Ways to Occupy Your Children in a Checkout Line

Most parents have ways of keeping their children occupied during rainy days, sick days, cold days, days when the chance for boredom is high. But what about other times, like when you're in the grocery store checkout line? The kids want to look at the candy or jump out of the cart and run around. They ask a dozen questions or complain about having to sit there and wait. And, of course, as luck would have it, you wind up in the line where someone needs a price check, making the wait even longer.

With three kids in tow, and countless trips to the grocery store under my belt, I've used a few tricks from time to time to keep my kids from driving me insane while standing in the checkout line. Most don't even require anything extra to be brought along in the tote bag.

Before I get started with the ideas for keeping the crew occupied in a checkout line, let me first suggest you go either before or after your children's naptime. Unless you're lucky enough to have a child still in an infant carrier, you will learn quickly that a sleepy child is no fun at the grocery store. Neither is a hungry child. Let them eat something before going. I can't tell you how much this cuts down on the number of times I hear "Mama, I'm hungry!" And finally, when you're ready to checkout, find the line that does not have candy everywhere. It's hard enough to deal with squirmy children and a cart full of groceries without having to hear "can I have..." a hundred times.

Let them help. Not all children will be old enough to do this, but I've found that my three-year-old and my seven-year-old absolutely love to help place the groceries on the conveyer belt. I usually try to get to the glass jars and the eggs before they do, but otherwise, they want to do it all. Sometimes, toward the very bottom of the cart, I'll need to start handing them items because they can't reach it, but I'm practically forbidden from putting it on the conveyer belt. I hear, "No Mama, I can do it!" And it's wonderful to hear the pride in their voice when they say they can do it.

Play the Alphabet Game. This is a game my husband started using in the car when the children started whining or complaining or fighting. This one is best for children who are learning the alphabet. To play, each person starts with "A" and finds the letter in a word somewhere. It can be on a sign, a product, on clothing, etc. The word doesn't have to start with the letter. It just needs to contain the letter. So, for instance, the word SALE would count for the letter "A". Once you get "A", you move on to "B" and so on. Try to find a different word for each letter. Meaning, don't use the word SALE for the "A", "E", "L", and "S". We don't take turns with this one. Everyone just goes at his own pace. Even my 13-year-old gets into it just to see if he can beat me. Of course, he doesn't play when he sees someone he knows in the next line over.

Play I Spy. "I spy with my little eye something green..." Imagine being near the produce section for that one. The kids will go nuts trying to figure it out.

Bring Picture Books. Yes, you'll need to plan ahead for this one. But usually, for small children, moms (and dads) have a picture book or two stuffed in the tote bag. Now is the time to pull it out and use it. Your young child will be content looking at pictures while you rush through the checkout procedure. And you will rush...I have learned the window of opportunity closes rather quickly where young children are involved.

Another "plan ahead" activity for your kids would be Color Wonder coloring sets by Crayola. The Color Wonder markers only draw on Color Wonder paper so they're great for traveling. Crayola has also started making mini coloring books that tuck nicely into a diaper bag.

A similar take-along activity is the AquaDoodle mini mat. These small Aquadoodle mats come in themed packs like Disney Princesses and Thomas The Tank Engine. The packs contain an Aquadoodle pen and 3 reusable mini mats and instead of coloring in plain blue like other Aquadoodle mats, the pictures show up in color.

Play "20 Questions". It is traditionally a game for the older children, but even children as young as eight can get the hang of it. Make it food-themed to make it a little easier.

Play the Counting Game. "How many _______ can you find?" Usually, I'll have the kids count the items in the cart. Sweet things, snack things, "yuck" things, "yummy" things, meats, fruit, etc. Fill in the blank with anything. It's a neat way to find out your child's tastes, too.

Don't limit these ideas to the checkout line. They're great for long road trips, too. They don't work all the time, but most of the time you can find one or two that will help out. However, when all else fails, Bribe Them. Honestly, if all else fails, I bribe my children. On shopping day I might promise a favorite meal for dinner or tell them, "When we get home you can pick a snack." Hey, it's not like I'm passing money their way or anything. And if anyone happens to have a problem with me bribing my kids, they are more than welcome to do my grocery shopping for me - just take the kids with you.