Flying with children is a challenge, but keeping them happy while sitting in the airport is an entirely different obstacle. Carrying luggage, nappy bags, toys, and wiggly little ones from security to the departure gate is a feat in itself. Thankfully, there are airports across the United States determined to make your life easier, with facilities ranging from play areas to sensory spaces. Keep these kid-friendly airports in mind for your next family trip.
If your flight is departing from Terminal B at Mineta San Jose International Airport, then your kids already have a first class ticket to the Zoom Zone. Adjacent to a dedicated nursing room, this 600-square-foot (56sqm) space is an educational and interactive play area designed by the Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose. Younger children can climb and slide on a bird, pretend to fly a biplane, learn about gears and play with a pin screen.
When you’re exhausted from hiking Acadia National Park but the kids still have plenty of energy, Bangor’s small airport has a big surprise at the departure gate. The small children’s play centre is within steps of the nappy changing stations in the bathroom. Before you fly, you can sign the kids up for the Monty Moose Travel Club online and print out airport-themed activity pages.
Before you hit the runway, let your kids cruise along the FunWay in the nation’s capital. NASA brought its talents to Concourse B to create an aviation-inspired kids' play area. Adults can charge up their phones while little ones get their energy out on the 'Tommy Tower' slide and climb the 'Hyperwing'. Bigger kids can play interactive games like free aviation-inspired crossword puzzles and word searches.
Even in the dead of winter, MSP Airport is one of the most welcoming for families. There are two play areas – one in Terminal 1 and one in Terminal 2. Snoopy statues in both terminals provide excellent photo ops. Travelling with slightly bigger kids who need more room to roam? Remember that the Light Rail connects the terminals to the all-age-appropriate Mall of America.
New Hampshire’s small but mighty Manchester Airport comes in handy for parents with toddlers. Before passing through security, head to the observation area and let the little ones watch the planes fly. Then, taxi your way over to Gates 1-4 where you’ll find a small play area with an interactive game screen and climbing features.
Travel can be a wondrous experience for children, and Austin’s international Airport is giving children a ticket to a magical destination. Discover the new Gate Infinity, between Gates 12 and 14, where the 'Imaginary Departures' art installation sits. An interactive screen asks children a few lighthearted questions, then prints them a boarding pass to a fictional destination. Narnia, Emerald City and Hogwarts are some of the legendary literary places listed.
The City of Brotherly Love has a lot of fun in store, starting in the cyber airspace. Philadelphia International Airport's website has loads of games and activities for kids. Print these pages out and bring them to the airport’s Virtual Library Hot Spot where books, podcasts and other digital content is downloadable. Book-themed wall art and colourful lounge chairs create a perfect landing spot for the whole family.
Seattle is an epicentre for aviation so it should come as no surprise that Sea-Tac has an aviation-themed play area for children. Steps from Gate A1, this playspace is stocked with disinfecting wipes and hand sanitiser so even the young ones can crawl on their hands and knees without grabbing too many germs. With a nursing room and family bathroom beside the area, it’s a safe and hygienic way to wait.
Along with nursing stations, Phoenix’s Sky Harbour caters to adults and children with diverse needs via its Compassion Corner. The Sensory Room is a quiet, calm space filled with puzzles, colouring books, as well as the privacy adults and kids who are travelling with intellectual or developmental disabilities need. Take your child here for a few hours while the rest of the family explores the art exhibits throughout the airport.
With Tampa International Airport's recent awards including Number 1 Large Airport in North America and America’s Best Restroom, most travellers should expect a pleasant time passing through here – including families with kids. They boast oodles of artwork collected over the last fifty years and Airside C has a six-foot (1.8m) aquarium at RumFish Grill. Imagine what other cool and creative exhibits you’ll find when signing up for the free airport scavenger hunt.
Another Sunshine State airport, Miami International has plenty of 'Plane Fun' for kids. This fun area features six unique activities including a mini control tower where aspiring aviation geeks can pretend to be air traffic controllers, as well as a toddler-friendly space. Mums and dads take note: a nursing room, yoga room and spa aren’t far from this Concourse E hangout.
Parents will certainly feel lucky when they fly into this Las Vegas airport, even if they don’t drop a coin in the slots. Right in the centre of the D Gates is an unsupervised children’s play area. Surrounded by restaurants – and the Sugar Factory candy store if the little ones need a mid-flight snack – the play area features an interactive mock jet engine and miniature control tower.
Multiple unique play areas aren’t the only family-friendly facilities that’ll get you speeding to Motor City’s terminals. Detroit’s airport has two more surprises in store for parents and kids. The DTW Dogs Pet Therapy Program has furry friends ready to wag your worries away. Sleep-deprived parents are free to curl up with the kids in the private Minute Suites, which also include refreshing showers.
Nashville International Airport provides parents with one last opportunity to get their fill of music and alcoholic beverages while the kids entertain themselves. With children’s play areas in each of the three terminals, there’s never a bad gate to depart from. Keep the A/B rotunda and C/D Concourse exit areas in mind as well; they’re the location of live music performances.
Your kids will consider themselves winners with a layover at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, which in 2022 opened a Gameway – a premium video game lounge designed specifically for airports. A Playstation 4, an Xbox S and a Razer Tomahawk PC gaming system will catch your teen’s gaze while you keep an eye on them from the terminal's Sycamore Brewing bar.
Construction on the main terminal might last for the next few years, but that won’t stop Portland’s creative community from filling the airport with culture. Ever-changing exhibits abound throughout the terminal and live music is commonplace. Take the kids to the Hollywood Theatre in Concourse C to view free family-friendly short films by local filmmakers.
When your flight has blown into the Windy City, take a few minutes to unwind at the Family Lounge. Located at Terminal 2 of Chicago’s largest airport, you’ll find a play area for children, outlets for charging your devices and dedicated buggy parking. Live entertainment lands here throughout the year too, especially during the holidays when you might spot musicians and caricature artists.
Plan a few hours at the 'beach' without having to lather the kiddos up with sunscreen at LA’s airport. Spend time playing in the shade at LAX Beach, a nearly 1,000-square-foot (93sqm) play space designed for little ones aged two to 11, complete with a block puzzle. Nursing rooms and pet relief areas are also in this terminal.
A family trip to Baltimore starts and ends with a family-friendly landing at BWI Airport. Two children’s play spaces will keep the kids happy no matter how long your layover is. One newer fun space rests in the D/E Connector, though you’ll appreciate the play area in the Observation Gallery with your smaller children. Sway together gently in a rocking chair as you watch the planes take off and land.
This Bay Area airport is great for families no matter how old your babies are. Make your first stop the information desk, where you can pick up a colouring book, then explore the SFO Museum and Aviation Museum exhibits. Kids’ Spot play areas sit in each of the three terminals, each with carpeted areas for crawlers and interactive activities for the older tots, such as weather exhibits from the Exploratorium of San Francisco.
Whether you’re meeting family in St. Louis or exploring the city for the first time, your tots will be tempted to spend all of their time at the St. Louis International Play Port. Designed with help from The Magic House St. Louis Children’s Museum, this space is both interactive and educational. With a transportation theme, kids can play on the mini air traffic control tower, planes and mini MetroLink light rail.
JFK Airport is big and busy, but parents shouldn’t feel overwhelmed. In Terminal 5 alone, there are plenty of things for the whole family to do. The JetBlue Junior Play Space offers interactive, flight-themed fun while your little swashbuckler can also visit Amazon’s Tumble Leaf Playground for pirate-themed play at Gate 12. Lactation pods, nap pods, pet relief areas, a spa and an outdoor rooftop area are also in this terminal.
After an incredible family vacation to Yellowstone National Park, foster your child’s new love of nature while waiting for your flight at Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport. Along with local artwork adorning the public spaces, you’ll find interesting exhibits and sculptures throughout the terminal. Plus, there's a Mother's Room for privately feeding infants.
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Milwaukee’s airport has family-friendly spaces designed especially with mums in mind. They’ve installed Mamava lactation suites throughout the main terminal and Concourse C, complete with charging stations. Family bathrooms nearby also have changing tables and child-sized toilets available. There are also two aviation-themed children’s play areas, each with fun activities, climb-on structures and full views of the planes taking off and landing for your little aviators.
It’s a beautiful day in the terminal when your family lands at Steel City’s airport. The new Kidsport at Pittsburgh International Airport was redesigned with local heroes in mind, namely Mister Rogers' Neighborhood creator Mister Rogers and children's favourite Daniel Tiger. Kidsport also features interactive exhibits from the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh. For children with diverse needs, the peaceful sensory room Presley’s Place is another welcoming space where families of all ages can relax.
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