Waiting can often feel like a tedious and unproductive time, whether you’re in a long queue, waiting for an appointment, or sitting through a lengthy commute.
However, with a little creativity, you can turn these moments of downtime into exciting opportunities for fun and entertainment.
Whether you’re alone or with friends, there are plenty of engaging games that can make the time fly by and leave you with a smile on your face.
From classic pen-and-paper games to digital diversions, we’ve compiled a list of entertaining games to play while waiting for that will keep boredom at bay and add a touch of amusement to those otherwise dull moments.
So, the next time you find yourself twiddling your thumbs, give these games a try and turn waiting into a delightful and memorable experience.
Conversation Starters:
Engage in meaningful and thought-provoking discussions with a set of conversation starters. Prepare a list of interesting and open-ended questions that encourage introspection and sharing. Topics can range from personal dreams and favorite memories to deep philosophical questions. It’s a wonderful way to get to know your fellow waiters on a deeper level and foster genuine connections.
Related: 20 Wonderful Frisbee Games for Kids
Paper Plane Race:
Unleash your inner child and indulge in a paper plane race with fellow waiting companions. Take a few sheets of paper and challenge each other to create the fastest and most aerodynamic planes possible. Once ready, mark a starting point and let the planes soar. It’s a simple yet entertaining way to infuse excitement into the waiting period, and you might be surprised at the innovative designs that emerge.
Two Truths and a Lie:
Turn waiting into a captivating guessing game with “Two Truths and a Lie.” The rules are simple: each participant takes turns sharing three statements about themselves – two truths and one lie. The others must figure out which statement is false. This activity is a fantastic icebreaker and offers a glimpse into the lives of your fellow waiters, creating intriguing conversations and connections.
Related: 20 Best Motivational Activities for Students
Pictionary:
Unleash your artistic talents with a spontaneous game of Pictionary. Arm yourself with a pen and paper or a drawing app on your phone. Divide into teams, and take turns drawing various prompts within a time limit while your teammates attempt to guess the word. The combination of laughter, creativity, and competitiveness will make time fly by, and you’ll be surprised at the hidden artistic talents in your group.
Source: mashable.com
Storytelling Relay:
Create an enthralling storytelling relay to entertain everyone during the wait. Sit in a circle and begin a story with a few sentences. After a minute, pass the storytelling baton to the next person, who continues the tale. Continue this cycle until the story comes full circle. The hilarity ensues when the plot twists and turns with each new contributor. This collaborative storytelling activity not only keeps boredom at bay but also sparks imagination and team spirit.
Source: teachhub.com
Riddle Me This:
Embrace the power of riddles to entertain and challenge your fellow waiters. Prepare a list of intriguing riddles of varying difficulty levels. As you wait, take turns sharing the brain teasers, and watch as your group collaborates to solve them. Riddles stimulate the mind, promote creative problem-solving, and foster a sense of camaraderie as everyone works together to crack the enigmas.
Source: vanishingincmagic.com
Mobile Games Tournament:
Turn your smartphones into mini gaming consoles by hosting a mobile games tournament. There are countless multiplayer games available that you can enjoy with your friends or family. Choose a variety of games, from trivia and puzzles to racing and strategy. Compete for the highest scores or collaborate as teams to achieve victory. The friendly competition will make the wait fly by, and you might discover some new favorite games in the process.
Source: blogs.geniteam.com
Human Knot:
Stretch your limbs and challenge yourselves with the classic team-building game, Human Knot. Form a circle with your group and have everyone extend their hands to hold someone else’s hand across the circle. The objective is to untangle the human knot without letting go of hands. This cooperative game requires communication, problem-solving, and physical coordination, making it an excellent way to pass the time while building stronger bonds with your companions.
Source: icebreakerideas.com
Alphabet Storytime:
Embark on a creative storytelling adventure with Alphabet Storytime. Start with the letter “A” and have one person begin a story with a sentence or two. Then, the next person continues the tale but must use a word that starts with the letter “B.” Continue this pattern, going through the alphabet and adding to the story with each turn. The challenge lies in maintaining coherence as the narrative progresses through various letter-themed twists and turns.
Source: libraryjoyblog.wordpress.com
Name That Tune:
Put your musical knowledge to the test with “Name That Tunes.” Create a playlist of diverse songs that your group is likely to recognize. Play short snippets of each track and see who can identify the song title and artist the fastest. You can make it a friendly competition or collaborate as a team to tackle the playlist together. This music-filled activity is sure to lift spirits and make the wait more enjoyable.
Source: partygameideas.com
DIY Origami:
Transform any wait time into a productive and entertaining crafting session with DIY Origami. All you need is some origami paper or regular paper cut into squares. Look up simple origami tutorials on your phone or bring along a how-to book to create beautiful paper creations. From cranes to butterflies, the possibilities are endless, and it’s a delightful way to engage your hands and mind while waiting.
Source: parenting.firstcry.com
Mindful Breathing and Meditation:
Transform the waiting time into a moment of relaxation and self-reflection through mindful breathing and meditation. Guide your group in a short meditation session, focusing on deep breathing and being present at the moment. It’s a fantastic way to reduce stress, calm nerves, and promote a sense of tranquility during potentially anxious waiting situations.
Source: verywellmind.com
Photo Scavenger Hunt:
Turn waiting into an exciting adventure with a Photo Scavenger Hunt. Create a list of specific items, landmarks, or funny scenarios for participants to capture in photos using their smartphones or cameras. Split into teams or compete individually to see who can check off the most items from the list within a set time frame. This interactive and entertaining game encourages exploration and creativity while making waiting moments much more enjoyable.
Source: scavify.com
DIY Story Cubes:
Craft your own set of Story Cubes to spark imagination and storytelling. Take a few small wooden cubes or dice and draw different images on each side. These images can represent characters, objects, or settings. Once you have your set, roll the cubes and use the images that appear to collaboratively create spontaneous stories. It’s a fantastic way to flex your creative muscles and create unforgettable narratives during those long waits.
Source: planolibrarylearns.org
20-Second Talent Show:
Host a quick and hilarious 20-Second Talent Show among your waiting companions. Each person gets a chance to showcase their most unusual or entertaining talents within a strict 20-second time limit. Whether it’s singing, dancing, telling jokes, or any unique skill they possess, the rapid-fire format adds a fun twist to the typical talent show and guarantees plenty of laughs and surprises.
Source: parenting.firstcry.com
DIY Travel Board Game:
Design and play your own DIY Travel Board Game to make waiting for an immersive and fun-filled experience. Utilize a large sheet of paper or cardboard as your game board and come up with various spaces, challenges, and rewards. Use small tokens or coins as game pieces. The objective can be anything from reaching a specific destination to completing a series of tasks. Get creative and personalize the game to reflect the interests of your group.
Source: wikihow-fun.com
Name, Place, Animal, Thing:
Revisit the classic pen-and-paper game of Name, Place, Animal, Thing during your waiting time. Create a grid with five columns and label them accordingly. One person randomly selects a letter of the alphabet, and all players must quickly fill in the grid with names, places, animals, and things that start with that letter. The first person to complete the grid shouts “Stop!” and everyone else must stop writing. Compare answers, and award points for unique and creative responses.
Source: paperboatfoods.com
Memory Game:
Challenge your memory skills with a classic Memory Game while waiting. Gather a set of matching cards with images or words facedown on a table. Players take turns flipping over two cards at a time, trying to find a matching pair. If they match, the player keeps the pair and gets another turn. If they don’t match, the cards are turned back over, and it’s the next player’s turn. The game continues until all the pairs have been matched, and the player with the most matches wins.
Source: icebreakerideas.com
Group Charades:
Put a twist on the traditional game of charades by playing Group Charades. Divide into teams and have one person from each team act out a word or phrase without speaking while their teammates try to guess the answer. The catch is that all team members act together as a group, making it a hilarious and chaotic challenge. It’s an excellent way to keep everyone engaged and entertained during moments of waiting.
Source: gameonfamily.com
20-Second Art Challenge:
Unleash your inner artist and engage in the 20-Second Art Challenge. Each person has only 20 seconds to draw a specific object or scene given to them by the group. The time limit adds pressure and hilarity to the challenge as everyone attempts to convey the essence of the subject in such a short span. It’s a game that celebrates creativity and spontaneity, making waiting moments thoroughly enjoyable.
Source: thesciencesurvey.com
