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Fisher-Price play areas come to Buffalo Niagara International Airport

Thomas O'Neil-White

Traveling with young children can be difficult, especially getting them through an airport. Officials at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport are hoping to ease the burden by introducing Fisher-Price play areas at three airport gates.

Popular toys like Thomas the Tank Engine, Chatterphone and the xylophone are now inside the airport and large enough for kids to climb on.

Fisher-Price General Manager Chuck Scothon said the structures are perfect for kids to let off a little bit of steam before getting on a plane.

“I think there’s nothing more fun than toys in general,” he said. “And I think kids see the world in a completely different way than we, as adults do, and I think kids can imagine being able to see these toys in a way that allows them to have the most fun ever.”

Credit Thomas O'Neil-White

Fisher-Price is approaching its 90th year of existence and Scothon said in addition to the play areas being a place for kids, they are also a nostalgic nod to adult commuters who once upon a time played with the toys.

Born in Louisville, Kentucky, Thomas moved to Western New York at the age of 14. A graduate of Buffalo State College, he majored in Communications Studies and was part of the sports staff for WBNY. When not following his beloved University of Kentucky Wildcats and Boston Red Sox, Thomas enjoys coaching youth basketball, reading Tolkien novels and seeing live music.
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