Waiting games
Every game below works standing up or sitting at a table, and most need no materials at all.
In a line
Lines are hard because kids have to stay close and move a little at a time. Games that use hands and eyes help, such as whisper Simon says, thumb wrestling or spot the change. Give a child a job, like watching for the next open counter, and the line gets more interesting. Counting games also work well: how many people are wearing blue, how many steps until the front.
At the gate
Airport gates usually have more space, so this is a good time for movement. A walk around the terminal, looking at planes through the windows or a game of guess the destination on the departure board lets kids burn energy before a long sit. Save tray-table activities for the plane, so they still feel new.
At a restaurant
- Bring a small pocket kit: a short pencil, a mini notebook and a deck of cards.
- Napkin games such as tic-tac-toe, hangman with blanks or dots and boxes need only paper and a pen.
- Talking games such as would you rather or twenty questions keep the table together.
- Order snacks for the kids first if the kitchen is slow.
When the wait gets long
Delays happen. When a wait goes beyond an hour, plan in short blocks: a game, a snack, a walk, a quiet activity, then repeat. Changing the activity is often more useful than finding the perfect one.
It also helps to tell kids what is happening in simple words. Knowing why you are waiting and roughly how long makes waiting easier for most children.
Waiting game questions
What if my child cannot sit still?
Some children need to move. Find a safe spot for stretches, hops or a slow walk. Movement often makes the next quiet game go better.