Printable Games for Kids at the Airport, on the Plane and in the Orlando Theme Parks
Printable travel games for Kids at the Airport, on the Plane and in the Orlando Theme Parks
I've been going to Walt Disney World since 1995, and I've now taken my own children too. Every trip, the same thing happens: the holiday itself is magical, but the bits around it are where things wobble. The airport wait, the long flight, the queue that's longer than promised, the walk back to the resort when small legs have given up.
I got tired of relying on a tablet with 4% battery, so I started designing my own printable games. They're all in my Etsy shop, and I've built them around the moments I know are hardest with children. Here's the whole set, in the order you'll probably need them.
Airport Bingo for Kids
The first wait of any holiday is often the hardest, because the children are excited, you've been up since [time], and nothing is happening. Airport Bingo gives them a job. They tick off things they spot in the terminal, like a neck pillow, a suitcase on wheels, a plane taking off, someone reading a book or a baby pram. First to a line wins.
Every card is different, so if you have more than one child, hand each of them their own card and see who finishes a line first. It makes children look around rather than at a screen, and it works well in queues, since security is one of the longest.
Would You Rather
Once you're seated, you want something that needs no pens, no flat surface and no props. Would You Rather is perfect, because you just read the question aloud. Would you rather ride a carousel or a Ferris wheel? Eat popcorn or candy floss? Meet a wizard or a cowboy?
It also builds excitement for the trip. Children start telling you what they most want to do, which is useful when you're planning your park days. https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/4327914513/theme-park-would-you-rather-game?ref=shop_home_active_2&dd=1&logging_key=96306fd313888a64afb3d8301dbfde6294815ac7%3A4327914513
Theme Park Rhyme Quiz
Each rhyme describes an attraction and children guess what it is. It's a good one for the flight or the journey from the airport, when everyone is tired but too wound up to sleep. It works well for mixed ages, because older children can help the younger ones. My 6 year old had a good go at this!
It includes a black and white version, which is handy if you'd rather not use up your colour ink before a holiday. https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/4327384856/orlando-theme-park-checklist-for-kids?ref=shop_home_active_3&dd=1&logging_key=e8cfd35a304e300116c1f15527e818ae084b7150%3A4327384856
Orlando Theme Park Bingo Bundle
This is a set of eight printable bingo cards for families visiting the Florida parks. Each card is themed around a different kind of park, so you can pick the one that matches your day: fairytale castles and magical lands, global cultures and festivals, movie sets and stunt shows, safari rides and animal encounters, studio backlots, mythical lands with dragons and wizards, and ocean-themed parks with sea animals and splash shows.
Every card has 24 prompts, such as spotting someone in mouse ears, a family taking a selfie, a flamingo or dolphin, someone with a wand or cloak, or hearing drums or live music. Because every card is different, each child can have their own and race to a line. There's even a guess-which-park challenge before you start.
They're ideal for park downtime, queues and the walk between rides. On parade days, one of us usually stakes out a spot early while the youngest sits on a knee, and having something to play during that wait makes a real difference. https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/4323815987/orlando-theme-park-bingo-bundle-8?ref=shop_home_active_5&dd=1&logging_key=14205aba651d2b12361e897f257c66f9fd3cd8ef%3A4323815987
Orlando Theme Park Checklist for Kids
Where the bingo cards are about spotting things, the checklist is about doing things: ride a boat, see a parade, catch a show, try a pretzel, find something spooky, take a selfie by the castle. Children tick them off across the day, and it gives them a sense of ownership over the trip.
It's also a useful way to get children to agree on a plan, and to look forward to the smaller experiences as well as the big rides. https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/4327384856/orlando-theme-park-checklist-for-kids?ref=shop_home_active_3&dd=1&logging_key=e8cfd35a304e300116c1f15527e818ae084b7150%3A4327384856
A few tips from my own trips
Print a different card for each child, and print everything before you leave. Printers are never available when you need them, and hotels can charge for printing.
Keep a small pencil case in your day bag.
Don't hand out every game at once. Save some for later in the trip, when children have run out of steam.
Order food before anyone is hungry. It has nothing to do with the games, but it prevents most meltdowns, and it's the rule that saves us the most often.
Where to find them
All of these are in my Etsy shop, UktoOrlando, as instant digital downloads. We are anUK family, so I've written them with UK families in mind.
Frequently asked questions.
Are these printable games physical products?
No. They're instant digital downloads. Once your payment is confirmed, you can download the PDF from Etsy and print it at home as many times as you like for your own family.
What ages are the games suitable for?
Bingo cards and checklists work well for younger children, especially if a parent plays along, and the quiz and Would You Rather questions suit older children who can read or guess for themselves.
How many bingo cards are in the bundle?
There are eight printable PDF cards, each with 24 prompts and a different park theme. Print one per child, or print a few different cards so children can swap for a second game. Would You Rather and the Rhyme Quiz work for any size of group, because you read the questions aloud.
Do I need a colour printer?
Colour looks best, but it isn't essential.
Can I reuse the games?
Yes, since you can print them again. For a reusable set, you could put the card in a plastic wallet and use a dry-wipe pen.
Which game should I start with?
Airport Bingo, because it's the cheapest, and the first wait of the trip is often the hardest. After that, pick by moment: Would You Rather or the Rhyme Quiz for the flight, and the bingo bundle and checklist for the parks.
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