Let’s explore the best child friendly airports in Europe as we know getting children through an airport as quickly as possible is key for minimising stress and frustration. Once you managed to pass security, it’s all about keeping the little ones entertained.
In the past few years a lot of airports have made an effort to better accommodate travellers with children. A few examples would be family fast tracks, play areas, baby changing areas, even breastfeeding pods in some cases.
If you’re travelling with teenagers, as long as there is WiFi, plug sockets areas and duty free, it should be enough to keep them busy.
We have selected 5 of the most child friendly airports in Europe.
1. London Heathrow Airport
Hands down the most child friendly airport in Europe in our eyes.
It starts from going through security, while there are restrictions on the liquids you can take in your hand luggage, when travelling with a baby you’re allowed to take enough baby food, sterilised water, prepared baby milk and expressed breast milk (up to 2 litres) for the journey. This allows you not to stress about any long delays and not have enough to feed your little ones. What else?
Heathrow airport has quite a few Family Friendly restaurants, check here for more details. And kids eat free during school holidays. There’s also lots of pre-flight fun and entertainment in in their free “Mr. Adventure Stay & Play areas”. These vary but are available in all terminals.
All details on the children’s facilities at Heathrow airport are on their website.
2. Amsterdam Schiphol Airport
Amsterdam Schiphol is one of the nicest child friendly airports in Europe, both for adults and for children. There are plenty of activities and fun things to do for the little ones.
One of the most exciting activity is the KLM kids play zone located on the first floor of Lounge 2 where kids can experience what it is to be a pilot in a colourful toy airplane and slides at the back. It will be hard to get them out of there!!
There is also a smaller version of “NEMO” the science museum in Amsterdam with a few exhibits the kids can perform their own experiments and nearby they can cuddle and play on the big life sized stuffed animals.
Now if you want a quiet corner you can head to an area between Lounges 2 and 3, where there is a Baby care Lounge offering seven bed cabins with cots and comfortable seating for babies and parents to relax in a “bedroom” type of environment.
As you can see there’s plenty to keep the young ones entertained before a flight.
3. Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport
To easily start your journey if you travel with younger kids you can borrow a stroller for free after security and drop it off at the gate as you board your plane. This will allow you to wiz through the airport faster if needs be.
When it comes to entertainments there are play areas in Terminal 1, 2A, 2C, 2E and 3 for children aged 4 to 10 with mazes, hopscotch and games on soft mats. There are also televisions showing cartoons in each play area.
The older kids will be more interested in the coin-operated arcade games area, as well as the access to free PS3 in a few spots around the airport. Click here for more info on Paris airports family area
4. Copenhagen Kastrup Airport
Copenhagen airport is well equipped to handle traveling families. There are 15 small play areas across the airport with a large one in Terminal 2 allowing you to keep them entertained without too much effort. There are also TVs playing Disney Channel.
If you are traveling with a baby, there is a nursing room after security in Terminal 2, where you can warm up your pre-packed baby bottles and baby food in a microwave. There is also room to sit, breastfeed and relax.
5. Vienna International Airport
Vienna Airport is trying its best to make your traveling experience easier. They have a family corner in the F and G Gates in the transit area with interactive screens that will attract young kids.
But the most exciting entertainment for children aged 4 to 10 is the “Family Fun Gate” located in Terminal 3 after the shopping area. It is about 70m2 of fun activities including two slides, a climbing wall, a climbing frame and a labyrinth with a revolving door and foam snakes. You can also find a changing and rest area.
Like in Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, you can borrow a stroller at the Baggage Service Center in Terminal 3 if you have already checked yours in. Have a look on their website for further information.
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