Things to do with kids in Hong Kong

Things to do with kids in Hong Kong

1. SeeLantau

   Hong Kong Disneyland

   Asia's second Disneyland was opened in September 2005 and features some of the Disney favourites. The park is accessible via the MTR. Change at the Sunny Bay station on the Tung Chung MTR line for the Disneyland Resort Line. It has nine themed areas: Main Street USA, Adventureland, Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, Toy Story Land, Grizzly Gulch, Mystic Point, World of Frozen and Stark Expo. Tickets are $639 for adults, $475 for children, and $100 for Seniors over 65. There are fewer rides than the other Disney theme parks. A few rides have a slightly different take on them, but there is little unique here. Some rides are simply identical to other parks. If you get there at opening time on a weekday, it would be possible to do all the rides and shows by mid-afternoon. English speakers are well catered for, with all attractions narrating in both English and Cantonese. The Jungle River Cruise, however, which depends so much on the English language delivery of the guide doesn't fare well. There is a choice of Cantonese and American cuisine around the park. The Fantasyland Banquet Hall offering the broadest range of food types and kids meals to keep everyone happy. Meals around $55. There are plenty of drinking fountains in the park. Bring a water bottle to fill, or pay a bottle in the park. On weekends and holidays the tickets are $350 for adults and $250 for children. Children under 3 are free. Visit on weekdays to avoid the crowds.

2. SeeKowloon

   Hong Kong Science Museum

   Large museum with many interactive exhibits including an energy machine and an airplane. A museum which decided to make an architectural statement about its purpose, yet somehow got it horribly wrong. This museum is primarily aimed at children. The maths puzzles and optical illusions on the top floor are challenging. There is a giant Rube Goldberg machine spanning the entire museum that is run for a few minutes every two hours. (Sections are being renovated during 2016.)

   Mon-Wed Fri 10AM-7PM; Sat Sun 10AM-9PM·$35 (permanent exhibitions only $25)

3. SeeKowloon

   Hong Kong Space Museum

   Small museum, with a basic history of space flight in static exhibits, including a single exhibit on Chinese space flight. It also has interactive exhibits, allowing you to fly a hang glider, work a space motion system, and simulate walking on the moon. It has a planetarium attached that shows movies projected onto the roof. Plan ahead if you want to see an English session, as most are Cantonese. It is fun for kids aged around 10 to 15 years.

   Mon Wed-Sat noon-8:45PM, Sun 10AM-8:45PM, Tue closed·$10 on most days. Free on Wednesdays

4. SeeNew Territories

   Hong Kong Wetland Park

   Is a relaxing park set amidst an ecological mitigation area. One can stroll along a network of board walks built over the marshy area and watch birds from a tower. The park also features a large visitors centre/museum. The museum has many interactive exhibits ideal for children, as well as some live animal habitats. To visit, take MTR West Rail to Tin Shui Wai Station, then the #705 light rail to Wetland Park. The park is pushchair and wheelchair friendly.

5. SeeCentral

   Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens

   A small, free zoo with reptiles, primates, a jaguar, and rare and endangered birds and plants.

6. SeeKowloon

   Kowloon Park

   the location of a former British barrack. There, you will find not only pleasant gardens, but aviaries, museums, and sporting facilities, including Hong Kong's best swimming pool complex, which offers both indoor and outdoor pools. A wide range of swimming, diving and children's play-pools will appeal to kids of all ages, and their frazzled parents who are seeking a safe place for youngsters to play away from the traffic.

   5:00AM-midnight·Free

7. DoSouthern District

   Ocean Park

   香港海洋公園

   A huge Disney-like (in both the good and bad sense) oceanarium. Marine biodiversity in the Atoll Reef and Shark Tank, and thrill rides will satisfy children and adults alike. It is popular with locals as well as tourists from mainland China. It has beautiful views from the cable car over the ocean and hills. The cablecar is an icon and an essential link between the two parts of the park. The view of the South China Sea from the cable car is always terrific. It would be fair to say that many local people would choose Ocean Park if they had to pick a single theme park to attend. For many, the chance to see Hong Kong's pandas would be a deciding factor. There are also large festivals each year, including summer, Halloween and Christmas. You can find out if there are tickets available on any given day from their website.

   Mon-Fri 9AM-7PM, Sat-Sun 9AM-9PM·Adults $206, children (up to 11) $103, under 3 free

8. DoSouthern District

   Repulse Bay Beach

   Biggest and most popular beach and is suitable for families with small children.

9. SeeNew Territories

   Sha Tau Kok Anti-Japanese War Memorial Hall

   沙頭角抗戰紀念館

   Opened in September 2022, this is the first comprehensive museum about the Second World War in Hong Kong. The museum is at the former home of the Luo Family, which was the first base of operations for Communist-led guerrilla fighters from the Mainland who came across the border to help resist the Japanese. At the present time, the museum is only accepting group visits and bookings are essential. As the museum is outside the Frontier Closed Area, visitors do not need a permit to visit the museum.

   Tue-Sun 10:00-17:00, closed on Mondays·Free

10. SeeEastern District

    Southorn Playground

    修頓遊樂場, 修頓球場

    Amidst the skyscrapers of Wan Chai, Southorn Playground offers a scarce area of public outdoor space for football, basketball and has seating for those who just want to relax and watch.

11. SeeEastern District

    Victoria Park

    Take some time to walk through it or to watch people play football on three fields. There is also a jogging track through the park. Victoria Park can also be reached by MTR Exit B at Tin Hau station. During the summer months you can use the public open-air pool in Victoria Park. The pool costs $19 for adults ($9 kids) and payment can be made by coins or Octopus card.

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Hong Kong (CC BY-SA 4.0).