how to pass time on a stopover??
Helen Cain
We are off on a trip to Ghana (from Australia), where DH comes from,
leaving on Boxing Day. We got the visas today, in the mail, the last
step in the whole process of passports, vaccinations, tickets etc, so
now we can concentrate on being excited!! And Christmas. And
planning, and packing...
The 4 children, aged between 11 and 4 yo, and myself are staying 5
weeks; Stephen (DH) is staying a few weeks longer.
On the way back the kids and I have an 11 hour stopover in
Johannesburg Airport, from 7am to 6pm. It appears we cannot leave the
airport during this time -- I'm still checking this for sure.
There is a transit hotel where we can hire a room by the hour, and we
may do this if we are very tired after the overnight flight from
Ghana, or just need some down-time. However I suspect it may be
hideously expensive, and in any case since we then have an 11 hour
overnight flight back to Australia, we probably want to be as awake
and active as we can be during the stopover.
I'll make sure the nintendo DS's are fully charged, and there is
apparently an area where we can plug in the laptop (will have to find
out about the right sort of power plugs!) and access the internet.
Then of course there will be eating, going to the toilet (always
exciting in a different country...), checking out all the parts of
the airport we are allowed into, browsing in the shops and perhaps
buying the odd thing or two...
But I'm also compiling a list of things to do to keep us occupied,
games we can play, small games or items I can pack in my hand luggage
that will while away the time. Games of cards, little games like rush
hour etc, lots of paper and pen games. Also things we can do that
will be physically active, without being too disruptive, such as
hopscotch, giant's treasure, charades, perhaps we could set up a bit
of a treasure or scavenger hunt within a defined area, (ticking off
the items rather than collecting them, I think!) telling each other
stories about the people we see, where they come from and what sort
of lives they lead, talking with other people who are waiting around,
hopefully finding some other people to play with..
I'd love ideas to add to the list. The wackier the better -- we might
need wacky by the time it is 3pm and we are facing a few more hours
in the airport and then 11 more on the plane and then a two hour
stopover in Sydney and then another hour flying to Melbourne... Let
your imagination run wild!
Thanks!
Helen in Melbourne, Australia
leaving on Boxing Day. We got the visas today, in the mail, the last
step in the whole process of passports, vaccinations, tickets etc, so
now we can concentrate on being excited!! And Christmas. And
planning, and packing...
The 4 children, aged between 11 and 4 yo, and myself are staying 5
weeks; Stephen (DH) is staying a few weeks longer.
On the way back the kids and I have an 11 hour stopover in
Johannesburg Airport, from 7am to 6pm. It appears we cannot leave the
airport during this time -- I'm still checking this for sure.
There is a transit hotel where we can hire a room by the hour, and we
may do this if we are very tired after the overnight flight from
Ghana, or just need some down-time. However I suspect it may be
hideously expensive, and in any case since we then have an 11 hour
overnight flight back to Australia, we probably want to be as awake
and active as we can be during the stopover.
I'll make sure the nintendo DS's are fully charged, and there is
apparently an area where we can plug in the laptop (will have to find
out about the right sort of power plugs!) and access the internet.
Then of course there will be eating, going to the toilet (always
exciting in a different country...), checking out all the parts of
the airport we are allowed into, browsing in the shops and perhaps
buying the odd thing or two...
But I'm also compiling a list of things to do to keep us occupied,
games we can play, small games or items I can pack in my hand luggage
that will while away the time. Games of cards, little games like rush
hour etc, lots of paper and pen games. Also things we can do that
will be physically active, without being too disruptive, such as
hopscotch, giant's treasure, charades, perhaps we could set up a bit
of a treasure or scavenger hunt within a defined area, (ticking off
the items rather than collecting them, I think!) telling each other
stories about the people we see, where they come from and what sort
of lives they lead, talking with other people who are waiting around,
hopefully finding some other people to play with..
I'd love ideas to add to the list. The wackier the better -- we might
need wacky by the time it is 3pm and we are facing a few more hours
in the airport and then 11 more on the plane and then a two hour
stopover in Sydney and then another hour flying to Melbourne... Let
your imagination run wild!
Thanks!
Helen in Melbourne, Australia
lyeping2008
Hi Helen,
7am - 6pm stuck in the airport???!! Oh gosh, just the thought of it
is enough to evoke my migraine LOL!! On our trips back to Malaysia,
we only stopover for 2 hours or so in Dubai airport, even that is
too long for DS LOL!! In moments like this, I do think certain
luxury is a must-for my sanity. I invest in a few new DS games that
he's not aware of, so in times of need, I start dishing it out.
It seems like you have lots of great ideas, so i can't think of
more. But would like to suggest pacing your day out.
The airport's are busy with lots of strangers walking by. And to be
in such environment, you'll be on guard, watching your kids all the
time, so I can imagine, being stuck in the same airport, you are
right about the 3pm moment when you're tired and out of ideas and
the kid's getting cranky.
So perhaps, consider taking that hourly hotel option to start off
with, for an hour or 2, before commencing what you have already
planned? This way, you might be lucky enough to start winding down
at the departure lounge closer to 6pm.
With the hourly hotel option to start the day off first, you can let
your defense down and probably catch some much needed rest before
facing the rest of the day - nothing worse than a cranky mum. The
kids can spread out in the room and rest abit or do whatever they
want, chill before venturing out into the airport.
With meal times in between, you stand less chance of them being
bored and restless.
All the best.
SharonBugs.
7am - 6pm stuck in the airport???!! Oh gosh, just the thought of it
is enough to evoke my migraine LOL!! On our trips back to Malaysia,
we only stopover for 2 hours or so in Dubai airport, even that is
too long for DS LOL!! In moments like this, I do think certain
luxury is a must-for my sanity. I invest in a few new DS games that
he's not aware of, so in times of need, I start dishing it out.
It seems like you have lots of great ideas, so i can't think of
more. But would like to suggest pacing your day out.
The airport's are busy with lots of strangers walking by. And to be
in such environment, you'll be on guard, watching your kids all the
time, so I can imagine, being stuck in the same airport, you are
right about the 3pm moment when you're tired and out of ideas and
the kid's getting cranky.
So perhaps, consider taking that hourly hotel option to start off
with, for an hour or 2, before commencing what you have already
planned? This way, you might be lucky enough to start winding down
at the departure lounge closer to 6pm.
With the hourly hotel option to start the day off first, you can let
your defense down and probably catch some much needed rest before
facing the rest of the day - nothing worse than a cranky mum. The
kids can spread out in the room and rest abit or do whatever they
want, chill before venturing out into the airport.
With meal times in between, you stand less chance of them being
bored and restless.
All the best.
SharonBugs.
--- In [email protected], Helen Cain <hfcain@...> wrote:
>
> We are off on a trip to Ghana (from Australia), where DH comes
from,
> leaving on Boxing Day. We got the visas today, in the mail, the
last
> step in the whole process of passports, vaccinations, tickets etc,
so
> now we can concentrate on being excited!! And Christmas. And
> planning, and packing...
>
> The 4 children, aged between 11 and 4 yo, and myself are staying 5
> weeks; Stephen (DH) is staying a few weeks longer.
>
> On the way back the kids and I have an 11 hour stopover in
> Johannesburg Airport, from 7am to 6pm. It appears we cannot leave
the
> airport during this time -- I'm still checking this for sure.
>
> There is a transit hotel where we can hire a room by the hour, and
we
> may do this if we are very tired after the overnight flight from
> Ghana, or just need some down-time. However I suspect it may be
> hideously expensive, and in any case since we then have an 11 hour
> overnight flight back to Australia, we probably want to be as
awake
> and active as we can be during the stopover.
>
> I'll make sure the nintendo DS's are fully charged, and there is
> apparently an area where we can plug in the laptop (will have to
find
> out about the right sort of power plugs!) and access the internet.
> Then of course there will be eating, going to the toilet (always
> exciting in a different country...), checking out all the parts of
> the airport we are allowed into, browsing in the shops and perhaps
> buying the odd thing or two...
>
> But I'm also compiling a list of things to do to keep us occupied,
> games we can play, small games or items I can pack in my hand
luggage
> that will while away the time. Games of cards, little games like
rush
> hour etc, lots of paper and pen games. Also things we can do that
> will be physically active, without being too disruptive, such as
> hopscotch, giant's treasure, charades, perhaps we could set up a
bit
> of a treasure or scavenger hunt within a defined area, (ticking
off
> the items rather than collecting them, I think!) telling each
other
> stories about the people we see, where they come from and what
sort
> of lives they lead, talking with other people who are waiting
around,
> hopefully finding some other people to play with..
>
> I'd love ideas to add to the list. The wackier the better -- we
might
> need wacky by the time it is 3pm and we are facing a few more
hours
> in the airport and then 11 more on the plane and then a two hour
> stopover in Sydney and then another hour flying to Melbourne...
Let
> your imagination run wild!
>
> Thanks!
> Helen in Melbourne, Australia
>
Bea
I used to travel a lot as a teenager/young adult and frequently had
long layovers. I brought lots of music, books and tried to take naps
whenever I felt tired (I used to be able to fall asleep pretty much in
any position.)
In airports that have a shower facility (I know the Sydney airport
does, and you mention the hotel option where you are going to be, so
there might be a shower there too) I always used to take a loooong
shower: helps pass the time and helps feel refreshed after a long
flight and before the next leg of the journey.
Somebody once suggested a new toy/ thing to do for every half hour of
the journey and that worked pretty well last time we had a long flight
with dd, who is 3 years old (but it was "only" 8 hours, and no
stopover :-)
Bea
long layovers. I brought lots of music, books and tried to take naps
whenever I felt tired (I used to be able to fall asleep pretty much in
any position.)
In airports that have a shower facility (I know the Sydney airport
does, and you mention the hotel option where you are going to be, so
there might be a shower there too) I always used to take a loooong
shower: helps pass the time and helps feel refreshed after a long
flight and before the next leg of the journey.
Somebody once suggested a new toy/ thing to do for every half hour of
the journey and that worked pretty well last time we had a long flight
with dd, who is 3 years old (but it was "only" 8 hours, and no
stopover :-)
Bea
BRIAN POLIKOWSKY
perhaps we could set up a bit
of a treasure or scavenger hunt within a defined area, (ticking off
the items rather than collecting them, I think
=-=-=-=-=-
if you are planning to hide objects ( that may mot be what you are saying) /i would not do it.'
someone hiding things in an airport , child or adult, would set up huge red flags!
Also remeber that you will have to drag all the games, toys stuff around all day unless you get a locker so pack light.
Alex Polikowsky
http://polykow.blogspot.com/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/unschoolingmn/
________________________________
From: Helen Cain <hfcain@...>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Sunday, December 7, 2008 11:16:37 PM
Subject: [AlwaysLearning] how to pass time on a stopover??
We are off on a trip to Ghana (from Australia), where DH comes from,
leaving on Boxing Day. We got the visas today, in the mail, the last
step in the whole process of passports, vaccinations, tickets etc, so
now we can concentrate on being excited!! And Christmas. And
planning, and packing...
The 4 children, aged between 11 and 4 yo, and myself are staying 5
weeks; Stephen (DH) is staying a few weeks longer.
On the way back the kids and I have an 11 hour stopover in
Johannesburg Airport, from 7am to 6pm. It appears we cannot leave the
airport during this time -- I'm still checking this for sure.
There is a transit hotel where we can hire a room by the hour, and we
may do this if we are very tired after the overnight flight from
Ghana, or just need some down-time. However I suspect it may be
hideously expensive, and in any case since we then have an 11 hour
overnight flight back to Australia, we probably want to be as awake
and active as we can be during the stopover.
I'll make sure the nintendo DS's are fully charged, and there is
apparently an area where we can plug in the laptop (will have to find
out about the right sort of power plugs!) and access the internet.
Then of course there will be eating, going to the toilet (always
exciting in a different country...), checking out all the parts of
the airport we are allowed into, browsing in the shops and perhaps
buying the odd thing or two...
But I'm also compiling a list of things to do to keep us occupied,
games we can play, small games or items I can pack in my hand luggage
that will while away the time. Games of cards, little games like rush
hour etc, lots of paper and pen games. Also things we can do that
will be physically active, without being too disruptive, such as
hopscotch, giant's treasure, charades, perhaps we could set up a bit
of a treasure or scavenger hunt within a defined area, (ticking off
the items rather than collecting them, I think!) telling each other
stories about the people we see, where they come from and what sort
of lives they lead, talking with other people who are waiting around,
hopefully finding some other people to play with..
I'd love ideas to add to the list. The wackier the better -- we might
need wacky by the time it is 3pm and we are facing a few more hours
in the airport and then 11 more on the plane and then a two hour
stopover in Sydney and then another hour flying to Melbourne... Let
your imagination run wild!
Thanks!
Helen in Melbourne, Australia
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
of a treasure or scavenger hunt within a defined area, (ticking off
the items rather than collecting them, I think
=-=-=-=-=-
if you are planning to hide objects ( that may mot be what you are saying) /i would not do it.'
someone hiding things in an airport , child or adult, would set up huge red flags!
Also remeber that you will have to drag all the games, toys stuff around all day unless you get a locker so pack light.
Alex Polikowsky
http://polykow.blogspot.com/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/unschoolingmn/
________________________________
From: Helen Cain <hfcain@...>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Sunday, December 7, 2008 11:16:37 PM
Subject: [AlwaysLearning] how to pass time on a stopover??
We are off on a trip to Ghana (from Australia), where DH comes from,
leaving on Boxing Day. We got the visas today, in the mail, the last
step in the whole process of passports, vaccinations, tickets etc, so
now we can concentrate on being excited!! And Christmas. And
planning, and packing...
The 4 children, aged between 11 and 4 yo, and myself are staying 5
weeks; Stephen (DH) is staying a few weeks longer.
On the way back the kids and I have an 11 hour stopover in
Johannesburg Airport, from 7am to 6pm. It appears we cannot leave the
airport during this time -- I'm still checking this for sure.
There is a transit hotel where we can hire a room by the hour, and we
may do this if we are very tired after the overnight flight from
Ghana, or just need some down-time. However I suspect it may be
hideously expensive, and in any case since we then have an 11 hour
overnight flight back to Australia, we probably want to be as awake
and active as we can be during the stopover.
I'll make sure the nintendo DS's are fully charged, and there is
apparently an area where we can plug in the laptop (will have to find
out about the right sort of power plugs!) and access the internet.
Then of course there will be eating, going to the toilet (always
exciting in a different country...), checking out all the parts of
the airport we are allowed into, browsing in the shops and perhaps
buying the odd thing or two...
But I'm also compiling a list of things to do to keep us occupied,
games we can play, small games or items I can pack in my hand luggage
that will while away the time. Games of cards, little games like rush
hour etc, lots of paper and pen games. Also things we can do that
will be physically active, without being too disruptive, such as
hopscotch, giant's treasure, charades, perhaps we could set up a bit
of a treasure or scavenger hunt within a defined area, (ticking off
the items rather than collecting them, I think!) telling each other
stories about the people we see, where they come from and what sort
of lives they lead, talking with other people who are waiting around,
hopefully finding some other people to play with..
I'd love ideas to add to the list. The wackier the better -- we might
need wacky by the time it is 3pm and we are facing a few more hours
in the airport and then 11 more on the plane and then a two hour
stopover in Sydney and then another hour flying to Melbourne... Let
your imagination run wild!
Thanks!
Helen in Melbourne, Australia
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Jenny C
> perhaps we could set up a bitsaying) /i would not do it.'
> of a treasure or scavenger hunt within a defined area, (ticking off
> the items rather than collecting them, I think
>
>
> =-=-=-=-=-
> if you are planning to hide objects ( that may mot be what you are
> someone hiding things in an airport , child or adult, would set uphuge red flags!
You can still do a team scavenger hunt sort of thing by finding things
in the airport, like a blue chair, or a red garbage can, or things of
that nature. A little like the alphabet driving game, which we've
always done as a team effort rather than who finished first.
susanleeb52
Not sure about how it would comply with new airline regs, but we used
to bring bubbles. In a quiet corner of the airport, chasing bubbles is
a nice physical activity. You could do the same with paper airplanes--
bring a few designs, fly them and chase them (assuming there *is* a
quiet corner).
We like flying through certain airports that we know have play areas--
maybe Johannesburg has one?
We have gotten a lot of mileage out of origami--it's fun twice, while
you're making it and then when you play with it.
I try to make sure ds and I are dressed in bright colors when we
travel, which makes it easier for us to find each other if we lose
track for a moment. I'm not usually a fan of matching clothes for
siblings, but this might be the day to ask them all to wear orange or
something!
to bring bubbles. In a quiet corner of the airport, chasing bubbles is
a nice physical activity. You could do the same with paper airplanes--
bring a few designs, fly them and chase them (assuming there *is* a
quiet corner).
We like flying through certain airports that we know have play areas--
maybe Johannesburg has one?
We have gotten a lot of mileage out of origami--it's fun twice, while
you're making it and then when you play with it.
I try to make sure ds and I are dressed in bright colors when we
travel, which makes it easier for us to find each other if we lose
track for a moment. I'm not usually a fan of matching clothes for
siblings, but this might be the day to ask them all to wear orange or
something!
Sandra Dodd
-=-We like flying through certain airports that we know have play
areas--
maybe Johannesburg has one?-=-
Holly lost a little bear, playing in a play structure in Toronto.
She didn't recover for a long time. We called security to ask them
to keep it if they found it because we'd be back in a week, and we
checked, but it was gone.
So that too, about playing in airports. Double check possessions.
What about a map, and asking people to put a mark on where they're
from? It might be a way to strike up conversations with people
without them thinking you're kooks or robbers, if you have the map
out and it's clearly not a solicitation of any kind.
We had a map of the U.S. with us when we went to Mt. Rushmore, and we
walked through the parking lot marking states from which there were
license plates. And there were a couple of Canadian provinces, and
as we were going back to the car, a camper pulled in. We ran toward
it (must've spooked the driver) and when we saw that it was Alaska
the kids started whooping and hopping and I marked it on the map. So
I went and showed the man who was driving what the excitement was
about and he thought it was great. There were over 30 states in one
smallish parking lot on one day.
Sandra
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
areas--
maybe Johannesburg has one?-=-
Holly lost a little bear, playing in a play structure in Toronto.
She didn't recover for a long time. We called security to ask them
to keep it if they found it because we'd be back in a week, and we
checked, but it was gone.
So that too, about playing in airports. Double check possessions.
What about a map, and asking people to put a mark on where they're
from? It might be a way to strike up conversations with people
without them thinking you're kooks or robbers, if you have the map
out and it's clearly not a solicitation of any kind.
We had a map of the U.S. with us when we went to Mt. Rushmore, and we
walked through the parking lot marking states from which there were
license plates. And there were a couple of Canadian provinces, and
as we were going back to the car, a camper pulled in. We ran toward
it (must've spooked the driver) and when we saw that it was Alaska
the kids started whooping and hopping and I marked it on the map. So
I went and showed the man who was driving what the excitement was
about and he thought it was great. There were over 30 states in one
smallish parking lot on one day.
Sandra
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]