30 things to do with kids in Hong Kong
Ideas to keep kids busy during weekends and holidays1. Summer Safari at Bimbo Concept’s Children’s Residency
Enjoy kids’ workshops all summer with Bimbo Concept’s Summer Safari at Pacific Place Apartments. From cooking classes, sand art and making Lego photo frames to Mandarin storytime and yoga, fun-filled classes run throughout the week for children aged three and above. On weekend mornings, little ones aged 6-36 months can enjoy KinderMusik classes hosted by Baumhaus founder Crisel Consunjion. Summer Safari classes must be booked in advance, with prices starting at $450 per class.
If kids want to play, Bimbo Concept’s Children’s Residency also offers 90-minute Playroom Passes for $350 per child. Children will delight in the jungle-themed playroom, which has been tastefully designed with playful furniture, sustainable wooden toys, and a cosy reading corner. Children can enjoy Happy Movie Time on Friday evenings with free lemonade and popcorn.
2. Summer Camps for kids
There are limited spaces available in a number of summer camps throughout August. From Montessori play sessions to sports and STEM classes for older ones, check out our Summer Camp Guide for more information.
3. Wild About Summer at Hong Kong Disneyland
Hong Kong Disneyland celebrates summer with the launch of its Wild About Summer extravaganza. In Adventureland, Mickey Mouse and Goofy are accompanied by Russell from Up, King Louie from The Jungle Book, Moana, and Stitch in the new “Adventure is Out There!” stage show. There is also a summer edition of the park’s popular “Follow Your Dreams” show at the Castle of Magical Dreams and a “Pixar Water Play Street Party!”. Single day entry tickets are priced at $639 for adults and $475 for children (aged 3-11). Wild About Summer runs until September 3.
4. Enjoy a family-friendly brunch
Brunch isn’t all about Champagne for the adults (well, that’s important too!) But Hong Kong offers an excellent selection of brunches catering to kids as well this summer.
At The Tai Pan Super Brunch, adults can enjoy unlimited servings from the buffet between 12 and 2.30 pm, which features Prime Rib Roast and Salmon Wellington, Asian options and a spread of antipasto, salads, cheeses and desserts. There’s also the option of free-flow drinks including cocktails such as the Bloody Mary and Aperol Spritz as well as Ruinart Champagne.
Children are the real winners here; the spacious bistro leads out onto a gorgeous patio where little ones can enjoy electric cars and bikes and older kids can enjoy a mocktail-making class. Kids can enjoy childhood favourites to eat, such as mac n’ cheese, mini burgers and fries. Brunch is priced from $798 for adults and $498 for children.
5. Ride the Peak Tram and visit the Mango Lassi Lolly Stall
Take a trip up to The Peak on the recently-renovated Peak Tram. A vertiginous trip on the Peak Tram is always a winner, no matter how many times you’ve done it before. Use an Octopus card to jump the queue and pack a picnic to devour at the relatively quiet Victoria Peak Gardens on Mount Austin Road. The tram departs every 10-15 minutes from the terminus at Garden Road in Central. Then cool down with a visit to the new Mango Lassi Lolly Stall at Rajasthan Rifles, open during weekends throughout the summer.
6. Summer staycations for kids
Enjoy a child-friendly staycation with a range of creative stays to choose from. We love the ‘Playtime with Paddington’ package at The Langham Hong Kong which includes a one-night stay in one of the hotel’s luxurious rooms along with a selection of Paddington-branded amenities and gifts. Kids will love the themed room setup with Paddington pillowcases, bed runners, cushion covers, teepee tents, children’s bathrobes, slippers and gifts such as a Paddington plush bear dressed in a unique duffle coat in the Langham’s signature pink. Valid for stays until December 31.
7. Visit the animals at Kadoorie Farm & Botanic Garden
Established by the Kadoorie brothers on the slopes of Tai Mo Shan in 1956 to help local farmers, Kadoorie Farm & Botanic Garden is a pioneer in organic farming and focuses on conservation and environmental education. Explore its vegetable terraces, gardens and paths, spot the flamingos, pigs and monkeys, visit injured owls and parrots in the bird rehabilitation sanctuaries, or hike its many trails.
Read more: A day out at Kadoorie Farm
8. Climb the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery
One of Hong Kong’s quirkiest and most interesting temples, featuring a glass case containing the embalmed body of its founder, Revered Yuet Kai, sitting in the lotus position and covered in gold leaf. To get there, climb 431 steps lined with 500 life size statues to reach five temples containing about 13,000 gold ceramic Buddha statues, each with a different pose and expression.
Read more: Best hiking trails for kids and families in Hong Kong
9. Jello & Mellow
Recently opened in Quarry Bay, Jello & Mellow is the brainchild of Vive Cake Boutique founder Vivien Lau. This gorgeous Scandinavian-style playspace caters to young children with areas to climb and slide, a ball pit and a thoughtful selection of wooden toys.
The dedicated children’s menu features things like freshly-made pizzas with dough made in-house daily topped with homemade sauce and homegrown herbs, healthy platters for little ones, such as The Wheels on the Bus and Over the Rainbow, and pretty, pink Uni-Cone smoothies.
Entrance for one adult and one child (under seven years old) costs $280 (weekdays) and $350 (weekends), including one complimentary snack and one drink.
10. Go kayaking
Possibly the cheapest and most accessible way to enjoy Hong Kong’s watery playgrounds, kayaks are available to hire on Cheung Sha Beach from Long Coast Seasports, on Stanley Main Beach from Hong Kong Aqua-Bound Centre, on Sha Ha Beach from SK Beach Club, on Tai Wan from Dolphin Canoe Club and on Hoi Ha from Wild Hong Kong.
Read more: 10 water sports to try in Hong Kong
11. Glamp out on Cheung Chau
Sai Yuen Farm on Cheung Chau Island offer a number of luxury glamping options from African Safari Tents to Mongolian Gers. The photogenic domes are designed for stargazing and located at higher elevations to offer breathtaking views of the ocean.
12. Hop on your bike
Get up early and go for a cycle. Little ones will enjoy Inspiration Lake at the Disneyland Resort, where you can picnic on the grass. Older children and adults may also go for the 20-kilometre Yuen Nam Kam Circuit near Yuen Long, or take up the challenge of the even longer track from Sha Tin Science Park through Tai Po to Plover Cove.
Read more: Best cycling routes in Hong Kong
13. CoComelon Playground Fun
This summer, children can enjoy the world of JJ, his friends and family in this ultimate experience, which will include four fantastic inflatable play zones in a 5,000 square foot playground. The pop-up experience will also include a small Blippi zone. All tickets are exclusively sold online on Klook. No on-site ticket purchases available. Tickets are priced from $58 for aged 2 and above; under 2’s go free. The pop-up runs until August 27 at Tuen Mun Town Plaza, 1 Tuen Shun Street, Tuen Mun
14. Visit Ocean Park Hong Kong
Ocean Park Hong Kong offers year-round fun for kids of all ages. Explore rides, shows, funfair games, cable cars, animals galore and the aquarium. There are currently some excellent ticket deals on offer. The park also runs programmes for children aged four to 11 throughout the year with games, visits to exhibits, sleepovers in the aquarium and a chance to get up close to the animals.
15. Hike to Tai Long Wan
These four beautiful beaches in Sai Kung Country Park are some of the best in Hong Kong – heck, they’re amongst the finest in Asia. They offer great hiking, calm anchorages (Sai Wan), good surfing (Tai Wan), cold beers (Ham Tin) and cliff jumping (Sheung Luk Stream), plus acres of golden sand with none of the no-fun rules that blight other local beaches. Need we say more?
Read more: Best hikes in Sai Kung
16. FWD Insurance 10th Anniversary Presents teamLab Future Park
Have you checked out teamLab Future Park yet? This much-anticipated immersive exhibition which explores the crossroads between art and technology is in Hong Kong until January 2024. Tickets are available on FWD MAX Platform and Trip.com with family packages priced from $560.
17. Try SUP
Stand-up paddleboarding is the watersport of the moment so give it a go. Boards can be rented from Hong Kong Aqua-Bound Centre on Stanley Main Beach and Blue Sky Sports Club in Sai Kung.
18. Go wild at Hong Kong Wetland Park
Get close to nature at Hong Kong Wetland Park. The 60-hectare sitein Tin Shui Wai has stroller-friendly trails and boardwalks, wildlife such as mudskippers, butterflies and birds and a 10,000-square metre interactive visitor centre offering a crash course in environmental awareness. Take sunglasses, hats, water and plenty of snacks. Picnicking is not permitted in the wetlands but there is plenty of space on the grass near the entrance.
19. See the fishes at Hoi Ha Wan
Hong Kong has one of the most abundant marine ecosystems in the region. Rare coral and mangrove habitats, pristine beaches, thousands of starfish and the occasional seahorse at the Hoi Ha Marine Park are a reminder that our wealth is more than material. Visit the Marine Life Centre and take a trip on the glass-bottomed boat.
20. Go dolphin spotting
Want something adventurous, educational and fun for all the family? Hong Kong Dolphinwatch ticks all the boxes with its ecological boat tours to spot the pink dolphins off Lantau Island. Tours include 4-5 hours at sea, a presentation, information sheets and light refreshments. And those who don’t see a dolphin can join another tour – for free!
21. Unleash your inner artist
‘If you can stand, you can paint’, that’s the art-jamming philosophy. The Artjamming Studio is a drop-in centre where up to 80 wannabe artists can wield a brush. Costs vary with canvas size and materials, from $250 for a mini canvas and two hours of painting.
22. Ahoy Sailor: Check out Hong Kong Maritime Museum
Hong Kong Maritime Museum reopened after a major revamp a few years ago, it is now five times larger than it used to be and much more fun. 19 galleries explore Hong Kong’s fascinating maritime history through model boats, tales of sea bandits, paintings and displays. There are cannons, navigational equipment, bells and even a replica ship’s bridge to play on.
Read more: Best museums in Hong Kong
23. Feast on cute dim sum
Dim sum is an art in Hong Kong – you can’t say you’ve lived in Hong Kong until you’ve slurped delicious Siu Mai at least once. If you have little ones in tow, why not go for cute character dim sum? Many Chinese restaurants in Hong Kong offer dim sum in the shape of popular characters or animals. Check out Greater China Club, Yum Cha and Dim Sum Icon for cute animal buns.
Read more: Your guide to dim sum in Hong Kong
24. Up, up and above at sky100
Way up on the 100th floor of the ICC, sky100 is the territory’s only indoor observation deck, offering 360-degree views of the city. Kids will love marvelling at their hometown from way up high. Standard admission costs from $178 for adults and $115 for children over three.
Read more: 5 alternative ideas to explore Hong Kong this summer
25. Join the world’s largest treasure hunt
Geocaching is a global treasure hunt that will turn any hike into a real-time adventure. Using a smartphone, download the app for free, pick a geocache (container) hidden in your area – there are more than two million around the world – and follow a set of coordinates to find it. Once you’ve found the geocache, sign the logbook at the location and share your find online. Before you know it, you’ll have hiked several kilometres without a grumble.
26. Go squid fishing
There’s nothing Hongkongers love more than a good seafood feast, and what better than to fish for your own dinner? Squid fishing is popular during summer nights – all you need is an old sampan, a set of lights to attract the mollusks and a simple hook to catch your own. Alternatively, make things easier by joining Jubilee International Tour Centre’s Squid Tour, where you can choose to board from various piers around the city.
27. Learn about space
Wannabe astronauts will love the Hong Kong Space Museum. The museum is highly interactive and hosts a number of exhibitions and kids programmes throughout the year such as the popular Young Astronaut’s Training Camp. The Stanley Ho Space Theatre features Omnimax films with titles rotating every season.
28. Visit Big Buddha
Kids will love the Ngong Ping 360 cable cars – just make sure to go early to beat the queue. Not for the faint-hearted, the Crystal Cabins have glass floors for a bird’s eye view of the mountain below. At the end of the ride, visit the Buddhist theme park, climb 268 steps to the world’s largest seated outdoor bronze Buddha, or light incense at the Po Ling Monastery. Jump the queue by booking your cable car tickets online up to seven days in advance.
29. Tour Tai O Fishing Village
Combine the cable car trip with a visit to Hong Kong’s oldest fishing village. Situated on the northwest coast of Lantau, Tai O features houses built on stilts over the water. Hop on a local boat for a quick waterborne tour, then take a walk round the lively seafood market with its fish tanks, dried seafood and souvenirs, followed by a meal at one of the seafood restaurants. To get there from Ngong Ping, take bus 21.
30. Cross the harbour on the Star Ferry
Last but definitely not least – what’s a trip to Hong Kong without a quintessential ride across the harbour? The Hong Kong Star Ferry is one of the city’s most beloved icons and the cheapest way to cross the sea separating Hong Kong Island and Kowloon – a ride from Central to Tsim Sha Tsui only costs $4 for adults and $2.60 for children during weekdays.
