For months, I looked forward to a December trip to Dallas, Texas and the warm, sunny temperatures sure to greet me. As luck (bad luck is luck too) would have it, the Dallas area got walloped by a fierce ice storm that shut down the airport, the mall, restaurants and — well — the whole area! Stuck at the hotel with all my plans canceled, I had two options: lounge around my room and watch soap operas OR explore and find fun things to do. I chose the latter!
If you find yourself stuck at a hotel, particularly with kids, maybe these 20 activities will help you pass the time AND have fun doing it! Most of these are great for when you get stuck at home, too!
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20 fun things to do when stuck at a hotel
1. Play with shaving cream.
2. Let the kids give you (and dad if he’s brave) a makeover. Or give the kids one!
P.S. She is NOT usually allowed to wear makeup! Special treat.
3. Count the stairs from the ground floor to the top floor… Yes, that means stair climbing. If you prefer, count the stairs going down.
4. Draw pictures on the steam-covered bathroom mirror.
5. Write an old-fashioned letter to loved ones on hotel stationery.
6. Jump on the beds (maybe ask the neighbors below when is a good time).
7. Have a pillow fight.
8. Order room service.
9. Write thank you notes for the hotel staff who are likely working double shifts and dealing with grumpy guests. Be the difference!
10. Open the curtains and have everyone draw a picture of what they see outside the window. Ask for paper from the front desk if you need it.
11. Go on a scavenger hunt through the hotel. Ask the front desk if the hotel has one pre-made. If not, make one and see how long it takes the kids to find everything.
12. Splurge on an in room movie. Watch it in pajamas all snuggled on one bed.
13. Build a blanket tent.
14. Practice your ninja skills. The goal: To get to someplace at the far end of the hotel without anybody seeing you. Sneak through the halls, tiptoeing and hiding behind pillars. The quieter the better.
15. Write a note to housekeeping thanking them for their hard work. Place it on beds already made.
16. Sit in the lobby and count shoes of passersby by color. What color is most popular?
17. Let the kids quiz you about what life was like when you were a kid. They don’t know life before the internet, drive through restaurants or self-serve gas stations!
18. Make towel animals.
19. Skip down the halls. Yes, parents too!
20. Take a ride on the luggage cart. Is it a train? A princess carriage? A pirate ship? Watch out for other guests!
Have you ever been stuck at a hotel? How did you entertain your kids?
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Mackenzie Monthey says
February 8, 2019 at 8:22 pmthese are so fun I agree on everything it says they seem so fun
ivy says
September 12, 2018 at 1:29 pmI’m still a kid only 10 only in a hotel room with 4 dogs but they all rlly good so i would try these they sound fun but I and to shy or afaird to do the show counting scavenger hunt even tho i love them nor the stairs but i think this a great idea for people who are not alone!!
Danielle says
January 26, 2017 at 2:15 pmIf you’re an adult and stuck in a hotel and they don’t have a gym work out in your room.
Karen Dawkins says
January 29, 2017 at 9:49 amGreat idea! You can ask for a blanket from housekeeping to use as a yoga mat so you don’t have to lie on the carpet!
Scott says
January 4, 2017 at 1:50 pmI like that you suggest to practice your ninja skills if you are unable to leave the hotel. I can see why this would help entertain any children you have. I remember doing this as a child. This also helped us be less disruptive to other guests.
Karen Dawkins says
January 5, 2017 at 2:02 pmThanks, Scott! Happy travels to you and yours.
Karen Dawkins says
September 2, 2016 at 6:48 pmGlad to hear that! We have Tropical Storm Hermine bearing down on us — I’m sure we’ll be doing some of these this weekend.
sasha hislop says
July 28, 2016 at 12:48 amThis sounds so fun to do!!!..
Karen Dawkins says
August 1, 2016 at 9:40 amWe’ve been stuck in more than our fair share of hotels due to bad weather — but that’s the price we pay for traveling during hurricane and ice season. Right? We’ve mastered the art of hotel fun!!! =)
Sarah says
January 22, 2016 at 3:02 pmCute ideas. 🙂 I like the ninja one. I can so see Noah getting into that. And the stairs one is a GREAT way to burn energy!
Karen Dawkins says
January 22, 2016 at 8:01 pmYes it is!!!! And for us older people, it’s a great workout! 🙂
Braden Bartman says
March 10, 2018 at 3:01 pmI love it when me and my friends have intercourse in the lobby of the hotel
No more mr.bad dad says
December 28, 2015 at 8:57 amI like to go to the pool and get a tan while my son plays with new friends. And I like your idea to do truth or dare Sophie, my kids love that game
Sophie says
May 26, 2015 at 1:39 amWe roll under beds
Sophie says
May 26, 2015 at 1:41 amKnock on a strangers door and then run away
Karen Dawkins says
September 14, 2015 at 3:14 pmOh my gosh. I somehow missed your contribution to roll under the beds. Are they generally clean? (Ewww)
Theres Just One Mommy says
January 8, 2014 at 2:58 pmLove it! When we met my sister in Ill. a few years ago we had torrential rain — and 3 small kids. I’m thinking they’d have loved the ninja idea!
Karen Dawkins says
January 8, 2014 at 3:09 pmMy oldest and his college roommate inspired the ninja idea. 🙂 Crazy college kids!
Sofie says
December 28, 2013 at 2:00 pmLol, I love some of these!
How about:
– play truth or dare
– go knock on your neighbor’s door and introduce yourself
Karen Dawkins says
December 28, 2013 at 2:05 pmGREAT ideas, Sofie. Thanks for adding to the list. 🙂
Monsters says
December 31, 2016 at 1:47 pmBetter knock and run away
Susan says
December 20, 2013 at 1:06 pmOh my gosh! I want to get stuck at a hotel with you! Too much fun. A lot of these would be great on snow days at home too!
Karen Dawkins says
December 28, 2013 at 2:05 pmThey are! We don’t get many snow days here in NC, but when it gets icy, we make it fun!