Airport delays are frustrating for everyone, but for kids, they are just plain boring. Waiting for hours with restless children can be a parent's worst nightmare, adding another layer of stress to an already trying situation.
What if you could turn that waiting time into an opportunity for fun, creativity, and even a little learning? This guide offers 10 ways to keep kids entertained during airport delays, transforming airport boredom into memorable moments.
Bring Travel-Friendly Games and Puzzles
Bringing compact, portable games is a fantastic strategy to combat boredom. Pack decks of cards, Mad Libs, or travel versions of board games in a carry-on bag for easy access. A friendly game of Uno or a quiet session with a puzzle can engage children of various ages and keep their minds occupied.
Games and puzzles also give kids a sense of control and choice while they’re waiting. Let them pick which game to play or decide the rules for a round—it keeps them invested and turns the waiting time into an enjoyable challenge rather than just idle sitting.
Travel Tip
If you forget to pack a game, check some of the airport shops for simple options, such as a deck of cards that you can use to play Go Fish.
Download Movies, TV Shows, or Educational Apps
Tablets and smartphones can be parents’ best friends during an unexpected delay. Set aside time a few days before the trip to download your child's favorite games, shows, movies, and music onto a tablet so that they can entertain themselves if there's a delay.
Downloading a mix of their favorite movies, engaging TV shows, and educational apps provides a good balance between entertainment and learning. You could include animated science shows that explain complex topics in a fun way or language-learning apps that introduce new words and phrases. This approach keeps them quietly seated and absorbed, which gives you a chance to check flight updates or just relax for a moment.
Pack Coloring Books, Crayons, or Activity Kits
Most kids love flexing their imagination by getting creative, and coloring makes this easy. Pack a small bag with coloring books, crayons, and other simple activity kits such as sticker books or stencil sets. You can encourage your children to create travel-themed art, such as drawing the airplanes they see on the tarmac or making a map of your travel route. These activities don't require much space, and they offer a hands-on way for kids to express themselves.
Create a Scavenger Hunt Around the Terminal
With the right mindset, you can turn an airport terminal into a fun, interactive scavenger hunt for your kids. Before you leave for the airport, make a list of a few simple things your child can keep an eye out for; you can do this even if you don't have a flight delay. Jot down basic things such as:
- Suitcases in specific colors
- A flight screen
- An airline worker
- A specific coffee shop or restaurant
- An airplane
- A luggage cart
This activity gets your kiddo moving and purposefully observing their surroundings. You can add learning elements to the hunt by asking them to count the number of gates in your concourse or spot letters of the alphabet on signs.
Play Interactive Travel Games
Classic travel games that require no props are perfect for airport delays. Games such as I Spy or 20 Questions or airport-themed challenges can be played anywhere, at any time. You can challenge your children to find something blue, guess an object you're thinking of, or invent their own games using the sights and sounds of the terminal.
What's great about interactive games is that they stimulate your child's imagination and critical thinking skills. They also encourage conversation, cooperation, and laughter, transforming what could be a dull wait into a fun, engaging family activity.
Parent Tip
Tailor your activities to your child's age. For example, I Spy might be more suitable for younger children, whereas 20 Questions can be a fun challenge for older kids.
Read Books or Listen to Audiobooks Together
Another fun way to keep your kids entertained during an airport delay is to enjoy a good story together. Make sure you pack some of your child's favorite stories into their bag or download e-books onto a tablet. Reading together creates an interactive experience that keeps your child entertained. You can ask questions about the plot or encourage your kid to predict what will happen next. Likewise, listening to audiobooks can be a great way for your child to pass the time and use their imagination.
Explore Kid-Friendly Airport Play Areas
Many modern airports understand the challenges of traveling with children and have designated play areas to keep little travelers entertained. These zones often feature soft play structures, climbing frames, interactive exhibits, and even digital games, providing a safe space for kids to burn off pent-up energy before a flight.
Finding these play areas early in your airport visit can help you structure waiting time more effectively. Try alternating between quiet activities such as reading or puzzles and short exercise breaks at the play zone every hour. This balance keeps kids engaged, prevents restlessness, and makes long waits feel shorter.
Get a Ride-On Suitcase
During a flight delay, you could be stuck at the airport several hours longer than you'd hoped, which may mean having to stroll around to pass the time or find snacks. A ride-on suitcase makes this more fun for your little one, allowing them to rest their legs if they get tired; they can push themselves, or you can pull them. Best of all, this suitcase doubles as a bag for your child's belongings and can even fit in the overhead compartment on the plane.
Parent Tip
Younglingz sells children's ride-on luggage in different designs and colors to suit your child's interests. With one of our suitcases, you can turn any trip into a fun adventure for your kiddo!
Do a Mix of Things
Sticking to just one activity can get boring fast, especially during long airport waits. The key is variety—mixing quiet, creative, active, and interactive activities to keep kids engaged. For example, start with a coloring book or puzzle, and then move on to a short scavenger hunt around the terminal. Follow that with a quick game such as I Spy or a few rounds of cards, and finish with some free play or a visit to a play area.
Switching activities every 15 to 30 minutes keeps energy levels balanced and prevents restlessness. It also helps children learn to adapt and focus on different tasks. With a bit of planning, creativity, and a mix of fun activities, even the longest airport delays can become enjoyable parts of your family adventure.
