Don’t be Bored Waiting to Board! Try These Silly, Screen-Free Airport Games for Kids!

I don’t know about you, but I think one of the most relaxing places on earth is the airport … especially when you’re going through security … especially when you’re with kids. Yes, imagine the sound of a lovely little meltdown as you remove your shoes, only to discover the giant, embarrassing hole in your sock that you overlooked as you were rushing to get everyone else ready and out the door. Ah yes, it’s bliss.

Ok, not at all. But I do have a way to make it more fun! Ready?

The airport is a wonderland of imagination and low-key chaos – if you know where to look.

Here are some screen-free games to play with your kids while waiting for takeoff (and no, I’m not talking about giving them a Sudoku book and crossing your fingers):

✈️ 1. Airport Bingo

Make a quick bingo board on scrap paper with things like:

• A pilot in uniform 👨✈️
• A suitcase with wheels spinning out of control 🧳
• A kid pulling their backpack backwards like a sled 🎒
• Someone buying $12 trail mix 😬
• A family sprinting to their gate like it’s the Olympics 🏃♀️

First one to complete a row wins … an overpriced pretzel?

🛍️ 2. Window Shop-a-Thon

Turn airport stores into your playground.

• Ask: “If you had $50 to spend in this store, what would you buy and why?”
• Or: “Find the weirdest thing in here!”
• Bonus round: Play fashion critic and vote on the coolest souvenir shirt (hint: it probably isn’t the one that says “I ❤️ TSA”).

🧭 3. Find That Gate! (The Map Adventure Game)

Grab an airport map – or take a picture of one – and pick a random gate number.
The mission: Figure out how to get there using the signs, without walking there (you’re not trying to miss your flight during this process!). It’s part orienteering, part spy mission.

🕵️ 4. That’s a Weird Destination

Listen to boarding calls and let your kids make up silly things about the destinations, such as:

• What’s in that city?
• What kind of clothes would you need there?
• How many people live there?
• Do we know anyone who lives there?
• What are the names of the sports teams there?
• What do people eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner there?

The answers can be as weird as you want to make them!

🎤 5. Overhead Announcement Drama

Listen to the overhead announcements and whisper dramatic interpretations of the intercom messages. For example:

Announcement: Attention, passenger Thompson, Flight 782 to Chicago is now boarding at Gate A43. This is the final boarding call. Please proceed to the gate immediately to avoid missing your flight.

Your dramatic interpretation: Passenger Thompson, you better run! We know you are going for “the last man onboard” award for Flight 782, but you better sprint to Gate A43 NOW or you’re going to lose your medal … and your ride.

👀 6. People Watching Theater

Pick two people and quietly create an entire backstory for them. For example:

That lady with the pineapple-pattern bag? She’s a secret fruit agent. Definitely transporting a rare juice recipe from Hawaii to London.🍍

🤸 7. Stretch Like a Giraffe

Need to burn some energy without chaos? Create an “airport” routine:

• Flamingo Foot Freeze – stand on one leg as long as you can.
• Giraffe Neck Stretch – see how long you can make your neck.
• Sloth Arm Swing – slowly swing your arms back and forth by your sides. Make sure they are nice and loose.
• Penguin Waddle – put your heels together and your toes out, and then move your hips back and forth.
• Dog Tail Wag – pretend you have a tail and wag it like a happy dog.
• Owl Head Tilt – while looking straight forward, tilt your head back and forth (with your right ear to your right shoulder and then your left air to your left shoulder).

🎨 8. Tray Table Picasso

Whip out a napkin, pen, or a paper cup and challenge each other to doodle:

• The plane you wish you were flying on (for example, pirate ship, donut-powered glider, flying sausage)
• A portrait of your sibling… with alien eyes
• A “secret airport animal” hiding in plain sight

Yes, the airport can be a trying time … but you can make it fun by unplugging and getting a little weird! Let your kids be explorers, comedians, and inventors – right there at the Gate.

Now boarding: happy kids with awesome memories.

FUN!! These activities and hundreds more will soon be available on our Fassa Nuggets of Fun App – designed to put hundreds of offline activities at your fingertips, all tied to a points and rewards system so you can easily inspire your kids to get up, move, share, and use their imagination!