Family facilities at Heathrow Airport
Baby changing
There are baby change areas in each terminal at Heathrow, both before and after security control – just look for signs with this symbol. Many are located alongside the toilet blocks.
Food and travel essentials
Child-friendly restaurants are easy to find at Heathrow. Most provide high chairs and children's menus.
If your children like to watch the planes, a number of cafés and restaurants offer a fantastic window on the airport.
Find family-friendly restaurants
Boots, the pharmacy chain, supplies baby essentials including nappies, formula milk and baby wipes.
Entertainment
WHSmith stocks a wide range of magazines, comics and puzzle books to keep children entertained in the departure lounge and in the air.
10 tips for getting through security with kids
Here's a quick guide on how to get through security as quickly as possible so leaving you more time to relax and shop in the departure lounge.
Security guide for families (1.1MB PDF)
- Liquids and the 100ml rule: You are allowed to carry containers of up to 100ml each providing they all fit neatly into a transparent resealable bag no larger than 20cm x 20cm [The 100ml rule explained].
- Baby milk and food: You are allowed to take liquid baby milk and baby food on board. These liquids may exceed the 100ml liquids rule and as well as screening you may be asked to taste it. If in doubt you can always reserve and collect baby milk.This brand new service gives you complete peace of mind by having the milk ready for you in the departure lounge. Reserve your baby milk at: genres_collect@baa.com
- Medicines over 100ml: You are allowed enough medication for the flight. You should always have a medical letter or prescription to confirm the child needs to have the medication.
- Toys and games: All children's toys and games will need to go through the x-ray machine within your hand baggage.
Any children's toys that resemble weapons, such as a toy gun, will not be permitted through security and should only be carried in hold luggage. - Pushchairs / car seats: Pushchairs or car seats must go through the x-ray machine. Pushchairs need to be folded down. If it doesn't fit through the x-ray machine, the security officers will find other ways to screen it. Remember to check any size restrictions with your airline.
- X-ray machines - what to do: As all liquids including liquid baby food must be screened separately to other items of hand baggage place them in a separate security tray.
- At the metal detector: Everyone, including children, must go through the metal detector. If they can walk unaided it is likely they will be asked to walk through the metal detector by themselves. If the metal detector alarm activates they will need to be hand searched with a parent or guardian present.
If your child cannot walk unaided or would be upset being parted from a parent you may be able to carry your child; however, if the metal detector alarm activates you will both need to be searched by a security officer. - Ask for help: Our staff don't bite so if you you need help or advice on loading or gathering your possesions at the x-ray machine, please feel free to ask a security officer.
- What else do you need to know about? Every single one of our frequently asked security questions is genuine so there may be something else you are concerned about and want to find out more.
- Good news: Only nine things to remember …
Travel tips for parents
Make your journey fly by with some of our ideas.
- Be prepared
- You're more likely to forget something if you're trying to pack your hand baggage, check in and keep an eye on your family at the same time. So carry all your travel documents such as passports and boarding passes in one easily reached place, make sure your hand baggage meets security requirements before you leave home, work out whether you need to carry buggies or pack them in your hold baggage. If you are two adults travelling with children, consider distributing tasks so one adult can take care of the children and the other of the children related equipment such as buggies and bags. Planning makes all the difference!
- Time it right
- If you're travelling with babies or young children, consider booking your flight to coincide with their sleeping routine.
- Plan to take a rest
- If you're travelling with a partner, consider booking seats apart so you can take turns sitting with the children.
- Go door-to-door
- Consider using a valet parking service. It doesn’t cost that much more, but saves you having to shepherd youngsters and baggage from car park to terminal.
- Allow extra time
- It will take longer to get around the airport if you're carrying or walking with youngsters.
- The trick with toys
- Bring them, but don't hand them all out at once – keep surprising children throughout the journey
- Extra supplies
- Boots the Chemist is available after security in all terminals, where products such as baby milk and medication can be purchased. Contact Boots in your terminal for further advice
