Things to do while traveling

Hey guys! Today I'm talking about traveling, which obviously TCKs have to do a lot of. I've already had two trips this year, and I've got at least five others planned! In my sixteen years, I've had countless flights, airport layovers, and road trips. That means that I've had a lot of time waiting around with nothing to do. I know you have definitely been in that spot before, and I hope that some of the ideas I share today are new to you!

- Practice a language on Duolingo. I know a lot of TCKs that use Duolingo to help them with their language practice, and what better time to squeeze in a little Spanish/Swahili/German than when you have plenty of extra time? Even a 15-minute practice will help refresh your brain!

- Journal! I love bringing my journal on trips because I know I'll most likely have time to sit down and write about life. I'm usually so busy that I forget to document things in my journal, and sitting in an airport or on a plane is an excellent time to catch up on my journaling.

- Make a new playlist. I really love creating a new playlist, and it's something super quick and fun to do when you're bored. You can make a playlist based on a genre/artist/time period. The idea of making a playlist based on a book you've read really sticks out to me, and I would love to try it sometime!

- Play a card game. These are great for killing time and can often turn out to be really fun, whether you're playing with your family or playing a game by yourself. Everyone in my family keeps a deck of cards or some sort of game in their carry-on when we travel!

- Listen to a podcast. I love listening to podcasts, but it can be hard to find an extra 50 minutes in my life when I'm not needed and don't have other responsibilities. It's a great idea to have a few podcast episodes downloaded before going on a flight, whether it's a podcast that tells stories, interviews people, or studies the Bible.

- Take a nap! As long as you set an alarm or have someone wake you up so you don't miss your flight, this is a super great use for all of us sleep-deprived teenagers. Sure, airport chairs are not the most comfortable, but you'd be surprised at how quickly you can fall asleep when you're tired!

- Go on a walk. If you're in an airport, it's a great time to take advantage of the fact that you aren't strapped to a seat 30,000 feet in the air, and take a jaunt around the terminal. Check out the shops and restaurants, check the flight board 27 times, and most importantly, get your blood pumping.

I hope that you guys find these tips useful the next time you're stuck on an airport layover!

Kasey