The Best Things to Do in Hong Kong with Kids

For most families, Hong Kong is somewhere you visit. For ours, it's somewhere we come back to.

Susie was born in Hong Kong, back when it was still under British rule, and although she left when she was very young, the city has always remained special to her.

Over the years, we've returned on multiple occasions, but our most recent trip finally gave us the chance to bring the girls along and introduce them to the place where their Mum was born.

That family connection means we've had the chance to see the city change across a few very different eras, yet it's never lost what makes it so special. Hong Kong has an energy unlike anywhere else, where towering skyscrapers, temples, parks and bustling markets all exist together within minutes of each other.

Getting around with kids is refreshingly easy too, the MTR is fast and simple to navigate, English signage is everywhere, and there's a huge variety of attractions packed into a relatively small area.

Below are our favourite things to do in Hong Kong with kids, built from visits over the years as well as our own experience exploring the city as a family.

If you're mapping out a full trip, our 5-day Hong Kong itinerary walks through how we'd pace it all out, and our review of the JW Marriott Hong Kong covers where we stayed.

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Map of Family-Friendly Attractions in Hong Kong

Whenever we plan a trip, we always start with Google Maps. It helps us visualize locations and create efficient itineraries. We've added all the top family attractions in Hong Kong to the map below to help you see where everything is and plan your own visit.

To save the map to your Google Maps account, click the star next to the title. To access it later, open Google Maps, go to "Your Places," and find it under "Maps."

The Best Things to Do in Hong Kong with Kids

1. Hong Kong Disneyland

We weren't a Disney family before this trip, we'd never been to any Disney park, and honestly weren't sure Hong Kong Disneyland was worth dedicating a full day to. It ended up being one of the highlights of our entire 100 day trip.

It's one of the smaller Disney parks in the world, which means shorter queues, easier navigation, and genuinely great value.

Our girls' favourite rides were Frozen Ever After and Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars, but there's something for everyone, whatever their age.

We've written a full review covering tickets, getting there, and our honest take on which rides were best: Hong Kong Disneyland Review.

We booked through Klook, which is our go-to platform for attraction tickets across Asia. We've used it in multiple countries and have always found it reliable.

2. Big Buddha & Lantau Island

If you're only planning one day trip outside the city, I'd recommend making it Lantau Island. Between the cable car ride, the Big Buddha, and Po Lin Monastery, it's one of Hong Kong's standout experiences. We've visited on every trip we've made to Hong Kong, and it still manages to impress us every time.

You can take a cable car up and, if you do, you'll be treated to spectacular views across Lantau Island along the way. Once you're there, you can climb the steps to the giant Big Buddha, explore Po Lin Monastery, and enjoy a very different side of Hong Kong from the bustle of Central and Kowloon.

We made a few genuine mistakes booking this one, which we've laid out in full here: Big Buddha & Lantau Island: A Full Day Trip Guide (And 3 Mistakes We Made).

3. The Peak Tram & Victoria Peak

No trip to Hong Kong feels complete without a ride up Victoria Peak on the historic Peak Tram, one of the oldest funicular railways in the world.

The skyline views from the top, looking down over the skyscrapers and Victoria Harbour, are among the best on the planet.

Once at the top, don't just head straight for the viewing platforms. In fact, we explain in this post a free alternative that we think is just as good.

Take some time to walk part (or all of) of the Peak Circle Walk, where you'll find equally spectacular views and a much more relaxed atmosphere. If you're visiting with older kids, it's a great way to stretch your legs and see a different side of the Peak.

If you're looking for something else to do while you're up there, Madame Tussauds Hong Kong is right at the summit of the tram and makes a fun addition to the visit, especially if your kids enjoy posing for photos with wax figures of everyone from Bruce Lee to their favourite pop stars.

4. The Star Ferry Across Victoria Harbour

The Star Ferry has been crossing Victoria Harbour since 1888, and it's still one of the cheapest, most memorable ways to see the Hong Kong skyline.

It's a short ride, but it's one of our favourite things to do in Hong Kong, especially in the early evening as the lights start coming on across both sides of the harbour.

At around $1 CAD per person, it's one of the best-value attractions in Hong Kong. Time it right and you can even watch A Symphony of Lights from the water, which gives you a completely different perspective of the city's famous skyline.

5. Avenue of the Stars & A Symphony of Lights

Running along the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront, the Avenue of the Stars celebrates Hong Kong's film industry with statues, handprints, and tributes to some of its biggest stars, including Bruce Lee.

Even if your kids aren't interested in cinema history, the views across Victoria Harbour are spectacular.

A Symphony of Lights is Hong Kong's nightly light and laser show, illuminating the skyline on both sides of the harbour. It's completely free to watch and remains one of the city's most iconic evening experiences, especially from the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront.

6. Hong Kong Park & the Zoological and Botanical Gardens

Tucked right in the middle of Admiralty's skyscrapers, Hong Kong Park is a lovely spot to let kids run around, with an aviary, ponds, waterfalls, and plenty of green space between the high-rises. It's hard to believe you're in the middle of such a busy city.

Just across the street, you'll also find the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens, home to exotic birds, primates, reptiles, and beautifully maintained gardens.

Both Hong Kong Park and the Zoological and Botanical Gardens are free to visit, making them excellent value for families and two of the best free things to do in Hong Kong.

We have lots of photos in our daily diary that show just how beautiful this park is, including close-up shots of the turtles!

7. Ocean Park

Hong Kong's other major theme park, Ocean Park blends rides with a genuine marine park and conservation focus, pandas, aquariums, and a cable car connecting the two halves of the park across a headland. It leans a little older and more thrill ride focused than Disneyland in parts, so it's worth checking ride height requirements if you have younger kids.

You can book your tickets here on Klook.

8. Explore Hong Kong's Museums

Hong Kong has several excellent museums that make great rainy-day options for families. The Hong Kong Science Museum and the Hong Kong Space Museum are both fantastic and located right next to each other on the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront, making them easy to visit as part of the same day out.

If you're interested in learning more about the city's past, the Hong Kong Museum of History is also well worth a visit.

They're all easy to reach and can provide a welcome break from the heat and humidity.

9. Exploring Hong Kong's Markets

Hong Kong's markets are some of the best places to see a more local, chaotic side of the city, and each one has its own personality.

Temple Street Night Market in Kowloon comes alive after dark with street food stalls, fortune tellers, and stacks of cheap souvenirs and knockoff goods. It's busy and a little overwhelming, but that's part of the fun with kids.

The Ladies' Market on Tung Choi Street is another good one, running for almost a kilometre and packed with clothing, accessories, toys, and souvenirs.

If you've got kids who enjoy hunting for bargains, they're likely to enjoy putting their negotiating skills to the test!

10. Hong Kong Observation Wheel

For another great harbour view without heading up Victoria Peak, the Hong Kong Observation Wheel sits right on the Central waterfront and gives you a slower, 360-degree look at the skyline and harbour from one of its glass gondolas.

It's an easy add-on if you're already down by the Star Ferry pier.

11. LEGOLAND Discovery Centre

We haven't actually been inside the LEGOLAND Discovery Centre ourselves, but every time we've walked past it has looked like a lot of fun. If you've got LEGO-loving kids and need a break from the heat or rain, it could be well worth considering.

12. Tai Kwun

Once a police station, courthouse, and prison, Tai Kwun has been transformed into one of Hong Kong's most impressive heritage attractions. Today it's home to museums, galleries, shops and restaurants, all set within beautifully restored colonial-era buildings.

It's also perfectly positioned to explore the nearby Mid-Level Escalators, the world's longest outdoor covered escalator system, which offers a fun and uniquely Hong Kong way to continue exploring Central and SoHo.

13. Man Mo Temple

    
    

A visit to Man Mo Temple offers a fascinating contrast to Hong Kong's modern skyline. The temple’s giant hanging incense coils are an impressive sight, and it's perfectly located to complement a visit to nearby Tai Kwun in Central.

14. Ride the Ding Ding Trams

Hong Kong's historic double-decker trams, affectionately known as the Ding Dings, have been carrying passengers across Hong Kong Island for more than a century.

They're one of the cheapest ways to see the city and a fun experience for kids.

15. Dim Sum

Hong Kong's food scene is one of the best reasons to visit, especially with kids who are open to trying new things.

Dim sum is the obvious starting point, and it's worth booking a proper sit-down restaurant for at least one meal to experience this Hong Kong tradition at its best!

We shared our experience at a traditional dim sum restaurant in our daily diary, and it ended up being one of the most memorable meals of the trip.

The great thing about dim sum is the huge variety of dishes available, meaning even picky eaters can usually find something they'll enjoy.

Where to Stay in Hong Kong

Where you stay in Hong Kong largely comes down to whether you prefer Hong Kong Island or Kowloon, as both make excellent bases for exploring the city.

Over the years, we've stayed in a few different places. On previous visits, we stayed at the YMCA Salisbury in Tsim Sha Tsui, which has an excellent location right on Victoria Harbour and is generally excellent value for the location.

On our recent trip, we based ourselves at the JW Marriott Hong Kong, and we absolutely loved it. The location above Admiralty MTR station made getting around the city incredibly easy, the rooms were comfortable, and it was a genuinely great choice for families.

The standout feature for our girls was the outdoor pool. Trust me when I say that after humid days exploring the city, there was something pretty special about swimming at night with the lights of Hong Kong's skyscrapers towering all around us.

If you're considering staying there, we've written a full review of the JW Marriott Hong Kong and why it worked so well for our family.

Final Thoughts on Hong Kong

Hong Kong has been part of our family's story for decades, and every visit reminds us why we love it so much. Whether you're visiting for the first time or returning after many years away, it's a city that somehow manages to feel both familiar and exciting at the same time.

From world-class attractions and incredible food to peaceful parks and unforgettable skyline views, there's more than enough here to keep families busy for days.

If you're planning your own trip, be sure to check out our 5-day Hong Kong itinerary, JW Marriott Hong Kong review, and our daily diary entries for a more detailed look at our time in the city.

We're a Calgary-based family that travelled for 100 days, documenting each step so other families can get an honest, real-life look at long-term travel with kids.