Mum reveals the secret free airport playgrounds people don’t know about
A MUM has revealed how to find the secret and free airport playgrounds that most parents don’t know about.
Travelling with little ones can be a real strain but mums and dads can enjoy some quiet moments while keeping their kids safe and occupied thanks to the hidden areas.
Zara Bartoszewicz, a mum of one who works as a social media executive for holiday provider Ocean Florida, shared her tips to manage long journeys with young children.
As part of her advice she explained that plenty of airports actually provide places for tiny travellers to enjoy themselves and stay entertained during the long wait for the gate.
Zara said: “Most large international airports should have a children’s play area in between gates or within proximity to a seating area, as well as toy stores for them to enjoy.
“For example, Heathrow Airport has a ‘stay and play’ area for children in each terminal, open from 6am to 9pm every day.”
Heathrow isn’t the only one either, with little playgrounds scattered through many major airports.
In the UK alone, there are special areas for kids at Gatwick, Manchester, Edinburgh and Glasgow, among others.
Newcastle airport has great facilities for older kids, with games and tablets available, while at Leeds there’s a large soft play area on the first floor of the terminal.
Some top international destinations also have great options for the return journey.
Lyon Airport offers climbing frames and toy scooters, as well as vital comfy benches for parents.
And Copenhagen even offers free buggies to ferry tots around the place, avoiding long and difficult walks.
Likewise, Zurich and Amsterdam airports cater to even the littlest passengers, with baby sleeping rooms provided for a pre-flight nap.
Don’t get them down too early, though, adds Zara as fun and engaging play in the airport can also make the flight itself a lot easier.
She explained: “Letting kids play before getting on the flight can actually be a very useful way of tiring them out enough so that they’re ready to nod off.”
List of airports with kid-friendly facilities
UK:
- Heathrow – ‘stay and play’ area in every terminal, family lounge in T3
- Gatwick – Large soft play area in South Terminal and ‘kids zone’ in North Terminal
- Manchester – Kids TV Zone in T1, toddler area and adventure play in T2
- Birmingham – interactive Sky Zone for kids up to age 13 at Gate 55
- Luton – kids area near Gates 1-6 by Pret A Manger
- Edinburgh – soft play at Gates 2 and 21
- Glasgow – Soft play for ages 2-6 at Gate 27, puzzle tables and Lego elsewhere
- East Midlands – Unsupervised soft play for under-8s by the first floor food court
- Leeds – Unsupervised soft play on floor one
- Newcastle – Tablet and games area in the terminal building
Non-UK:
- Copenhagen – Free buggies and play area on the mezzanine
- Lyon – Dedicated family lanes at security and play area in the middle of the terminal
- Barcelona – Dedicated family lanes at security
- Zurich & Amsterdam – play areas and baby sleep rooms