TUL Partners With Discovery Lab To Open Its First Ever Play Area After Passengers Go Through Airport Security

Kids at Tulsa International Airport have a new way to get some of their energy out before getting on a plane at Tulsa International Airport.

The final touches were made before the grand opening of the new play area by the Discovery Lab at the airport.

After a little hiccup with cutting the opening ribbon, kids were finally able to put the new equipment to the test.

"I'm really excited," said playground enthusiast Jackson Chester, "it has blocks that we can take off, but it's too heavy!"

The play area offered several attractions like a stomp garden, a climbing maze, and a human circuit

"You are the wires. The electricity is passing through you, but it's safe," said Discovery Lab Executive Director Dr. Ray Vandiver.

Jackson's favorite was a corner of playing blocks.

"Because I like to jump on them and slide," he said. 

While he spent lots of time on those, there was clearly another fan favorite.

"We have the net climb which is action-based learning, so it engages mind and body, so you are physically moving through a vertical maze," Dr. Vandiver said about the climbing maze. 

This is the first play area past the security checkpoint the airport has ever had.

"To be able to have a place here for kiddos to run around and get out some energy before they have to go sit on a plane for one hour, two hours and sit still, was really important for us just to be able to provide that customer experience for our families here," said Tulsa International Airport Director of Marketing and Communications Stephanie Chester. 

While Jackson and other kids pressed all the buttons and hoisted themselves up the climbing net, the new exhibit clearly wasn't just for kids.

"At Discovery Lab, we play to learn, and now we can play to learn at Tulsa International Airport," Vandiver said. 

The Discovery Lab play area can be found between gates B7 and B9 and is free to passengers during airport hours.