Are you flying through Chicago O’Hare with kids? I’ll tell you what you need to know about taking kids to the O’Hare Airport. For a quick rundown, the family area is near gate F1, the dinosaur fossil replica is at B8, and you should take some time to walk the lighted tunnel between B and C concourses.
O’Hare Kid Spots
There is a family area that is located near gate F1. It is an open area with fun-shaped, colorful benches to sit and play on. There is no formal “play structure,” but there is plenty of room to move around. The best feature is that it is fenced in and easy to see the entire area so you can take a seat and relax knowing your kids can’t get away from you. There are a few clunky video games that are good for burning a little time. They are sponsored by stores within Chicago O’Hare.
The posters inside the play area show recommended restaurants for kids, such as the staple fast food places.
A family bathroom and nursing pod are within 100 feet of the family play area. For more mother’s rooms and lactation pods, look here. In general, family bathrooms were easy to find at O’hare Airport in Chicago.
If you are sick of sitting in the family area, there are a few areas of interest to waste some time. Check out the beautifully painted and functional benches found throughout the airport. Around gate B8 is a replica of a dinosaur fossil and gifts from the Chicago Field Museum.
Also near gate B8 is the underground pedestrian tunnel between the B and C concourses. This has moving walkways and plenty of room to walk on either side so they can get some energy out. There are neon lights that blink and flash with the music, which can entertain O’Hare guests of all ages.
Parking at O’Hare.
There are plenty of options. Our favorite is to drop luggage and most travelers at the airport and have an adult park the car at the Rosemont Metro Station. If you pay ahead, it is $11 a day, and you can take the metro directly to the airport. We usually have everyone take the metro back to the parked car after we return as the kids enjoy the train ride. If all goes well, it takes about 20 minutes to park and return to the airport.
You can park at the airport as well, but the cheapest economy is still $15 a day, and you are pretty far from the airport. You can also look at ParkSleepFly. This allows you to stay and park at a local hotel, which will offer shuttle services. Because it is in a package, it can be difficult to determine what you pay for parking vs. the hotel stay.
Nearby Chicago
If you are heading into the city with kids, check out my recommendations for an affordable trip to Chicago with kids.
If you are looking for a local hotel or area outside of downtown to stay in before or after your trip, I like Schaumburg. It is just northwest of the city. It is a safe neighborhood with lots of available amenities and affordable hotels. We like Home2Suites, which is basic, economical, and comfortable. It includes continental breakfast, a small pool, and has suites to fit families of up to six.
Check out Bison’s Bluff Nature Playground for an amazing place to wear out some energy. There are natural water features to wade in during the warmer months. There is a small admission on busy summer days. Legoland is close to O’Hare and a great place to spend time indoors. We have been eyeing the Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament near the airport but haven’t done it yet.
There are tons of small outdoor playgrounds in Schaumburg, which can be found with a quick Google search. We liked Russ Parker Park, but there were many available. Check out Kids Art and Cafe with an indoor playground if it is a cold or rainy day. It is a bit pricey but could be worth it to burn up pent-up energy.
General Flight Tips
If you have time, get set up with TSA pre-check before your trip. It is $75 but lasts for several years. Kids 12 years and under can go through pre-check with any adult on their reservation who has pre-check. If you have a travel card, such as this Capital One Travel Card, the price of pre-check may be reimbursed. When you have TSA Pre-check, the whole process is easier. Fewer things must come out of your bag, and you can leave your shoes on. Anything that can help with this crazy process is worth it to me.
Pack snacks! So many snacks. Not only does this waste time and keep kids happy, it is also much cheaper than getting food at the airport. I like to bring the kids to the grocery store with me and let them help me pick snacks so they are excited. When they were younger, I always packed secret and novel snacks to keep them interested.
Our favorite plane entertainment includes the Amazon kids tablet, coloring books, sticker by number, and reusable doodle pads. I also have them pack a few toys to play with in the airport, such as cars, action figures, or stuffed animals. By using the affiliate links, we earn a small commission. This is free to you; all opinions are my own.
I usually carry diaper wipes, even though my kids aren’t in diapers, to help keep fingers clean. If you are traveling with a kid who is still in diapers, remember that airports usually only sell diapers in sizes 3-4. I always have an extra set of undies and a pair of pj’s. This doubles as backup pants in case of an accident, in addition to having pj’s in the case that our luggage gets delayed. I bring a towel which also acts as a blanket. When my kids were under 4, I packed their backpacks so they would fit in my backpack if needed.
In Conclusion
Chicago O’Hare is a huge airport with tons of connecting and nonstop flights. It’s often worth the longer drive for us to leave from Chicago, so we are quite familiar with O’Hare. It has some nice amenities for kids, and we have enjoyed flying out of here. Just remember Mama, kids will be kids, and the most important thing you can bring is your sense of calm. You’ve got this.
Do you have any other tips?
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