You may have some time on your hands when you visit Children's Hospital Boston, so you might as well have some fun. Here are some things to busy your brain while you're waiting.
First, a tip: Print this page out and bring it with you when you come to the hospital. Bring some books, pocket-sized toys, paper, pens, or playing cards, too.
And check out the Print section of the ARTHUR Web site for some other games to print and bring along!
1. Body Swap
Imagine swapping places with the person waiting with you. How does that person speak, feel, or act?
2. Animal Antics
Look around you at the people working in the hospital. What kind of animals would they be? (Tip: Whisper your answers on this one…trust me.)
3. Fifty States
Can you name all fifty states? Can you name their capitals?
4. Alien Abduction
My favorite! Pretend that aliens have taken you to their distant planet, and you have to impress them so they let you come back to earth. What everyday object would you take with you? You might have to make up a new use for it to do the trick. Maybe your wristwatch is a transporter device for delivering pizza. Maybe the buttons on your shirt are hidden cameras.
5. Just a Minute
You need a clock or a watch with a second hand for this one. When the second hand gets to the 12, look away. How well can you guess when a minute has passed? Can you get any closer by trying again?
6. Alphabet Zoo
Can you name an animal for each letter of the alphabet? Can you do it again without repeating any animals from your first try? You knew X would be tricky. But what about N?
7. Dog Watcher
Pick up a magazine. How many pictures of dogs can you find?
8. Paper and Pen
There are lots of great paper games. Try Hangman or Tic Tac Toe. Or draw a self-portrait, or a picture of something interesting you see in the room. You could also draw a mystery picture and have someone try to guess what it is.
9. Book It
Here's a fun idea: read a book!
10. Words from a Word
How many words can you make using the letters of a word you see in your waiting area? For example, you can make over a hundred words with the letters in HOSPITAL. If you want, you could give yourself two points for a two-letter word, three points for a three-letter word, and so on. Did you get words like TAILS or SPLIT from HOSPITAL?
11. It's a Rap
Make up a rap or a poem about being in the hospital. "I came in here when I hurt my knee. I've been here since half past three…"
12. I Spy
This is a great guessing game you can play with someone while you wait. Look around you and choose an object. Use the first letter of the object's name as a clue. So if you've chosen a chair as your object, say to your partner, "I spy, with my little eye, something beginning with C." Your partner can then try to guess what your object is.
13. Superhero Super You
Think about what superpowers you'd like to have. Would it be better to have X-Ray vision or the ability to fly? Would you rather be able to predict the future or travel to the past?
14. TV Host
If you were hosting a TV talk show, who would your guests be?
15. Vacation Planner
Plan your perfect vacation.
16. Electric Mystery
How many things do you see around you that need electrical power to work? Imagine what hospitals might have been like before they were able to use electricity.
17. A Deck of Cards
There are lots of things you can do with playing cards. You can play Go Fish or Crazy Eights with the person waiting with you, or solitaire and sorting games on your own. (Didn't bring a deck of cards? See if the nurse has one you can borrow.)
18. Three Letters
How many parts of the body can you name that have just three letters? There are lots. Hey, did you EAR me? EYE hope so!
19. President You
What would you do if you were President of the United States? If you already ARE the President of the United States, imagine what you would do if you weren't.
