Best indoor play areas in Hong Kong

Hong Kong’s weather is, how shall we say this, changeable! So, it’s good to have a host of indoor play areas up your sleeve to escape the heat, rain, typhoon or haze. Go ahead and bookmark some of these.

Read more: Best sports classes for kids in Hong Kong

Verm City

If your idea of a family day out involves hauling yourselves up sheer rock face then you’re in luck. Based in Quarry Bay (in the same building as Ryze trampoline park), Verm City is a climbing gym that’s suitable for the entire family. Adults and older kids can tackle tougher top-roping and bouldering. Every Monday to Friday, Verm offers free sessions on Asia’s first augmented climbing wall – a completely unique projector-based rock climbing game. Meanwhile Verm’s Clip-n-Climb Park is suitable for kids aged four and above, with 19 different climbing challenges, games and puzzles to tackle. Do note that you’ll need to ditch the flip-flops, as socks and sneakers are compulsory for all climbers.

Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 9am to 11pm; weekends from 9am to 9pm
Admission fees: Clip-n-Climb Park costs $180 per day during weekdays with regular packages available. Bouldering wall costs $240 per day with membership packages available
Address: 4/F, Kodak House, 321 Java Street, Quarry Bay
Contact: 2560 8128

Epic Land

If bigger means better in your household, then look no further than Discovery Bay’s Epicland. At 14,000 square feet, Hong Kong’s largest play centre is fully tricked-out with fantastic facilities to match its huge space. Daredevils can test their nerves on the sky-high Air Trek obstacle course, while down below you’ll find a mini golf course, trampolines, laser tag, foam ballistics room, climbing wall, playground, dedicated toddler area – the list goes on. You can also take advantage of DB’s family-friendly restaurants and make a day of it.

Opening hours: Daily from 9:30am to 7:30pm
Admission fees: $148 per child on weekdays and $188 per child at weekends (admission includes one adult per child); ages 13 and over cost $168 on weekdays and $200 at weekends
Address: G/F, 31 North Plaza, 96 Siena Avenue, Discovery Bay
Contact: 2441 0098

Slope Infinity

The world’s largest revolving carpet ski and snowboard slope, Slope Infinity uses real ski boots, poles and bindings to replicate an authentic on-piste experience without a trip to the airport. Suitable for the entire family, this is a class activity rather than a drop-in play session. But if you’re planning a snow break this winter, this offers the ideal environment for fully-supervised training, building confidence and honing skills.

Opening hours:
Admission fees: Vary according to training options required
Address: 1/F, 148 Electric Road, Fortress Hill
Contact: 2107 4567

Baumhaus

One for the younger siblings, Baumhaus has two learning centres that are perfect for tiny tots. Sign up for music and drama classes, or simply drop in for a play – both the Wan Chai and Tsim Sha Tsui branches feature large birch wood “tree houses” surrounded by plenty of soft play space and wooden toys to explore. Mums and dads will appreciate the on-site coffee shops, offering a range of healthy snacks and drinks guaranteed to keep everyone happy.

Opening hours: Open daily. Wan Chai branch between 9am and 6pm, Tsim Sha Tsui branch between 9:30am and 6:30pm
Admission fees: Playroom costs $100 for the first child and $60 per subsequent sibling
Address: 1/F, Kar Yau Building, 36-44 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai and Suite 614–615, World Commerce Centre, 11 Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
Contact: 2321 5898 (Wan Chai) and 3585 8577 (TST)

Mega Ice

For something a little bit cooler, head to Megabox and the aptly-named Mega Ice Rink, Hong Kong’s largest. Situated in the mall’s atrium, Mega Ice is the city’s only international-sized rink and, as such, regularly hosts major hockey, figure skating and speed skating tournaments, which are open to spectators. For those of us who are less steady on our skates, a more sedate experience is on offer through general admission.

Opening hours: Open weekdays from 10am to 10pm; weekends from 10am to 12am
Admission fees: Admission costs from $70-$80 per person, depending on time slot
Address: Unit 1, Level 10, MegaBox, 38 Wang Chiu Road, Kowloon Bay
Contact: 2709 4023

Ryze

If you’d rather no more monkeys jumping on the bed, then pack them off to a trampoline park to expend their energy. Ryze’s obstacle course and slack-line challenge make this indoor venue a great Island-side option. The park requires you to sign a waiver before entering and have strict safety rules in operation, so read the fine print and happy jumping.

Opening hours: Open daily from 9am to 9pm
Admission fees: $95 per hour for kids under six and $150 per hour for age six and over
Address: 3/F, Kodak House 1, 321 Java Road, Quarry Bay
Contact: 2337 8191

Funzone

A classic crowd-pleaser that’s a sure-fire hit with the toddler-to-tween demographic. Funzone’s three convenient locations (Kennedy Town, Ma On Shan and North Point) mean that you’re never too far away from an air-conditioned soft play when the need arises. All three branches are spacious, with ample space for cooped-up kids to run, jump, clamber and slide to their hearts’ content. You’ll also find dedicated toddler zones, on-site cafés for convenient refuelling stops. Not to forget that Funzone also offers unlimited free Wi-Fi for ever-patient parents.

Opening hours: Vary by location
Admission fees:
Address: Shop 121, Level 1, The Westwood, 8 Belcher’s Street, Kennedy Town; Level 1, The Waterside Mall, 15 On Chun Street, Ma On Shan; and Shop 209, Marble Gardens Commercial, 33 Marble Road, North Point
Contact:

Lost Hong Kong

An escape room game designed to be completed as a team. This is a physical and mental workout that’s great for the whole family, although under-12s will need to be supervised by an adult. Find hidden clues, solve complex puzzles and complete a variety of challenges to escape the locked rooms. Each challenge lasts between 45-90 minutes and can accommodate teams of up to 10, making this a fun birthday party activity.

Opening hours: Open daily from 11am to 11pm
Admission fees: Pricing varies per room selected.
Address: 15 Matheson Street, Causeway Bay
Contact: 2892 2393

Featured image courtesy of Baumhaus.