Is Oshkosh a Good Introduction to Aviation?

We offer tips for making your family visit a memorable one—planting the seeds for a future love of GA.

Julie Boatman

Wednesday, July 20, 2022 at 12:37 PM ET

Verified

Thanks to support from Boeing and EAA, all those 18 years and under have free admission to the show. [Courtesy: EAA]

Key Takeaways:

Kids 18 and under receive free admission; prepare for comfort by bringing snacks, water, comfortable shoes, and rain gear, while planning frequent breaks and utilizing trams and air-conditioned tents.
Engage children by ensuring they see aerial displays and unique aircraft interiors, suitable for various attention spans from a few hours to a full week.
Take advantage of KidVenture, a dedicated area offering age-appropriate, hands-on activities like riveting and propeller shaping, running concurrently with the main event.

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Q: We’d like to bring our kids to EAA AirVenture this year—what do you suggest to make their experience (and ours) the best introduction to general aviation?

A: You can—and should—make your young people part of your AirVenture plan. The fresh air, welcoming folks, and clean grounds make for an excellent backdrop for family fun—and a phenomenal way to introduce your kids to the wide, wide world of aviation.

First off, they get in free! Yes, thanks to support from Boeing and EAA, all those 18 years and under have free admission to the show. And a lot of reasonable food options exist—though I advise that you bring snacks and water of your own that you know your kids like. You can refill water at various stations around the show.