Travelling with children can be a challenge, especially when it comes to keeping them entertained during long layovers or delays at airports. Fortunately, many airports in Europe understand the needs of families and have created dedicated play areas to ensure that children have a fun and enjoyable experience while waiting for their flights. Let’s take a closer look at some of the best airports with play areas for children in Europe.
Lisbon Airport, Portugal
Lisbon Airport, also known as Humberto Delgado Airport, features a fantastic play area. Located in Terminal 1, in the Schengen area Transfers Hall on the way to gated number 7-13. This play area is designed to entertain children aged 2 to 7 years old. It offers a variety of interactive games, slides, climbing structures, and even a mini-airport with a control tower.
Madrid Airport, Spain
Madrid Airport, officially known as Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport, has a dedicated children’s play located in R Area. This play zone offers a range of age-appropriate activities for kids.
Geneva Airport, Switzerland
At Geneva Airport, families can enjoy the kids play area, located between gates A5 and A8.The play area is suitable for children between 3-12 years and it provides a calm and relaxing environment for them to unwind and have fun before their next flight.
Rome Airport, Italy
Rome Airport, also known as Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport, has two baby corner filled with children’s games. These are located in Terminal 3 and Terminal 1 Arrival level, the baggage reclaim area.
Helsinki Airport, Finland
Helsinki Airport features a play area that is located in the non-Schengen area of Terminal 2. Families can also grab snacks from the cafeteria nearby.
Copenhagen Airport, Denmark
The play area at Copenhagen Airport is designed as a scaled-down replica of Kastrup Airport, featuring the control tower as its central feature. Located in Terminal 2, this space is specifically designed for younger children aged 0 to 6 years old. It provides children with their own airport experience and allows them to have fun before boarding a plane, considering the limited space available onboard. They can ascend the tower and observe planes taking off through the windows, as well as view the shopping and dining area situated on the opposite side. The small planes within the playground resemble miniature versions of private aircraft, offering opportunities for climbing and balancing. Adjacent to these planes, there is an Airport Baggage Carrier Train, which enables children to pretend to be drivers and ensure timely loading of all items.
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
The play area at Amsterdam Airport is situated within a designated section of the airport dedicated to intercontinental travel. Specifically, it is located upstairs in Lounge 2, providing a convenient and accessible space for passengers embarking on international journeys. The play area features a KLM plane soaring through clouds, creating an impressive setting. The clouds come in various sizes and shapes, providing a delightful space for climbing, sliding, and jumping. Additionally, the vibrant LED “clouds” suspended from the ceiling add a playful and fun atmosphere to the playground. Through the way this playground is structures, kids can climb around, slide, and pilot the airplane through role-play.
Stockholm Airport, Sweden
Stockholm Airport, officially known as Stockholm Arlanda Airport, features a play area located in Terminal 5, that can be accessed after security. Children can climb, play and have fun. The design of the play area, reminds of Junibacken’s Storybook Square.
Barcelona Airport, Spain
Barcelona El Prat Airport boasts multiple play areas situated in both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. These well-appointed play areas cater to children of various age groups and offer an array of engaging features, including climbing structures, slides, and interactive games. These thoughtfully designed spaces provide children with a delightful and secure environment to play and expend their energy, whether it’s prior to or following a flight.
Frankfurt Airport, Germany
With multiple dedicated playgrounds situated beyond the security checkpoints in Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, youngest passengers can run freely and climb on airplanes and helicopters, or embark on an adventure on a pirate island. Meanwhile, parents can take a well-deserved moment of tranquillity and unwind as their children enjoy these exciting play areas.
Paris Airport, France
Within the airport Paris Charles de Gaulle you will find play areas for young children and older kids. Baby foot areas are located in different terminals and are accessible to all. The baby-foot allows you to play with friends or family and spend wonderful time before your boarding. For older children, there are coin-operated arcade games available throughout the airport. Moreover, several PlayStation terminals in all boarding zones allow children to enjoy the PS5 games at no cost.
Vienna Airport
At the Vienna Airport, little travellers can indulge their desire to move freely at the indoor playground located at F Gates. This playground features a slide, climbing wall, and a maze where children can jump around with a stuffed bag or crawl through foam snakes. It’s the perfect space for children to release their energy and make the flight experience more enjoyable for everyone.
Athens Airport , Greece
The Play Area in Athens Airport is available free of charge and specifically designed for children aged 2 to 9 years old. To ensure the safety and well-being of young visitors, children must be accompanied by one of their guardians at all times. Both parents and the child must present their travelling documents upon entry. You can find the play area conveniently situated on the 2nd floor of the Main Terminal Building, adjacent to the airport’s “Eleftherios Venizelos” exhibition.
Nuremberg Airport, Germany
At Nuremberg Airport, you will find two play located in the departure gates.The play areas feature a diverse range of toys, climbing structures, and interactive games, ensuring that children remain engaged and energized during their visit.
Zurich Airport, Switzerland
The Observation Deck B at Zurich Airport is an incredibly enjoyable spot for children. It features an impressive playground, two captivating helicopters for kids to explore, exciting trampolines, and much more. In addition, there is a charming small cafe available, and ample space for children to freely run around while witnessing the mesmerizing spectacle of planes taking off and landing.
Oslo Airport, Norway
You can discover delightful toy planes located at gate C1, gate A12, and even at the train station. For an interactive experience, make sure to visit Pilotini. Here children can colour planes and watch them soar on a large screen. Pilotini is conveniently positioned near the exit leading to pier B. Furthermore, there are engaging play areas available at gate F14, ensuring a fun-filled experience for children throughout the airport.
These are just a few examples of the best airports with play areas for children in Europe. Many other airports across the continent also prioritise the needs of families by providing dedicated spaces where children can have fun and let off steam before or between flights. These family-friendly amenities not only make the travel experience more enjoyable for children but also help parents relax and ensure a smoother journey for everyone involved. So, the next time you’re travelling with kids, keep an eye out for these fantastic play areas in European airports.
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