What You Can Do

Criteria for Specific Organizations

Different organizations have different needs, and different opportunities to be child-friendly. The following criteria were developed for specific types of businesses and organizations. In addition to Child-Friendly Initiative's general criteria, these suggestions will help to create an environment welcoming to children in almost any public or private space.

We welcome your input! Help us add to and refine the criteria, and send us your suggestions.

Restaurants

• Greet children and make them feel welcome.
• Provide high chairs and/or booster seats when appropriate.
• Provide children's menu or children's portions.
• Offer healthy food choices for children - not just pizza, hot dogs or burgers.
• Provide crayons or other quiet toys at the table.
• Make straws and/or plastic cups and other child-sized utensil available.
• Make sure wait staff take care when serving or placing hot foods on the table.

Retail Shops

• Greet children and make them feel welcome.
• Create a Polaroid photo display of neighborhood children.
• Provide easy stroller access; make sure aisles are wide enough for strollers.
• Encourage staff to be aware of parent's needs (offer assistance with hard-to-reach items, hold open doors, carry bags, assistance folding and stowing a stroller).
• Allow a private restroom to be used by children in emergencies.

Supermarkets and Malls

• Designate reserved parking for new and expecting mothers adjacent to the disabled parking spaces.
• In addition to changing tables in all restrooms, create a "nursery" adjacent to the restroom. Provide changing tables, comfortable chairs and low lighting levels.

Medical Offices

• Greet children and make them feel welcome.
• Offer a give-away item such as a sticker, small toy or child-sized toothbrush.
• Create a small play area in the waiting room stocked with books and quiet toys for various age levels.
• Take time to discuss strategies with parents and children before medical procedures.
• Show compassion to parents and children during medical procedures.
• Allow parents and children a little extra time in the examination room if comfort is needed after an appointment.

Government Offices and Public Utilities

• Create a children's play area with safe, sturdy toys adjacent to the area where parents stand in line or conduct business.
• Create a special line for families with children during busy/peak hours.

Buses and Trains

• Provide stroller parking on-board.
• Create reserved seating for parents with infants and small children.
• Encourage drivers to assist parents by allowing them a little extra time when boarding and disembarking.
• Encourage drivers to assist parents in finding seats for themselves and their children.

Airports and Air Travel

• In airports, create a special play area with padded floors and safe activity equipment, large enough for children to run around and let off steam.
• In addition to changing tables in all airport restrooms, create a "nursery" adjacent to the restroom or play area. Provide changing tables, comfortable chairs and low lighting levels.
• Airlines should allow families with children to board first.
• On board, provide items that are entertaining and useful (crayons, a coloring book, or small, safe toy).
• Designate family sections on airplanes by reserving a few rows for parents traveling with children (to minimize the interruption to other passengers, and make it easier for parents and children to interact safely).

If  you are a business owner or patron of an establishment that you think qualifies for the Child-Friendly Seal of Approval please apply!