Tampa International Airport is a Breeze for Families with Young Kids

Anyone who has ever done airplane travel with young children knows it requires an enormous amount of preparation, planning, and patience. Between making flights, waiting out long lines, and avoiding meltdowns, the entire process can start to feel like one big, daunting gauntlet. That’s probably why I always find myself marveling with appreciation at just how convenient and family-friendly of a place Tampa International Airport (TIA) is. As a travel-lover, I’ve passed through 20 some-odd airports abroad and dozens more domestically. And TIA is, hands-down, the most convenient, friendly, well-organized airport through which I’ve ever travelled. What I’ve learned since having kids, is that all those things really size up to making a HUGE difference when you’re a mom!

I’m not alone in my appreciation of how TIA makes travel for families an easier, more pleasant experience either. Decades worth of awards attest to a local airport that’s top-notch when it comes to making sure travelers have a smooth, stress-free experience. Just last year, TIA earned a spot on CNN’s travel webpage featuring “10 of the World’s Most Loved Airports.” Read on to learn just what makes TIA such a great for moms and tips on how to maximize your experience whether flying in or out of TIA.

1. Lots to See – If you’re like me, as a mom, you spend a lot of time narrating the world around you for your child: a.)Because its great for learning and building vocabulary and b.) Because it goes a long way in making even the most ordinary outing feel like an exciting adventure. Thanks to the Public Art Program, TIA offers lots to engage the youngest of travelers. Some highlight pieces sure to capture the interest of curious minds include Lisa and Joe Vogts “Kites and Flight” (Airside A) and the Bird Sculptures by Roy Butler (Ticketing Level just above the escalators). Another sure hit for the little ones is TIA’s Marine Exhibit — a 1,500 gallon aquarium stocked with clown fish, tangs, and wrasses.

2. Lots to Shop – One of my biggest anxieties as a traveling mom is that I’ll leave something important behind. The truth is that sometimes it happens too! Last time, it was my 2-yr-olds beloved Boo Bear. With a comprehensive collection of shops, chances are you’ll be able to purchase most big travel necessities from toiletries to garments, to over the counter medicine to gifts for folks awaiting your arrival on the other side. (Maybe just not Boo Bear!) My favorite kid-appealing shop for little travelers is Mindworks, a novelty toy store located in Airside A. This little gift shop has a good selection of toys to entertain young passengers on flights, a drool-worthy candy station (perfect for lollipop purchases to help with popping ears), and an interactive lego display to keep little hands occupied when flights are delayed.

3. Low Wait Time – The relatively short time I’ve spent waiting in lines at the ticket counters, security check-in, and baggage claim is probably my top reason to love TIA. Things just seem to move more quickly and efficiently there. When my family flew into TIA last month, we breezed off our plane and down to the baggage claim in about 10 minutes. By the time we got there, every single one of our bags had already been removed from the belt and neatly placed to the side by TIA security who kept watch nearby. What a sweet sight after a long day of travel!

4. Lots to Do – Sometimes delayed flights and layovers mean lags in travel time. TIA offers some great options to blow time and keep little bodies occupied. My game plan is typically to run my little one tired before travel so that she spends most of the flight sleeping. A good span of play at any one of TIA’s play areas usually does the trick! Play areas are located for ticketed passangers at Airside A, C, & E. To combat those icky germs moms worry about when kids play in places like that, convenient hand sanitizer dispensers are located at the entry of play areas.

One of my biggest survival strategies for traveling with my daughter is to download a couple episodes of children’s programming from Netflix before stepping on a flight. When all else fails, I have those as a backup to keep my little one amused and happy. The fact that TIA offers free WIFI in all airside buildings, as well as the Landside Terminal, makes downloading quick and easy even if I don’t get the chance to do it before we leave home. For a quiet downtime activity, that doesn’t involve screen-time, stop by Guest Services to collect your complimentary coloring book.

Airport visitors with more substantial amounts of time to burn can even inquire about doing an airport tour or scavenger hunt! I think taking a tour of TIA is an especially excellent idea for children who might be overwhelmed by new environments or have difficulties with transitions. Self-guided tours can be done at anytime with prior notice. But if you would like to schedule a tour-guide, you must book well in advance. Whichever tour you choose, TIA Guest Services will provide you with the coordinating giveaway bag and agenda. Contact Synovia Blakley by phone (813) 870-9759 or email at [email protected] for more information.

5. Lots to Eat – A lot of food and snacking options make for great travel in my book! These days of budget-crunching, we’re lucky to get a snack on a flight, never mind an actual meal. You won’t go hungry at TIA though, with a wide variety of sit down and to-go dining options. One of my favorite pit-stops on route to our flights at TIA is Zia’s for a smoothie at Airside A.  I’ve gotten in the routine of buying a smoothie for my toddler before flights to help her avoid painful ear-popping during take-offs. Since she typically only drinks milk and  water at home, the straw-sucking goodness of a smoothie keeps her a happy camper even with shifts in cabin pressure. My second favorite food option is the Tampa Bay News Connection (Airside A) for healthy snacks. This shop actually has a rack designated “healthy snacks.” I’ll admit that I shamelessly use food as entertainment on flights — especially if it means heading off a melt-down. But at least at TIA, I don’t have to settle for trashy snacks!

Tell me, what tricks can you share for smooth sailing with your little traveler at the airport?