10 Fun Ways to Entertain Kids while Waiting in Line

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Are you planning a family trip where you’ll have to wait in line to visit tourist attractions? Keep reading to find out our top 10 ways to entertain kids while waiting in line (psst these tips are also good for killing time at restaurants and airports!). 

One of the less interesting part of travel is the long time spent waiting in line, or even in a restaurant or at the airport. Waiting in line (sometimes for more than an hour) to see a popular attraction is painful… But it’s even worse with kids! They will be tired of waiting after approximately 5 minutes and will keep asking when the wait will be over. They will be hungry, thirsty, cranky… their feet and legs will hurt, they will be bored and tired. Name it! They’ll experience the full range of emotions and go through all human needs in just a few minutes.

Unfortunately, waiting lines are inevitable when it comes to popular attractions. Luckily, to help you not feeling depressed at the sight of the long line in front of you, we share these 10 fun things to do to entertain kids while waiting in line.  Even adults will be happy to play these little games while waiting in line with their kids.

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10 fun and easy ways to entertain your kids while waiting in line

1. Eye Spy

This classic game is really easy and everyone can play. Plus, you need absolutely nothing to play. Hence, it’s the perfect game to entertain kids while in queue or even when waiting for food at a restaurant.

One person spies an object of a certain color or starting with a specific letter and the rest of the family will guess. The one who finds the right answers goes next.

2. Alphabet Game

Another fun game that can easily entertain kids while waiting in line is the alphabet game. Pick a topic (fruits, sports, animals, Disney movies, etc.) and take in turns coming up with an answer for every letter of the alphabet. If you prefer, you can all work together on this, without taking in turns.

For example: if you pick fruits as a topic: A – Apples, B – Bananas, C – Cherries, etc.

3. Travel Planner

While waiting in line, it’s a good time to plan the rest of your day or of your trip. You can talk about the activities and places you want to visit and pick which one will be next.

If your trip is already all planned or coming to an end, you can discuss the next trip you would like to take as a family. Where would you like to go? What places would you like to visit? Ask your kids!

Get them to explain what would be the trip of their dreams. It’s a fun way to entertain the kids for a few minutes while waiting in line.

4. Take Pictures

Kids love to take pictures. You can challenge them by asking them to take pictures of categories you choose.

For example, you could ask your kids to take a picture of a flower, of something blue, or of a poster.

You now have a happy kid on the hunt, equipped with your phone or a camera (check out cool cameras for kids here).

You can also take family selfies or let your kids take selfies with funny filters. They should be entertained for a good chunk of time while you wait in line.

5. Old Pictures

Kids always enjoy looking at pictures. You could take advantage of this moment to look at all the pictures you took during your trip.

You can also pick a thematic and look at the pictures. For example, you could look at pictures you took during last Christmas vacations. Or pictures from your kids when they were babies. It’s- definitely a fun way to entertain kids while waiting in line.

6. Color Game

This game is super easy and everyone in the family can play. The rules are very simple: pick a color and take turns pointing at something you observe near you of that same color. For example, if you choose green, you could point to tree leaves, someone’s sweater, a poster on a wall, etc. This is a fun way to entertain toddlers for whom it’s harder to participate in more complex games.

7. Don’t say yes or no

This is always a funny one we like to play with our daughter while waiting in line. It’s another very simple game that the whole family loves. You ask questions that would normally be answered by “yes” or “no”; however, nobody is allowed to say either of these word during the game. They must find other words to respond to the questions. Also, no nodding allowed!

8. Scissors, paper, rock

Maybe not the most fun game in history, but it can still keep you kids entertain for a few minutes while waiting in line.

9. toys and books

When travelling, we always pack a few toys, books and activity books to entertain our kids while waiting (in line, at a restaurant or even at the airport). Take the toys out of your bag and let them play or read – they’ll be happy and quiet for a little while. 

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10. Eat

Bring snacks. Snacks are little travelers’ best friend! A hungry toddler is rarely happy and patient. Hence, snacks will keep little stomachs happy.

Plan ahead and pack some of your kids’ favorite snacks before heading to your visit. You can also stop to a coffee or ice cream shop for a little treat that will make everyone smile. It definitely is a fun way to entertain kids while waiting in line.

Conclusion: 10 Fun Ways to Entertain Kids While Waiting in Line

Waiting in line doesn’t have to be a struggle when you’re armed with fun activities to keep the kids entertained. From interactive games and storytelling to simple distractions like snacks and toys, there are plenty of creative ways to make the wait more enjoyable for everyone. Whether you’re at an amusement park, the airport, or even the grocery store, a little preparation goes a long way. These ideas will not only pass the time but also turn waiting in line into an opportunity for fun and bonding with your kids. With the right tricks up your sleeve, those long lines will fly by!