The Best Kid-Friendly Activities In Hong Kong

With the opening of the new “World of Frozen” at Hong Kong Disneyland, there’s been a lot of renewed interest in visiting the Special Administrative Region. The four-hour flight is doable with many options for those who want to fly in early (or late) and get the most out of their stay. And for those who think the city doesn’t have anything to appeal to the kids beyond Disney – you might be in for a surprise.

Getting around:

Hong Kong’s well-equipped transport system can ensure you get around easily enough with kids. But it would be good to consider where you want to be based and plan from there. Hong Kong Island is the traditional city centre while Hong Kong Disneyland is on Lantau Island near Hong Kong International Airport, and Ocean Park is out on the Aberdeen side of Hong Kong Island. Across from Hong Kong island, Kowloon is a major shopping district where you can find K11 Musea (home to the Lego Discovery Centre) as well as various luxury hotels.

Everything is easily reached by the MTR, Hong Kong’s rapid metro line and most stations are equipped with elevators. But it should be noted that Hong Kong is densely populated and people move fast. Strollers on escalators are not appreciated (and potentially dangerous) and spaces are tight. 

If you have strollers

We brought two strollers (mainly for Disneyland) and carried one around Central Hong Kong when we did some sightseeing. Ours is a Babyzen Yoyo which is relatively easy to fold up, but we saw a lot of parents carrying around the GB Pockit which is lighter and smaller. We carried our stroller on the bus, on The Peak tram, and even on the narrow regular trams (which are only HKD$1.50 for a child). It wasn’t seamless, and probably only worked because we had grandparents to hold at least one child, but we did need to have one because our four-year-old is not a fan of walking (“my legs are tired, mummy” - was basically her mantra).

At the time of writing, $1 Singapore dollar was about $5.8 Hong Kong dollars.

A note on where to stay

I’ll be doing up a whole story on some of the most kid-friendly hotels in Hong Kong and what to look out for but for now a few tips on this.

Hong Kong hotels tend to be small, with most service apartments being further out from the main city areas. Airbnbs are available but again you will have to look at the area that suits you best. For us, this was the first time we slept in a single hotel room as a family of four (one 2-year-old and one 4-year-old in tow). Usually we try to get Airbnbs or suites but this wasn’t an option for us this time.

Hotels in Hong Kong are plentiful and varied for different budgets. Again it’s best to think about where you plan to be based. If you are planning to hit up any of the theme parks, it would be worth considering spending a night or two at one of the hotels located in the parks to minimise travel time and get the most value out of your park ticket.

Main activities in Hong Kong to do with kids

The Peak 

Riding up The Peak in The Peak Tram is something all self-respecting tourists should do. While bordering on cheesy and slightly expensive, it’s definitely an experience climbing slowly up the mountainside at a 45-degree incline. Transport-loving children will adore the experience, and even those who are less into busses and trains etc, will find it pretty interesting to look out the window or the glass roof of the tram and watch the city get further away.

On The Peak itself it’s worth taking a stroll around and exploring various vantage points and viewing galleries to get that family picture. There’s a wide variety of restaurants to eat at ranging from local to Western, with some more kid-friendly than others. Fiamma, a casual Italian eatery on the ground floor has a good selection of pizzas and pastas for the whole family, while Hong Kong staple Mak’s Noodle has an outlet in The Peak Galleria. Also on the first floor of the Peak Galleria is an excellent, free playground for kids of all ages. A ten-minute walk from there on McArthur Road is another playground that you can take your kids to on a walking route down if you are brave enough to attempt that.

A return ticket on The Peak Tram cost HKD148 for adults and HKD70 for children. Kids under two ride for free.

Hong Kong Disneyland 

No trip to Hong Kong with kids would be complete without a trip to Hong Kong Disneyland. While it is the smallest Disneyland in the world, decidedly less popular than its Tokyo or Shanghai counterparts in Asia, it is also the first and only Disneyland in the world at the moment with a section dedicated to Frozen. World of Frozen, a model of Arendale with two rides, a show, and eating areas opened in November 2023 and has seen steady footfall since.

While it’s definitely not for the most thrill-seeking amongst us (and our kids), Hong Kong Disneyland is really the perfect size for younger children. Those below eight will probably have a great time and with enough planning and stamina, it’s quite possible to cover the whole park in just a day including checking out a couple of shows. Check the park calendar before booking (and download the app) as some days are cheaper than others. Also, be aware of closure dates (when we went it was closed every Wednesday) ahead of booking.

A one-day ticket to the park can cost up to HKD$799 for adults and HKD$599 for children aged three to 11. Check the website’s calendar ahead of booking as different days have different prices.

Ocean Park

Hong Kong’s very own theme park, Ocean Park is located on the south side of Hong Kong Island and is easily reached at Ocean Park Station on the MTR’s South Line. With a lot more thrill rides and roller coasters compared to Hong Kong Disneyland, Ocean Park can still appeal to younger kids with a carousel, train rides and bumper cars, not to mention the impressive cable car ride over the mountain to reach the top of the park.

Beyond the rides, Ocean Park is also part zoo and part aquarium, with a marine mammal breeding and research centre on-site and displays educating visitors about the local diversity. This aspect of the park shouldn’t be missed and is a great learning opportunity that allows kids to get up close with the animals. Also, be sure to make the time to check out Water World Ocean Park for exciting water rides.

A one-day ticket to the park costs HKD$498 for adults (12 years and above) and HKD$249 for children aged three to 11.

Ngong Ping 360

It’s hard to miss this extensive cable car line when you arrive in the city. Your kids will almost definitely be asking when you’ll be taking it. The cable car starts in the downtown Tung Chung area of Lantau Island and takes you on a scenic mountain journey from which you can see the Hong Kong International Airport and the South China Sea. When you reach Ngong Ping station, you can explore the Big Buddha, Po Lin Monastery, or Tai O Fishing Village.

A return ticket in a standard cabin for adults is HKD$270 and $135 for kids three to 11 years old. More information here.

Museums

There are many museums to suit all kinds of interests in Hong Kong, though some are quite far out and will take time to travel to. The easiest set of museums to visit are the ones located in Tsim Sha Tsui and Tsim Sha Tsui East which give families a good overview of what’s available. Kids will love the Hong Kong Space Museum with a planetarium screening 3D show and the interactive exhibit “Moon”. Next door is the Hong Kong Museum of Art which features interactive elements designed to encourage children to enjoy exploring and is the region’s first public art museum. In Tsim Sha Tsui East you will find the Hong Kong Science Museum featuring a third-floor interactive zone dedicated to kids, while next door the Hong Kong Museum of History will give families an insight into the unique history of the region. 

Further afield but worth checking out is the Hong Kong Railway Museum in Tai Po, M+ in West Kowloon and the Hong Kong Museum of Coastal Defence in Shau Kei Wan. 

Hiking

It's easy to forget in its densely populated cityscape that Hong Kong is home to some great, scenic, and family-friendly hikes. Whether you're travelling with toddlers or 'tweens, there are doable walks (some with easy stroller paths) with great views of the city that everyone can enjoy. Families can try the Peak Circle Walk, which is largely flat, paved and circles the popular tourist attraction. It's easy to complete in an hour. For a greater challenge with slightly older kids, Dragon's Back is a famous one to try with terrific bird's eye views of the southern mountains. Start at Shek O and end in Big Wave Bay Beach, where, weather-willing, a cooling dip in the waves awaits. Adventure to Lantau Island by ferry and try out the easy 6km hike from Mui Wo ferry pier that leads to Trappist Haven Monastery. Eventually, you'll arrive at Discovery Bay where lots of waterfront restaurants and playtime await for everyone.

Beaches

Hong Kong's beaches might not match up to the likes of Thailand or Bali, but they are a great place for an escape from the city, and are pretty enjoyable all year round. On Hong Kong island, Repulse Bay, Shek O and South Bay are the ones to head to for a relaxing day, renting a deck chair and indulging in some sweet smoothies or snacks from the surrounding vendors. Further out on Lantau Island, Pui O Beach is perfect for the kiddos, with shallow, crystal clear waters (and is just a ferry and bus ride away from Central). Up in the New Territories, Tai Long Wan beach is a gorgeous, chilled-out beach to relax and even camp on.

The best malls for kids in Hong Kong

Hong Kong can give Singapore a run for its money when it comes to the number of malls in the city. Luckily, some are extremely kid-friendly and will give you the opportunity to enjoy a bit of scenery or shopping while your kids play. 

IFC Mall

This Central-located mall is a great jumping spot for the Star Ferry and is also where the city’s in-town check-in for the airport is located. Drop your bags there and spend a couple hours at the mall before heading on to the Airport Express for a scenic ride to the airport. The rooftop space is a great area for kids to run around and burn off energy.

K11 Musea 

On the Kowloon side is a 15-minute walk along the waterfront from the Kowloon Star Ferry Terminal. There, you will find a free play area on the 7th floor, as well as the Lego Discovery Centre which, while smaller than an actual Legoland, is still entertaining for lego-obsessed kiddos (plus there are two rides as well).

The Pulse

On Hong Kong Island, kids can enjoy a double-decker bus ride up to Repulse Bay where the pulse, a relatively new mall in the seaside area, offers alfresco dining experiences and lots of kid-friendly clothing stores. 

Lee Garden Two

If you want to still immerse yourself in Hong Kong’s iconic busy streets, consider stopping by Lee Garden Two in Causeway Bay where you can get access to Playdot, their indoor playground which spans a vast 7,500 square feet. You’ll have to download the Lee Gardens mobile app and register as a member, and then shop to earn at least 300 points for a ticket that allows entry to one adult and one child for 2-hour timeslot. But it could be worth it to keep you and the kids happy.

New Town Plaza

While Sha Tin is less touristy than other parts of Kowloon, and there might not be as much of a reason to head out to that area, New Town Plaza might change your mind. Home to Snoopy’s World, a fun little theme park for fans of the irascible beagle with even a couple rides, it also has a massive, dino-themed, outdoor play area with climbing areas and slides. The mall is very kid-friendly with lots of restaurants as well as kid-related entertainment (including a Kidztopia).

Playgrounds

As someone who has lived in Hong Kong for seven years kid-free, I was very, very surprised to find out there are so many nice, well-maintained and clean public playgrounds available to kids. While it might not be the most touristy thing to do on a trip to Hong Kong, a visit to these playgrounds might give your little ones a chance to do something familiar and enjoy some time outdoors.

Hong Kong Park

Hong Kong Park is the biggest open park in Central, Hong Kong and a great area for children to burn off their energy, exploring its different levels, climbing up stairs and checking out exhibits. The park is easily accessible from Admiralty Station or through Pacific Place Mall. It’s a vehicle-free space and includes a cafe, an aviary, tea museum and tower that older children might enjoy climbing. It’s probably also one of the few spaces in Hong Kong that is stroller-friendly since it’s more hills than steps.

The playground within is divided into various levels including one for sand play and a couple that are more toddler-friendly. There are slides, swings and climbing areas, all perfect for younger kiddos.

Walking through Hong Kong Park is also one easy way to get to The Peak Tram station, with the route clearly labelled to anyone walking.

Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens

A surprisingly well-maintained and extensive zoo right in the middle of the city centre, the Zoological and Botanical Gardens includes an aviary, mammals enclosure and even a meerkat house. Don’t expect any large animals (no elephants or giraffes here) but kids who love birds and reptiles will enjoy it - plus The Children’s Playground is always a hit. Thankfully a good portion of it sits in the shade and there’s plenty of space for tired parents to take a break.

Kennedy Town

This quiet residential area boasts not one, but two playgrounds and a couple parks that come highly recommended by local residents. Start at the Forbes Street Playground which is perfect for toddlers and younger children with your typical climbing apparatus, slides and bridges. From there, head to Belcher’s Bay Park closer to the waterfront. 

Victoria Park

If you head west you can visit Victoria Park in Causeway Bay, the largest park on the island where there is plenty of space for running, scootering and of course, playing. The park is vast and there are a total of four playgrounds peppered throughout its grounds so best to research which entrance you plan to enter from (and exit). If you’re visiting during festive periods like Chinese New Year or Mid-Autumn, the park transforms with flower markets and lantern displays respectively.

Kowloon Park

Across the harbour, families can head to Kowloon Park for walks around their extensive gardens after shopping in Tsim Sha Tsui. There’s even a maze for kids to run through and a playground. The main lake area is home to 18 species of birds including bright pink flamingos which are fun to take a look at while you take a break from the Tsim Sha Tsui crowds.