Yes I love to read as well and always bring a book. Besides that i keep it minimal and just bring some very small games and paper and a pencil for drawing, hangman, crosses & noughts etc. I love to walk around and make conversations with other travelers and/or browse in the shops too

I always play sudoku, the really difficult levels, because it can keep me occupied for hours just trying to solve the puzzle. When I get tired of that I usually read.

I pack brand new colouring packs, those little sticky mosaic type crafts from Kmart, small tubs of play dough and electronics of course!

Reading, absolutely. And I always have the “Uno” cards with me.

A choose a different colour or number everyday with my 17 month old granddaughter and we play eg red toys red food or how many things are on your plate or how many toys are on the mat.

UNO when the kid is 4+, ten-pen and plain paper is a good one, lots of colours and don’t have to carry a pencil case. there are also a lot of learning apps these days, as long as you don’t mind lending your phone out if the child doesn’t have an ipad.
or the good old ‘eye spy” game can last forever. 40 minutes is our record lol

Crosswords, cards, books – lots of activities, but I prefer to keep moving – plenty of time to be sitting once on the plane! Plenty of interesting shops at the airport to wander through and some very interesting sights too! Lol!

A good book is a staple of mine. But I like to keep moving before I have to sit, restrained, in a plane seat

Cards really are a fabulous idea and they are small too and can be easily stored and carried in a bag.

We always carry a pack of cards as we can play solo or together it keeps your brain active too so you dont start to feel unsettled or get upset you can even play cards with children.

1) I like to keep moving if there is to be a long flight and exercise my legs by walking around, doing stretches etc. 2) Sometimes there is free internet access and you can browse the web for a break (if you have a device since they aren’t usually supplied). 3) I used to like to keep busy with my hands too, with crochet etc. but now objects like crochet hooks aren’t allowed on some flights, but perhaps you could pack some ‘disposable’ ones and simply jettison when needed

All great tips below – big thanks for them. Losing yourself in a novel can be a good way to pass the time too. Airports often have books on special too. Once finished – I always leave these books at places that I stay to add to their library for fellow travellers.

When I have to wait for a while I always take a book of Sudoku puzzles and a pen. (you can even get pens that erase. Puzzle books are always great as you can loose yourself in them.

If it really is a long wait, take a walk around and enjoy the shops.
Have a nice bite to eat.
Enjoy a good book, flick through a magazine or two, or do a crossword or Sudoku.
Play a game on your phone, ipad etc or watch a movie.
Listen and bop along to some music.
And if none of these appeal have a nap but remember to set an alarm and make sure your belongings are safely in your grasp.

Books, crosswords, magazines