15 Best Family-Friendly Airports When Traveling With Kids

15 Best Family-Friendly Airports When Traveling With Kids
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Traveling as a family shouldn’t be a hassle, and I want to make the airport part of the trip as easy on families as possible. Airports can be a stressful experience, especially when traveling with small children. You can often expect to arrive hours before your flight departure time. During that time at the airport, we often encounter long lines, walk long distances, and have to keep the kids entertained during the whole onboarding process.

Some airports make the experience much better. We collected information from different reports, from parents and travelers, on the best family-friendly airports.

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How Did I Compile This List Of Family-Friendly Airports?

To build that list (which I constantly update), I took into consideration the following factors:

  • How much space there is in the airport for kids to explore
  • Variety of family-friendly restaurants and shops
  • Availability of entertainment options (playgrounds and other kid-friendly activities)
  • Is there any sort of childcare service available
  • How easy it is to get from one end of the airport to another
  • Resting areas and a place to take care of your baby
  • Availability of clean, private space for nursing
  • Charging points and WiFi availability and quality
  • And, most importantly, feedback from parents and travelers.

Some airports go above and beyond with perks like in-terminal movie theatres, gardens, dedicated family parking spots, and much more.

How To Keep Your Kids Entertained In The Airport

Before we go to the list of best airports for families, I recommend that you read our post about The Ultimate Road Trip Games Guide. You’ll find great ideas on keeping your kids busy during your stay at the airport, in case it’s an airport with fewer entertainment options for kids than those on our list below.

These Are The Top Airports For Family Trip

The list of airports is organized alphabetically, not by rating. Use the Airport List dropdown to find a specific location or airport.

 

Table of Contents

Tip iconTip

Airport facilities and services might change from what's listed in this article, so remember to check the airport's official site for up-to-date details or consult on-site personnel or information centers.

Note that for each airport, there’s a list of services and facilities:

Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS), Netherlands

Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS), Netherlands

Thanks to the excellent facilities, easy navigation, cleanliness, variety of shopping and dining options, and staff service, Hamad Airport is top-rated.
Families will find different activities and services such as Activity Nodes offering televisions, Mac stations, and games for the little ones. Older kids will enjoy the interactive art pieces and family rooms that provide privacy and relaxation.
The adults will also find different lounges and a spa, gym, and a pool.

Available kids friendly services and facilities (some with extra charge):

Baltimore Washington International Airport (BWI), USA

The Perth Airport is great for families and kids. Families can enjoy assistance in the security screening (at Terminal 1); there are play areas for the younger kids, complete with a slide and a ride-on plane.
Older kids will find an interactive screen that will light up when touched and touch screens with computer games to keep the older kids amused.
Next to the play area, you will find a baby-friendly toilet with all the facilities you require for a nap and feed time, including a chair and microwave. The airport also offers several restaurants nearby offering children’s menus. You’ll also find strollers on request.
For a nap or showers, there are few sleeping pods and showers in the VIP lounges, but they are closed at night.

Baltimore Washington International Airport BWI USA

Available kids friendly services and facilities (some with extra charge):

Calgary International Airport YYC Space Port

Calgary International Airport (YYC), Canada

Another great airport for families, Calgary Airport in Canada, offers several Kid Zones, each with a different theme and all designed to encourage interactivity and exploration. One of these Kid Zones, located on the airport’s third floor, is called SpacePort. This gaming attraction is based on all things space. This attraction offers the chance for kids and adults to experience first-hand what it is like to be in outer space with hands-on displays and exhibits of space materials and artifacts. SpacePort also features a real-life model of NASA’s Space Shuttle orbiter, which would definitely spark interest among kids and adults. In addition, the space capsules have some fun simulation games like car racing and fighter jets. Other play areas themes include A Dinosaur Theme, A Calgary Stampede Theme, and Alberta Wildlife Theme.
Families will find all they need for a pleasant time at the airport, including free WiFi, charging ports, 4 lounges (2 of them with showers), nursing rooms, and family rooms. If you want to rest before the flight, stop by “YYC Quiet Space.” It is equipped with recliner chairs, as well as yoga equipment for passengers who wish to stretch and meditate before take-off. There’s also a spa available with some wellness treatments.

Available kids friendly services and facilities (some with extra charge):

Changi Airport (SIN), Singapore

This is a significant transit airport, delivering high, consistent quality across the extensive facilities and staff service. In addition, this airport offers different attractions and endless shopping and dining options. You will find endless activities and facilities in this airport, including Free movie theatres
Gardens | Free city transit tours | Playgrounds with climb walls, 12 meters slide, video games, and much more | Nap zones | Cultural activities | Butterfly greenhouse | Jungle terrace | Rain Vortex – the world’s tallest indoor waterfall that also offers colorful sound and light show in the evening.

Changi Airport Singapore

Available kids friendly services and facilities (some with extra charge):

Doha Hamad International Airport

Doha Hamad International Airport (DOH), Qatar

Thanks to the excellent facilities, easy navigation, cleanliness, variety of shopping and dining options, and staff service, Hamad Airport is top-rated.
Families will find different activities and services such as Activity Nodes offering televisions, Mac stations, and games for the little ones. Older kids will enjoy the interactive art pieces and family rooms that provide privacy and relaxation.
The adults will also find different lounges and a spa, gym, and a pool.

Available kids friendly services and facilities (some with extra charge):

Dubai International Airport, UAE (DXB)

Dubai Airport is the primary airport serving Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and is the world’s busiest airport by international passenger traffic.
Kids will enjoy the playgrounds, offering toys, interactive games, television, a climbing wall, a huge trampoline park, and a basketball court. The kids’ zone inspired by the Arabian desert offers plenty of activities for kids and resting areas for adults, all surrounded by food and retail options.
You can take a stroll through the zen gardens or relax on free recliner seats. To chill out further, there’s a health club with a swimming pool or an on-site hotel if you have a few hours in transit and want to sleep. You will also find resting areas, sleeping cubes for a quick snooze, or check out the live entertainment.
For parents, there are also changing rooms and complimentary strollers near family check-in, which can be used right up to the gate.

Dubai International Airport Kids Zone

Available kids friendly services and facilities (some with extra charge):

Hong-Kong international airport Aviation Discovery Centre

Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)

HKG Airport is one of the world’s busiest airports. Still, it’s amicable for families, offering enough entertainment to keep you and the kids occupied until your flight.
On your arrival at the airport, if you travel with family, especially young kids and babies, look for the priority line (it’s also where flight crew enter, so follow the uniforms). The security staff makes traveling with family a breeze.
The activities include play areas in different locations, Dreams Come True education park, offering tons of fun for toddlers to teens. Kids will love the realistic airline, nursery, hospital, fashion show, spaceship, fire truck, ambulance, and more. You can also jump to HKIA’s UA IMAX Theater. If you want to learn some more, go to the Aviation Discovery Center to learn about aviation development in Hong Kong. It showcases aviation-themed exhibits, graphics, and attractions, including SkyDeck and a Cockpit Simulator.
Families will find many kid-friendly shopping and dining options. In addition, you’ll find well-equipped nursing and changing rooms, complimentary infant strollers, and free showers with everything you need.

Available kids friendly services and facilities (some with extra charge):

Istanbul Airport (IST), Turkey

Istanbul Airport is another family-friendly airport, which  provides an excellent range of services and facilities for families, including a broad range of shopping and dining options, in addition to facilities such as showers, rest areas, workspaces, and family-friendly areas. While the terminal is large, there are regular moving walkways and buggy assistance points for the elderly and families.
Families traveling with kids will enjoy priority services right from the start. You’ll find parking spots marked for Family Priority Parking Spots very close to the entrance and elevators. If you have children aged 0-5, save some time and effort by using Family Priority Security Check Points. In addition, families can use the infant care rooms, family rooms, strollers, and family buggy.
For entertainment, there are cultural offerings that include museum exhibits, musical performances, art projects, and many areas of natural landscaping. The kids will find a variety of playgrounds and can take a ride on the children’s train.

Istanbul Airport IST kids zone

Available kids friendly services and facilities (some with extra charge):

London Heathrow Airport for kids

London Heathrow Airport (LHR), England

This Airport is a large airport, but you can expect a great visit with your family. Families can find various services and facilities, including family-friendly parking, washrooms, complimentary kids’ meals, nursing rooms, and a great kids’ play area.
The play areas are equipped with slides, soft play areas with separate baby and junior zones, coloring-in, and activity sheets. They even have one play area, on Terminal 3, with staff overlooking so parents can relax and get some rest. Heathrow also has special game zones and kids’ quiet rooms for children who are over the ages of 10.
Adults can find different lounges, a spa, and even a barber.

Available kids friendly services and facilities (some with extra charge):

Munich Airport (MUC), Germany

Munich airport is Germany’s second-largest airport, after its big brother, Frankfurt airport. Traveling families would love this airport. The adults can enjoy at the SPA, get a massage, freshen up with a nice shower, and benefit from Check-In zones for families. Kids will find incredible play areas in the Kinderland, where they can draw or play under the watchful eye of experienced educators. In the meanwhile, the adults relax in the nap cabs.
If you travel with toddlers, you’ll find many changing rooms where you can change and feed uninterrupted.
In case you arrive early or have a long layover, head outside to the Visitors Park to explore the fascinating and multi-faceted world of the airport. For a closer look at the airplanes, you can climb to the top of the Visitors Hill to the observation deck.
Other attractions include an Interactive Exhibition – where you’ll immerse yourself into the airport world and the Historic Aircraft – a journey to the pioneering days of aviation.

Munich-Airport-Visitors-Park

Available kids friendly services and facilities (some with extra charge):

Play area at Perth Airport (PER), Australia

Perth Airport (PER), Australia

The Perth Airport is great for families and kids. Families can enjoy assistance in the security screening (at Terminal 1); there are play areas for the younger kids, complete with a slide and a ride-on plane.
Older kids will find an interactive screen that will light up when touched and touch screens with computer games to keep the older kids amused.
Next to the play area, you will find a baby-friendly toilet with all the facilities you require for a nap and feed time, including a chair and microwave. The airport also offers several restaurants nearby offering children’s menus. You’ll also find strollers on request.
For a nap or showers, there are few sleeping pods and showers in the VIP lounges, but they are closed at night.

Available kids friendly services and facilities (some with extra charge):

San Francisco International Airport (SFO), US

San Francisco airport offers ordinary entertainment and facilities. The younger kids have kid-friendly dining options, different play areas, a coloring book, and a Ride In The Air train. The older kids and adults can enjoy the observation deck, museum exhibits, library, Video Arts Room, and yoga rooms. As a traveling family, you can enjoy various services such as Airport Butler, baggage assistance for departing travelers, nurseries, showers, and more.

Line drawing illustrating San Francisco International Airport SFO

Available kids friendly services and facilities (some with extra charge):

Line drawing illustrating a kids play area at Seoul Incheon Airport South Korea

Seoul Incheon Airport (ICN), South Korea

Seoul Incheon Airport is the largest airport in South Korea and one of the world’s busiest airports. It offers pretty much all you can ask for as a traveling family. Adults will enjoy resting areas, showers, a spa, a gym, nap zones, massage, and other treatments.
Kids and families have strollers, baby care rooms, and kids zones with different games and activities, all available 24/7.

Available kids friendly services and facilities (some with extra charge):

Zurich Airport (ZRH), Switzerland

Zurich Airport is the biggest airport in Switzerland. They offer different services and facilities for traveling families. You’ll find two playrooms equipped with PlayStation, toys, table football, and more. The mini-airport playground for the younger kids is a great place to learn more about aviation. Check out the Airside Center, which offers an incredible amount of activities.
If you got a long layover, you could take an exciting 2-hours guided tour, learning about the behind-the-scenes of the airport. Older children, 12 years and up, can participate in a flight simulation at the Sim Academy. You will also find several observation decks. Some offer multimedia binoculars, such as the one on Panoramic Terrace B, where you’ll be able to detect the planes taking off and landing.
The airport offers families an easier check-in process at Check-in 1. If you travel with toddlers, you’ll find free-of-charge rooms for breastfeeding and sleeping, as well as small kitchenettes to warm food.

Zurich Airport (ZRH), Switzerland

Available kids friendly services and facilities (some with extra charge):

What To Pack When Traveling With Children’s

I always recommend packing light, while I know it’s harder when traveling with kids, especially smaller kids and toddlers. I recommend working with a list to ensure you pack light but still won’t forget anything important. Click here to download our free packing list for the entire family.

I also recommend that you check out our packing tips. You might find some that make your trip even better.

 

Some Final Tips To Make The Best Of Your Family Travel Time At The Airport

In The Family Friendly Airport

Try walking around stores or finding good viewpoints of the planes taking off and landing. You’ll find great observation decks in most of the airports on our list.

Boarding Procedures

Make sure you arrive ahead of time when traveling with kids. Take advantage of any priority or early boarding opportunities. It can give you and your family a few crucial extra minutes to get situated before everyone else boards.

On Your Flight

Prepare, make them partners, have activities ready, and read our tips for a perfect flight.

 

Common Q&A When Traveling With Kids

We’ve collected some common questions from our users and from across the web, from parents traveling with infants, toddlers, and Teens. Here are some examples:

Mamava lactation pods are freestanding, mobile suites for mamas to pump or breastfeed in public places or while at work. You can find them in a few of the airports on the list.

I don’t have a clear answer to that question. I believe each one should decide what is best for him and his kids. Therefore, for that question, I’ll refer you to a debate on Quora ,and you’ll have to decide on your own.

Look for kid zones, play areas, nursing rooms, family restrooms, free WiFi, charging points, and family-friendly dining options.

Utilize play zones, interactive exhibits, airport tours, and family-friendly restaurants. Bring along activities like books, games, and tablets.

Some top family-friendly airports include Amsterdam Schiphol, Boston Logan, Changi Singapore, and Munich Airport.

Conclusion

Family trips are the best! Yes, there are some difficulties and challenges, but that’s why I’ve built this site. To give you tips and information that will make each trip better. I have created this list of family-friendly airports, hoping it will help traveling families have a better experience on their next trip. I do my best to keep this list up to date. However, if you found any wrong or missing information, please let me know on the contact form or the comment below.

If you want more specific information about the amenities of specific airports on this post, visit the airport website, or check out the Sleeping in Airports website. Then, read the exact details of each service or activity that interest you. Some are available on specific dates, days, or times, so do your homework.

Remember that the flight is just a tiny part of your trip. Family trips are fun and a great bonding experience.

Nadav Levy Profile Image

Happy Traveling
Nadav

Nadav Levy Profile Image

Hi there! I’m Nadav, the developer behind TravelingWiz. I believe traveling is about creating incredible memories and having enriching experiences. I started TravelingWiz to make it easier for you to find your next trip and enhance your travel experience.

Since 2021, I’ve been dedicated to providing free, independent travel tools and content to inspire and assist fellow travelers. If you find my work helpful, you can support my work by using the affiliate links below at no cost to you.

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