Getting there is supposed to be half the fun, and if your kids are as airplane-crazy as mine are, airport layovers aren’t particularly a problem. But for many families, time at the airport can be stressful or frustrating. Fortunately, many U.S. airports are investing in some kid-friendly airport features, to distract everyone from the fact that they have another 2 hours until their next flight. Here are some fun and unique features we love:
Let’s face it, ATL is a sprawling city south of the actual city of Atlanta. The airport authority has tried to make it a little less enormous feeling with a nice selection of art exhibits and rotating exhibits. Some of the colorful displays include Flight of the Spirit in Concourse T, Natural Wonder in Concourse C and airFIELD in Concourse F. Youth art galleries are located in Concourses D, E and T.
AUS is a great airport because it celebrates Austin. In addition to being a newer, bright, airy concourse, you’ll find local restaurants here, and even … wait for it … LIVE music! Austin bills itself as “The Live Music Capital of the World,” so why not enjoy some in between flights? There’s a stage in the main Barbara Jordan Terminal, not far from the eateries and shops, and the airport website posts a monthly schedule of what bands will be performing when.
ORD is one of the busiest airports in the world, but that doesn’t mean it’s too busy to worry about its littlest travelers. Head over to Terminal 2, past the security checkpoint to hang out at Kids on the Fly, an interactive and educational play area. Kids can climb on, in and around a helicopter, passenger plane and even a control tower. The airport also has multiple rooms set aside for nursing mothers, including in Terminals 1, 2, 3, and 5.
If you have a longer layover in PHL, we love the Minute Suites located in the Terminal A-B link. This “traveler’s retreat” is sort of a mini hotel right inside the terminal. You can rent a suite for one or two hours, or even an eight-hour flat rate. So, if you have a little one who really needs a good power nap in between flights, this is a godsend. A nice program the company offers is that the first 30 minutes are free for nursing moms. There are also locations at ATL and DFW.
SFO, in addition to having Kids’ Spots play areas in Terminals 2 and 3, has an entire Aviation Museum & Library located in the International Terminal. It also boasts one of the most family-friendly airport websites (https://www.flysfo.com/services-amenities/traveling-with-kids) you’ll find. In addition to listing all the airport restaurants that offer childrens’ menus, as well as other services for families, it has downloadable PDFs of self-guided walking tours of different (pre-security) areas of the terminals. These are specifically geared toward kids and range from 30 to 60 minutes in length.
IAD has a true secret power for longer layovers: The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center (https://airandspace.si.edu/udvar-hazy-center). This field unit of the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum is an easy 15-minute shuttle ride (costing a whole 50 cents!) from the terminal. Inside the facility, you’ll see two hangers’ worth of jaw-dropping displays, like a Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, the Space Shuttle Discovery, and a Concorde. Tours are available, or you can simply wander around on your own schedule before heading back to Dulles for your flight on an aircraft that is sure to be much less interesting.
Paul J. Heney is an award-winning writer and avid world traveler. He has written extensively about family travel, green issues, cruises, and LGBT travel issues. He lives in suburban Cleveland with his partner and two sons, Joshua, 16, and Mathew, 10. Follow him on Twitter at @paulheney or Instagram at @paulheney.
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