We've been traveling the past few days visiting family and it's gotten me thinking about play areas in airports. We came across a pretty decent one in Las Vegas, which could prove be a real life saver if you end up trapped in an there with a toddler and a four-hour layover. I've done a little poking around the web to see what other play areas might exist in different airports, and am pleasantly surprised to see that the idea seems to be taking off. (Pun intended). Some airports also have larger-than-life sculptures that are just begging to be climbed on, such as the giant rabbit we found in Las Vegas in the Delta terminal. I think London had more fun climbing on that than the actual play area, but I was so busy trying to keep her from toppling off that I didn't get any pictures. Here's a few of the rest of the stuff:
I found a few other aiport play areas that would be a welcome haven for any parent traveling with small children. For the most part, the designs are unoriginal and feature big, plastic monstrosities, but I am hoping that with time, better designs will develop and that playground designers will come to see this as an opportunity for something truly unique and interesting. For a more complete list of aiports with kid-friendly features, this site is a great resource. By far, my favorite play area I've come across is the Stockholm Arlanda Aiport, which has created an enchanting forest filled with areas to pick giant blueberries, ride a field mouse, and explore charming cottages. (As if I needed another reason to want to visit Sweden). The play area's design is based on books by one of my favorite children's authors and illustrators, Elsa Beskow. A Swede herself, she lived in the early 1900s and has since had her books translated into 19 languages.
Photos courtesy of Visit Stockholm Blog and Stuck at the Airport
