Great forum topic guys. I have a very kid friendly 7ft x 9ft layout with operating accessories close to the edge of the layout for easy viewing and control by little ones using Lionel #90 Controllers mounted on the edge of the layout set in plexiglas strips with labels for each on the back of the plexi. They control lights and other items from the buttons too, even if they don't read the labels, they have fun pushing them just to see what they do. The older kids run the trains, but I have separated some controls from a central control panel on purpose to let the kids spread out around the layout and work whatever strikes their fancy.
I highly recommend the use of color and a sense of whimsy when involving kids, for instance I have a zeppelin flying over the layout and Godzilla is wreaking havoc on one corner of the layout.
Keep the ideas coming, there are some really good ones posted.
Chris Sheldon
