GOING on holiday with a small child in tow can be a stressful experience for parents.

But airports recognise that parents want their kids as sleepy as possible before they board the plane.

Plenty of airports have soft play areas and games zones in their terminals so kids can burn off some energy before boarding.

We've rounded up all the UK airports with soft play areas and kids zones.

Please note: due to Covid restrictions, some of the airports' soft play areas are closed, so check before you travel.

Heathrow Airport

Heathrow Airport has soft play areas in terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5.

It also has separate baby and junior zones, slides and colouring-in and activity sheets.

All its play areas are supervised except for Terminal 3. The play areas are open from 6am until 9pm everyday, and children must be accompanied by an adult.

The airport also has some restaurants which offer a kids eat free meal deal.

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Gatwick Airport

Gatwick Airport has two soft play areas as part of the airport's kids zones.

The zones, located in the North and South Terminals, are equipped with a TV, seating for parents and educational toys.

The airport also has specific nursing chairs for breastfeeding mothers, as well as small playpens for toddlers to play in if they have a smaller sibling being changed or fed.

Birmingham Airport

While Birmingham Airport doesn't have a soft play area, it does still have a zone dedicated to keeping kids entertained.

Sky Zone is a free interactive play area which has games for toddlers, right up to young teens.

It is open at all times and uses apps which you can download before you get there.

The Sky Zone is in the departure lounge and has a nearby Costa Coffee for parents to sit and supervise.

Birmingham Airport also has pushchairs for when families get off the plane at the end of their holiday. They are coin operated with a £1 deposit which you get back when it is returned.

Glasgow Airport

Glasgow Airport has a free soft play area for children after Gate 27.

Parents also have the option of heading to the upper deck on the top floor which has a kids zone, a game centre and panoramic views of the airport.

The upper deck comes at a cost though. For children aged between two and 13, it costs £19 and for anyone aged 14 and over, it's £23.

Edinburgh Airport

Edinburgh Airport has two play areas for kids at Gate 2 and Gate 21.

The airport encourages women to feel free to breastfeed at any time, but it also has lockable rooms for people who would prefer to nurse privately.

Luton Airport

Luton Airport has a family-friendly area with a big screen to keep kids entertained and seating for parents.

Newcastle Airport

Newcastle Airport has some play pods for younger children. The pods include child-friendly tablets with a range of games to keep kids relaxed and entertained.

It also has a play area for older children.

Namco Games has arcade games, including crane games, an air hockey table and slot machines.

East Midlands Airport

East Midlands Airport has a soft play area for children aged up to eight-years-old.

The soft play area is located near the first floor food court.

Aberdeen Airport

Aberdeen Airport has a play area next to Gate 1.

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