Traveling with Young Kids: Tips for a Smooth Airport Experience at ONT

Discover ONT's family-friendly airport amenities, quick security and dining options for stress-free family travel.

They say it’s about the journey, not the destination, right? Navigating all the steps of an airport doesn’t have to be difficult or dreadful when traveling with young kids. Ontario International Airport (ONT) offers a stress-free travel experience for the whole family.

You can start making those vacation memories with your young kids as soon as you get to ONT. With convenient parking options, short security lines and loads of amenities to keep them entertained (and happy!), the aim is for the only tears little ones cry at the airport to be tears of joy.

We’ve rounded up some expert tips to help you and your little ones get through the processes of airport travel.

Why ONT is the Best Choice for Families Traveling with Young Kids

Much like any child, ONT is small but mighty. While the airport saw a record 7 million passengers in 2024, it remains the most popular mid-sized airport in Southern California. Put all your fears aside of ever having that “Home Alone 2” Kevin McAllister moment of losing your kid in a large crowd.

As soon as you roll up to our terminals, you’ll find parking is a breeze at ONT. To save you time, we offer pre-booking options and valet service. You can also use the drive-up service and simply pull up to one of the valet booths along the center curb at each terminal for convenient service that’s So Cal, so easy. Your kids will feel like a true VIP!

Once you hit the security lines, know that you won’t be there for long. ONT is known for its ease and convenience. While we always recommend arriving two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international flights, on average, you and your family can get through ONT’s security checkpoints in under 20 minutes during non-peak travel times. Spend more time exploring the airport and watching airplanes take off and land from our expansive windows — a sight sure to excite any child!

ONT stands out from competing airports because of its unique services that cater to customer service. The Ontario Customer Experience Specialists (O.A.C.E.S.) are the boots on the ground to help ensure all passengers, including young kids, have the most seamless travel experience.

Need to know where to go to get that 100th snack of the day for your little one? Or do they need to quickly use the potty? And by quickly, we mean now!? Just look for an O.A.C.E.S. team member decked out in a bright blue polo, and they’ll answer any questions you may have and can help guide you through the airport.

Now whether this is your young child’s first or 10th time flying, it’s completely normal to be nervous about being 35,000 feet up in the air. ONT makes it a priority to ease their anxiety and fears with registered therapy dogs known as the ONT Paw Squad. If you see the pups around the terminals, your kids can pet them and even collect a fun trading card! Children will soon forget about any worries and parents can focus on boarding the aircraft safely and happily.

Family-Friendly Amenities at ONT

You’ve made it to your gate, but now your child is bored and restless. Don’t worry, ONT has got you covered! Let your kids burn off their energy before they board with all of ONT’s family-friendly airport amenities.

1. California Science Center: Kids are guaranteed to love this unique and fully immersive experience, right in the center of T4. This special collaboration between ONT and the California Science Center in Downtown Los Angeles gives visitors the opportunity to dive right into a giant kelp forest ecosystem. With rotating digital exhibits, young children will be able to catch a glimpse of leopard sharks, moray eels, giant sea bass, rockfish, spiny lobsters, anemones and so much more!
2. Art @ ONT displays: No need to eat up that travel time sitting and waiting at your gate. Get your child up and walking to look at the dozens of art exhibits displayed around both T2 and T4. Thanks to ONT’s partnership with the Chaffey Community Museum of Art (CCMA), kids will get to browse through 2D and 3D artwork specially curated by the thriving art community of the Inland Empire. Time will truly fly once you and your family are done taking in all the amazing art!
3. Fun vending machines: How exciting is it to watch a machine gather up a goodie and drop it right into a dispenser for you? At ONT, kids get to enjoy the process of getting special treats from these machines. The most popular offering includes the Skittles Remix machine in T2 by Gate 209 and T4 by Gate 409. Allow your child to Taste the Rainbow with their own custom creation of mixed Skittles. If your kid is looking for even more color and fun, head over to the LEGO machine where they can pick up a box of blocks to keep that imagination going! The LEGO machine can be found at T4 near Gate 402.
4. A short story dispenser: Story time for young children can be all the time at ONT. Our short story dispensers are stand alone kiosks that print out fiction on the fly. Passengers can pick a story by genre or by a 1-minute, 3-minute or 5-minute read-time. And it’s completely free! It’s sure to keep your little one busy, entertained and educated — a major win for parents.
5. ONT’s nursing rooms: Parents can feed their littlest babies in the comfort of peace and privacy in the newly upgraded ONT Nursing Room, located in both T2 and T4. These single-occupancy lactation rooms allow mothers to breastfeed or pump conveniently, and there’s even a kid’s table for big siblings to sit and relax. For your comfort, each nursing lounge is equipped with padded benches, an electrical outlet and changing area. ONT strives to make your family feel like you’re at home, even when you’re en route to your destination!

Plan Your Next Family Trip with ONT

Introducing your young child to the adventure of traveling doesn’t have to be stressful. With all of ONT’s one-of-a-kind services and family-friendly amenities, you’ll be looking forward to the next family trip and making even more special travel memories.