20 Waiting Games for Kids
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Waiting with kids can be a challenge, whether it’s at the doctor’s office, in a restaurant, or during a long car ride. Over time, I’ve compiled a list of no-prep waiting games that have saved us from countless meltdowns. Here are 20 fun and engaging games to keep your kids entertained while they wait.
- I Spy
This classic game never gets old. One person picks an object within sight and says, “I spy with my little eye something that is [color/shape].” The others take turns guessing what it is. - Simon Says
A great way to get kids moving and listening carefully. One person gives commands starting with “Simon says,” and everyone else follows. If “Simon says” isn’t used, no one should move! - Rock, Paper, Scissors
Simple and quick, this game is perfect for keeping kids occupied for a few minutes. Best out of three wins! - 20 Questions
One person thinks of an object, and the others take turns asking yes/no questions to guess what it is. They have up to 20 questions to figure it out. - Hangman
All you need is a piece of paper and a pen. One person thinks of a word, and the others guess letters until they solve the word or complete the hangman. - Alphabet Game
Pick a category (like animals or food) and take turns naming items that start with each letter of the alphabet, from A to Z. - Would You Rather?
This game sparks interesting conversations. Ask questions like, “Would you rather fly or be invisible?” and let everyone share their answers. - Charades
Act out a word or phrase without speaking, while the others guess what it is. You can make it themed, like animals or actions. - Counting Game
Choose something to count, like cars passing by or people wearing hats. See who can count the most within a certain time frame. - Memory Game
Start with a phrase like, “I went to the store and bought…” The next person repeats it and adds an item. Keep going until someone forgets the sequence. - Guess the Sound
Make a sound (like tapping on the table or snapping fingers) and have others guess what it is. It’s a fun way to test listening skills. - Story Chain
One person starts a story with a sentence, and everyone adds to it one sentence at a time. You’ll end up with a funny and unique tale! - Thumb Wrestling
Pair up and have a thumb-wrestling match. It’s a quick and entertaining game that kids love. - Odd One Out
Say a series of words where one doesn’t belong (like cat, dog, fish, banana) and have the kids guess which one is the odd one out. - Guess the Number
Think of a number between 1 and 100, and let the kids take turns guessing. After each guess, tell them if it’s higher or lower until they get it. - Tic-Tac-Toe
A piece of paper and a pen are all you need for this classic game. Play until someone wins three in a row. - Rhyme Time
Pick a word, and take turns coming up with words that rhyme with it. See how many rhymes you can think of. - Shape Hunt
Choose a shape, like a circle or square, and have the kids find objects around them that match the shape. - Finger Puppet Show
Use your fingers as puppets and create a mini-show. Let the kids join in and make up their own stories. - ABC Scavenger Hunt
Look around and try to find items that start with each letter of the alphabet, from A to Z.
These games are perfect for keeping kids entertained and making waiting times fly by. Do you have any favorite waiting games that you play with your kids? Share them in the comments below! Happy waiting!
Kate is mom of two rambunctious boys and a self-proclaimed super nerd. With a background in neuroscience, she is passionate about sharing her love of all things STEM with her kids. She loves to find creative ways to teach kids computer science and geek out about coding and math. She has authored several books on coding for kids which can be found at Hachette UK.
