How to Entertain Children at the Airport
Airports test children's patience. They might be giddy with excitement on the way out or glum on the way home, tired from a dawn start or wired from staying up for a night flight. Security queues, delays and long walks to the gate don't help. With a few ideas up your sleeve, the waiting can become part of the adventure.
Let them burn off energy
Before a long flight, children are better off tired than restless. Many airports have soft play or children's play areas airside, so check your airport's website or map in advance and head there once you are through security. If there isn't one, a brisk walk to look at the planes does the same job. Some airports also have lounges with family areas, which can be a calmer base during a delay. See our guide to family-friendly UK airport lounges.
Plane spotting
Big windows overlooking the apron are free entertainment. Pitch it at the right level for your children:
- Younger children can count planes, spot colours or wave at the ground crew.
- Older children can collect airline logos or try to identify aircraft types.
- Watching luggage being loaded, fuel trucks and planes being pushed back gives plenty to talk about.
Games that need nothing
- I Spy, with airport-themed rules.
- "In my suitcase I packed…", the memory game where each player adds an item.
- Our list of 20 things to spot at an airport list, which you can make harder with extra items for older children.
- Twenty questions about where you are going.
The shopping challenge
Save a few treats to buy at the airport rather than packing everything in advance. Let each child choose a magazine, a book or a small travel toy for the flight. Give older children a budget and let them work out what they can afford: it is good maths practice and takes far longer than you'd think.
Start a holiday journal
The departure lounge is a good time to begin a travel journal. Children can draw the airport, stick in a boarding pass and write down a list of things they want to do on holiday (you may need to gently edit some of the more ambitious ideas). On the way home, they can finish the story while the memories are fresh, and compare the two airports.
Learn a few words
If you are heading somewhere with a different language, use the wait to learn a handful of words: hello, please, thank you, ice cream. Children often love trying them out on arrival, and locals usually appreciate the effort.
Ride-on suitcases and cabin bags
Children's ride-on or wheeled cases give them a sense of ownership, double as a seat in queues and can be pulled along when little legs get tired. Check the dimensions against your airline's cabin allowance, and pack it with their own toys, books and a snack.
Screens: save the battery
Tablets and phones are invaluable, but they often come into their own on the plane, when other options are limited. Hold back on screen time at the airport if you can, charge devices fully before you leave home, bring children's headphones and download films and games in advance, as airport Wi-Fi is not always reliable. A small power bank in your hand luggage is useful during delays; check your airline's rules for carrying them.
Keep it calm
- Allow plenty of time, so you're not rushing tired children through the terminal.
- Use the toilets before boarding is called.
- Keep a change of clothes and wipes handy for spills.
- Check delay information before you set off for the gate.
A mix of active play, simple games and a well-timed treat will carry most children happily through to take-off. For the next stage of the journey, read our top tips for flying with young children.