Recently published research from the University of British Columbia Okanagan campus shows that therapy dogs can help children to build social skills.
The study, which was published in the Journal of Research in Childhood Education, looked at the impact that working with therapy dogs had on 22 children from the Okanagan Boys and Girls Club over the course of six weeks. Researchers utilized therapy animals from the Building Academic Retention through K9s, or BARK program, to learn more about how the children could learn from and with the dogs.
During the six-week program the children were taught new social skills, such as giving directions to other people. Each child practiced their new skill with a therapy dog—and then with the rest of the participant group. Following practice with the dogs and the other children, the participants then tried out their new skills with university students.
Dr. John-Tyler Binfet, associate professor in the School of Education and director of BARK, said of the program, “Therapy dogs are often able to reach children and facilitate their growth in surprising ways. We saw evidence of this in the social skills of children when they were paired with a therapy dog.”
Researcher and master’s student in the School of Education, Nicole Harris, said, “Findings from our observations suggested that canine-assisted social and emotional learning initiatives can provide unique advantages. Our team saw that by interacting with the therapy dogs, the children’s moods improved and their engagement in their lessons increased.”
After the program ended, Harris interviewed eight of the children. The researcher found that each child felt the social skills training program was enjoyable. The children also said the dogs were a meaningful part of the training program.
Love pets as much as we do?
Tinybeans, the app that allows you to upload and share photos and videos of your little ones with anyone you choose and no one you don’t, has teamed up with Hill's Pet Nutrition to allow users to add a pet! You can create a profile for your four-legged friend, share their photos and videos, receive milestone markers for them and see recommended articles based on your pet’s age and stage.
Up for a challenge? Create a pet profile today, and see if you can add a new memory each day this month. Your furball will love the added attention, and you'll love the fun photos you can look back on!
Looking for autism-friendly events for kids in NYC? We found lots of sensory-friendly and inclusive performances, museum programs and opening hours throughout the city, as well as story times, movie screenings, and more for kids on the spectrum or with special needs. In addition to sensory-friendly programming and events, many museums and theaters offer visual guides, social narratives, sensory maps, and in some cases, even aids on site to make sure your outing is as fun and enjoyable as it can be.
The New Victory Theater
Jeremy Daniel
One of our favorite theaters for kids in NYC is the New Victory Theater. (Check out what they have on stage this season here.) And one of the reasons we love them is their ongoing efforts to reach audiences of all kinds.
In consultation with Autism Friendly Spaces, Inc., select performances at the New Victory are adapted for individuals on the autism spectrum or with sensory sensitivity, with modified lighting and sound, a judgement-free atmosphere and calming corner and activity area. Additionally, Autism Specialists are available throughout the performances to provide assistance as requested or needed. See what shows currently offer sensory-friendly performances here.
LC Kids Relaxed Performances
Theatre des Petites Ames
Another venue for sensory-sensitive theater is Lincoln Center. The organization’s LC Kids program offers relaxed performances adapted for neurodiverse audiences, including children with autism or other disabilities. At these performances, there are no restrictions around noise or movement, audience members are welcome to leave and re-enter the theater, and adjustments are made to these productions to reduce sensory stimuli.
Lincoln Center also offers Passport to the Arts: A Program for Children with Disabilities and their Families, which includes programming across the complex’s many venues, including the New York City Ballet, the Metropolitan Opera, the New York Philharmonic and the Big Apple Circus, the last of which holds autism-friendly performances and Circus of the Senses. Register for the program here.
For autism-friendly performances of big Broadway shows, check out TDF Autism Friendly Performances. These Broadway musicals are presented in a supportive environment for children and adults who are diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder or other sensitivity issues and their families and friends.
Titles include Frozen, The Lion King, Aladdin, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and others. You can see the list of upcoming performances here.
Kaiser's Room
Kaiser's Room
Kaiser’s Room offers arts-based classes in dance and acting aimed at social and skill development. Classes are inclusive and for all ages and held in a safe and supportive environment. You can read more about classes here, and they also run a summer camp for kids ages seven and up.
The organization also produces a sensory-friendly, interactive theater piece throughout the year, Treasure in NYC.
This winter, Kaiser's Room is staging a unique show on December 14 for people with developmental delays. Adventure in Winter Wonderland is a 45-minute multi-sensory, interactive theatrical experience. Five performers take a maximum of seven "Junior Adventure Guides" on a search for holiday presents in a safe environment. The show includes singing songs, making new friends, and using your imagination.
Sat., Dec. 14. Noon-1p.m. Tickets: $35/participant (families watch for free) The Studio Lab 32 Sixth Ave. Soho Online: kaisersroom.org
Marlene Meyerson JCC
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The Center for Special Needs at the Marlene Meyerson JCC offers classes and programming that is open to the community. Classes, which have a high staff-to-child ratio include supportive gymnastic and swimming, as well as events for teens, parents and siblings.
The Samuel Priest Rose Building 334 Amsterdam Ave at 76th St. Upper West Side 646-505-4444 Online: jccmanhattan.org
Liberty Science Center
Liberty Science Center
The Liberty Science Center in Jersey City offers a Sensory Map, which idenitifes areas in the building with bright lights, high volume, tight spaces, strong smells, live animals, and other points to help people plan their visit. You can download it here.
The museum also developed a Social Narrative Map that helps prepare learners for the new experience and environment of visiting the museum. You can download it here.
The museum also hosts Special Needs Days for school groups, that require pre-registration. Find more info here.
Liberty Science Center 222 Jersey City Blvd. Liberty State Park 201-200-1000 Online: lsc.org
A drop-in program designed for families with children ages six and up, Guggenheim for All invites children on the autism spectrum and their families to explore works of art in sensory-friendly experiences in the galleries and create their own art in the studio. It’s free, although registration is required.
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum 1071 5th Ave. Upper East Side 212-423-3500 Online: guggenheim.org
Family Fun for All at the Whitney Museum of American Art
Whitney Museum of American Art
Every three months the Whitney invites families with children ages six and up on the autism spectrum to enjoy sensory-friendly gallery activities and a hands-on art-making workshop before the Museum opens to the general public. Families explore a current Whitney exhibition and create their own art inspired by works on view. Registration is required.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art has developed a robust library of museum-specific resources for visitors on the Autism Spectrum, including tips for parents, sensory-friendly maps, social narratives, a “My Met Tour”, a visual checklist and tour, and an interactive map.
The Museum also hosts a monthly Discoveries program for children and adults with a range of developmental and learning disabilities and those on the autism spectrum. These multi-sensory workshops, which explore a different theme each session include tactile opportunities and art-making activities. Workshops are free, but you must register, which you can do by calling 212-650-2010 or emailing access@metmuseum.org.
Metropolitan Museum of Art 1000 5th Ave. Upper East Side 212-535-7710 Online: metmuseum.org
The American Museum of Natural History: Discovery Squad Tours
The Discovery Squad is a unique tour program designed for families affected by autism spectrum disorders. Developed in collaboration with the Seaver Autism Center at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, the tours take place before the museum is open to the public, and are free with regular museum admission. Click here for upcoming tour dates. Advance registration is required; email accessibility@amnh.org or call 212-313-7565 to register.
American Museum of Natural History Central Park West & 79th St. Upper West Side 212-769-5100 Online:amnh.org
Access Family Programs at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
The Intrepid offers many resources and programs for children on the autism spectrum. You can access social narratives, sensory guides, and visual vocabularies prior to a visit, and sensory bags, containing noise-cancelling headphones, fidget toys, and other tools can be borrowed as well.
On the programming front, the Intrepid Museum offers Early Morning Openings and for children ages three to 18 and their families, when they can experience the Museum in a sensory-friendly environment. In the morning, educators lead short, interactive tours designed for all learners, as well as drop-in art activities and structured social/play opportunities.
The Intrepid Museum also offers monthly programs for children (ages 5-17) with learning and developmental disabilities. Similar family programs for teens ages 15 and older and adults with developmental disabilities are offered six times a year. These two-hour programs take place on select Sundays during regular Museum hours. Families take a guided, interactive tour of the museum and participate in art-making activities.
Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum Pier 86 West 46th St. & 12th Ave. Midtown Manhattan Tickets: $25 Adults; $18 children 5-12 (free for 4 and under) Online: intrepidmuseum.org
Access Family Workshops at The Jewish Museum
Jewish Museum
These workshops invite visitors with learning or developmental disabilities to examine current exhibits and permanent works in the museum and then create a work of their own. Workshops include gallery activities and an art project. For more information or to register for a workshop, call 212.423.3289 or email access@thejm.org.
Jewish Museum 1109 5th Ave. Upper East Side 212-423-3200 Online: thejewishmuseum.org
Created with an advisory committee of scholars and professionals with experience serving children with Autism Spectrum Disorders the Brooklyn Children's Museum's Sensory Room is an inclusive space where children of all abilities can engage with their peers and explore their senses. Sessions in the space are balanced between self-guided exploration of the space and a facilitated program by one of BCM’s Educators. Let the educator facilitating know if your child has any particular needs or sensitivities.
The Alamo Draft House Alamo for All program is for young families and guests with special needs. (So the audience may include some new moms with babies, and the films aren't always for kids.) Screenings feature reduced sound, the lights turned up, and noise and latecomers are allowed. You can also move around if you need to.
The first showings of each film on Tuesdays follow Alamo for All rules, with more shows on the weekends. Note that the schedule may vary during holidays. Click here to see what's screening now.
AMC Theaters partners with the Autism Society to offer movie showings when the lights are up, the sound is down, and you can move around as you please. The Sensory Friendly Film program is available on the second and fourth Saturday of every month for family-friendly films and Tuesday evenings (for mature flicks). You can find AMC locations in Bay Plaza in the Bronx and Magic Johnson Theater in Harlem. Check your local theatre listings for specific showtimes.
Sensory Storytime and Events at Your Local Library
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It’s well-known that libraries host loads of events for kids of all ages, from LEGO play to sing-alongs and holiday happenings. Among them, is Sensory Storytime, a fun and interactive library literacy program designed to engage kids through movement, music, stories, and sensory activity play. Open to all, the program and is ideal for children with autism spectrum disorders, sensory integration challenges, or children who have difficulty sitting still.
In Queens, the Astoria branch hosts Circle of Friends for children 6-13 years old with autism spectrum disorder. The program’s goal is to help children learn social skills through simple science experiments, art projects, and board games. The branch holds reading with therapy dogs for kids; advance registration is required for those; call 718-278-2220 to do so.
The New York Transit Museum hosts a wide variety of events and programs for New Yorkers with special needs as part of its Access Programs.
One Special Day for Special Kids, the museum invites children with disabilities and their families to explore the space while it is closed to the public for the first hour of the day. The event includes free admission, fun activities about transit, and a quiet room. Special Day for Special Kids takes place three times a year (next one is March 2020), and registration is strongly recommended. All ages are welcome.
Subway Sleuths is an after-school program for students in 2nd through 5th grades who are on the autism spectrum. The program uses a shared interest in trains among kids on the autism spectrum as a means to encourage peer-to-peer interaction and develop social skills and confidence. Subway Sleuth groups are created through advance screenings by expert facilitators, who curate groups of kids with similar social and communication profiles. Applications are typically due in September of each year. Read more about the program here.
Boerum Place at Schermerhorn Street Downtown Brooklyn 718-694-1600 Online: nytransitmuseum.org
As cruise director of your kiddos’ summer fun ship, you may be on a desperate hunt for new ways to keep the dreaded “I’m bored’s” at bay. LA’s local libraries are an invaluable resource for parents, offering a wide variety of fab (and totally free) activities for littles throughout the year – everything from magic shows and drag queen story hours to movie screenings and a chance to read to pups. Here’s our round-up of creative library offerings that go way beyond the norm.
Dodgers Storytime
photo: Los Angeles Public Library
Take me out to the library, take me out to the books! Pint-sized baseball fans will go peanuts over Dodgers Storytime. The LA Dodgers have partnered with the LA Dodgers Foundation to do “LA Reads” – a literacy campaign designed to motivate local youth and help them develop a lifelong love of reading. Beloved Dodgers players visit local libraries around town to read to kiddos and challenge them to grow into “Dodgers Reading Champions.” After storytime, kids are invited to snag autographs and take pics. For the next event happening near you, be sure to check out the calendars and wear your Dodger blue!
LA libraries offer crazy cool activities to inspire the future Frank Lloyd Wrights and Richard Meiers in your abode. Library employees supply everything from Legos and cardboard to building blocks, depending on the day’s activity and encourage kids to create structures beyond their wildest imaginations.
Tots will magically stop whining when you take them to the library for a little hocus pocus fun. Many of LA’s top magicians perform shows at local libraries year-round – entertaining families with amazing sleight of hand, illusions, and comedy that will make you wonder, “How’d they do that? And where’s my wallet?” We kid. We kid. But they really are great shows, so skip the Magic Castle for now and catch some tricks for free.
Local libraries feature a wide variety of arts and crafts activities so everyone in your group is bound to find something they dig. Maybe you have a kiddo who’s dying to learn the art of origami – they have that! Maybe you have a little one who wants to make space aliens out of recycled materials – yep, they have that too! All materials are supplied by the library, saving you a run to Tar-jay.
If gigantic bubbles are your jam, then you should definitely hit up the LA libraries for their outstanding bubble artist performances. The city’s top bubble masters teach kids the science behind bubbles in a visual show filled with color, light and wonder in motion. Additional events include bubble painting parties and opportunities to stand inside your very own bubble.
If you want to pry the kids out of the house to catch a movie, but don’t feel like battling the Arclight crowds, why not treat your brood to a flick at the library? On select afternoons, myriad LA libraries host free matinees of kid-friendly faves like Wonder Park, Lego Movie 2, The Goonies, Ralph Breaks the Internet and so on.
On any given day, one of your fabulous local libraries is likely hosting some of the most outstanding musical talent in town (hello, no cover charge). From guitar soloists and college a cappella groups to jazz trios, and Beatles tribute bands, their pitch-perfect performances will thrill music lovers young and old. Most shows are mid-afternoon or early evening, so be sure to check the calendars for one that suits your family’s schedule.
Libraries around LA offer kids amazing opportunities to boost their reading confidence by reading to pups. Wonderful organizations like BARK, Paws 4 Healing, and Paws for Life bring trained therapy dogs to the library on selected afternoons and give kids a chance to snuggle up and read a favorite tale or two out loud. May we suggest Go, Dog, Go?
You better werk that book, honey. Drag Queen Story Hour is a fantastic program that’s been happening in LA for quite a while now. If you haven’t brought the kids yet, we highly recommend it. Fantastical drag queens (are there any other kind?) read progressive stories to tikes, infusing them with humor, glamour and straight-up sass. The sessions provide a fun opportunity to teach children about empathy, acceptance and fabulous individuality. Crafts are often provided afterward and post storytime photos with the queen herself are more than welcome. Check these participating library calendars for dates and times.
The LAPD Read Along program was created by the Los Angeles Police Department’s Community Relationship Division to help promote child literacy and build positive and inspiring interactions between police officers and young people. Uniformed LAPD officers pay weekly visits to the Eagle Rock, Arroyo Seco, Cypress Park and (coming soon) Los Feliz library branches to read to kids and tackle any questions they may have. It’s a wonderful way for kiddos to form lasting bonds with the police and get psyched about reading at the same time.
Billy didn’t choose to see, feel and process the world differently. He just does. But having his therapy dog with him helps him stay calm, learn to read and protects him from harm. He doesn’t know how that works (and neither do we), it just does.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) affects communication and behavior, and symptoms typically begin within the first two years of life. ASD manifests in children in many ways that set them apart. Avoidance of eye-contact, lack of attempts at social contact with other people, and abnormal responses to other people’s emotional displays are all hallmarks of the disorder. Since signs of ASD first appear in childhood, early intervention is one of the most successful ways to help kids learn the skills needed to integrate as much as possible in mainstream society.
While there is no cure for autism, there are treatments available to alleviate or control the symptoms. Primary therapies involve ways to identify, improve and reinforce positive social behaviors and reduce negative behaviors. Essentially, therapists help children learn what is intuitive for most of us by teaching specific social skills and the perspective of others. Some of the most promising of these treatments involve pets.
In a 2017 study by the Human-Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) and Green Chimneys examining the effectiveness of an animal-assisted social skills intervention for children with ASD, research found “the inclusion of dogs in social skills training was more effective than traditional programs.” In the presence of a furry companion, participants “exhibited a greater level of change in social skills, fewer restricted and repetitive behaviors and decreased feelings of isolation and depression.”
While the healing power of pets is evident to some of us, there is a growing body of scientific research reinforcing this belief. For example, recent research has shown that newborns who live with cats have a lower risk of childhood asthma, pneumonia and bronchiolitis, and research finds the interaction with pets can reduce anxiety, ease blood pressure and heart rate, and offset feelings of depression. In the case of ASD therapy, it isn’t fully clear why animals incorporated into therapy seems to be effective, but there are some theories.
One theory is since human faces are very expressive, kids with ASD become easily overwhelmed with all the cues. It’s like trying to learn a foreign language with someone who speaks really, really fast. When you can’t keep up, it’s easy to get frustrated. Especially when that person can’t seem to understand why it’s taking you so long and expresses any kind of impatience. Animals’ faces are less expressive, and pets simply don’t get impatient, at least not with reading. My daughters Lily (age 8) and Ivy (age 6) report that our dog Lucy is always calm during reading, and Lucy does not correct pronunciation mistakes; a pet is a source of love without judgement, which may help build confidence and trust.
And lastly, it’s not just the child with ASD that benefits from having either service or therapy animals available. In a separate HABRI-funded study examining the effects of pet dogs on families with children with ASD, results showed improvement in family function and a reduction in parent-child dysfunctional interactions of families with a dog. Siblings, parents and caregivers all receive the unconditional love and acceptance of the animals, which lead to documented lower levels of stress and fewer family crises. The amazing and magical power of the human-animal bond helps not only those they directly touch, but all those around them as well.
Investing in the healing power of pets in local institutions means investing in the mental and emotional wellbeing of children experiencing ASD and their caregivers. Ask your child’s doctor or therapist how they can benefit from animal-assisted therapy.
Dr. Amanda Landis-Hanna, DVM, has practiced small animal, exotic, shelter, and relief medicine. She was a VCA medical director for 7 years in California and Virginia, served as director of veterinary medicine for Voyce from 2013 to 2016, and is currently senior manager of veterinary outreach at PetSmart Charities.
If you’re worried about any looming travel plans with your kids—fret not! A slew of U.S. airports are wising up to the plight of parents and adding kid-friendly perks like playgrounds and nursing stations to their terminals. So whether your kids want to do yoga while they wait or pal around with airport pups, these airports aim to make layovers a little less daunting for kids.
Orlando International Airport (MCO)
Orlando International Airport
It's no surprise that the city that's home to Disneyworld (and Epcot! And Universal!) has an airport that's ready to take on loads of excited little travelers. Escaped the theme parks without souvenirs? Not so fast. Kids will be dragging you to check out the Disney, Universal or Space Center stores (Hint: Be sure to get a picture with Snow White outside the Disney store)—all of which are located in the airport mall before through security. Video game addicts will want to head for the Power Arcade, an expansive game spot located before security on Level Three of Departures. Want to find Nemo? The airport has a 3,000 salt water tank located in the main terminal's food court, so keep your eye out for the real-life orange fish and his pals.
Hint: If you've got a lot of time to kill, the adjacent Hyatt Hotel has "day use rooms" (available from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. for $109 per day) that allow you to unload your bags, hang out at the rooftop pool or sneak a nap in before your flight.
With seven play areas scattered throughout the airport, there's plenty for tiny travelers to do at DTW. Kids will also love riding the Red express tram train, which is operated by Delta and goes from one end of the concourse to the other. If you've got time, check out the groovy underground light tunnel connecting Concourses B and C, featuring 9,000 ft. of glass panels illuminated by LED lighting and set to an original musical score (you can check it out on Youtube first. The tunnel has a moving walkway running both directions, so your kids will probably want to go back and forth (and back and forth and back and forth) basically until your flight departs. Don't say we didn't warn you.
Besides the fact you'll have to explain, over and over, that slot machines aren't arcade games, little kids will have a blast in Vegas—even inside the airport. Check out the indoor play area located on the second level of the D gates, where aviators-in-training can run through the mouth of a life-size airplane engine and direct traffic inside a mini control tower. Older kids will want to check out the 3,000-square foot Aviation Museum (located on Terminal 1, Level 2, above baggage claim) which details the aviation history of southern Nevada.
Pssst: Make sure your kids check out the view as you're landing or taking off! Sin City's twinkling lights—as well as its Eiffel Tower, an Egyptian pyramid and towering Eye (the huge Ferris wheel)—make for great eye candy.
Two indoor play areas, free wifi, designated nursing stations and a killer outdoor play area are just a few of the cool family perks at Cincinnati's biggest airport (which is actually located in Kentucky). Kids hungry for food and play will want to check out the Funway Runway located near the food court in Concourse B. The indoor play area features high-tech educational games like an interactive floor that reacts to motion and an augmented reality ride that puts the rider's face into the game. Concourse B also has a small playground for younger tots sponsored by the Cincinnati Zoo and featuring animal-themed play elements.
Hidden perk: Got some time to spare before your flight? There's an awesome playground and viewing area just outside the airport with aviator-inspired play equipment and picnic tables. It's a great spot—located right next to the airfield—where you and your brood can hang and watch the planes roar by.
J. David Buerk/ Washington Dulles International Airport
Whether you take off from the nation’s capital or land there, your little aviator will dig on the NASA-designed Kids FunWay in the B Concourse when you’ve got time to spare. It’s where they can play with interactive games, climb around on the soft foam pieces and learn about aviation, from the fun facts posted around the playspace. Add in parent seating and charging stations along the wall and you’ve got a spot where the whole fam can take a load off while traveling.
If you're a local and want to arrange an aviator-inspired tour or birthday party, the airport is the place to do it! We are digging the "Dogs of Dulles" tour (offered for groups of 10 or more every fourth Thursday of the month) that shows kids the different types of K-9 teams that work at the airport and what kinds of things the dogs do.
Hidden family perk: Families who have kids with special needs can take part in the Wings for All program. It’s the dress rehearsal for the real thing!
Nursing stations, free Wi-Fi and charging stations are just the tip of the tarmac at this New York airport. The other big family draw is the kid's play area in JetBlue’s T5, where little travelers can climb, jump and run before getting buckled in for takeoff. Don’t forget to check out the T5 Rooftop for some fresh air if the weather’s nice. Be sure to snap a pic of your little city slicker next to the Big Apple at the entrance to the terminal.
Hidden family perk: Zip back and forth on the AirTrain. It doesn’t cost a thing, and the above-it-all views are sweet!
While most airports go with a flight-themed play area, LA has gone in a different direction. Little beach bums will love climbing, sliding and surfing at LAX’s beach-themed play area (Hint: Be sure to snap a pic of your little one catching a wave!). If that’s not enough to keep them smiling, check out the Flight Path Museum and Learning Center, located in the LAX Imperial Terminal.
Hidden family perk: Head to Terminal 4 to take a tasty tour of the rotating food trucks parked there. Yum!
Second only to Atlanta as the country’s busiest airport, Chicago’s O’Hare reigns when it comes to keeping kids busy on-the-go. Grab some Garrett’s popcorn and head over to the Kids on the Fly play space for starters. You sit back while they climb around the control tower and make repairs on helicopters and planes. When they’re ready to move on, take a ride on The Sky’s the Limit—the recognizable lighted moving walkway you probably recognize from that P-Diddy video. It’s one of those “never gets old” experiences your kiddo will love. Add plenty of mother’s rooms for feeding baby, yoga rooms for de-stressing, and free Wi-Fi, and you’ve got every reason not to sweat that layover. Get more O’Hare survival tips here.
If your flight falls prey to Chicago's famously unpredictable weather, take a load off and book a day use room (for as low as $79!) at the Hilton Hotel, which is connected to O'Hare via the underground walkway.
Hidden family perk: Breath easy in O’Hare’s aeroponic urban garden located in Terminal 3. The fresh veggies and herbs grown there are used in the airport’s restaurants.
This Tennessee airport is all about the kids. And keeping them busy with three themed play spaces is how the airport aims to make travel easy for families. Expect a mix of airplanes, animals, climbing walls and LEGO tables when you take your kidlet to play at the far end of any of the terminals. Then it’s off to walk, in search of fun kid shops, like Fly Babies or Nashville Zoo, before tracking down museum-worthy art exhibits.
Hidden family perk: Entertain your mini musicians with live music performances throughout the year. What else would you expect from Music City’s airport?
Whether your journey begins or ends in Seattle, there’s plenty to do with your sidekick here, starting with active playtime at the enclosed Playroom, located between the Main Terminal and the A Gates. It’s where kids can climb and jump around on soft, oversized baggage, a control tower and planes before take off. Then it’s time to watch planes and fill your tummies in the Main Terminal, and, if you’re lucky, catch some tunes there too. SeaTac rocks a daily musical lineup around the airport for passengers of all sizes to enjoy. Get the full scoop on SeaTac’s family-friendly finds here.
Hidden family perk: The number of nursing pods in the airport has tripled in the past year, helping families feed their babes with ease and privacy on the go!
Take your future pilot to play at Ready for Takeoff, the educational playscape at Philly’s international airport in the Terminals A-B connector. It’s got everything your kids needs to play at aviation, including radios that allow the pretendtower and play plane to communicate with each other.
Nursing mothers will want to locate the various nursing stations throughout the airport. These include the space capsule-esque Mamava pod, a 4-foot by 8-foot self-contained, mobile lactation room that features comfortable benches, a fold-down table, an electrical outlet and a door that can be locked for privacy. It's located post-security in Terminal F and is available at no charge. You can even download the Mamava app to receive notifications when you’re in the immediate vicinity of the pod, to unlock the room, and to monitor the availability status.
Hidden family perk: Download this free printable, developed by Philly International, before you head to the airport. Families also enjoy PHL's entertainment program Enjoy PHL which includes live performances and demonstrations by magicians, caricature artists, face painters, acrobat artists, singers and bands throughout the terminals and Food Courts. Children can read one, three, or five-minute stories as they wait for their flight using our short story dispenser in collaboration with the Free Library of Philadelphia in the Terminal D-E connector.
Soft play area? Check. Airport walking path? Check. DFW is all about keeping your kids happy and active when you touch down in the Lone Star state. Families can also channel their inner zen at the Airport yoga studios (Gates B1 & E31) or schedule a free 60- or 90-minute art tour before takeoff. Consider time spent here a pre-vacay treat! Find out more about the family-centric spots here.
Hidden family perk: Seek out DFW’s therapy dogs. There are 12 of them at the airport (hint: try Terminal B first) waiting for your mini animal lover to come over and say “hi.”
You’ll find not one, but two play areas in the Twin Cities airport, where it’s all about airplanes, control towers, and Snoopy (psst … Charles Schulz is a St. Paul native). Include plenty of parent seating (check!) and a slew of iPads attached to counters everywhere (screen time!), and you’ve got yourself an afternoon of airport fun. We’re also crushing on the Navigating MSP Airport program, that helps kids with autism ease their anxiety about flying with a preflight run-through. Kids can also play pinball and a few other games at Lucky Lindy's, a small arcade located at Terminal 1-F.
Hidden family perk: If you’ve got a wiggler, or need to stroll your wee one to sleep, check out the 1.4-mile walking path that runs throughout the airport.
Online:
San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Peter Biaggi/ SFO Airport
Part museum, part play space, the Kids’ Spots in Terminals 2 & 3 are where wiggle worms burn off their extra energy before boarding. They’ll find plasma walls, climbing structures, and interactive activities about changing weather patterns, designed in partnership with the Exploratorium, to keep them busy. Still got time to spare? Wander through the Aviation Museum & Library in the International Terminal, or check out these brilliant ideas to keep your fam busy at SFO. If you or your little ones have the pre-flight jitters (or if you just love dogs!), SFO has a friendly, furry "Wag Brigade" always wandering the terminal in search of cuddles. Just look for the pooches wearing "Pet Me" vests.
Hidden family perk: If you’ve got downtime, take the self-guided Terminal 2 Tour with your sidekick. It ends with a prize!
There’s a reason why PDX has been named the best airport in the country for the last six years, and we’ll give you a hint—it’s not the stylish carpet (although that’s definitely a draw). Parents love it because they can get a good cup of Stumptown coffee there, kids love it for the play areas, Powell’s bookstore branch and a brand new mini-movie theater in the C-concourse that plays a G-rated 10 reel loop that everyone can enjoy. Weird? Maybe. Awesome? Definitely!
Hidden family perk: Looking for a private place to breastfeed your little one? Nursing mothers can find eight comfortable nursing rooms located throughout the airport.
