Heathrow Airport for kids – full guides to Terminal 2, 3, 4 and 5

Keep your kids airport-happy with this guide to what’s on offer for youngsters from toddlers to teens at Terminal 2.

Getting there: Don’t risk torturing yourself by getting your kids to the airport using public transport, simply book your Heathrow Airport Terminal 2 parking right here.

Play area: Looking for a way to keep the kids occupied? Head for a play area, where they can enjoy slides and a soft play area; there’s also separate baby and junior areas. Suitable for kids aged 0-9. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
Opening hours: 06:00am – 09.00pm daily
Where: Terminal 2A departure lounge, after security, near to Gate 16

Best place to eat for families:  Travelling from Terminal 2, then make sure brood remain tummy happy at all times. Here’s our top tip to feed the family before boarding.
Wondertree From their delicious breakfast menu right through to the specially designed kid’s choices; Wondertree makes for eclectic eating! Combining dishes from around the globe to satisfy even the fussiest of eaters, we suggest trying their black jack chilli beef quesadilla or delighting in a toffee banoffee popcorn sundae! Kick back, relax and enjoy the fun and lively atmosphere, or if you’ve got no time to spare, their counter café offers proper eating in a hurry.
Location: After security; click here for a map.
Opening hours: 5:00am to last departing flight daily
Contact: 020 8976 7720 Main menu Kids menu 

Family-friendly Heathrow hotel: Early morning flights and young children can produce a volatile cocktail of emotions and tantrums, so why not avoid the pre-dawn alarm with a pre-flight stop-over at one of the many family-friendly hotels close to Heathrow’s Terminal 2?

Best Heathrow hotel for kids: Holiday Inn Express Not only does this cheap and cheerful hotel offer free breakfast with every stay, it also lets kids under the age of 12 eat for free at the on-site Great Room Bar & Lounge! If that isn’t family friendly, we don’t know what is… The 3-star Holiday Inn Express is handily located for Heathrow; its less than 15 minutes from all terminals, so a night here is a great idea if you’re travelling with your loved ones but don’t want to blow the budget before you hit foreign shores. Family rooms are available and sleep up to 4, all rooms have free Wi-Fi, flat screen TVs with pay per view movies, tea and coffee making facilities and an en-suite bathrooms complete with a glorious power shower; just what you need to get the family going in the early hours. On-site there are two restaurants to choose from, Great Room Bar & Lounge serves up classic British dishes; if you fancy something a little more continental, make your way to Tratts Restaurant for freshly made pizza and pasta dishes.
Transfer time to Heathrow Terminal 2: 12 minutes (allow more at peak periods)
Find it: London Road, Slough, Berkshire, SL3 8QB
Book Holiday Inn Express Heathrow here 

Toilets and baby changing facilities: First rule of travelling with children – always know where the nearest loo or changing facilities are located. Not a problem – just check out the maps below.
Interactive map Terminal 2 Printable PDF Terminal 2

Fast Track security lanes: Heathrow has upgraded its Fast Track lanes and claims that most passengers should be able to pass through security within five minutes. Dodging queues like this will help keep the kids in good humour. The service is available to select airlines and passengers only; check if you are eligible for a place on Heathrow’s Fast Track security lanes here.

Pushchairs and child seats: Heathrow does not hire out buggies or child seats, but parents flying from Terminal 2 can take their own prams and child seats through security and check them in at the gate.

Charging your mobile devices: Tablets or mobile devices without battery power will help to ensure your time at the airport won’t be a happy one. Avoid tantrums and mardy-looking children who – despite the fact they’re heading for a two-week parent-financed sojourn to Disneyland – by utilising one of Terminal 2’s free Power Pole charging stations. These can be found before and after security and are compatible with UK and European plugs as well as USB cables. If you want to leave your device charging in a secure locker, then head to the Dixons Travel store, where you’ll be able to use one the secure ChargeBox kiosks to top-up the battery. You can buy between 30 and 90 minutes of charge time, with costs of £1.50 per 30 minutes.

Free Wi-Fi areas: Avoid the pain of severing your kids’ link with social media channels by utilizing T2’s free coverage. Heathrow offers free Wi-Fi for a period of 45 minutes, which can be doubled if you sign up for the airport’s free Heathrow Rewards scheme. Register to claim your extra Wi-Fi time here.

Take kids to an airport lounge: Keep tabs on the kids and dodge the crowds with a seat in the Plaza Premium Lounge. This exclusive lounge has everything from a tapas bar to a luxury shower room. While the executive-styling and luxury facilities aren’t specifically aimed at children, but if you must book a lounge, then kids are welcome in the Plaza Premium Lounge.
How much: Adults £40.00 with kids at £29.00 for two hours lounging.
Location: Level 4, After security Terminal 2
Opening hours: 05:00am – 11:00pm
Book your place: plaza-network.com

Online and mobile check-in: Many airlines allow you to check in online from two to 24 hours before your departure. This allows you to choose your seat and swerve queues for the desks when you get to the terminal. This means you and the kids can dodge the queues and head straight to the fun stuff – like food and play areas.
Check out our guide to airline apps for your smartphone to make this even easier.

Keep your kids happy as they wait to fly from Heathrow with this guide to what’s on offer for them at Terminal 3.

Getting there: Don’t risk torturing yourself by getting your kids to the airport using public transport, simply book your Heathrow Airport Terminal 3 parking right here.

Play areas – The Family Lounge: Kids are well catered for in Terminal 3, with ‘The Family Lounge’ – an area just for parents and children. It includes play areas for ages 0-2 and 3-9, while there’s also a games room for children aged 10-15, along with comfortable seating and drinks machine for parents. Nursing mothers benefit from a discreet area to feed babies. Entry is free, but kids must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
Opening hours: 06:00am – 09.00pm daily
Where: The lounge is located after security (near the Ted Baker store – just follow signs for Lounge A.

Best place to eat for families:  Travelling from Terminal 3, then make sure brood remain tummy happy at all times. Here’s our top tip to feed the family before boarding.
EAT Who’s it for: Great for families looking for simple, freshly prepared grab-and-go food that holiday-happy kids can eat with the minimum of fuss and disruption from being seriously over-excited and unable to sit on their bottoms for more than three seconds.
What’s on offer: Expect to find fresh food that’s baked or prepared on the premises, with soups, salads, baguettes and pies just some of the nourishment on offer. You won’t need to worry about upsetting your junior foodies with curly-leafed salads of stale sarnies – EAT only sells food that’s made on the day. You can also choose from a selection of hotpots – such as the pulled pork with brown rice and chunky slaw for a more substantial option. Food changes with the seasons, so pop in to see what’s on offer.
Opening hours: 5:00am – 9.00pm
Where: After security.
Find it here 

Family-friendly Heathrow hotels: Early morning flights and young children can produce a volatile cocktail of emotions and tantrums, so why not avoid the pre-dawn alarm with a pre-flight stop-over at one of the many family-friendly hotels close to Heathrow’s Terminal 3?
Best Heathrow hotel for kids: Holiday Inn Express Not only does this cheap and cheerful hotel offer free breakfast with every stay, it also lets kids under the age of 12 eat for free at the on-site Great Room Bar & Lounge! If that isn’t family friendly, we don’t know what is… The 3-star Holiday Inn Express is handily located for Heathrow; its less than 15 minutes from all terminals, so a night here is a great idea if you’re travelling with your loved ones but don’t want to blow the budget before you hit foreign shores. Family rooms are available and sleep up to 4, all rooms have free Wi-Fi, flat screen TVs with pay per view movies, tea and coffee making facilities and an en-suite bathrooms complete with a glorious power shower; just what you need to get the family going in the early hours. On-site there are two restaurants to choose from, Great Room Bar & Lounge serves up classic British dishes; if you fancy something a little more continental, make your way to Tratts Restaurant for freshly made pizza and pasta dishes.
Transfer time to Heathrow Terminal 3: 12 minutes (allow more at peak periods)
Find it: London Road, Slough, Berkshire, SL3 8QB
Book Holiday Inn Express Heathrow here

Toilets and baby changing facilities: Prepare for multiple toilet-break requests from your kids by always knowing where the nearest loo or changing facilities are located. Use the following maps to help.
Interactive map Terminal 3 Printable PDF Terminal 3

Fast Track security lanes: Heathrow has upgraded its Fast Track lanes and claims that most passengers should be able to pass through security within five minutes. Dodging queues like this will help keep the kids in good humour. The service is available to select airlines and passengers only; check if you are eligible for a place on Heathrow’s Fast Track security lanes here.

Pushchairs and child seats: Heathrow does not hire out buggies or child seats, but parents flying from Terminal 3 can take their own prams and child seats through security and check them in at the gate.

Charging your mobile devices: Ensure that your child’s tablet or smartphone is fully charged at all time by utilizing one of the free Power Pole charging stations located in Terminal 3. These can be found before and after security and are compatible with UK and European plugs as well as USB cables. If you want to leave your device charging in a secure locker, then head to the Dixons Travel store, where you’ll be able to use one the secure ChargeBox kiosks to top-up the battery. You can buy between 30 and 90 minutes of charge time, with costs of £1.50 per 30 minutes.

Free Wi-Fi areas: Avoid the pain of severing your kids’ link with social media channels by utilizing T3’s free coverage. Heathrow offers free Wi-Fi for a period of 45 minutes, which can be doubled if you sign up for the airport’s free Heathrow Rewards scheme. Register to claim your extra Wi-Fi time here.

Take kids to an airport lounge: Swerve the Terminal 3 crowds and head for the No.1 Traveller Lounge with its amazing view of the runway, complimentary free food and drink, fully-tended bar, games room, cinema and showers. It’s perfect for mum and dad as well as children.
How much: Adults £30.00, kids £15.00 with infants for free.
Make your booking here.

Online and mobile check-in: Many airlines allow you to check in online from two to 24 hours before your departure. This allows you to choose your seat and swerve queues for the desks when you get to the terminal. This means you and the kids can dodge the queues and head straight to the fun stuff – like food and play areas.

Keep your kids occupied and engaged while you wait for your flight with this guide to what’s on offer for children at Terminal 4.

Getting there: Don’t risk torturing yourself by getting your kids to the airport using public transport, simply book your Heathrow Airport Terminal 2 parking right here.

Play area: Looking for a great way to keep the kids occupied? Head for a play area, where they can enjoy slides and a soft play area; there’s also separate baby and junior areas. Suitable for kids aged 0-9. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
Opening hours: 06:00am – 09.00pm daily
Where: Find it in the departure lounge, after security, on the way to Gates 1-6.

Best place to eat for families:  Travelling from Terminal 4, then make sure brood remain fully fed at all times. Here’s our top tip to feed the family before boarding.
Pret A Manger
Opening hours: 6.00am – 9.00pm
Where: After security.
Find Pret A Manger here 
If you want to a quick, healthy meal or snack, then Pret’s the place to be. What’s on offer: Holidays are for enjoying yourself, but that doesn’t mean your healthy eating habits have to be abandoned left at home. Sitting on cramped plane isn’t great for your body’s digestive system, so why not give it a helping hand with Pret’s handmade natural food? The popular chain’s mantra is to avoid processed foods packed with chemicals and preservatives. With fresh produce prepared on a daily basis, you certainly won’t have to scrutinize the ‘sell-by’ dates of sandwiches and salads on offer. As every second counts when you’re flying, you need good food – fast! This is why Pret A Manger at Heathrow offers a 15 minute menu.
Click here for the main menu 

Family-friendly Heathrow hotels: Early morning flights and young children can produce a volatile cocktail of emotions and tantrums, so why not avoid the pre-dawn alarm with a pre-flight stop-over at one of the many family-friendly hotels close to Heathrow’s Terminal 4?
Best Heathrow hotel for kids: Holiday Inn Express Not only does this cheap and cheerful hotel offer free breakfast with every stay, it also lets kids under the age of 12 eat for free at the on-site Great Room Bar & Lounge! If that isn’t family friendly, we don’t know what is… The 3-star Holiday Inn Express is handily located for Heathrow; its less than 15 minutes from all terminals, so a night here is a great idea if you’re travelling with your loved ones but don’t want to blow the budget before you hit foreign shores. Family rooms are available and sleep up to 4, all rooms have free Wi-Fi, flat screen TVs with pay per view movies, tea and coffee making facilities and an en-suite bathrooms complete with a glorious power shower; just what you need to get the family going in the early hours. On-site there are two restaurants to choose from, Great Room Bar & Lounge serves up classic British dishes; if you fancy something a little more continental, make your way to Tratts Restaurant for freshly made pizza and pasta dishes.
Transfer time to Heathrow Terminal 4: 15 minutes (allow more at peak periods) Find it: London Road, Slough, Berkshire, SL3 8QB
Book Holiday Inn Express Heathrow here 

 Toilets and baby changing facilities: First rule of travelling with children – always know where the nearest loo or changing facilities are located.Not a problem – just check out the maps below.
Interactive map Terminal 4 Printable PDF Terminal 4

Fast Track security lanes: Heathrow has upgraded its Fast Track lanes and claims that most passengers should be able to pass through security within five minutes. Dodging queues like this will help keep the kids in good humour. The service is available to select airlines and passengers only; check if you are eligible for a place on Heathrow’s Fast Track security lanes here.

Pushchairs and child seats: Heathrow does not hire out buggies or child seats, but parents flying from Terminal 2 can take their own prams and child seats through security and check them in at the gate. Charging your mobile devices: Avoid tantrums caused by flat batteries in phones and tablets by taking advantage of free charging poles in Terminal 4. These can be found before and after security and are compatible with UK and European plugs as well as USB cables. If you want to leave your device charging in a secure locker, then head to the Dixons Travel store, where you’ll be able to use one the secure ChargeBox kiosks to top-up the battery. You can buy between 30 and 90 minutes of charge time, with costs of £1.50 per 30 minutes.

Free Wi-Fi areas: Avoid the pain of severing your kids’ link with social media channels by utilizing T4’s free coverage. Heathrow offers free Wi-Fi for a period of 45 minutes, which can be doubled if you sign up for the airport’s free Heathrow Rewards scheme. Register to claim your extra Wi-Fi time here.

Take kids to an airport lounge: Unfortunately, the Sky Lounge at Heathrow is only open to members or those travelling in First Class or Business. Get more information here.

Online and mobile check-in: Many airlines allow you to check in online from two to 24 hours before your departure. This allows you to choose your seat and swerve queues for the desks when you get to the terminal. This means you and the kids can dodge the queues and head straight to the fun stuff – like food and play areas.
Check out our guide to airline apps for your smartphone to make this even easier.

Keep your children happy while you wait for your flight with this guide to what’s on offer for kids from tots to teens at Terminal 5.

Getting there: Don’t risk torturing yourself by getting your kids to the airport using public transport, simply book your Heathrow Airport Terminal 2 parking right here.

Play area: Free to use and offering slides, soft play areas, along with separate baby and junior areas; the play area is suitable for kids aged 0-9. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
Opening hours: 06:00am – 09.00pm daily
Where: Find it in the main Terminal 5A departure lounge (after security), near Gate A7.

Best place to eat for families:  Travelling from Terminal 5 – here’s our favourite restaurant for family-friendly dining.
Giraffe Bustling Giraffe’s varied menu offers something for even the pickiest eaters; this vibrant and lively family friendly restaurant serves up fresh food from around the globe! Choose from the likes of fiery quesadillas, favourites like fish and chips or go for a burger from their huge range. Breakfasting on their Mexican Huevos Rancheros will set you up for a busy day, or enjoy something simple and delicious like smoked salmon and scrambled eggs. The giant children’s menu will result in happy faces all round; and the kids will love dining in the fun and colourful atmosphere!
Location: After security
Opening hours: 5:15am to last departing flight daily
Contact: 020 3117 5500

Family-friendly Heathrow hotels: Early morning flights and young children can produce a volatile cocktail of emotions and tantrums, so why not avoid the pre-dawn alarm with a pre-flight stop-over at one of the many family-friendly hotels close to Heathrow’s Terminal 5?
Best Heathrow hotel for kids: Holiday Inn Express Not only does this cheap and cheerful hotel offer free breakfast with every stay, it also lets kids under the age of 12 eat for free at the on-site Great Room Bar & Lounge! If that isn’t family friendly, we don’t know what is… The 3-star Holiday Inn Express is handily located for Heathrow; its less than 15 minutes from all terminals, so a night here is a great idea if you’re travelling with your loved ones but don’t want to blow the budget before you hit foreign shores. Family rooms are available and sleep up to 4, all rooms have free Wi-Fi, flat screen TVs with pay per view movies, tea and coffee making facilities and an en-suite bathrooms complete with a glorious power shower; just what you need to get the family going in the early hours. On-site there are two restaurants to choose from, Great Room Bar & Lounge serves up classic British dishes; if you fancy something a little more continental, make your way to Tratts Restaurant for freshly made pizza and pasta dishes.
Transfer time to Heathrow Terminal 5: 10 minutes (allow more at peak periods)
Find it: London Road, Slough, Berkshire, SL3 8QB
Book Holiday Inn Express Heathrow here. 

Toilets and baby changing facilities: First rule of travelling with children – always know where the nearest loo or changing facilities are located. Not a problem – just check out the maps below.
Interactive map Terminal 5 Printable PDF Terminal 5

Fast Track security lanes: Heathrow has upgraded its Fast Track lanes and claims that most passengers should be able to pass through security within five minutes. Dodging queues like this will help keep the kids in good humour. The service is available to select airlines and passengers only; check if you are eligible for a place on Heathrow’s Fast Track security lanes here.

Pushchairs and child seats: Heathrow does not hire out buggies or child seats, but parents flying from Terminal 2 can take their own prams and child seats through security and check them in at the gate.

Charging your mobile devices: Avoid tantrums caused by flat batteries in phones and tablets by taking advantage of free charging poles in Terminal 5. These can be found before and after security and are compatible with UK and European plugs as well as USB cables. If you want to leave your device charging in a secure locker, then head to the Dixons Travel store, where you’ll be able to use one the secure ChargeBox kiosks to top-up the battery. You can buy between 30 and 90 minutes of charge time, with costs of £1.50 per 30 minutes.

Free Wi-Fi areas: Avoid the pain of severing your kids’ link with social media channels by utilizing T5’s free coverage. Heathrow offers free Wi-Fi for a period of 45 minutes, which can be doubled if you sign up for the airport’s free Heathrow Rewards scheme. Register to claim your extra Wi-Fi time here.

Take kids to an airport lounge: Unfortunately, there is no lounge for access for customers who don’t gain entry through flying on a premium ticket.

Online and mobile check-in: Many airlines allow you to check in online from two to 24 hours before your departure. This allows you to choose your seat and swerve queues for the desks when you get to the terminal. This means you and the kids can dodge the queues and head straight to the fun stuff – like food and play areas. Check out our guide to airline apps for your smartphone to make this even easier.