Heathrow Stay & Play: Kids' Play Areas by Terminal

<p>Every terminal at Heathrow, T2, T3, T4 and T5, has a free 'Stay &amp; Play' soft-play area for children roughly up to age 9, open daily from about 06:00 to 21:00. There is no booking and no charge; the harder part is finding it, since none of the zones sit on the main walkway through the departure lounge. Terminal 3 also has a separate, dedicated Family Lounge with a quiet room and breastfeeding space, which the other three terminals do not have.</p><h2 id="what-stay-and-play-is">What Stay &amp; Play is</h2><p>Stay &amp; Play is Heathrow's branded soft-play offer, built around slides and padded climbing frames aimed at children from babies up to around age 9, with separate sections for younger and older children in most zones. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Access is free and does not need booking; you simply walk in once you are through security.</p><h2 id="where-to-find-each-terminal-s-play-area">Where to find each terminal's play area</h2><div class="table-wrap"><table><thead><tr><th>Terminal</th><th>Location after security</th><th>Notes</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Terminal 2</td><td>Near Gate A16, with a second smaller area near Gate B46</td><td>The A16 zone is screened off and overlooks the aircraft stands</td></tr><tr><td>Terminal 3</td><td>Upstairs near the InMotion store</td><td>Also has a separate Family Lounge here, with a quiet room, breastfeeding space and seating; it is easy to walk past, so look out for signage</td></tr><tr><td>Terminal 4</td><td>Near Gate 1A</td><td>Towards the Gates 1-6 area of the departure lounge</td></tr><tr><td>Terminal 5</td><td>Main Terminal 5A departure lounge, near Gate A2</td><td>Terminal 5 also has the most food and lounge options nearby if older siblings need something else to do</td></tr></tbody></table></div><p>Terminal locations inside a large, frequently-updated building can shift as retail units change, so if you cannot spot the play area straight away, ask any Heathrow colleague or check the terminal map in the Heathrow app, which shows family facilities alongside gates and shops.</p><h2 id="family-lounge-at-terminal-3">Family Lounge at Terminal 3</h2><p>Terminal 3 is the only Heathrow terminal with a dedicated Family Lounge, separate from the general Stay &amp; Play zone. It includes a quiet room, a breastfeeding area and comfortable seating, and in the past has also had a small games area for older children, though facilities inside any single lounge can change over time. If you are connecting through Terminal 3 with a baby or a child who needs a calmer space than the open soft-play area, this is worth seeking out specifically.</p><h2 id="family-security-lanes">Family security lanes</h2><p>All four terminals run dedicated family security lanes during school holiday periods, which move more slowly than standard lanes but are designed to give families with pushchairs, car seats and small children more space and less pressure to hurry. Ask a member of staff at the security queue entrance if you cannot see a family lane sign, since they are not always run continuously outside peak family travel periods.</p><h2 id="other-family-facilities">Other family facilities nearby</h2><p>Baby-changing facilities and family toilets are available in every terminal, both before and after security, and most airport restaurants run 'kids eat free' offers during school holidays, though these vary by outlet and are worth checking before you order. If you are travelling with an infant, see Heathrow's <a href="/articles/heathrow-arrivals-meeting-points-and-free-pick-up">arrivals meeting points guide</a> for where to be collected after you land, and check <a href="/articles/heathrow-special-assistance-how-and-when-to-book">special assistance</a> if anyone in your party needs extra help getting through the terminal.</p><h2 id="faqs">FAQs</h2><p><strong>Do I need to book Heathrow's Stay &amp; Play areas?</strong></p><p>No. Access is free and unbooked; you can walk in at any time during opening hours, which run roughly 06:00 to 21:00 daily, once you are through security.</p><p><strong>What age are the Stay &amp; Play areas suitable for?</strong></p><p>They are aimed at children from babies up to around age 9, with separate zones for younger and older children in most terminals. Children must be accompanied by an adult throughout.</p><p><strong>Which Heathrow terminal has the best facilities for families?</strong></p><p>Terminal 3 stands out because it has both a Stay &amp; Play area and a separate dedicated Family Lounge with a quiet room and breastfeeding space, which the other terminals do not have.</p><p><strong>Are the play areas before or after security?</strong></p><p>After security, inside the main departure lounge of each terminal. There is no equivalent play area landside before you go through security checks.</p><p><strong>Is there a play area for older children or teenagers?</strong></p><p>The Stay &amp; Play zones are built for younger children, roughly up to age 9. Older children and teenagers are better served by the shops, cafes and, for Priority Pass or lounge-eligible passengers, the pay-per-visit lounges available in each terminal.</p><p>See the <a href="/articles/best-value-pay-per-visit-lounges-at-heathrow-by-terminal">Heathrow lounge guide</a> for older kids or a calmer wait, or check <a href="/facilities/">all Heathrow facilities</a>.</p>