20 Things to Spot at an Airport: A Family I-Spy Game

Airports involve a lot of waiting: at check-in, in the security queue and at the gate when the flight is delayed. A spotting game costs nothing, needs no batteries and turns the terminal into something to explore. Here is a ready-made list of 20 things to find, plus ways to make it easier or harder depending on your children's ages.

The 20-item airport spotting list

Read the list out, jot it on a scrap of paper or write it in a travel journal before you leave home so children can tick items off as they go.

1. A destination on the departures board beginning with "H"
2. A yellow suitcase
3. A member of cabin crew in uniform
4. A pilot
5. Someone reading a book
6. Someone wearing red shoes
7. Someone taking a photo
8. The control tower
9. A windsock
10. A flag from another country
11. Someone wearing a blue hat
12. A walkie-talkie or radio
13. Someone carrying a clipboard or tablet
14. A cartoon character on a bag, T-shirt or toy
15. A piece of fruit
16. An airport fire engine
17. A flower or plant
18. A clock
19. Someone running for their flight
20. Someone fast asleep

Some items, such as the control tower, windsock and fire engine, are only visible from windows that look out over the runway, so save those for the gate or a viewing area.

Making it work for different ages

Toddlers and pre-schoolers

• Shorten the list. Five or six items is plenty. Pick big, obvious things: an aeroplane, a suitcase, a clock, a trolley, a person in uniform.
• Play by colour. "Can you find something red?" works well with children who are still learning colours.
• Make it physical. Ask them to point, jump or clap when they spot something. It burns a little energy as well.
• Draw it. If they can't read yet, sketch simple pictures of each item so they can match what they see.

School-age children

• Race against the clock. How many items can they find before boarding is called?
• Swap the letters. Instead of a destination beginning with "H", choose a different letter each round, or ask them to find a destination for every letter of their name.
• Add a points system. Common items score one point; rarer finds such as a fire engine or a plane from an airline they have never heard of score five.
• Make it a team game. Siblings working together are less likely to argue than siblings competing.

Older children and teens

• Departures board challenges. Find the furthest destination, a city in a country they have never heard of, or three different airlines heading to the same place.
• Plane spotting. Can they tell a twin-engine jet from a four-engine one, or spot a propeller aircraft?
• Photo hunt. Give them the list and a phone camera, and ask for a photo of each item. Remind them not to photograph security areas or other people without asking.
• Let them write the list. Teenagers who are too cool for I-spy may enjoy writing the list for younger siblings.

Keeping it safe and stress-free

• Set clear boundaries before you start: children stay where they can see you, and nobody wanders off to chase a find.
• Pause the game in the security queue and at passport control, when you need everyone's attention.
• Have a small prize in mind, such as choosing the next snack or a sticker, for completing the list.

More ways to pass the time

A spotting game is a great opener, but it helps to have a few other ideas ready for a long delay. See our guide on how to entertain children at the airport and our tips for flying with young children. Print or write out the list before you go, keep a pen in your hand luggage, and the wait at the gate becomes part of the holiday rather than something to endure.