Family Friendly Airports Around the US

What to Do With Kids While Waiting to Board the Plane

Aug 29, 2008

Keeping children entertained in the air is a challenge, but at these American airports, play areas for kids help to pass the time.

Many airports have designed and installed airport facilities for children that make time at the airport less stressful. At the American gateways below, special diversions keep family travel fun with kid friendly play areas and attractions.

At O’Hare kids have two separate play areas to choose from after passing through security. Terminal 2’s Kids On The Fly exhibit was designed by the Chicago Children’s Museum and features flying-related fun such as a make-believe air traffic control tower and a kid-sized helicopter. In Terminal 5, kids learn how to react to emergency situations thanks to the Play It Safe exhibit and fun space, presented by the museum and the Chicago Fire Department.

Billing itself as America’s Friendliest Airport, Sky Harbor is a destination in itself. In Terminal 2, a constantly changing museum exhibition offers wonderful glimpses into various arts and cultures. Terminal 3 boasts a kids play area past the security area for Gates 2-9; several interesting shops including the children’s store Curious Creatures can be found both pre- and post-security. For sheer eating and shopping, Terminal 4 is paradise; despite no play area for kids, with 34 eating choices and 32 shops, just walking through the terminal is an activity in itself.

Parents traveling with an infant will appreciate the private nursery rooms available both before and after the security checkpoints in Terminals 1 and 3. Each terminal has more than one; access is gained through a quick call on an airport courtesy phone. In Terminal 3, kids will love the SFO Kids Spot where they can learn about the weather interactively. Ocean loving kids should check out the aquarium in Terminal 1 close to the ticketing area. Both of these exhibits are accessible before going through security.

Concourse C in Lindbergh Terminal featues a play area with mock airplane and control tower, located not too far from a nursing mother's room. Parents of infants will like the family rooms which can be found in Concourses D, E & F, all past security; they providesa quieter area for nursing, diaper changing and baby play. Although not as extensive, the Humphrey Terminal’s play facilities are across from gate H6.

This major hub for American Airlines sports kids facilities sponsored by big names in fast food. In Terminal D close to Gate D33, the McDonalds Play area awaits kiddies while Terminals B & C each have an aviation-themed Pepsi Junior Flyers Club complete with their own runways, across from gates B12 and C14 respectively.

The copyright of the article Family Friendly Airports Around the US in Travel with Children is owned by Leian Welch. Permission to republish Family Friendly Airports Around the US in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.