Finding your way around airport services has gotten complicated with all the conflicting advice flying around. I remember the first time I traveled with my kids — my daughter was maybe six — and I had zero idea where anything was. We wandered around the terminal for twenty minutes looking for a family restroom before someone pointed us to an information desk I’d walked right past. Twice.
Tip 1: Download the Airport’s App Before You Leave Home
Probably should have led with this, because it would’ve saved me that embarrassing terminal wander. Most major airports have their own apps now, and they’re honestly pretty handy. You can pull up terminal maps, find out where the nearest restroom is, check which restaurants are open, and even see real-time flight updates. I started downloading the app for whatever airport I’m flying out of the night before, and it’s made a noticeable difference. My kids like looking at the map too — it turns the whole thing into a little scavenger hunt for them.
Tip 2: Don’t Sleep on the Information Desk
I used to think information desks were just for people who were, I don’t know, seriously lost. But they’re actually great for quick questions — where’s the closest play area, is there a nursing room nearby, that kind of thing. The staff at those desks usually know stuff that isn’t on any app or sign, like which food spots have the shortest lines or where there’s an open seating area where kids can spread out. I’ve gotten some genuinely helpful tips from those folks over the years. One guy at Denver International told us about a hidden observation area where my son watched planes take off for a solid forty minutes. That alone was worth the stop.
Tip 3: Check Online Airport Directories Ahead of Time
This one’s more of a pre-trip move. A lot of airports publish directories on their websites listing every shop, restaurant, service counter, and facility by terminal. I usually skim through it a day or two before we fly, mostly so I can promise my kids something specific to look forward to — “there’s an ice cream place near our gate” goes a long way with a seven-year-old. It also helps me figure out if there’s a family lane at security or any kid-friendly amenities I wouldn’t have known about otherwise. It takes maybe five minutes and saves you from wandering around aimlessly once you’re actually there. Which, trust me, I have done plenty of.
Traveling with kids through airports doesn’t have to be stressful. A little prep goes a long way, and honestly, once you get in the habit of checking apps and directories before you go, it starts to feel way more manageable. The information desk thing was a game-changer for us — I just wish I’d figured that out sooner.
