My two year old son is a typical boy. He loves toads, bulldozers, and being destructive.
Growing up with only one younger brother, I do my best to be a cool “boy mom” even though I have no experience with the opposite gender. And while sometimes I fall way short, I’ve discovered it doesn’t take much to instantly win him over as Mom of the Year. For example, the time I came home with a stuffed Elmo. Months later, he’s still sleeping with him in his bed. Or when I discovered you can make “paint” out of a little water and food coloring and Mommy let him go to town outside covering his whole body in colors.
But more recently, the activity that has guaranteed me his love me for a few more months (and a stress-free outing for me) is our new favorite past time; taking a lunch date to Addison Airport to watch the airplanes.
This has been one of my favorite things to do during the weekday! Since having our second little boy, finding ways my toddler without stressing over my newborn has been difficult. He’s run away from me in parks causing me to have to abandon my baby to go chasing after him. (I’m discovering how much I LOVE parks with fences around them!) Mall playgrounds are always packed and present a challenge.
But the beauty of this outing is that we can stay in the car and enjoy our meal of chicken nuggets while watching the planes come and go 100 feet in front of us! My newborn is passed out in the car seat and my 2 year old anxiously awaits the landing of the next plane all while I feel less stressed and safe!
When the weekend roles around my husband (of course) 1-up’s me by letting him get out of the car and watch from a much closer distance while listening to the loud roar of the planes.
His favorite part is when the pilots take the time to wave while he watches them role by.
If this seems like an adventure your kiddos would like to try, or you just need a way to stay in your vehicle like me, here’s what you need to know:
- There are two places to watch the planes. Off of Addison Road is a small L shaped street called Westgrove Drive. Right at the curve is a business strip with parking that faces the runway. This is the best spot to park (But stay in your vehicle!) and watch. If you don’t mind leaving your car, journey just north on Westgrove to the park lot near Excel Pkwy. From here, you can park and cross Westgrove to walk along the fence line.
- Patience is important! Expect the airplanes to move slowly. On average we’ll see about 8-10 in an hour period, so make you have a plan in the down time.
- Addison Airport also has a flight museum – Cavanaugh Flight Musuem. This is a great museum, but unlike the Frontiers of Flight Museum at Love Field, Cavanaugh is designed for kids ages 5 and over.
I’m hoping one day I can take it a step further and surprise him with a trip to DFW International, but that might require a little prep ahead of time and some good advice on where the perfect plane watching spot would be!
What are your favorite spot to go for a lunch date with your kids?
DFW has a parking lot designated for watching the planes (Founders Plaza Observation Area), and we love it because they also broadcast tower communications over a speaker system so you can listen to the pots and control tower. Beware, though: no potties. If your toddler isn’t toilet trained yet, that’s not a big deal. And I guess for boys maybe its not an issue since they like to pee in the grass. I’ve got girls, though, and while they love watching the planes, we sorely miss a place for those emergency bathroom trips!
That’s great news! I had no idea!
We’ll have to go do that soon. He’ll be so impressed by how large the airplanes are.
I LOVE this idea! So creative, yet so easy! Good job, Krystal 🙂
One of our favorite places to go is the Beacon cafe in Haslet, Tx. It is a drive from Addison but definitely worth it for the free entertainment it provides for the kiddos and they have a great brunch buffet. We enjoy sitting on the patio watching the private planes land and take off right in front of us. They actually have designated parking spots for the planes. There is also a train track that runs behind the landing strip so watching the train go by is an added bonus! My 2 your old son is in awe every time we go. I definitely recommend going on the weekend because there are more planes coming and going on the weekends.