Being stuck in the airport is an absolutely classic problem.

This is mostly because you are committed. You cannot wander off. The airline and airport staff keep you on tenterhooks with continually slight time estimates. They rarely just tell you that, ‘you have six hours to kill.’

It is similar to having to check into a cinema for three hours and then being locked in after the projector breaks in the first five minutes. There are some ways of entertaining yourself to try and ensure you do not totally lose the holiday feeling in the face of a snow-sodden runway, or a broken down coach or a train that simply never appears.

First and foremost, chin up.

After all, Merhan Karimi Nasseri spent 16 years in an airport terminal after political turbulence in Iran and a stolen briefcase conspired to leave him nationless and without identity papers. What is a few hours of your life? You are still one step better off than your mates who are sitting in an office.

Apply the same logic you do to a long journey, the same rules apply to killing time in a cool way. You could set up camp in the nearest airport bar, this in turn could help you sleep as well.

Try talking to someone – you could miss the love of your life so easily these days as everyone hides inside the virtual world on their tablets, smart phones and e-books.

If you do have access to a tablet or mobile device, you could create a mini photography project by snapping pics around the airport, or indulge in a roll of the dice with any one of thousands of virtual casinos such as Online Casino Bluebook AU.

You could write about your travels and take some extra joy in noting all the little things you’ll forget by the time your first food shop rolls around when you get home and are back in the old routine. If tiredness has got you in a vice-like grip then maybe an audio book or a timely nap is best.

How often have you craved a little siesta during a working day? Now is your chance.

Trying to keep the mood of the holiday high whilst stranded on ground level can be especially tough if you have children with you. Games that involve both the adults and the kids are a winning strategy here as they can be fun and very time consuming.

Card games, mini battleship, checkers, chess, dominos and even noughts and crosses can all draw toddlers away from the troublesome idol hands syndrome.

Always carry some books or an e-book reader with you as story telling is guaranteed to settle children down or even send them to sleep depending on the material. All the while you get to pick up that book you’ve been ‘getting around to’ for weeks. The Lord of the Rings books contain fantasy and detail in equal measure, sure to captivate and calm jet-lagged or tired children in no time!