , nintendo ds, mp3 player........... We didn't need any of that! For one, we FP'd all the long lines, so all our waits were short to moderate and the lines are filled with things to look at; there was plenty of entertainment without bringing something!

[5SOXFNZ]

We had no problem at all even with my 8 year old ADHD DS and two year old. Sometimes we just talked, sang songs, or met people we were in line with. (The kids loved asking where people were from and meeting people from all over!!)

And as far as restaurants, they welcomed the break as much as mom and dad did and were happy to sit for a while and relax.
at Dinner everynight at home we go around the table and ask "What was you "best" and "not so best" today so in Disney we did the same and added "What would you like to do again?" It helped keep them occupied, kept the conversation going and helped us plan our touring for the evening/next day.

[DoraDoug]

We usually don't wait in lines that are longer than 45 minutes. We try to use fastpass as much as possible. We spend the time talking about the ride and explaining what to expect if it's one that the kids haven't been on before. We don't usually eat at alot of the table service restaurants when we go on vacation, just because the kids have a hard time sitting still for too long. However, I did download some movies on my IPod Touch and let the kids watch that when they got ansty during our last mini vacation. Mostly we try to use the "downtime" to talk to the kids about the day and what they have enjoyed most, disliked most, what they really want to try, etc. since that seems to change with every visit.

[Danielle Harmon]

We take Disney trivia cards and play "I spy" in lines in addition to talking and just enjoying the wonderful themes that are carried over into the queues. FP is a godsend for the longer waits. We don't allow the kids to use electronic devices in the parks...this is "family time" and they aren't allowed during family time. Both the kids enjoyed sketching too. We found mini sketch books and took mini colored pencils and sharpeners. Both are pretty artistic so they drew a lot of pictures in lines or when we took a "chill pill" (DD, 8 was our chill out director...anytime she said "chill pill" we found a bench, copped a squat and enjoyed ice cream or fruit in the shade). Many of them ended up as little gifts for CMs! They loved them! DS even started designing rides on paper...hmmm...future Imagineer?

[Lemap760]

A good game of I Spy can last a long time. There is also lots to look at in line and people watching is always fun.

[hockeyguysmom]

We also do I spy. We go during non-peak times so the lines are not too bad and we really try to point out alot of the little things in the que areas, pictures and props. A snack or drink can help pass the time or if they are little a bottle of bubbles can be good in lines or when waiting for a parade to start.

As for the restaurants, we try to go out to eat a couple of times prior to our trip to work on sitting still in seats & manners. When I carried a diaper bag I took a couple of small drawing pads, crayons, stickers to keep them busy. Also, I took a little bag of toys from party favors or happy meals that were new to them but did not matter if they got left behind.

[QueenMommy]

We played "I Spy" and Disney 20 questions for example:
I'm thinking of a Disney Character that starts with a letter M.... Can get really difficult if your kids know all the movies like mine do!

we also play Disney "Name that Tune"

I made activity books for the kids to find Hidden Mickey's and such for the kids coming to my Vow Renewal if you pm me I will send you the file.

[mechurchlady]

Keep the kids busy is the secret to line waiting. It can be talking but there are opportunities to teach kids lessons. On Big Thunder you can talk about mine towns, mining, and cacti. At the DLR's Jungle Cruise there is art on the wall and things to talk about like animals seen in the art. Talk about the movie the ride was based on.

Some kids do best with ipods, walkman radios and hand held games but personally I see those as being more for kids who were born without a lot of patience for lines or who get overwhelmed easily by things. Some parents give kids bits of candy or cereal to keep them focused and as a reward but be careful that you do not over sugar that kid.

I see a lot of parents in line and it is just a wait in line time with no interaction with the kids. Hey, you got the kids trapped for 10 to 90 minutes so use that time, lol.

[Lavendar_mom]

We spend time in line reviewing where we've been ...what they liked (or didn't). Talking about what they want to do next.
What they don't realize is they're practicing their "thinking skills" ... If you want to do this and she wants to do that....here's the map...how do we make it happen?

The children's menus have games and hidden mickey's ...my only problem with that is no matter the theme for the resturant they have the exact same menu and games for every place.
HELLO..... kids will notice its the exact same !

[Principessa_di_Fata]

DD is 3, and for our last trip, when we were in line I would show her the Disney map and talk about the castle, we'd scroll through the pictures on my camera (that is always a good time-killer, especially if I have a video on there), and in the worst case, I hand her my cell phone to play with. That's always a last resort because she always ends up calling people if my attention isn't spot on her... last time, on the line for Dumbo, she called my boss. Imagine my surprise, lol! Good thing my boss loves Meri and thought it was hilarious!

At restaurants, if I had her a sheet of stickers from the dollar store, a piece of paper and a snack, she's happily occupied for most of the time. Sometimes I bust out a new small toy I've bought during the day. In Feb I got her a pack of Disney buses (the little matchbox sized ones) and she was dead quiet for over an hour, playing with them. She even took off every single tire... which of course I then had to spend 15 minutes putting each one back on... sigh. But it kept her quiet, so I can't complain! I always carry a small bag of "tricks" with me, with crayons, paper, stickers and a toy or two. Works like a charm.

[Griffin]

This has always been one of my fears, that DS will go crazy in line or while eating!! I don't have any good ideas, and that is probably why we only do a couple of table ressies a week. With counter service it's easier to chase DS around and not feel like we're wasting as much $$. Good luck!

[QueenMommy]

Originally Posted by Principessa_di_Fata

on the line for Dumbo, she called my boss. Imagine my surprise, lol! Good thing my boss loves Meri and thought it was hilarious!

Hope your boss knew you were on vacation and you hadn't called in sick or something This actually cracked DH and I up!