How to help 3.5 year old wait 2 hours in one spot

[Pumpkin_Pie]

We were just invited to spend Thanksgiving in NYC and are going to go to the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, but in order to get a decent spot to see, we are going to get there 2 hours ahead of the start of the parade. I am going with a good friend who has been going every year for the past 10 years, so she is an old pro at scoping out places to watch.

How on earth am I going to keep my DS from going stir crazy waiting for the dang thing to start?

[lach]

iPhone with games on it? That can keep DD happy for ages.

But, really, there will be sooo much going on and so much to look at that he will probably be fine.

[pbjmama]

So have you purchased a seat or are you just going to be on the street? We had purchased seats and still got there 3 hours early, I think. My ds was 1.5, there were tons of people to watch, we were able to walk around a little but stayed near our seats. Take snacks, little games, etc. And as I recall in our area strollers were not allowed.

[meemee]

3 year old in one stop for 2 hours - completely unreasonable. there is enough waiting while the parade goes on.

however since you have company you can go scope around with ds. you can go for a walk with ds - but do move around.

i would also make sure your son has some running around time before sit time so when the time comes to wait he can somewhat do it. at that age before any sit down activity i always went to the park or for a walk with dd to get 'it' - the restlessness out of her system.

[Wild Lupine]

1) walk around every once in a while and let others in your group hold the spot
2) iPhone or lap top with a movie
3) sticker books
4) small sitting games like a doodle pro or magnetic checkers

[pianojazzgirl]

Send your friend ahead to snag spots and then meet up closer to parade time? (I guess you'd have to go with her to begin with so you knew where she was and then take off with your ds for an hour or two to walk around or whatever and then join her later)

[4evermom]

I would not find watching the parade to be worth going through that kind of wait. Ds would have hated that at age 3 1/2 and he still would at 9. He would inform me that we could just watch it on TV and not waste time or be uncomfortable. Good luck.

[lonegirl]

We go to the Toronto Santa Claus parade every year the day after Tyr's bday party...I find there is so much to see and watch that we don't have to do too much. We also found a perfect area near the beginning of the parade route that is near a big park so we can take turns running there for a bit...

[Pumpkin_Pie]

We are snagging a spot on the street, not purchasing a seat. I didn't even know you could purchase a seat. I know he will be so blown away by the parade itself that if I can get him to wait for the 2 hours, he will be so totally into it that it will make it all worth it. Thanks for all of the ideas, I can't wait!