Do you dread waiting in a restaurant with your little ones? The kids can handle the waiting room, they can be patient while we order. . .but WAIT for food too? That is a lot to ask. I put together this fun Waiting Bag, to keep M and M occupied for those impatient times. I made an extra set too, do you want it? Click here to enter the Waiting Bag GIVEAWAY.
The Waiting Bag holds 4 open ended activities for creative play in tight spaces. Ready to find out about activity #2?
Pebble Play
We (the entire family, including cousins, Grandma and Grandpa, Aunts and Uncles) had dinner out one rainy day. Rainy meaning that we were squished into the waiting area for too long. By the time we reached the table the kids could hardly sit in their seats. Luckily there was candle holder full of tiny pebbles at our table. Auntie L did a great job of entertaining her end of the table with several pebble play games.
what you need: pebbles
When you first lay out the pebbles (I found these in the silk flower section of our craft store) let the kids explore with them.
Once they’ve had enough experimenting, extend the experience by making a few suggestions. Here Big M spells out his name.
Questions (to ask your kids): “Can you design a picture with these pebbles?” “Try to guess what I’m making as I create a design.” “What pattern’s can you make with these pebbles?”
What great waiting tips do you have to share?
This post is a part of the Waiting lesson plan.
This post is linked up at
This sure is interesting! I know waiting time can be hard to handle for kids…
It can be very hard! Those handmade maracas would be a great waiting toy. . .as long as they other people waiting didn’t mind a little music!
So simple! And I bet it does hold their attention in those places where it seems to take forever! Thanks so much for playing at It’s Playtime today!
Jamie
I’m so glad I found It’s playtime! You are a very talented group of women!!!
I love this idea! I won’t even take my kids to a restaurant because they are always so bad. I will have to try this out.
My sister’s kids are quiet and sit so nicely. They go out to eat all the time. Mine are. . .um. . .not so quiet. It does make eating out more challenging. Now that they are getting a little older it’s easier, but I still have to be prepared!
The idea of a waiting bag is genius 🙂
Well, thank you very much! I thought so. =)
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Great post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed browsing your blog posts. In any case I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again soon!