When departing from Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (SEA) with a young child, look up the play area and the nursing space separately. The two play areas are near gates A1 and D25, but the nursing rooms are not simply two rooms inside those play areas. Check your actual departure gate and use SEA's official wayfinding map before choosing where to wait.
This article is based on Port of Seattle's guidance for families and its facility pages, checked October 22, 2026. Recheck airport notices and your airline's gate information on your travel date.
At a glance: Confirm the play areas near A1 and D25 on SEA's facility page, then use the official map to orient yourself by the nearby gate. Find a nursing room using the separate nursing-space list. SEA states that the A1 play area closes for deep cleaning on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 1 to 3 a.m., Seattle local time. Its nursing spaces are after security.
Which location should you look for?
- Children's play areas: SEA lists them near gates A1 and D25. Leave enough time to return to your actual departure gate.
- A1 deep-cleaning closure: SEA lists Tuesdays and Saturdays, 1–3 a.m. Seattle local time. Do not assume the same closure applies to D25; check current notices.
- A Concourse nursing room: SEA lists it inside the children's play area, next to Qdoba. It is a distinct nursing space within the A-side location.
- D Concourse nursing room: SEA lists it on the lower level of the D Annex near gate D24, opposite the restrooms. Do not mistake it for a room inside the D25 play area.
The play-area page identifies the play locations and the A1 cleaning closure. The nursing-space page gives the room locations. Read both rather than relying on a single search snippet.
Play-area rules and limits
SEA's Traveling with Kids page asks children to remove their shoes. It says the play area is recommended for children under four feet tall and 100 pounds and that food, drinks, and pets are not allowed. The airport also describes hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, and nearby family restrooms on the facility page.
These pages do not establish live crowding, guaranteed entry, a price, or an all-hours opening promise. Check signs at the facility and allow for an alternate waiting place. Even a short detour becomes inconvenient if your gate is far away or changes shortly before boarding.
A traveler's account is not operating policy. In an April 2026 ParentMap family-travel account, Krista Tsai describes the A1 play area with a family bathroom and nursing room, and the area near D25 as smaller. Her actual visit date is not stated; do not use that account to infer today's availability or entry rules.
Can you reach a nursing space before security?
The airport says its nursing rooms, suites, and pods are after security and can be used by a parent of any gender or by a family. Do not plan to use one while waiting in the public pre-security area.
The A Concourse nursing room is inside the play-area location. The D Concourse nursing room is on the lower level of the D Annex near D24. SEA also lists different types of nursing spaces in other concourses; use the official list and map to choose the nearest viable option. The nursing room at the International Arrivals Facility is marked for internationally arriving passengers only, not departing families.
A departure-day checklist
- Confirm your airline's current gate and when you can enter the security-screened area.
- Use the official play-area listing for the locations near A1 and D25, then orient yourself by the nearby gate on SEA's map. Do not assume a play-area name is searchable in the map.
- If you need a feeding or pumping space, find it separately on the nursing-space list.
- Check the A1 deep-cleaning window, any temporary closures, and the children's play rules.
- Leave time to return to your gate; the gate can change.
About the Author
Life Mokcha editor Mokchajigi distinguishes an airport operator's facility listing from a traveler's actual route through security and the concourses. Recheck the official information when this article is published and rely on current airport and airline instructions on the day of travel.
