Which Airports do Frequent-Flyer Families Love?
Introducing the Best Kid-Friendly Airports in the US!
Motherhood Loves Community Awards nominees have been carefully chosen by our team. We may earn a commission if you buy something through links on our site.
Whether you’re a pro at traveling with your little ones or you’ve just booked your baby’s first flight, everyone can appreciate airports that make that voyage easier. When you’re stuck on a long layover, a quiet area to nurse or a place where the kids can release some energy can make all the difference.
We’ve put together a list of some of the best airports in the US based on the family-friendly necessities they provide (think nursing rooms, play places and entertainment options), their overall ambience, and their general convenience.
Our nominees were researched and selected as the top in their category. We then turned to the experts—the Motherhood Community—to place their votes and determine the best of the best! The votes are in, and the winners are...
Best Kid-Friendly US Airport of 2024 Winners
Dallas Love Field – Dallas, TX
Parents love Dallas Love Field for its easy navigability with children in tow and its above-average number of family-friendly dining options. The airport also offers a private mothers’ room for nursing and family restrooms with oversized changing stations. A children's play area sits next to a kid-centric shop, and public art and occasional performances provide diversion as well.
Philadelphia International Airport – Philadelphia, PA
Family-friendly dining and shopping experiences dot the PHL airport, and it facilitates family travel with multiple nursing/pumping rooms and 42 companion-care (or family) restrooms. PHL also has an award-winning Exhibitions Program that includes fun materials for kids.
Lehigh Valley International Airport – Allentown, PA
This airport partnered with Lehigh Valley Children’s Hospital to create a medically themed play area for children. It was also the third airport in the world to install a sensory room equipped with mondo flooring, low frequency lighting, and a mounted projector among other equipment. The airport’s library-sponsored free book exchange includes fun and entertaining books for youngsters, too.
Portland International Airport – Portland, OR
PDX offers a play zone in Concourse A with fun shapes to clamber on and a 608-square-foot play area in Concourse E sponsored by Tillamook. The interactive play areas in the latter highlight aspects of the brand’s story while entertaining little ones. A free microcinema shows general-audience films by local film makers. The airport also has several family restrooms and lactation rooms.
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport – Phoenix, AZ
Kids can let off steam in this airport’s Play-viation Park play area, and PHX also offers several educational and entertaining handouts to keep young ones entertained. Nursing stations in each terminal offer moms their own sink and countertop, soap and sanitizer, paper towels, a changing station, an electrical outlet, and comfortable seating. Mamava lactation pods and family restrooms are also available.
LaGuardia Airport – Queens, NY
This hub boasts havens for parents with young kids: two play areas, abundant family restrooms, and generous nursing facilities. Parents will also find plenty of dining options and charging stations to keep everyone (and everything) on full battery. A sensory room provides a calming space for neurodivergent individuals, and a must-see water feature with dazzling light shows will mesmerize the whole family!
San Francisco International Airport – San Francisco, CA
This airport offers five interactive and colorful Kids Spots (some decorated by the SFO Museum) where kids can play and burn energy. Older kids can check out exhibitions by the SFO Museum, tour the Aviation Museum & Library, or watch a film in the Video Arts Room. Six nursing rooms are spread throughout the terminals, and you can purchase child-friendly necessities from various shops as well as rent car seats.
Bangor International Airport – Bangor, ME
For a fun way to learn about aviation, sign your children up for the Monty Moose Travel Club when you fly through Bangor International Airport. Monty, the airport’s mascot, hosts some educational videos on the airport’s website. Your kids can also receive activity pages like airport bingo, a crossword, coloring page, and other interactive pages on aviation for more entertainment. In addition, the Transit Lounge includes a changing station and kids’ play area.
San José Mineta International Airport – San Jose, CA
Built by the Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose, the airport’s Zoom Zone play area teaches kids about flying in an interactive setting. The airport also has five private nursing rooms equipped with changing stations and other amenities. SJC was also the first airport to launch a therapy animal project, now called SJC Happy Tails, which little animal lovers can appreciate.
Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport – Rochester, NY
Kids will have a ball at this airport’s Strong Museum of Play Interactive Zones featuring the National Toy Hall of Fame and World Video Game Hall of Fame. ROC also offers great high-speed Wi-Fi via partnership with Greenlight, and fixed tablets available in the food court include games for kids. You’ll find nursing rooms and changing stations off the regular restrooms, and companion-care rooms are also available.
