Top Spaces for Kids in Airports

Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT)

Bring the kids to Paint Monkey, a do-it-yourself paint studio in Pittsburgh International Airport. The kid-centric space focuses on art and hands-on fun with pop-up family studios. Located in Concourse B, and brought to travelers by Airmall Pittsburgh’s POP-OPPs program, Paint Monkey transforms the airport space into an art center for kids and families.

Paint your own masterpiece with the kids or shop carry-on-sized artwork for the trip home. Watch the kids paint their hearts out between flights and ship their masterpieces home. Art projects begin at $10, and can range from realistic to abstract works on the spin bike where one person rides the bike while the other adds color to the wheel.

Dulles International Airport (IAD)

Dulles International Airport offers a little something for everyone. The kids’ play area in Concourse B is perfect for your space-loving children. The NASA-themed room, interactive games, educational slides and aviation décor lends well to your flying enthusiast. For new moms and infants, there are changing and nursing rooms all over the airport, including some secluded bathrooms for even more privacy.

Another fun and educational program for kids, Wings for All is completely free and ideal for special needs families. Take the kids through a simulated flight for a little preview and practice before your actual flight. Practice checking your bag, going through security and navigating through the mock terminal so your kids will feel like a pro by the time you make it to your gate to board your real flight.

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Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)

Head to the Observation Gallery in BWI with the kids and explore real plane parts and accessories. Learn all about the airport’s namesake, Thurgood Marshall, in the Civil Rights exhibit. For new moms and infants, there are nursing stations, women’s restrooms and discretion areas in Concourse C with plenty of seating, electric outlets and privacy.

Chicago O’Hare International (ORD)

While passing through the Windy City with the family, check out the Children’s Museum of Chicago — located right in the airport. Kids of all accessibilities play in the LEGO playroom and explore the authentic plane cockpit and fantasy helicopter. Even learn a bit about the Chicago Fire Department in the Play it Safe educational area. Nursing mothers will find rooms with changing areas and private pumping rooms available at all hours.

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

Play in the beach-themed playroom with the kids while they bounce on soft plush waves, or head to the Flight Path Museum in the Imperial Terminal, Tuesday–Saturday.