Airport travel with kids is part of life for a lot of families, whether you’re heading off on holidays or making regular trips to visit grandparents in another country. Anyone who’s done it a few times knows the truth: the flight itself is often the easy part. It’s the waiting around beforehand that needs a plan.
The good news is that a little preparation goes a long way. Before you travel, it’s worth checking your airport’s website to see what family facilities they offer — some have play areas, family lanes, or other extras that can make the wait a lot easier.
Here are some tried-and-tested ways to keep kids entertained while you wait for your flight.
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Our Favourite Ways to Keep Kids Busy at the Airport
#1. Go To The Observation Area
Many airports still have an observation area where you can watch planes taking off and landing. It’s free, it’s easy to find, and most kids find it genuinely fascinating for a good while.
#2. Play the Airline Spotting Game
Turn plane-watching into a game. See how many different airlines you can spot coming and going, and take turns guessing which country each one is from.
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#3. Pass a Bit of Time in the Shops
Most airports now have a proper retail experience, and a little last-minute browsing can be a nice way to pass ten or fifteen minutes. Pop into a pharmacy or travel shop to have a look at travel-sized toiletries and other bits — it’s an easy, low-key activity that doesn’t take much energy from anyone.
If you’re on the way home and don’t want to actually spend anything, “pretending you’ve run out of cash” is a time-honoured parenting move.
#4. Guess The Travellers
Pick people walking past and guess their name and where they might be flying to. For a fun variation, try matching first names to destinations — for example, “Annabel is flying to America.”
#5. Bring a Notepad and Pencil
A simple notepad and pencil opens up all sorts of games — Hangman, Dots and Boxes, Stop the Bus, and more. A pack of cards or a set of story cube dice are also brilliant, compact additions to a travel bag.
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#6. See If There’s a Kids’ Play Area
More airports are adding play areas in different sections of the terminal, so it’s worth checking the map after security to see if there’s one nearby. A short burst of running around and climbing can make a big difference before a long stretch of sitting still.
#7. Have Something to Eat
Plan for a proper feed at the airport, since feeding kids in a cramped plane seat is never as easy as it sounds. It’s also worth picking up a few last-minute snacks and drinks for your carry-on bag, in case of delays once you’re on board.
And a fair warning: the first time you travel without the kids, don’t be surprised if you keep glancing around, convinced you’ve left someone behind.
Over To You
Do you have your own tips for passing time in airports with kids? We’d love to hear them — share them with us in the comments below.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can we do while waiting for a delayed flight with kids?
Try a mix of low-effort activities: visit an observation area if the airport has one, play a spotting or guessing game, browse the shops, or settle in with a notepad, cards or a simple drawing activity. Mixing active and quiet activities helps keep kids from getting bored or overtired.
Do airports have play areas for children?
Many airports now include dedicated kids’ play areas in parts of the terminal. It’s worth checking the airport map after security, or the airport’s website before you travel, to see what’s available.
What small items are useful for passing time at the airport?
A notepad and pencil, a pack of cards, or a small set of dice-based story games take up very little space and can entertain kids for a long time. They’re also handy to have on the flight itself.
Should we eat before boarding?
Yes, it’s generally easier to have a proper meal or snack at the airport rather than trying to manage a full feed once you’re on the plane. Packing extra snacks in your carry-on is also a good backup in case of delays.
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Before You Go
Looking for more ways to keep the kids entertained on the move? Browse our other family travel ideas, or save this one for your next trip.
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