ATLAirport Guide

Things for Kids to Do at Atlanta Airport: What ATL Lists and What It Doesn't

ATL lists no play area or kids' zone. It does list family restrooms, lactation pods, a Concourse F sensory room and shops that sell toys. Where each is.

A tall brown and tan ice-cream cone statue with a dark brown scoop stands on a pale tiled floor in front of a dark shop counter.
An ice-cream cone statue by Savannah's Candy Kitchen, next to Gate A14 on Concourse A

Atlanta’s airport doesn’t list a play area for children. It does list family facilities, and the rest is up to the Plane Train, the shops and the food. ATL describes the Plane Train as an automated train that connects every concourse.

What ATL lists for families

Facility Where ATL places it What ATL says
Lactation pods Domestic Terminal west crossover, Concourse T near Gates T8 and T13, Concourse A at A9 and A34, Concourse B at B25 and B29, the C, D and E Centerpoints, Concourse F at F5, the International Arrivals level, and the Rental Car Center on Levels 2 and 3 Each pod locks from the inside and has bench seating and an outlet for pumps. The Mamava app gives access instructions, and the concourse pods are after security.
Sensory room Concourse F One room, with no further detail published
USO Domestic Terminal upper level, on the mezzanine Services for military personnel and their families. ATL’s directory lists Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. (ATL’s USO Facilities page says 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.) and Sunday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. USO Georgia lists 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends and holidays, and ATL says the hours vary with trainings, deployments and the seasons

Every concourse has a family restroom. Concourse T has four, B, C and D have three each, and A and E have one each. Concourse F has three, plus one on Level 2. The Domestic Terminal, International Departures and International Arrivals have one each, and the Rental Car Center has two on Level 2 and one on Level 3. ATL doesn’t say where along each concourse they sit, but Customer Experience Representatives at the west crossover and at the Plane Train in the Transportation Mall give directions.

Strollers and the checkpoint

The Domestic Terminal directory lists a Wheelchairs & Strollers point and a separate Strollers point, and the terminal map marks a stroller point at the South checkpoint. TSA screens strollers, baby carriers and car and booster seats by X-ray.

TSA uses modified screening for children who appear to be 12 or younger. When traveling as a family and the adults’ boarding passes show PreCheck, TSA says children 17 and under can use the PreCheck lane with them without a Known Traveler Number of their own. Formula, breast milk, toddler drinks and baby food can go in a carry-on in amounts over 3.4 ounces, outside the quart-size bag. Tell the officer at the start of screening and take them out to be screened separately.

What ATL doesn’t list

Neither ATL’s amenities page nor its terminal maps page shows a play area or kids’ zone. The airport’s map tags Z-Market in the Domestic Terminal and at Gates T10 and A26, the 11 Alive Travel Store at B19 and The Market on Concourse C with baby formula and diapers, News Beat ATL at A11 with diapers, and The Goods at ATL on Concourse E with baby food and diapers.

ATL and Delta have hosted Wings for All, an airport rehearsal for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. The page about it gives no upcoming dates or sign-up details.

Quick food for a hungry child

ATL’s directory lists these pizza, burger and chicken counters.

Place Where Hours
Bang House Pizza Concourse D, center 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Maddio’s Pizza Concourse T, next to Gate T10 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Famous Famiglia Concourse C, next to Gate C12 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Villa Pizza Concourse E, center 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
McDonald’s Concourse E, center 24 hours
Chick-fil-A Concourse A, center Monday to Saturday 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., closed Sunday
Chick-fil-A Concourse C, next to Gate C21 Monday to Saturday 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., closed Sunday

Our food directory lists the rest by concourse.

Where to buy a toy or a sweet

ATL lists toys among what these shops sell, and its map tags plushies at both CNN International shops, at Gate F5 and on the International Arrivals level.

Shop Where Hours
Travel@Ease Concourse A, next to Gate A2 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Travel@Ease Concourse A, center 24 hours
News Beat ATL Concourse A, next to Gate A11 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Shellis News Concourse A, next to Gate A24 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Brookstone Concourse A, next to Gate A24 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. (the airport’s map also shows an 11 p.m. close)
ATL Today Concourse D, next to Gate D10 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Diverse Concourse D, north of center 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.
All ATL Concourse D, center 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
CNN International Concourse F, next to Gate F5 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. or before the last flight
Brookstone Concourse F, next to Gate F6 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Shellis News Concourse T, next to Gate T3 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Shellis News Domestic Terminal, north west atrium 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. or the last flight
CNN International International Terminal arrivals 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

For a treat, Savannah’s Candy Kitchen on Concourse A is next to Gate A14 and open daily 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Piece of Cake, a dessert counter in the center of Concourse A, opens at 5 a.m. and closes at 10 p.m. or the last flight. On Concourse C, Krispy Kreme sits in the center and is open daily 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. or the last flight. ATL’s directory also files Freshen’s under dessert, with counters on Concourses A, B, D and E.

If a long layover lets you leave

MARTA’s Airport Station is at the west end of the Domestic Terminal, between the North and South baggage claims. Children 46 inches and under ride free, up to two per paying adult, and the standard fare is $2.50. Our MARTA rail page has the other fares and the transfer rules.

Sources