In many ways, Hong Kong is surprisingly kid-friendly and welcoming to young visitors. From its dramatic mountain scenery to pockets of greenery and sprawling parks, the city offers many ways for parents to entertain their kids, while still being able to enjoy the destination. We’ve put together a list of both indoor and outdoor attractions that children will love and parents will appreciate.
1. Hang out at the new Airside in Kai Tak
Located right beside the Kai Tak MRT, Airside is a new mixed-use development is dedicated to the idea of “wholeness”, highlighting the connection between people and nature through art, eco-consciousness and sustainability. Its name stands as a tribute to the area’s past life as Hong Kong’s former international airport. The building has already received seven green and smart building certifications and features 6,000 square feet of urban farming spaces.
Kids (and adults) will love the wide open spaces of greenery of the Airside Garden on level six, while GATE 33 Gallery, a permanent gallery honouring the old Kai Tak Airport, is also worth a look at. Also worth checking out is GO Adventure, a centre for exploring the ancient game of Go.
2. Learn all about pandas and wildlife at Ocean Park
Located on Hong Kong island’s south side, the expansive theme park, with its iconic seahorse on the side of the mountain, is a must-visit especially for older kids and thrill-seekers. Younger travellers can still enjoy a selection of simpler rides like the carousel, train rides and bumper cars, but the highlight is most definitely the wildlife.
Ocean Park features a marine mammal breeding and research centre on-site and is committed to conservation and promoting species diversity. This is a great learning opportunity that lets the kids get up close with the animals. And of course, the giant pandas and red pandas are always a draw. If you’re visiting in the warmer months, be sure to check out Water World Ocean Park for exciting water rides.
3. Meet your favourite Disney characters at Hong Kong Disneyland
Celebrating its 20th anniversary with a year-long party that kicked off last June, the smallest of the Disneylands is pulling out all the stops to entertain its young guests. Given its smaller size, the park is ideal for its youngest (and probably most ardent) fans, as its spaces are less overwhelming and easy to navigate from one favourite ride to the next. Be sure to check out the very first and original World of Frozen which opened a couple years back as well as traditional favourites like It’s A Small World and Cinderella’s Carousel.
From now until 7 June 2026, catch the newest and largest-ever parade, an anniversary-special castle stage show and a nighttime showcase featuring mesmerising light projections and fireworks. A magical time for the young and young-at-heart.
4. Explore Hong Kong’s impressive parks
Despite being one of the most densely packed metropolises, Hong Kong boasts some verdant urban oases. One of the best for kids is the sprawling 13ha Kowloon Park with its outdoor playgrounds, maze garden and even outdoor pools. Check out the bird lake which is home to 18 species of birds, including the Greater Flamingo.
On Hong Kong island, Victoria Park in Causeway Bay is also worth a visit. There’s plenty of space at the island’s biggest park with playgrounds scattered throughout the grounds. During Chinese New Year and Mid-Autumn, it also transforms with flower markets and lantern displays.
5. Discover excellent playgrounds everywhere you go
Whether you’re out and about or hiding indoors, Hong Kong can still be very kid-friendly thanks to the number of playgrounds around. If you’re heading down to Admiralty, Hong Kong Park is not to be missed with its huge aviary and a multi-level playground that includes a sand pit and lots of climbing obstacles and slides.
Even some of the malls, like K11 and The Peak Galleria have great playgrounds where kids can take a break from shopping.
6. Play with interactive elements at Hong Kong’s many museums
Hong Kong’s museums can easily cater to the varied interests of every family. In the Tsim Sha Tsui area, the Hong Kong Space Museum (complete with planetarium and large, interactive Moon exhibit), Hong Kong Museum of Art and the Hong Kong Science Museum are excellent places to start. All of them feature interactive elements for children to explore. The Hong Kong Science Museum even has a third-floor zone dedicated to little ones.
For history lovers, check out the nearby Hong Kong Museum of History which is an opportunity for families to learn about Hong Kong’s unique folk culture, prehistoric life and natural history.
7. Relax at one of Hong Kong’s most kid-friendly hotels
Nothing is more iconic than Hong Kong’s deng deng or tram that plies the island from east to west and vice versa. Some children will be well-entertained just riding this affordable and traditional form of transport back and forth. For a more elevated version, check-in to Island Shangri-La’s Hong Kong Wonders Themed Family Suite which transforms the tram into an engaging playground-cum-bunk bed just for the kiddos and also features a wall mural highlighting Hong Kong’s most iconic sights. It’s a great way to whet their appetite for sightseeing, though you might be hard pressed to get them to leave the room.
Many Hong Kong hotels have begun to offer rooms and facilities that cater especially to their youngest guests. Other options include: Grand Hyatt with its outdoor playground; Sheraton Hong Kong Tung Chung Hotel that also has an indoor playground; and the Fullerton Hotel Ocean Park Hotel which has a kid-friendly lagoon with water slides and marine-themed rooms.
8. Encounter (more) animals in the middle of the city at the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens
Hidden away in the Central area is the well-maintained and surprisingly extensive Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens. Featuring an aviary, mammals enclosure and even a meerkat house, this space is well-maintained, quiet and a joy to stroll on a quiet weekday.
It’s not the biggest but it’s easy to access and The Children’s Playground is sure to be popular. There’s also plenty of shade for hot days and its location makes it easy to head back into Central for a meal after your visit.
9. Enjoy a leisurely cable car ride at Ngong Ping 360
A long and scenic cable car ride is a joy to everyone and this one will take you all the way from Tung Chung along a scenic mountain journey, where kids will love trying to spot the Hong Kong International Airport and the South China Sea.
Eventually you will reach Ngong Ping Station, from which you can consider exploring the Big Buddha, Po Lin Monastery or Tai O Fishing Village.
10. Spot dolphins on an eco-friendly tour
Sadly, the distinctive pink dolphins that were once commonly seen in the seas surrounding Hong Kong are an increasingly rare sight these days.
However, there’s a chance you can still spot them with the Hong Kong Dolphinwatch Ltd boat cruises. They’re great family fun and also educational opportunities for the kids to learn about conservation and protecting these beloved creatures.
Feature image: The Transport Enthusiast DC/Unsplash
This article was first published by Singapore Press Holdings in April 2017 and written by Diana Hubbell.
For more information on Singapore Airlines’ flights to Hong Kong, visit singaporeair.com.
