It happens to the best of us as parents: waiting in a doctor’s office, delayed at the airport, or stuck in line with kids who are anxious and on edge. Yes, that can be tough but it does not have to be. From the Back Cover: Packed full of things to do during waits This comprehensive guide covers a wide range of fun and fast activities kids can enjoy while waiting. Like a deck of cards, you can play many different games with it — creative and educational pursuits that will keep your kids occupied and learning whether you’re at home or on the go for shorted or longer waits. To sweeten the pot, ditch the boredom and start spending yours days with your kiddos!
Short and Simple Trivia Games to Play Anywhere
We all know how fun waiting rooms are, and I like to keep a few tricks up my sleeve to give the kids something to do while we sit. Much of these activities can be done with little or no material and are versatile enough to fit into many spaces, so they work well for surprise delays or long down-times.
But one old game still works to capture older children — “I Spy. This simple yet fun game can be played almost anywhere – from the doctor’s office to a noisy restaurant. The first player picks an object that can be seen by everyone and says, “I spy with my little eye something that is…” (for example- a color or shape). The other paying players, then, try to guess the object. This game functions as a mind activity and also makes you observe, improve observation, skilled up your vocabulary.
Language Development Through Creative Wordplay
These are also very fun but they incite the mind which is what we need for our wait times. The games not just entertain you but they also sharpen your language skills and creativity too. One such game is a”Categories,” with players alternation giving an example of things falling under the named category, like animals, food or countries. The fact that this game is adaptable to whatever age group and what knowledge they show an interesting trivia question, makes it perfect for families of all ages!
Story Chain is a word game in which players take turns beginning and ending a sentence to create an ongoing story. It stimulates creativity, refines narrative abilities and triggers insane, yet laughable twists in the plot. For older children, you can also use slip a theme or specific words that must be incorporated into the story.
Learning in a Subtle Way Educational Activities
The downtime from waiting presents a perfect time to incorporate educational activities for your child! And with engaging, enjoyable learning activities, you can transform potential points of frustration into moments of real education.
One of the best ways to mix learning and entertainment, are mind maths games. Younger children can practice basic addition and subtraction with items at home. Count the chairs in the waiting room, then count the number people sitting down. Children in higher grades can solve tougher problems, such as percentages of items they see or the distance between objects.
Science Experiments For Your Pocket
Have you ever done simple science experiments in the tiniest of confined spaces? As you stumble upon neat rocks, colored leaves or other interesting finds, stop and do a few of these mini-experiments to occupy your time and engage your sense of wonder. For example, you can show the idea of air pressure by filling a plastic bottle with a little water and then rapidly (but safely — please be careful) flipping it upside down to make it into a small tornado. Bonus: Explain the physics of why a vortex is formed to make this simple trick an enlightening moment!
You can also go pocket-sized with a density lesson, which is simply explained using household implements. Pack a small, transparent container with you and also carry some water, a paper clip, a little piece of cork, and a coin. Ask your child to guess which items will sink, and which will float, then match the item that you have with those they have guessed. This is such a fun activity to help illustrate concepts of buoyancy and density in a very hands-on way.
Here’s a list of fun and fast activities for kids during wait times:
1. I-Spy Game
- Play the classic “I-Spy” game by picking an object in sight and giving hints based on its color or shape for your child to guess.
2. 20 Questions
- Think of an animal, person, or object, and have your child ask yes-or-no questions to figure out what it is within 20 tries.
3. Finger Puppets with Hands
- Use your hands or fingers as impromptu puppets to create a quick story or performance. Kids can get involved by making their own hand puppets!
4. Simon Says
- Play “Simon Says” to keep kids active and engaged. Add silly commands like “Simon says, act like a frog!” for more fun.
5. Storytelling Round
- Start a story and take turns adding to it. Each person gets to add one sentence at a time. The story can quickly become creative and silly!
6. Guess the Sound
- Have your child close their eyes and guess different sounds around them, like footsteps, a door closing, or a phone ringing.
7. Rock, Paper, Scissors
- A quick game of rock-paper-scissors is an easy way to keep them entertained and engaged during short wait times.
8. Counting Challenge
- Challenge your child to count specific objects in the room (like chairs, cars, or signs). They can also practice skip counting or counting backward.
9. Would You Rather?
- Ask fun “Would you rather?” questions, like “Would you rather have wings or be able to breathe underwater?” to spark creativity and conversation.
10. Doodle on a Napkin
- Bring along a small notepad or use a napkin for quick doodling games like tic-tac-toe or drawing challenges.
A good old glue stick for your collage works of stolen-publication pieces/pieces of your nature walk.
Knock-Knock all purpose art kits for kids are available now to inspire and keep children entertained as they draw, color and create mixed-media collages. The trick is to go for the kind of creative materials that are easy even if there’s very less space and don’t create a lot of mess but could be used in multiple ways.
Restless Energy5 Minute Physical Activities
Sure, there are going to be a whole lot of wait times where your child is not supposed to be running the perimeter loops, but you can still incorporate physical activities that serve as appropriate outlets for all that excess energy. One of the great things about these activities is that they are flexible and can be done in a variety of spaces or time situations.
These activities can be carried out without all of us knowing and for different waiting times, too! They allow kids to actively get their energy out without disturbing everyone else.
Mindfulness + Relaxation Techniques for Kids
In addition to the working their bodies, teaching kids relaxation and mindfulness techniques can substantially help during wait times. Not only does this help you get through the days, but it teaches kids tools for handling stress and emotions.
A good place to start is the Five Senses Check-In. Guide your child to notice:
The Five Senses Check-In is a great mindfulness activity that helps children become more aware of their surroundings and calm their minds. Guide your child to notice the following:
1. What they can see
- Ask your child to look around and notice five things they can see. Encourage them to find small details like colors, shapes, or objects they might usually overlook.
2. What they can hear
- Have them focus on four sounds they can hear. It could be nearby conversations, distant traffic, birds chirping, or the hum of an appliance.
3. What they can feel
- Guide your child to pay attention to three things they can feel. It could be the texture of their clothes, the ground beneath their feet, or the warmth of the sun on their skin.
4. What they can smell
- Help them notice two things they can smell. Whether it’s the scent of fresh air, food cooking, or flowers nearby, this helps anchor them in the present moment.
5. What they can taste
- If possible, ask them to notice one thing they can taste, like the aftertaste of something they’ve eaten or simply the taste in their mouth.
Balloon Breathing is another relaxation technique. Encourage your child to pretend that their belly is a balloon. The balloon inflates as they breathe in, and deflates as they breathe out. This visualization imagery helps to guide children in focusing on their breathing and calming down.
Video Interlude I: Let me playAmong Interactive Storytelling and Role-Playing Games
Story-telling and role-playing games are great ways to keep children busy while waiting. These games are kind of time-passer that upskill creativity, language ability and helps in socialization.
Fortunately/Unfortunately. This is a fun storytelling game. Write A Sentence Or Two And Have Your Buddies Take Turns Making The Story Utter Shit In The Perfect Way For example:
“Since you were a young girl, did you not like to fly kites?”
Well, one day, to her dismay, her kite got stuck in a tree.
Luckily, a kind squirrel offered to knock it down.
This game can forge side-splitting and unpredictable journeys for youngsters that additionally familiarize them with the basic principles of how to form a narrative in potential causal relations, too.
Making Your Own Universe with Not a Lot of Props
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If role-playing games require fewer props, they become ideal for library wait times. Turn the waiting room into a mystery for your kids to solve as little detectives or have them go on an imaginary adventure through outer space (also known as the airport terminal).
Inclusive strategies: make the story-tell more interactive by bringing in something from our daily lives as part of storytelling. It could be a pen as magic wand, magazine transformed into treasure map or chair serving its duties of time machine. Just let your child lead with their imagination and foster any creative ideas.
One fun role-playing game is the “Superhero Identity Game. Every player makes a version of the superhero alter ego (the powers and background). Each of you describe in turn how your superhero would solve different real and/or comic scenarios — your hero saves a cat from a tree; their hero stops an alien invasion. It is an entertaining game that also generates problem solving and thinking.
Apps and Online games for fast learning at a click
However, in the digital world of today use smart phones and tablets as it helps a lot to keep children engaged during wait times and make them learn faster. Of course screen time should be well-balanced with other activities, but educational apps and games can offer engaging, valuable digital experiences if utilized correctly.
For example, when choosing apps for wait time activities choose apps that:
A. Appropriate for age and child’s interest
Educate and Entertain
Offline play, to eliminate data use and connection issues
Start small sessions for those unpredictable wait times
Support for Problem Solving and Critical Thinking Skills
Here are some of the most in-demand educational app categories:
Interactive Math Games for All Ages from Times Tables to Card Games
Vocabulary Building and Basic Phrases: Language Learning Apps
Spatial, reasoning & logic fitness puzzle games
Some Interactive narratives that boost reading comprehension
Apps that focus on teaching science through games and simulated experiments.
Finding a balance between screens, books and activities
Educational apps can be useful, but it is important to ensure that children have a balance in their activities between screen time and non-digital play during wait times. If it gets to be too much, adopt a child rotation method — let them play these app-centered games for 2 days and go back to everything else from this list.
Establish that they have x amount of screen time during wait periods. For instance, you can give 15 minutes of app usage and then another 15 minutes of a non-digital activity. This fosters less dependence on screens and invites children to interact with the world around them, engaging them in different activities.
Also, seek apps that get kids moving or involve outdoor exploration and can be engaged with once the wait is up. This cements the connections between digital learning and real-world experiences, adding value to app-based activities.
Games to Play as a Family
Family bonding activities such as collaborating games that include all the members of the family and making your wait time turned into opportunities impeccably. Not only is it passing the time, but they are growing relationships and forming memories that will last them a life time.
“Family Charades” is a game, for example, in which players mime words or phrases without speaking as others attempt to guess them. —-Categories based on Surroundings or Reason for Waiting Makes Queue Management More Purposeful— When you are at an airport, for instance, play out countries or things associated with travel.
Another fun collaborative game is “Progressive Story,” in which each family member takes turns coming up with one word to build a story together. This game requires good listening, creativity and a very quick thought process. If you want to make it more interesting, write into a story that fits well with what has happened in your life or where you are.
All Turns Problem-Solving Challenges
Bring in team problem-solving challenges that involve every member of the family. These are all things that encourage communication, problem solving, and working together. Some ideas include:
Escape Room in Your Head — You devise an imaginary escape room and go through challenges as a group to solve the puzzles and “escape” on time.
Desert Island Decisions — Envision your family is marooned on a desert island, what five items would you like to have? However, please debate and negotiate for the group to reach consensus.
Interesting Challenge in Silent Communication: Deliver a message or solve a problem using your hands and eyes and nothing else.
Family Trivia: Have each family member come up with one question about family history, inside information or weird shared experiences– and let the games begin! Answer and share some memories taking turns.
By working together in these games, kids are able to make the wait more palatable and develop a sense of camaraderie with their family around what might otherwise be an annoying or grating experience.
DIY Travel Kits for Different Age Groups
Having items on hand for children to do while waiting is Huge with children. Making your own travel kit makes it easy to change out things and keep the toys, etc., in each one age-appropriate.
Toddlers and Preschoolers (2-5 years of age):
For toddlers and preschoolers (2-5 years of age), there are several key areas of development and strategies to support their growth:
1. Physical Development
- At this age, kids are developing motor skills rapidly. Encourage activities like running, jumping, climbing, and playing with toys that improve coordination, such as balls or building blocks.
2. Language and Communication
- Toddlers and preschoolers are expanding their vocabulary and starting to form simple sentences. Read to them daily, ask questions, and engage in conversations to stimulate their language development.
3. Emotional Development
- Children in this age group are learning to identify and express their emotions. Teach them to name their feelings (e.g., happy, sad, frustrated) and offer comfort when they’re upset. Encourage empathy by talking about how others might feel.
4. Social Skills
- Sharing, turn-taking, and cooperative play are important social skills to develop. Provide opportunities for your child to interact with peers, whether in playgroups or at the park.
5. Cognitive Development
- At this stage, toddlers and preschoolers are curious and love exploring their environment. Offer simple puzzles, shape sorters, and imaginative play to boost their problem-solving and creativity.
6. Routine and Structure
- Establishing consistent routines (for bedtime, meals, and playtime) helps provide a sense of security. Predictable routines also help reduce tantrums and teach self-discipline.
7. Positive Reinforcement
- Praise and encourage good behavior by recognizing small accomplishments. Reinforce positive actions with words like, “Great job sharing!” or “I love how you helped clean up!”
8. Limit Screen Time
- While educational programs can be beneficial in moderation, it’s important to limit screen time and prioritize physical play, reading, and interactive activities for optimal brain development.
By focusing on these areas, you can support your toddler’s or preschooler’s growth while building a strong foundation for their future learning and emotional well-being.
To keep excitement and interest fresh, change out the contents of your DIY travel kits as often as you can. With Kid Wonder, new themes ship every month, to keep kids from getting bored of the same activities and allows you to tailor the kit as your child ages or gains a new interest.
Watch creating themed boxes depending on the time for upcoming trips or when new seasons start. For instance, a beach stuffie might come with shell identification cards, a mini magnifying glass for looking at what you find on the beach and ocean puzzles or games.
Let your kids help you assemble and update a travel kit for them. This not only makes sure the activities fall within their current interests, but it also fosters excitement for using the kit during upcoming downtime.
Keep each kit refresh a surprise. adhesive labels, a toy or candy ( if appropriate) this could look different each time. The sudden surprise more fun and add to breaking the tension in the stagnated seconds.
Modifying Wait Time Activities (Across Settings)
The kinds of activities depended on the waiting situations. You need a list of games and activities that can be different in different environments (from quiet waiting rooms to bustling airport terminals).
Obviously, it is essential to keep the tiny ones occupied while waiting, but you also need to teach them how to behave and respect others in public. Discuss and practice good behavior during wait times;
Explain what appropriate voice levels are depending on the setting you are in and have them practice with their “indoor voices.”
Children also need to have respect for personal space and not bother others who are following the rules by waiting.
Build patience with short waiting goals (“We are going to be quiet for 5 minutes”)
Describe the value of rules in various environments (e.g. no running at hospitals, stay put on airplanes),
Set an example by doing quiet activities yourself and demonstrating proper behavior with staff or fellow waiting people.
When you incorporate these lessons into your wait time activities, you are not just entertaining your kids but also teaching them ways to socialize and be aware of others.
Promoting Learning and Discovery in Wait Times
Time can be converted to quality opportunities for learning, motivating children to think about the world inquisitively. You can transform boring downtimes into fascinating David Attenborough-type observation exercises by simply prompting observation and questioning.
One clever way to do that is by playing the Question Game. Challenge your child to come up with as many why about the place that you are sitting at. Perhaps some basic questions such as “Is the chair red or blue?” or “How many windows do you see?” Pose more complex questions for older kids, like “Why do you think this building was designed the way it is?” or, “What do you think this person does for a living?”