Out of sheer desperation, I made up the “Hi Game.” For some reason, my husband and I decided to attempt Sunday brunch at a busy sit-down restaurant—with two small children(!). Our 3-year-old needed food and a nap, and my usual attempts at distracting her failed. Miserably. With no other options, I reached across the table, slid the salt shaker to her, and in a high-pitched voice said, “Hi! What’s your name?” And, for some reason, that kid was hooked!
Our daughter proceeded to talk to the salt, the pepper, and the sugar packet until her food arrived. The “Hi Game” stayed in heavy rotation for years as one of our go-to waiting games. It’s no fun to wait; however, that doesn’t mean your family can’t have fun while you do it. Try these 18 games for toddlers to play when you need to pass the time.
Room to move around? Try these 9 games for toddlers to play.
1. I Got Moves Like… – Name an animal, and ask your toddler to move like that animal. Stomp like an elephant in rain puddles. Waddle like a penguin in a snowstorm.
2. Charades – Pick a category of interest to your child, such as favorite movies, sports, or holidays. Then, try out your acting chops together.
3. Land, Sea, or Air – In this game, you need three “areas:” one for land, one for sea, and one for air. That could be as simple as this side of the room being “land” and that side of the room being “sea.” And this chair is “air.” Then you call out “land,” “sea,” or “air,” and your child swiftly moves to that designated area. Then you shout out another one.
4. How Many? – How many jumping jacks can your little Jack do in 30 seconds? How many hops does it take to get from here to there? How many steps can you walk backward without peeking?
5. Mommy Says – Who needs Simon when you’ve got Mommy? Mommy says hop like a bunny. Mommy says make a silly face. Now sit down. Oops. Mommy didn’t say sit down!
6. How Long? – Open that stopwatch on your phone and ask: How long can you stand on one foot? Sit without moving a muscle? Stare without blinking? Jump in place? Spin in a circle without getting dizzy? And then, start the timer to see!
7. Mirror Image – Face each other as if looking into a mirror and try to mimic your little one’s movements and facial expressions. Then switch and let your little one mirror you.
8. Red Light, Green Light – As a kid, you probably remember running when the leader called out “green light” and stopping on a dime when she shouted “red light.” Of course, you had no idea this game also helps teach young children self-control. You just thought it was all fun and games.
9. Follow the Leader – Let your little one be the line leader, and follow behind as he zips, zoots, and skedaddles around.
Sitting and waiting? We got games for that!
10. Would You Rather (printables) – Would you rather sit with an impatient toddler or play a fun game? If you said play a fun game, here are all the Would You Rather questions you’ll need. 
11. I Spy – I spy with my little eye a mommy and toddler playing a fun game.
12. Rock, Paper, Scissors – There’s a reason this game has been around for hundreds of years.
13. Joke Off – Take turns telling each other jokes to see who will laugh first. Get Dad involved. You know he’s got plenty of dad knock-knock jokes on hand.
14. Smile Off – This is kinda like the charades version of the Joke Off. Challenge your child to stare at you without smiling. Then do your best to get her to smile. No tickling allowed!
15. Storyteller – Pull three items from your purse or diaper bag and make up a story. Invite your child to help tell the story by asking: “And then what happens next?”
16. How Many Can You Count? – How many packets of sugar can you count? How many T’s do you see on the menu? How many kids are in the waiting room with us?
17. Guess Which Hand – Put a small item in your hand without your child seeing it. Close both hands and ask your child to guess in which hand he’ll find the treasure. Take turns playing the game.
18. Disappearing Act –Place 5 to 10 items on the table. Tell your child to memorize what she sees. After about 10 seconds, tell your child to cover her eyes while you take one object away. Then ask her to tell you what’s missing.
What’s your favorite waiting game to play with your toddler?
