Here we share all our favourite fun things to do in Hong Kong with kids. From theme parks to hikes, museums, cruises and more, we’ve got you covered with all these fantastic Hong Kong family-friendly things to do.
Many people think of Hong Kong as being fast-paced and action-packed and don’t really consider visiting with kids. This is because people really don’t know what there is to do in Hong Kong with kids.
We lived in Hong Kong for over four years, so we have plenty of experience in entertaining children and finding all the best things to do.
Table of Contents
Firstly… the challenges
To be fair, travelling to Hong Kong with kids can be a challenge. If you are travelling to Hong Kong with a toddler or baby, you will find that hardly anywhere is stroller-friendly, as it is hilly and there are steps everywhere.
Plus all the sidewalks are so crowded, the last thing you want to do is struggle through the masses with a buggy anyway.
In the summer the heat and humidity can be stifling and you can’t imagine sightseeing with kids in Hong Kong. If that’s the case, then do as the locals do – either hit the beach, or take relief in an air-conditioned building.
The good news is, public transport is cheap, efficient – and fun! The Star Ferry and tram are great fun for kids and cheap too. The MTR (subway/underground) is clean and air-conditioned, and buses and taxis are cheap and plentiful.
And Hong Kong is a fun and culturally fascinating city. It may seem daunting to hit the streets of Hong Kong with children at first, but you will soon discover plenty of fun things for the kids to do here.
Here we highlight our pick of the best things to do with kids in Hong Kong.
Note that sightseeing in Hong Kong can get expensive if you plan to visit lots of attractions. For this reason, we have included links to discounted tickets whenever possible.
Many of these Hong Kong kids activities appear in our Hong Kong itinerary which you can read here: 2 Days in Hong Kong with kids.
This post contains affiliate links. If you make a booking or purchase using one of these links, we may receive a small commission – at absolutely no extra cost to you.
Hong Kong Disneyland
One of the most popular Hong Kong attractions for kids is Disneyland and you will probably want to include a day here on your Hong Kong family vacation.
There are seven themed lands to explore, including Fantasyland, Toy Story Land and Adventureland, with all the favourite rides such as It’s a Small World, Mad Hatter Tea Cups and Space Mountain to enjoy, as well as some that are unique to Hong Kong Disneyland.
With all the Disney characters to meet, shows and a fun Disney parade, you are guaranteed a day of fun and much excitement from the kids. Hong Kong Disneyland is located on Lantau Island, near the airport.
You can read all our Hong Kong Disneyland tips, including how to beat the crowds in our article Tips for Visiting Hong Kong Disneyland.
To complete the Disney experience, why not stay at one of the three Disneyland hotels and start the day with breakfast with the characters?
Click here to buy discounted tickets for Hong Kong Disneyland.
Ocean Park Hong Kong
Long before Mickey Mouse and his crew graced Hong Kong with their presence, Ocean Park had been one of the most popular family attractions in Hong Kong for years.
Part aquarium, part zoo, part amusement park and part water park, Ocean Park is one of the favourite days out for Hong Kong kids.
The Grand Aquarium is home to a wide array of sea creatures, while the Polar exhibits showcase walruses, sea lions, seals and penguins. Then of course there is everyone’s favourite – the Pandas!
When the kids have had enough of ogling the animals, there is a cable car to ride, and plenty of adrenalin-inducing rollercoasters and thrill rides – even for the really little ones. There’s also a whole water park perfect for summer days. Definitely one of the most fun places for kids in Hong Kong.
Top Tip: Ocean Park is one of the most popular things to do in Hong Kong, with both local families and visiting tourists who arrive by the busload, so read our Tips for Visiting Ocean Park with Kids to learn how best to avoid the crowds.
Click here to buy discounted Ocean Park tickets.
The Peak
The Peak is Hong Kong’s most popular attraction (yes even more popular than Disneyland), with people flocking here to admire the best views over the city from its viewing platform at 428m above sea level.
The best way to reach the Peak is to take the Peak Tram. The journey aboard the world’s steepest funicular railway is less than five minutes long, covering just 1.4 kilometres – but climbing almost 400 metres in this time, making it a fun trip.
The angle of the tram is so steep – 27 degrees at its most extreme – that you get the impression that the buildings are leaning into the mountain.
Once at the top, there is plenty to keep the kids occupied. There’s the Trick Eye Museum, the Art of Chocolate Museum
and Madame Tussauds, plus a playground all located within the Peak Galleria. Another (nicer) playground is a short walk up a steep hill at Mount Austin Park.
Another of our favourite Hong Kong things to do is the walk around Lugard Road, a 3.5km walk with great views over Hong Kong. This walk is flat, so you can take the stroller, and is one of my kids’ favourite places to go scooting in Hong Kong.
Once you’ve worked up an appetite, there are plenty of dining options here too – we like to take an outside table at the Peak Lookout.
Click here to buy discounted Peak Tram tickets.
The Big Buddha
Visiting the Tian Tan Buddha on Lantau Island always features on people’s Hong Kong bucket lists and is an easy place to visit in Hong Kong with kids.
More commonly known as the ‘Big Buddha’, a daytrip over to see this famous landmark makes for a fun adventure for the whole family.
One of the most fun things about visiting the Big Buddha is getting there. The Ngong Ping 360 cable car is the best way to get to the Big Buddha, with fabulous views and is great fun for the kids too.
Once you get there, there is monastery to explore and of course the Big Buddha itself.
Read more about Visiting the Big Buddha in Hong Kong with Kids here.
You can end the day with a visit to Tai O Village – Hong Kong’s oldest fishing village, where you can visit all the dried seafood stalls and take a boat ride alongside the famous stilted houses.
Click here to buy discounted tickets or the Ngong Ping 360 cable car.
Outlying Islands of Hong Kong
Not many people realise, but Hong Kong has more than 200 outlying islands.
While reaching many of these is difficult without your own boat, the bigger islands are easily accessible via ferry, and make for a fun day trip.
The most popular island for a day trip is Lamma Island, thanks to its strip of seafood restaurants in Sok Kwa Wan and the fun and interactive Fisher Folk’s Village. Kids can learn all about living in a Hong Kong fishing village, including having a go at fishing.
Rainbow Seafood is a popular choice for lunch in Lamma Island and they have their own ferry leaving from Central. You can ride this for free if you have a booking at the restaurant (and can ride back to Central for free if you show them your receipt from the restaurant).
Read more about Rainbow Seafood here.
Other popular island destinations for a seafood lunch include Peng Chau, Cheung Chau and Po Toi Island. Kids will enjoy looking at all the fish and crabs in the seafood tanks and checking out the dried seafood in the market stalls.
You can combine lunch with a play on the beach (although beaches can be of varying cleanliness!)
Dim Sum
What’s a visit to Hong Kong without sampling the most famous local cuisine – Dim Sum? This Cantonese specialty consists of a selection of traditional dishes, including steamed or fried dumplings, buns and pastries, all served in bamboo steamers or small plates.
Each serving usually has around four pieces per basket or plate and is traditionally served ‘family style’, where a selection of dishes are ordered for the table and shared amongst family and friends.
Dim Sum is traditionally washed down with several cups of Chinese tea, hence the alternative name for eating Dim Sum “yum cha” (which literally means “drink tea”).
If you are new to Dim Sum, read our beginners’ guide to dim sum here.
Going for dim sum can be a fun Hong Kong experience for kids too, with as all the little dishes appear on the table wiht new and exciting specialties.
My kids particularly love the char siu bao (barbecue pork buns) and the xiao long bao (Shanghai pork dumplings), while the shrimp dumplings, spring rolls and egg tarts are also a hit.
Read our guide to the Best Restaurants in Hong Kong for Dim Sum here.
Hong Kong Museums
There are so many museums to choose from in Hong Kong, with topics as diverse as tea ware, horse racing, correctional facilities and movies. The two most popular museums with Hong Kong children are the Hong Kong Museum of History, and the Hong Kong Science Museum.
The Hong Kong Museum of History takes you on a journey through the birth and life of Hong Kong, and includes galleries on Folk Culture, the Opium Wars, and the Japanese Occupation.
There is plenty to keep the kids entertained, including boats to climb on, stuffed animals to hide from, and eye-catching exhibitions such as the reconstruction of festivals and entertainment such as Lion Dances and Chinese Opera.
Just next-door is the Hong Kong Science Museum. Over 70 percent of the Science Museum’s 500 exhibits are interactive, meaning lots of hands-on fun and learning is to be had here.
Hike the Dragon’s Back
Most people associate Hong Kong with skyscrapers and fast-paced city life. But head out of the city centre and you will find some awesome hiking trails through Hong Kong’s country parks. In fact, around 38% of the land surrounding Hong Kong has been designated as country park.
If you are a fit and healthy family, then this could be a highlight of your trip to Hong Kong.
The Dragon’s Back is one of the best introductions to hiking in Hong Kong.
This 2-hour hike is relatively easy (children aged 5 and up should be able to manage it), offering spectacular views of Hong Kong’s southside.
The walk ends on Big Wave Bay beach, where you can spend the day playing in the sand and splashing in the sea (there is a café here too).
Read more in our article Hiking the Dragon’s Back, Hong Kong
Hong Kong Dolphin Watch
Hong Kong is home to a group of very special, very rare residents – the Indopacific Humpback Dolphin. The Indopacific Humpback dolphins can also be found in the Indian Ocean and Western Pacific, but what makes Hong Kong’s dolphins so special – is that they are pink! Yes, pink dolphins!
A tour to see these beautiful creatures in the wild is one of the most unique family things to do in Hong Kong.
We recommend that the only company you should book with is Hong Kong Dolphin Watch, as they are the only company offering truly ecological tours, and donating a percentage of their profits to dolphin charities.
Their trips are educational and are designed to minimize the disturbance to the dolphins. Plus they know these dolphins better than anyone in Hong Kong, so you have the best chance of spotting them than with any other company.
Click here to book discounted Pink Dolphin Sighting Tour tickets.
Junk Cruise
Another fun thing to add to your Hong Kong itinerary for kids is jumping on a boat and heading out to sea.
For a traditional cruising option, choose from the Duk Ling or the Aqua Luna. The Duk Ling is Hong Kong’s oldest surviving sailing junk, having been built in 1955. Originally a fishing boat, it now takes tourists for sightseeing trips around the harbour.
Read more about the Duk Ling in our Fun Hong Kong Facts for Kids article.
Both the Duk Ling and the Aqua Luna offer afternoon and evening harbour cruises, including ones that coincide with the Symphony of Lights light show at 8pm every night. The Aqua Luna also offers a 90-minute cruise over to Stanley at the weekends.
Click here to buy discounted Aqua Luna cruise tickets.
If you’re looking for something more exclusive, then you can hire a private junk (either traditional or high-tech modern speedboat) and spend the day exploring the outlying islands, frolicking on a beach or floating in rubber rings off the back of the boat.
Boat hire ranges from the very basic to very fancy, fully-catered affairs.
Looking for more fun Hong Kong activities? Read more in our Uniquely Hong Kong article.
Family Hotels in Hong Kong
Need help choosing a family-friendly hotel in Hong Kong? Hong Kong has a huge number of hotels to choose from, from high end to budget. Most places are suitable for kids.
If you are visiting in the Summer, it is a great option to find somewhere with a pool as the heat and humidity can get too much for some and it is amazing to have a pool to cool off in at the end of a long day of sightseeing.
Also try to pick somewhere that is close to public transport – particularly an MTR station, as this will connect most places you will want to visit.
Read our pick of the best places to stay in Hong Kong with kids below.
Grand Hyatt Hong Kong
The Grand Hyatt Hong Kong is one of our favourite hotels for families in Hong Kong. It has a lovely swimming pool, plus separate kids pool and a full playground on site. It also has a good choice of restaurants, including a huge buffet breakfast and Chinese restaurant for dim sum lunches.
There are also fabulous harbour views on offer if you opt for a Harbour View room. Rooms are spacious and kids are given ice cream vouchers to use in any of the restaurants on check in.
Click here to check prices for the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong.
Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel
If you are planning to spend a day at Hong Kong Disneyland, then spending a night in the hotel can be a great way to round off the experience. We often visit the park on one day, then overnight in the hotel and enjoy breakfast with the characters in the morning before we leave.
As you would expect, the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel is fabulous for children with spacious grounds, indoor swimming pool, outdoor pool with a slide, small kids playroom, a Bibbidi Bobbidy Boutique for princess makeovers and more.
There is a good choice of restaurants, including a Chinese restaurant with disney-themed dim sum and the Enchanted Garden, where you can dine with the characters.
Click here to check prices for the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel.
The Salisbury – YMCA Hong Kong
For a more budget friendly hotel in Hong Kong, check out the Salisbury in Tsim Sha Tsui. Don’t be put off by this being a YMCA – it is actually a very nice modern mid-range Hong Kong hotel, and what’s more – it has harbour views for a fraction of the price of the nearby big named brand hotels.
The family suites have separate living rooms with sofa beds and a fridge. Onsite facilities include a swimming pool and full leisure facilities. It is close to the MTR station and just a 2-minute walk from the star ferry.
Click here to check prices for the Salisbury YMCA.
Still want more options? Click here to read more suggestions for Family Hotels in Hong Kong.
This post contains affiliate links. If you make a booking or purchase using one of these links, we may receive a small commission – at absolutely no extra cost to you.
Great article. Never thought Hong Kong was too kid-friendly.
Thanks Stacey – I know a lot of people think that, but actually there is a lot to do here, even though initially it doesn’t seem too kid-friendly. It did take some adjustment after moving from Singapore, which is way easier with kids, but once you get to know Hong Kong, it’s a lot of fun with kids, which is why i wanted to share this article 🙂
We’ve done plenty of Hong Kong stops over the years on the UK-Aus run but never with kids. Sounds like the perfect excuse to arrange a stop over and add some of these activities to the agenda
Absolutely Keri – come on over and let me know when you do, we can all do dim sum together 🙂
Marianne Rogerson recently posted…10 Fun Things to Do in Edinburgh with Kids
I was in Hong Kong years ago, without kids, and oh my: I thought the crowd was insane! But I remember in a few days I got used to it and then really started enjoying the place. I’d love to go back with the kids: I am sure they would have a bit of a culture shock, coming from scarcely populated Ireland, but would end up having a great time.
Ha yes, Ireland to Hong Kong would be a bit of a culture shock! Funny, after 8 years in Asia I don’t really notice the crowds that much – although I do when I am trying to drag my kids through Central Hong Kong!
Marianne Rogerson recently posted…10 Uniquely Hong Kong Experiences to Try
Love that you shared some places that a family can enjoy with out the extra tight hand holding and panic of losing a child! That’s such a downside of crazy busy cities (and any Disney park on the planet it seems) Great photos, looks like Hong Kong has so much to offer for a traveling family and we hope to get there someday! Thanks for sharing!
Yep – honestly I tend to avoid Central Hong Kong and busy places like Mongkok with the kids if (unless we are heading for dim sum, or showing visitors around) – much easier to go where they can run free and go on their scooters! And yes – Hong Kong Disneyland gets crazy busy!
Marianne Rogerson recently posted…10 Fun Things to Do in London with Kids
We would love to visit Hong Kong one day and from your post it seems that there are loads of activities to keep the kids busy. The dim sum alone is enough to make me want to book a ticket right now!
Ha, yes the Dim Sum is definitely one of my favourite perks of living here!
Such an extensive list of amazing things to do! Dim Sum looks perfect. We would like to explore HongKong as part of a stopover one day and this has given us some great ideas. Bron
Thanks Bron! You should definitely come as a stopover – let me know when you do!
The kids just love character breakfast at Disneyland! I have never been on a junk in Hong Kong but maybe next time
Yes Junks are a lot of fun – it was another thing I had no idea about until I moved here, how everyone takes to the sea at the weekend during the summer. Hong Kong coastline is so beautiful and being out on the water for the day is amazing.
What a great list of activities to do with kids in Hong Kong. Great insiders view of Hong Kong with kids. Thanks for sharing! I think my kids would love the Dim Sum idea.
Thanks Nicole! Dim Sum is always a good idea in my book, lol. And if you combine it with Disney, you can get character dim sum at the Disneyland hotel – cute!
Marianne Rogerson recently posted…10 Uniquely Hong Kong Experiences to Try
Great article, even more ideas for our stopover in June. We are staying on lantau island as want access to cable car and Disney land plus leaving on a late night flight, do you think it a good base? Thanks for all the above tips.
Awesome blog. I was born in Hong Kong but our family left in 97 when China took over. I’m going back for the first time since and this time I’m taking my husband and kids. I have been researching like crazy and I’m glad I found your blog. It’s weird preparing for the trip because I feel I know the place coz I kinda grew up there and remember quite a lot but then again a lot has changed, so it feels like I barely know it. I can’t wait to experience Hong Kong with my family and see what it’s like there now.
Thanks 🙂 I am sure you will see so many changes since 1997! I hope you have a great trip! Feel free to ask if you have any questions!
This is such a compelling post! I’m sold! If we talk logistics, is it recommendable to stay at Disney hotel and go for day trips to the “main area.” Or the other way around? Also, are there any updates for 2017? Thanks again!
Thanks ReGina – personally I would prefer to stay in central Hong Kong and do a day trip out to Disneyland. You could stay overnight in one of the Disney hotels so you could do breakfast with the characters, but in general I think it is best to stay in the city.
Hi Marianne, thanks for sharing. This is very helpful. Just wondering if you have any recommendations for the boat hire?
Perfect. Thanks again!
Hi Marianne, wasn’t sure about HK with our 8 year old but you have convinced us ☺️ Have always wanted to go there! What would be a nice area to stay sort of near to all these places you mention in your blog away from the crowds but easy access to central parts? Thanks so much.
Hi Cristi – great, for sure you can have loads of fun in Hong Kong with an 8-year old! If you are looking for luxury accommodation, a great place to stay is Admiralty. Pacific Place shopping mall is linked to 4 hotels – the Shangri-La, Marriott, Conrad and Upper House, all would be good options. There is an MTR station in the basement of the shopping mall (which has a large choice of restaurants and a supermarket) and tram and bus stops right outside to link you to everywhere. For something a bit cheaper, check out Ovolo Southside, very close to the MTR station so easy to access everywhere (just 2 or 3 stops to Admiralty mentioned above) or the YMCA Salisbury hotel, which is in Tsim Sha Tsui on the Kowloon side, just a short walk from the MTR and Star Ferry. I outline these and others in this article here: https://www.mumonthemove.com/the-best-family-friendly-hotels-in-hong-kong/ I hope you have a great time!
Hi, I’m stopping off with my two kids in January. I love your post thanks. Just wondering what your recommendation would be for markets. We would also like to do some shopping, thoughts on this would be appreciated.
Hi Kat – there are loads of great markets in HK. Stanley market is nice and easy with kids, a bit smaller and quieter but with some nice stuff. It’s a bit of a trek from Central but it’s nice to see a different side of HK island. For something bigger and busier, head to the Mongkok Ladies Market and also check out the Temple St night market if you fancy making an evening of it. Have a great time!
Hi! Im glad i came across ur blog. Very informative. We are travellin to hong kong woth our 3 year old and was olanning to stay for 2 days in tsim sha tsui after disneyland to see the city and i just noticed u did not mention tsim sha tsui as one of the places to go to. Would u recommend just staying at central rather than tsim sha tsui? I was just considering goin around tsim sha tsui as my friend told me that central is very hilly and hard to go around with a kod in a stroller. Would appreciate ur input. Thanks
Hi Jamie, thanks for getting in touch! If you look at my post about family hotels in Hong Kong, I do include a few places to stay in Tsim Sha Tsui. It is an easy location to stay – central and with great transport links and hopefully harbour views! You can see that post here: https://www.mumonthemove.com/the-best-family-friendly-hotels-in-hong-kong/ There’s not necessarily as many things ‘to do’ with kids in TST, but it is a great location to stay.
With regards taking a stroller – your friend is right, Central is hilly and has lots of steps so not easy with a stroller. TST is very busy though so not really ideal with a stroller either! Hong Kong in general is not very stroller friendly I’m afraid!
I hope that helps. Have a great time!
Thanks, this helps a lot on my coming visit with kids.
You’re welcome! Have a great time! 🙂
A relative is moving to HK just after the holidays. I’d like to get a gift certificate or something “travel friendly” for her 12yo son. Any thoughts on what to get, or how to get such a thing?