Flight delays can quickly turn into stressful moments for families traveling with children. This article shares practical tips, games, and mindset strategies to help parents keep kids calm, entertained, and comfortable during unexpected airport waits. The goal is to reduce frustration, maintain routines as much as possible, and turn delays into manageable and even positive moments for the whole family.
Why flight delays are harder for kids
Most of the time, airports aren't designed with children in mind. Unlike adults, who can scroll through their phones or settle into a book, kids thrive on movement, novelty, and predictability. A flight delay with children disrupts all three.
Young children or toddlers don't yet have the emotional regulation skills to understand why they must wait. They may become restless, cranky, or overwhelmed by the noise and crowds. Older children, whilst more patient, can still struggle with boredom and disappointment, especially if they were excited about reaching their destination.
The confined spaces, limited play areas, and general airport chaos only add to the challenge. Unlike being stuck at home, where you have toys, rooms to explore, and familiar routines, airports offer little in the way of comfort or distraction. That's why having a plan and the right supplies can make all the difference.
The secret to surviving a delay often lies in what you've packed. A well-stocked carry-on can be a lifesaver when you're facing hours of unexpected waiting time.
Start with a dedicated "delay bag" inside your hand luggage. A well-organized Daddy Bag or Mommy Bag with multiple compartments can help you keep everything accessible and sorted. Here's what works brilliantly:
- Small, lightweight toys: colouring books, sticker sets, travel-sized board games, or puzzle books
- Reusable sticker scenes: particularly good for toddlers, as they can be used again without creating a mess
- Surprise items: pack a few toys your children haven't seen before – the novelty factor can buy you precious minutes or even hours
- Comfort items: a favourite blanket, stuffed animal, or dummy helps younger children feel secure
- Headphones: essential for older kids, whether for music, audiobooks, or watching something on a tablet
Pound shops and discount stores are goldmines for inexpensive travel toys that you won't mind losing or leaving behind.
And here's a tip many parents swear by: pack snacks as if you're preparing for a siege. Having a variety of treats on hand can prevent meltdowns and keep energy levels stable throughout the delay.
Fun games and activities to do at the airport
Airport games for kids don't require fancy equipment, just a bit of creativity. Here are some tried-and-tested favourites:
Classic I Spy works beautifully in busy terminals where there's always something new to spot. Adapt it for different ages: younger children might look for colours or shapes, whilst older ones can search for specific objects like "someone wearing a red hat" or "a suitcase with wheels."
Otherwise, with an Airport scavenger hunts you can create a simple checklist of things to find:
- A pilot
- A departure board
- Someone is eating a sandwich
- A dog
- A shop selling books
Tick them off as you explore the terminal together: this turns wandering into an adventure and burns off energy at the same time.
If you have more time, you can try “Storytelling games”: start a story with one sentence, then let your child add the next, going back and forth. It's engaging, requires no materials, and often leads to hilarious results.
If your airport has large windows overlooking the runway, plane-spotting can be genuinely entertaining. Count how many planes take off, guess where they're going, or make up stories about the passengers on board.
Many airports now offer play areas, though they're not always easy to find. It's worth doing a quick search online before you travel to see what's available. Even a small soft play zone can be a godsend during a long delay.
Screen time: how to use it wisely during delays
Let's address the elephant in the room: screens. During a delay, the usual rules can, and perhaps should, be relaxed. This isn't the time for guilt about screen limits; it's about survival and sanity.
That said, there are smart ways to use technology:
- Download content beforehand: films, episodes, or educational apps should be saved offline, as airport Wi-Fi can be unreliable
- Mix passive and interactive content: involving problem-solving, creativity, or learning hold attention just as well as cartoons
- Try educational apps: Drawing apps, simple coding games, or story-building programmes are excellent for keeping kids busy while travelling
- Set gentle boundaries: let's watch one episode, then we'll do a scavenger hunt, then you can play a game" prevents screen fatigue
This approach keeps children from becoming zombies staring at glowing rectangles for hours on end, whilst still giving them the entertainment they need.
Snacks, treats, and comfort food ideas
Never underestimate the power of food to improve a child's mood. Hunger makes everyone irritable, and airports are notoriously expensive (and often not particularly healthy) when it comes to dining options.
What to pack:
- Crunchy options: Crackers, breadsticks, pretzels
- Soft snacks: Fruit pouches, cheese strings, mini sandwiches
- Chewy treats: Dried mango, raisins, fruit leather
- Savoury choices: Cheese cubes, mini sausages, veggie sticks
- Sweet treats: save a special chocolate bar or packet of sweets for when spirits are truly flagging
The variety keeps things interesting and caters to shifting preferences throughout the day.
Top tips for airport eating:
- Bring refillable water bottles (empty through security, then fill up at a fountain)
- Use treats strategically – the promise of a favourite snack "in 20 minutes if you're patient" works wonders
- If your delay stretches into mealtime, consider splurging on a proper sit-down meal at a restaurant
Yes, airport restaurants are pricey, but the change of scenery, the novelty, and the chance to feel somewhat normal can be worth every penny. Plus, it eats up time pun intended.
Keeping kids calm and managing emotions
Even with the best preparation, emotions can run high. Children pick up on parental stress, so managing your own feelings (more on that below) is the first step to keeping them calm.
Rather than dismissing emotions, you can acknowledge their feelings and validate them: "I know you're disappointed we can't get on the plane yet. It's frustrating, isn't it?" This helps children feel heard and understood.
If your kid is crying, you can try a calming technique: deep breathing exercises can work for children as young as four or five. Make it playful:
- "Let's pretend to blow up a big balloon"
- "Smell the flowers, blow out the candles"
- "Breathe in for four counts, out for four counts"
These techniques genuinely help regulate the nervous system.
Movement is crucial, but how to entertain kids at the airport often comes down to channelling their energy constructively:
- Walk the length of the terminal
- Do silly walks or animal impressions
- Visit different gates just for something to do
- Find staircases to climb (safely supervised, of course)
Then, when it’s possible, maintain routine: it can be grounding even in chaos. If it's normally naptime, create a makeshift sleeping spot with blankets and familiar items. If it's bedtime reading hour at home, find a quiet corner and read together.
Tips for toddlers vs. older children
Different ages require different approaches. Here's what works for each group:
For toddlers:
- Change activities every 5-10 minutes, they simply can't focus longer
- Prioritize movement: walking, exploring, and physical games over seated activities
- Bring tactile toys: play-dough, pop-it toys, or textured books
- Don't expect patience, distraction is your friend
- If you're travelling with a newborn, having the right support makes all the difference. An Infant Insert for your carrier can help you keep little ones comfortable and close during long waits
For primary school children:
- They can handle longer stretches of focused activity (20-30 minutes)
- Involve them in problem-solving: "We've got two hours to wait. What should we do first?"
- Consider bringing homework or activity workbooks, some kids find comfort in familiar tasks
- Give them small responsibilities like checking the departure board
For teenagers:
- They're often easier in some ways (hello, smartphones), but may need emotional support
- Keep them informed about updates and changes
- Treat them with respect and perhaps give them autonomy to explore independently
- Acknowledge their disappointment without dismissing it
Travelling with toddlers requires more hands-on management, whilst older children benefit from being included in the problem-solving process.
How parents can stay calm during a delay
Here's the truth: stress-free family travel starts with you. Children are remarkably perceptive. If you're anxious, frustrated, or visibly upset, they'll mirror those emotions.
Mindset shifts that help:
- Accept what you cannot control: the delay has happened. Railing against it won't change anything
- Reframe the situation: instead of "This is a disaster," try "This is unexpected, but we can manage it"
- Keep perspective: in a week, this will be a story you tell. In a year, you might even laugh about it
Practical self-care:
- Take breaks when possible, if you're travelling with a partner, trade off so each of you gets a few minutes to decompress
- Even a quick walk to the loo or five minutes scrolling through your phone can help reset your nervous system
- Stay hydrated and feed yourself, low blood sugar makes everything harder
Remember that these airport survival tips for parents aren't just about entertaining children — they're about maintaining your own equilibrium. You can't pour from an empty cup.
Stay informed but not obsessed:
- Check for updates regularly, but don't refresh the app every 30 seconds
- Sign up for text alerts so you don't have to constantly watch the board
- Ask airline staff questions when you need information, but accept that they may not have all the answers
Finally, keep perspective. Family travel is rarely perfect, and that's okay. The memories you're creating include the messy bits, and those often turn out to be the most meaningful. Your children won't remember the two-hour delay as much as they'll remember how you handled it together.
Tips for flying with kids during delays come down to three things: preparation, flexibility, and maintaining your sense of humour. Pack smart, stay creative with entertainment, and remember that this too shall pass. With these strategies in your parenting toolkit, you can not only survive the experience, but you might also even find unexpected moments of connection and joy amidst the chaos.
Safe travels, and may all your future flights be blessedly on time!