Airports Smartening Up About Kids
Children's Stores & Activities Growing at Airports

With children's stores growing at airports across the country, the summer season bodes well for families traveling by air. Parents with extra time at the airport now have more choices than ever before to distract, entertain, and even educate their kids. Stores with a fun and educational approach to their merchandising, such as Mindworks and National Geographic, are helping to fuel this growth spurt.

Mindworks just opened its sixth store in the 33-store retail gallery at Philadelphia International Airport. A specialty toy and gift store, Mindworks is designed as a playtime oasis for children of all ages. The National Geographic store opened earlier this year at LaGuardia Airport's Central Terminal Building and features unique items from around the world, helping to create an exotic retail environment that makes browsing an education in world culture.

Susan Stackhouse is president of Stellar Partners, a Florida-based firm that developed Mindworks specifically for airports. The increase of children's stores is the result of "a realization of opportunities in the children's market," says Stackhouse. "Just a few years ago, specialty children's stores were missing from airport retail. Now our stores meet the need for children's gifts and activities, and offer a playful, exciting environment for all travelers."

Paul McGinn, President of MarketPlace Development, a Newton, MA-based airport retail developer and manager, added that "family-friendly stores such as Mindworks, National Geographic, Discovery Channel and InMotion Pictures appeal to both leisure and business travelers making impulse buys." Discovery Channel has a popular location at Philadelphia International Airport and will be joined shortly by InMotion Pictures, already operating at LaGuardia and 26 other locations.

In addition to children's stores, airports are looking at other ways to meet the needs of travelers with children, from fun and innovative play areas to children's menus at the airport's restaurants and food courts. Here are highlights of some of the family-friendly stores, restaurants, and activities at LaGuardia Airport and Philadelphia International Airport:

LaGuardia's Central Terminal

Barbara's Bestsellers: Extensive selection of children's books. Kids' Summer Coloring, from May 27th through August 31st.

Figs Restaurant: Kids Eat Free! This summer, families traveling with kids can take advantage of the Kids Eat Free special with any paid adult entrée. Kids choices include Macaroni Simoni - Figs' version of the popular macaroni & cheese, pizza, spaghetti and more. (CONTINUE...)