How To Survive Long Layovers With Kids

A few hours’ layover didn’t seem like such a big deal when I booked our family’s recent flight from North Carolina to Texas. After all, we saved hundreds of dollars by stopping over in Atlanta. But as soon as the “fasten seat belts” light alerted me that it was time to make our first descent, the reality of what was about to happen set in. After waiting for our bags to be checked, waiting to get through security, waiting to board the plane, and then sitting for the duration of the flight, I was looking at yet another round of waiting—with three kids, ages 5 to 15.

Anyone who has faced a layover when flying with children can relate. Let’s face it—even the country’s nicest airport for kids isn’t going to satisfy a child hyped up with the excitement of being on vacation. Luckily, with a little planning and some creativity, you can make the hours between flights fun for everyone.

Traveling with kids gives you a perfect reason to get up, get moving and rack up some steps. With a population of about 14,000, St. Augustine is relatively small. But it’s packed with must-see destinations you can hit on a leisurely stroll. “I think one of my favorite qualities of St. Augustine is how close everything feels,” says Ip.

• Take a walk—but not like a person! Challenge the kids to make their way up and down the terminal as an elephant, a mummy or a penguin. Sure, you might get a few sideways glances, but when are you ever going to see these people again?
• Find an empty gate near you, and turn it into your playground. Lead the kids in a game of Simon Says, Mother, May I? or Red Light, Green Light.

Resist the urge to let the kids play on their tablets or your smartphone. (They’ll need those movies and games you downloaded for the plane!) Instead, once you get settled in at your gate, unveil a separate bag of games and activities—you can build anticipation by keeping the contents a secret until that moment. These games are great contenders for your bag of tricks:

• Uno and Old Maid don’t require a lot of instruction—airports can be loud, so you don’t want a card game that’s too complicated.
• Small toys like jacks, a slinky, small cars or little Lego sets don’t take up much space.
• Brain games, such as I Spy and scavenger hunts, get the whole family involved. Rather than collecting things, have your kids look for items in the terminal that start with each letter of the alphabet or find objects that represent every color of the rainbow. Pass out index cards and markers so they can write down what they find, and have a treat ready for the winner!

Quite a few airports have indoor play areas, including Chicago O’Hare, Seattle-Tacoma, Dallas-Fort Worth and Minneapolis-St. Paul. These aren’t your run-of-the-mill playgrounds with climbing toys and slides, either. They’re filled with plane-themed play options where imaginations can run wild.

From books to clothing to toys, many airports boast a selection of stores that rival any mall. If you’re en route to visit family or friends, ask your kids to shop for a small gift or two you could bring for your hosts.

If your layover is long enough, you may even have time to leave the airport for a quick sightseeing excursion. Do a little research ahead of time to pinpoint nearby attractions. For instance, a short train ride can get you from the St. Paul airport to the Mall of America. In Atlanta, you could visit the World of Coca-Cola. Make it educational with the Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh, or ride to the top of the Gateway Arch in Pittsburgh.

Whether you make it your first priority after getting off the plane or you wait until you’ve run out of games, taking a break to eat is a great way to pass the time. Many airports have dining areas where you can eat food you’ve packed or items purchased in the airport. You’ll thank yourself once you get on the plane—it’s a lot easier for small children to eat sitting at a table than struggling with a meal on the plane’s tray tables. Save money by packing sandwiches in sandwich bags or foil so you’re not trying to keep track of tupperware. Fruits and vegetables like apples, pears and carrots travel well. If you’d rather purchase than pack, save money by looking for items the whole family can easily split, like a large sub cut into multiple pieces. Pack reusable water bottles you can fill up in the airport to stay hydrated. Make sure to say cheers to your next stop: your final destination!