New play area for kids opens at Washington Reagan National

Washington Reagan National Airport has opened ‘Curiosity Runway’, a new play area that it hopes will pique the pre-flight imagination of families with children.

The gateway has created the new space in partnership with the National Children’s Museum – a learn-through-play institution in downtown Washington DC that sparks curiosity through science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) exhibits and programmes – and Boeing.

Reagan National operator, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA), notes that the new addition is located just beyond the North Security Checkpoint between the C and D Gates and is designed to provide families with “a dedicated, comfortable area where young children can safely play, learn, and explore”.

“As more families visit our airports, we need to make sure we’re making their experience a good one,” explained MWAA’s president and CEO, Jack Potter. “Curiosity Runway gives children a place to play, which could also lead to more comfortable travel experiences for all passengers.”

As an institution dedicated to playful STEAM experiences, National Children’s Museum designed Curiosity Runway to encourage open-ended, imaginative play based on STEAM principles like flight and movement. Experiences include:

Paper Airplane Climber: A multi-level platform that allows children to climb to new heights in a whimsical structure modelled after a paper airplane. Along the way, imaginative play elements – like a pint-sized cockpit  – help young travellers tap into their creative potential.

Jetsetter Slide: After reaching the top of the Paper Airplane Climber, explorers will start their descent via the twisty Jetsetter Slide for a thrilling ride back to Earth.

Cruising Altitude Cloud Crawler: Curiosity Runway’s youngest visitors will crawl and toddle through an active, cloud-inspired play structure that encourages gross motor skill building. Multi-coloured windows add an additional layer of sensory exploration.

“I Spy” Observation Deck: Future STEAM innovators will develop a deeper understanding of planes at the Observation Deck, where signage will prompt them to search the tarmac for airport equipment and planes, including the Boeing 737 MAX.

“Curiosity Runway is an extension of the wonder found inside National Children’s Museum, and we’re thrilled to share the joy of play-based, STEAM learning with families traveling to and from our DC home,” said Crystal Bowyer, president and CEO of National Children’s Museum.

“We are honoured to partner with MWAA and Boeing to present this space designed specifically for young children.”