Christchurch Airport has introduced a new Antarctic-themed playground, posing the question if it is now New Zealand's most family-friendly airport?
A climbable ‘iceberg’ hill, sensory play walls, stepping rocks and a C17 model aircraft are helping young families expend some energy and lessen the stress before boarding, turning any pre-flight nerves into moments of play.
Encouraging families to “play before they fly”, Christchurch Airport’s newly opened Little Explorers Base Camp transforms the airport’s role as the Gateway to Antarctica into an imaginative, hands-on experience for young travellers.
With original characters and artwork by Christchurch illustrator Kyla K, the Antarctic-themed space invites children to climb, jump, slide and explore, while three digital touchscreens with a great array of games, enable young travellers to immerse themselves in the experience.
“We’re committed to being a family-friendly airport,” said Christchurch Airport Chief Commercial & Technology Officer, David Cooper.
“Any parent knows that travel days with kids can be a juggling act. Our Little Explorers Base Camp is designed to ease pre-flight nerves and help parents to hit pause, enabling a calmer start to their journey.”
With more than 850 children under 12 travelling through Christchurch Airport every day, Cooper says the investment reflects a long-term commitment to supporting families to move through the terminal with family-friendly options available at every step of their journey.
“We know more than 170,000 families travel through Christchurch Airport every year, which is why we’re designing every stage of our terminal transformation with families front of mind.”
Alongside the playground, the airport has unveiled a suite of upgraded parent rooms and bathroom facilities, including full-service parent rooms complete with microwaves and private feeding chairs.
Newly refurbished bathrooms featuring stunning West Coast photography by John Doogan now include all-gender options, supporting a more inclusive and equitable experience for all passengers.
Artist Kyla K, who brought the walls of the playground and parent rooms to life with colourful animated penguins, gulls and other Antarctic creatures, said she wanted the artwork to create moments of fun and curiosity.
“Kids see the world with so much imagination, and I wanted the artwork to celebrate that sense of adventure. Creating characters and spaces that help children feel excited, and maybe even a little braver, before they fly has been so much fun.”
The upgraded facilities mark the completion of Stage 1 of the airport’s Terminal Transformation Programme, with a refreshed Level 1 food court, new eateries and retail spaces, upgraded seating and a newly redesigned Domestic Departures already complete.
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