Fun 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 with kids.
Imagine the sound of a lovely little meltdown as you take off your shoes. Then you spot the giant, embarrassing hole in your sock you completely overlooked while rushing to get everyone out the door. Ah yes, it's absolute bliss.
Okay, not at all! Long travel waits often lead to bored kids, cranky parents, and tears. But the fix is actually pretty simple. We can easily turn the terminal into an adventure with screen-free activities for kids that spark their imagination and burn off energy before your flight.
The airport is a wonderland of low-key chaos if you know where to look. Here are some of my favorite games to play while waiting for takeoff. And no, I'm not talking about handing over a Sudoku book and crossing your fingers.
Great Screen-Free Airport Games for Kids
1. Airport Bingo
Observation and focus are great skills to practice! 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 a $12 bag of trail mix 😬
- A family sprinting to their gate like it's the Olympics 🏃♀️
First one to complete a row wins... an overpriced pretzel?
Bonus Idea: If you've read Where On Earth Am I? (Book 1 of The Fassa Tails), you can challenge your kids to a "5 Senses Scavenger Hunt." Have them use their sight, hearing, and smell to find and describe the weirdest things in the terminal!
2. Window Shop-a-Thon
Turn airport stores into your playground and practice a little decision-making.
- 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!
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 (we aren't trying to miss our flight during this process!).
It's part orienteering, part spy mission. In The Fassa Tails series, we follow Fassa as he uses his great imagination to tackle obstacles and meet his best friends: Ally, Rocky, Angel, Cassie, Tubby, and Loki. Let your kids pretend they are excellent explorers just like Fassa on a major mission!
4. That's a Weird Destination
Listen to boarding calls and let your kids make up silly things about the destinations to stretch those imaginative play ideas:
- What's in that city?
- What kind of clothes would you need there?
- How many people live 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!
3. Overhead Announcement Drama
Listen to the overhead announcements and whisper dramatic interpretations of the intercom messages.
Announcement: "Attention, passenger Thompson, Flight 782 to Chicago is now boarding at Gate A43..."
Your dramatic interpretation: "Passenger Thompson, you better run! We know you're going for the 'last man onboard' award, but you better sprint to Gate A43 NOW or you're going to lose your medal... and your ride!"
(Need more laughs at the gate? Pack a copy of God's Dad Jokes & Coloring Book in your carry-on for clean, punny Christian humor!)
6. People Watching Theater
Pick two people and quietly create an entire backstory for them. This is secretly a fantastic way to practice empathy and storytelling!
Example: That lady with the pineapple-pattern bag? She's a secret fruit agent. She's definitely transporting a rare juice recipe from Hawaii to London. 🍍
7. Stretch Like a Giraffe
Need to burn some energy without the chaos? Create an "airport" routine to help kids self-regulate:
- Flamingo Foot Freeze: Stand on one leg as long as you can.
- Giraffe Neck Stretch: See how long you can make your neck.
- Penguin Waddle: Put your heels together and your toes out, and move your hips back and forth.
- Dog Tail Wag: Pretend you have a tail and wag it like a happy pup.
- Sloth Arm Swing: Slowly swing your arms back and forth by your sides. Make sure they are nice and loose.
- 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 ear to your left shoulder).
(Tip: In every book of The Fassa Tails series, we include built-in "Plot Twists." These are interactive physical pauses that get kids up and moving right in the middle of the story!)
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 (e.g., pirate ship, donut-powered glider, flying sausage)
- A portrait of your sibling... with alien eyes
- A "secret airport animal" hiding in plain sight
Now Boarding: Happy Kids with Awesome Memories
You can completely change your travel day by unplugging and getting a little weird. Let your kids be explorers and comedians right there at the gate. Now boarding: happy kids with awesome memories!
Want to keep the screen-free fun going on your trip?
Head over to https://sscoulter.com/pages/books to shop The Fassa Tails series. Books 1-4 are available now, and the interactive activity workbooks are included right inside each book!
While you're at it, grab some free printables and coloring pages for your carry-on at https://sscoulter.com/pages/the-planet-fassa.
Safe travels!