Finecheapboxofwine

In a few weeks I have an approximate four hour layover with my kids at JFK en route back to Europe. It will be either T2 or T4. I know we don't have enough time to go into the city. What else is there to do at either of these terminals to kill time?
Thanks!

DonTopaz

A lot depends, of course on how much time you actually have after you get through immigration/customs and before you need to be back at the airport to go through security. That could be 3 hours, or it could be much less than that. So you'll of course have to play it by ear a bit.

Going into the city (via AirTrain to Jamaica and LIRR to Penn Station) is going to take the better part of an hour each way. So, in all likelihood, the best case is that you'd be able to get to Penn Station, walk around the block, then head back. Not really a lot of fun, and certainly not a leisurely way to spend time between flights.

You might consider going to Howard Beach, which takes much less time, and has some world-famous pizza joints. You can take the airtrain from JFK directly to Howard Beach station, then walk over to the pizza joints on Crossbay Blvd.

RoamsAround

I interpreted OP's question differently than DonTopaz in that OP wasn't asking about "leaving the airport" but rather what they can do inside the terminals during they layover.

Give the fact that OP is returning from an International location and will probably "lose" an hour of that 4 hour layover deplaning and clearing immigration & customs and the fact that boarding for the connecting flight will begin about 30 minutes prior to scheduled departure that 4 hour layover really gives around 2 1/2 to 3 hours of "free time". I think everyone will be in agreement that OP is pretty much limited to staying at the airport or if they are "brave" making a quick turnaround trip to Howard Beach as suggested by DonTopaz (this wouldn't be my first choice).

So really it comes down to getting something to eat at one of the many food service facilities and browsing the various shops at the airport. To that end, there's not very big selection of restaurants/shops in Terminal 2 but there are quite a few in Terminal 4. Unfortunately for OP there's not much that will entertain "kids". Go here for complete details:

https://www.panynj.gov/airports/jfk-...-services.html

Gardyloo

<i>...en route <b>back</b> to Europe.</i>

No border formalities, just hanging out until the TATL flight.

Terminal 2 is mainly for Delta domestic flights; T4 has a number of overseas carriers including Delta.

There are numerous shops and places to eat, but no specific kids' play areas that I'm aware of.

How old are the kids?

janisj

Gardyloo beat me to it. They aren't returning to the states -- they are flying out.

DonTopaz

I need to learn how to read. Anyway, the suggestion of popping over to Howard Beach still stands. There's not a whole lot to do at JFK.

RoamsAround

Ugh! Me too - I thought OP was coming back FROM Europe so OP has more "real time" between flights and makes the Howard Beach Excursion more doable.

Finecheapboxofwine

Howard Beach looks like an interesting trip but I'm not brave enough to venture out of the confines of the airport so I guess it will be some dining and duty free shopping that day. Kids are too old to play but I'll keep them busy pacing the terminal when we get bored. Thanks for the replies and links to JFK.