ideas to entertain a 6 year old while shopping / waiting - Page 2

[Teensy]

My DS #2 enjoys playing the "Think of a word that begins with A, B, C" game about whatever we are doing (at the grocery store it might be food - apple, bananas, carrots).

For waiting where he can sit, he enjoys folding origami papers (we bought a kit for a plane ride and it was a big hit) and making flip books (can use a little notebook or sticky pad).

DS #1 prefers stories so I sometimes read him a book (like when we stood in line for 1 1/2 hours to get the ferry to the statue of liberty) or he listens to audiobooks on my ipod.

[Scribe]

My mom used to make up "story problems" for me in those situations. I was such a little geek at that age, I loved to figure out puzzles and riddles and math in my head. While talking me through what was going on bored me, trying to solve a problem didn't.

[lucyem]

Being bored in line has never really been an issue for my boys. I generally get creative with things around them or engage them in helping me. In the supermarket I will pull out food if I absolutely have to. But usually the kids get a kick out of helping pick out snacks or holding things. Same with the post office. I do make a point whenever possible to not have them with me when I know I will need to be in a long line or need to have an adult conversation about something. But sometimes these things have to happen. And then I will encourage a toy to be brought along, or I bring a toy or food hidden in my bag, if I know we will need it.

We do spend hours in the car daily and do have a dvd player but we find we go days without it and then days when they would like it. For us it is in restaurants or waiting rooms when the boredom hits. My phone camera has been a lifesaver. Some of my best photos of the boys have been taken with it. I also have a video ipod and have been known to drag it out as an absolute last resort.

[fiddledebi]

What about those little BrainQuest books? They are shaped like a stack of bookmarks, but they're held together with a grommet-like thing so they don't come apart. There are BrainQuest books for various age levels, and they have things like searches, mazes, math, etc., but all you need is the book -- no pen, no batteries, nothing. Here's the link: http://www.brainquest.com/

They are made for preschool to 7th grade. We love them! I always have some in my purse.