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.