Taking children on holiday is one of the best experiences you can share with them — new places, new food, new adventures. But a flight delay can turn that excitement into restlessness fast. If you’re standing at the gate watching the departure board tick over with no clear answer on when you’ll board, here’s how to keep everyone calm, occupied and (relatively) happy until then.
Don’t miss our best content straight to your inbox! Sign up now and get our FREE newsletters packed with fun ideas and things to do with the kids, family-friendly recipes, expert advice, parenting tips and great competitions.
Anyone who has flown with kids knows there’s nothing quite like a delay to test your patience. Not knowing how long you’ll be waiting only adds to the stress. Here are our tried-and-tested tips for what to do when your flight is delayed and you need to keep the children entertained.
How To Keep Children Entertained During Flight Delays
Know Your Rights
Before you head off on holiday, it’s worth knowing where you stand. Depending on your airline, where you’re flying from, and the length of the delay, you may be entitled to compensation — even if you booked a package holiday.
If you’re flying from Ireland or another EU country, EU flight delay compensation rules may apply, covering short, medium and long-haul flights. It’s always worth checking your specific rights with your airline or a flight compensation service before you travel, as rules can vary depending on your route and departure country.
Of course, knowing your rights won’t do much to cure a bored child in an airport lounge — but it does mean the money side of things is taken care of while you focus on entertainment.
You May Also Enjoy Top Tips for Travel with Kids
Pack Smart for Entertainment
You can’t plan for every eventuality when travelling with children, but you can be ready for a delay with some clever hand luggage packing.
Simple things like pens and paper, a puzzle or colouring book, a pack of playing cards, a favourite small toy, and a few treats can make a big difference when you’re facing an unexpected wait.
Head to a Play Area
Before you travel, it’s worth checking what facilities your airport offers for children. That way, if a delay hits, you’ll know where to go.
Many airports have dedicated play areas, games rooms or other facilities to keep younger travellers entertained. Some Irish airports have play areas or arcade machines located in departures or the transit lounge — it’s worth checking your specific airport’s website in advance, as facilities and locations can change.
If you’re travelling through the US or UK, it’s worth doing a quick search for airport play areas at your specific departure or connecting airport, as availability varies widely from one airport to the next.
Get Technical
Most parents would rather their children weren’t glued to a screen for the whole holiday, but during a delay, needs must. Pre-loading devices with a few good apps means the kids get something worthwhile out of the wait, rather than just passing time.
Look for educational apps that combine fun with a bit of learning — maths games, creative drawing apps, or simple logic and science games can all hold a child’s attention while sneaking in some brain work. Remember to pack travel plugs and a portable power pack in your hand luggage, just in case.
You May Also Enjoy 15 Of the Best Entertainment Apps for Travelling with Kids
Play Games
Simple games are a brilliant way to keep children entertained without needing a screen. We’re not suggesting a game of hide and seek around a busy terminal, but pen-and-paper games like battleships or hangman, or a round of I Spy, are easy to set up and can pass a good chunk of time.
Playing cards are compact enough to fit in your hand luggage and open up plenty of options, from simple games like snap or old maid to more involved games like go fish.
For older children, try giving them a list of little tasks to complete: spot planes from as many different countries as they can, check the departure boards for flights to certain destinations, or find out the price of an item in one of the airport shops. You could also put together a simple airport scavenger hunt, where they tick off items or things they spot around the terminal.
You May Also Enjoy 8 Easy Card Tricks to Delight and Amaze
Turn It Into a Geography Lesson
Your holiday is a chance for your children to get a break from school, not extra lessons — but a light-touch geography chat on the way to your destination can turn “are we there yet?” into genuine curiosity.
Pack a map or a simple travel guide for your destination in your hand luggage. Depending on their age, look through it together and quiz them on where you’re headed, or let them use a tablet to research a few fun things to do once you arrive.
Figuring out how to keep children entertained is one of the trickiest parts of travelling with young ones, but with a little planning, even a delay can become part of the adventure.
You May Also Enjoy 17 Sanity-Saving Family Travel Tips
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the most important thing to pack for a flight delay with kids?
A small, well-stocked bag of low-fuss entertainment: pens and paper, a colouring or puzzle book, a pack of cards, a favourite small toy, and some snacks. Having these to hand means you’re not scrambling if a delay is announced.
Are children entitled to compensation for flight delays?
Compensation entitlements depend on your airline, route and the length of the delay. If you’re flying from Ireland or the EU, you may be covered under EU flight delay regulations. Check with your airline or a flight compensation service for the rules that apply to your specific journey.
Do airports have play areas for children?
Many do, though facilities vary a lot from airport to airport. It’s worth checking your departure and connecting airports’ websites before you travel so you know where to head if there’s a delay.
How can I keep older children entertained without screens?
Simple challenges work well — plane-spotting, scavenger hunts around the terminal, card games, or research tasks like finding flight times on the departure boards. These keep them engaged and moving rather than just sitting still.
Related Articles
- Top Tips for Travel with Kids
- 15 Of the Best Entertainment Apps for Travelling with Kids
- 15 Fun Card Games for Kids
- 8 Easy Card Tricks to Delight and Amaze
- 17 Sanity-Saving Family Travel Tips
Save These Ideas for Your Next Trip
Flight delays happen when you least expect them — so it’s worth bookmarking this article or saving it to your phone before you travel. Browse our other family travel tips for more ways to make journeys with kids that bit easier.
Want More Family Travel Ideas?
Sign up to the MyKidsTime newsletter for weekly ideas on things to do with the kids, family-friendly recipes, and practical parenting tips — delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up here.
