Making the Most of Airport Overlays: 20 Fun Ideas for Families Traveling with Kids
Traveling the world as a family can be an enriching and exciting adventure. However, long airport overlays can sometimes become tedious for both parents and children. But fear not! With a little creativity and planning, you can turn these layovers into fun-filled opportunities for bonding, exploring, and making lasting memories. In this blog post, we will share 20 ideas to help your family pass the time and make the most of your airport overlay experience.
What are airport overlays?
An airport overlay, also known as an airport layover, refers to the period of time when travelers have to wait at an airport between connecting flights. It is a temporary stop during a travel journey where passengers remain at the airport for a certain duration until their next flight departs.
The dreaded airport overlays when traveling with kids
Airport overlays can be dreaded by families, especially kids, for a variety of reasons. One of the main factors is the long waiting times involved. Children, who are naturally energetic and thrive on constant movement, can become restless and impatient during these extended periods of waiting. The limited activities available at airports can also contribute to the dread.
Airports often lack engaging entertainment options specifically designed for children, leaving them with few enjoyable ways to pass the time. Additionally, the fatigue and discomfort that come with traveling can be intensified during overlays. The uncomfortable seating arrangements and the absence of comfortable resting areas can add to the overall feelings of exhaustion and discomfort.
Furthermore, airport overlays disrupt daily routines, including meal times, sleep schedules, and regular activities. This disruption can make it challenging for parents to keep their children engaged and entertained. Lastly, the restricted mobility within the airport further compounds the issue. Children are used to having freedom of movement, but airports can feel confining and restrict their ability to explore and play. These factors combined make airport overlays a source of dread for families, particularly for children.
20 fun ideas to try to pass the time at the airport
Here we have collected 20 of our ideas for how you can make the most of the time you have to spend at the airport in an overlay as a family:
- Explore the airport: Take a walk around the terminal, discover interesting shops, unique artwork, and intriguing architectural features.
- Play travel-themed games: Engage in games like “I Spy” or create your own scavenger hunt using airport-related items. This Etsy listing has an airport themed I Spy sheet as well as a customizable sheet to easily make your own one.
- Enjoy a picnic: Pack some snacks or grab a meal from a nearby café or restaurant and have a picnic in a designated area.
- Watch planes take off and land: Find a window seat and marvel at the impressive view of planes as they arrive and depart. Talk about the different types of planes or where they come from and are going.
- Read books together: Bring along some favorite books or discover new ones from the airport bookstore.
- Play card or board games: Bring a deck of cards or a portable board game to enjoy some friendly competition.
- Have a photo session: Capture fun moments with your family by taking pictures in different parts of the airport.
- Write and send postcards: Purchase postcards from the airport gift shop and write messages to family and friends while waiting for your flight.
- Create art: Pack a small sketchbook and art supplies to engage in drawing or coloring activities.
- Learn about the destination: Use the downtime to research and learn about the culture, history, and attractions of your upcoming destination.
- Engage in brain teasers: Solve puzzles, riddles, or crosswords to keep your minds sharp and entertained.
- Play charades or “Simon Says”: These classic games can be a great way to keep everyone active and entertained.
- Listen to music or podcasts: Bring headphones and enjoy some family-friendly tunes or educational podcasts.
- Teach each other a new skill: Use the time to share and learn something new. It could be simple magic tricks, origami, or words in a foreign language.
- Stretch and exercise: Find an open space and engage in some light stretching or simple exercises to stay active during your layover.
- Plan your next adventure: Discuss and plan activities, sights, and experiences you’re looking forward to in your next destination.
- Enjoy a movie or TV show: Download family-friendly movies or shows on your devices and have a cozy movie-watching session.
- Play “20 Questions”: Take turns asking each other questions to guess a person, place, or thing within 20 yes-or-no questions.
- Write a travel journal: Encourage your children to write or draw about their travel experiences in a dedicated travel journal.
- Relax and recharge: Find a quiet corner, bring out a blanket or travel pillows, and take some time to relax, read, or take a nap.
If you are flying with kids, you should check out our posts on how to handle jet lag, how to avoid ear pain when flying, how to get kids to sleep on a plane and how to keep kids entertained on a plane.
Final words
Airport overlays don’t have to be dull and boring. By embracing these 20 ideas, you can transform these waiting periods into enjoyable and memorable moments for your family. With a bit of creativity, exploration, and quality time together, your airport layovers can become part of the adventure itself, fostering a love for travel in your children and creating unforgettable family experiences along the way. Safe travels!
