Frankfurt Airport (Germany)-- 1.5 stars

Frankfurt fared poorly from the kids' point of view-- at least, when you're flying out of Terminal 2.  True, there IS a play area, and it's not a terrible one.  However, the location is not good-- it's outside of security, at the food court.  Nervous parents have to go through security even earlier than do other passengers, because, frankly, everything takes us 10 times as long even though we only have a few little extra people with us.  Once you're through security in Frankfurt, it's Auf Wiedersehen, playtime.  Read on for my standard review:

Are there one or more play areas?  Yes.  It's a climbing style "rocket ship" with some balls, and it's located by MacDonald's outside security.  According to the website there is also a play area in Terminal 1, by the gates, but we did not travel through there this time.

Is there one in every terminal, after passport control? no

Is the play area conveniently located? nope, not if you're planning on flying!

Is there information about the play areas available online? yes, at http://www.frankfurt-airport.com/cms/default/rubrik/24/24889.children.html

Are maps clearly labeled to make finding the play areas easy? n/a.  I asked one of the shop attendants if there was a play area in terminal 2 and she said no. 

Are there one or more nursing areas?  not that I saw.

Description:  The play area is in the center of the food court.  There was a space ship for climbing up and sliding down, as well as a steep wide incline that served as a general slide.  This was not entirely safe for smaller guys, as 5-6 kids would slide down it at the same time (it's that wide.)  They careened into each other fairly regularly.
The place was packed when we were there, mainly I think because it's right by the food court.  Not a bad play area in and of itself, but with so many kids there, so little supervision (most parents were getting food or eating it), and the necessity of leaving to go through security, I found it less than ideal.

Sorry, no pictures this time.  Send me some if you've got them!  My next review will be of the airport in Saint Louis.  Brace yourselves!

Seoul-Incheon International Airport (5 stars)

South Korea's main airport is hands-down the most family-friendly airport I've ever been to.  Who would have thought it?  It is the only airport I will give a solid five-star rating to, unequivocally.   According to their website there's an observation deck as well as numerous gardens, but we've never gone to them because we're so busy in the numerous play and craft areas.  Read on for more:

Are there one or more play areas?  Yes, tons!  There are at least 3 playground-style play areas in the main terminal, and another fun "ball-pit" style one in terminal 2, and another enclosed play area in the relaxation and massage area on the 4th floor.

Is there one in every terminal, after passport control? yes, more than one!

Is the play area conveniently located? absolutely, you never have to walk far to get to one.

Is there information about the play areas available online? yes, but it's difficult to find.  This could use some improvement.

Are maps clearly labeled to make finding the play areas easy? yes, they have a little nursery symbol (bottle) and a play symbol (teddy bear)

Are there one or more nursing areas?  yes

Description:   First of all, all the play areas are clean and well maintained.  The playground ones are right by the gates, very convenient.  The ball pit one is still not far from gates in terminal 2.  Also, when the kids get tired of playing, there are some wonderful cultural "experience" areas, where you can try your hand at some traditional Korean games and crafts or even get your picture taken in Korean clothing.  Upstairs, near the massage area and yet another play area, there's a cultural museum as well.

No television sets hyping up the kids, and the play areas have never been crowded.  Nice added bonus:  one of the duty free shops has a good saltwater aquarium (it goes along with a makeup line)-- also a good diversion.  We now head out to the airport hours early, because we know the kids will be entertained and have plenty of opportunity to wear themselves out before we take off.  More pictures below...

 More pictures of the "ball pit" style area in Terminal 2:

Playground-style play area by the gates (pictured at the left)... there are several of these in the main terminal.

Stop by tomorrow to see what I have to say about Frankfurt!

Albuquerque International Sunport (0 stars)

Well,  Albuquerque has made my job easy, though distasteful.  There is nothing in the whole, admittedly small, "sunport" that demonstrates they thought about their smallest customers when designing the place.  Unless you want to count the ice cream.

Albuquerque is a great city and has lots to offer families, but the airport lags far behind in that respect.  The best things I found there for my kiddos were the tiny observation deck and, later, a small open spot of floor near the departure gate.  At this point in our travels I was trying to maneuver around with a stroller, two cranky toddlers, two cowboy hats, a balloon (? where did we get THAT?), a dish of ice cream, our carry-on bag, and some soiled pants.  Don't get me started.

So the long and short of it is that, though I love Albuquerque, the Sunport rates a fat 0 when it comes to kids.  Sorry, but the truth hurts.  Here, for form's sake, are my standard questions and answers for establishing the rating:

Are there one or more play areas?  No

Is there one in every terminal, after passport control? n/a

Is the play area conveniently located?  n/a

Is there information about the play areas available online? n/a

Are maps clearly labeled to make finding the play areas easy? n/a

Are there one or more nursing areas? no

Description: n/a

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (3.5 stars)

Sea-Tac has made a distinct effort, and in that respect it's better than many of the US airports I've visited.  I stopped through the Seattle-Tacoma Airport in July, 2009.  There is a play area, and it's 1,400 square feet of climbing, sliding, and interactive fun.  It was hopping busy the whole time I was there.  I'm very reluctant to give Sea-Tac any more than 3.5 stars, though you may disagree with me.  For more info read on:

Are there one or more play areas?  There is one.  It's big and centrally located.

Is there one in every terminal, after passport control? no-- the two satellites have no play areas.

Is the play area conveniently located?  yes, in a sense that it is near the major restaurants.  However, the location is not fantastic in terms of getting to gates for departure-- you have to allow a good 20 minutes for walking to the gates that are located in the concourses, and quite a bit more for taking the train to the satellites.

Is there information about the play areas available online? yes, it is on the interactive airport map at http://www.portseattle.org/about/maps/cte.shtml

Are maps clearly labeled to make finding the play areas easy? yes-- there's a teddy bear symbol.  It is very close to the central food court area.

Are there one or more nursing areas? yes, as well as a family restroom, attached to the play area.

Description: The play area is relatively clean, though it was beginning to show wear.  I never saw less than 10 kids running around there, so it must see some pretty heavy traffic.  That, combined with the fact that it is quite a hike to most of the gates, leads me to conclude that Sea-Tac needs to sprinkle a few smaller play areas around the remainder of the airport.  The family restroom is a nice touch, as is the fact that the play area is without a television.  Kids traveling on airplanes are already overstimulated, they don't need cartoons running in the background, too!

Note for military families:  If you have tons of time, enough that you could leave the secure area, come back in and still make your flight, then the Sea-Tac USO is small but fantastic.  Loads of free snacks (including milk and sandwiches, healthy kid options!) and a small playroom are available there, in addition to a tv room.

Narita International Airport (Tokyo) (4 stars)

For my first post, I've decided to review the Narita International Airport in Tokyo. My last visit there was in July, 2009. Overall I give Narita 4 stars for kid-friendliness-- they've done a great job. Here is the breakdown:

Are there one or more play areas? yes-- at least 4.

Is there one in every terminal, after passport control? yes

Are play areas conveniently located?  yes, they're scattered liberally around the airport so that you never have to walk far to get to one.

Is there information about the play areas available online? yes, at http://www.narita-airport.jp/en

Are maps clearly labeled to make finding the play areas easy? yes-- there's a soccer ball symbol.

Are there one or more nursing areas? yes, attached to most of the play areas.

Description: The play areas are clean, if a little small. There are private restrooms and diaper change areas in the enclosed play areas, although one play area (pictured at the right) is not enclosed (except by those cushios) and seems just haphazardly placed next to a moving walkway and some departure gates.  It's super convenient for last-minute playing if you're departing from those gates, but a little tough to keep the tinier kids confined to it.

There is an interesting little origami "museum," which is basically just a display of various origami (two examples pictured at the left). It was entertaining for my boys and I think would entertain a wide range of kids for a short while.

There is a fantastic lounge/ relaxing area with comfortable chairs.

Overall, Narita airport had a relatively great set of offerings for the kids. Only two things would have made it better: First, an interactive/ hands-on cultural experience similar to what is offered in Seoul, South Korea would be a nice touch. Second, there were a lot of stuffed animals and books in the play areas. A climbing or playground style area is better for getting out the wiggles, and easier to maintain.