Hong Kong is one of the most lively, friendly and vibrant cities I have visited. Some said we wouldn’t need more than a few days there, but we left after six days wishing we had stayed even longer! There was so much to do and see that we didn’t even tick off half the things I had planned! Rarely does that happen to me, but we kept getting side-tracked by more awesome sights I hadn’t thought to see. You can easily spend a week in Hong Kong, giving yourself a lovely pace with the family.Here are nine of our favorite activities to do in Hong Kong with kids:
Hong Kong Disneyland
Not the biggest park by any means, but definitely worth a trip! While you could tackle it in a day, its best to plan on one and a half or two full days at Hong Kong Disneyland as lines can be long. You’ll find some
differences in rides as well as the number of attractions available, but the themed lands and layout will be familiar to you, making you feel right at home. Be careful of line pushers, as line etiquette didn’t really exist. Read more of my tips for visiting Hong Kong Disneyland here.
Ocean Park
Ocean Park was standing proud before Disneyland ever entered Hong Kong, so for a long time it was the favorite park of locals and tourists. The park is spread out over several mountain hillsides, requiring a 1.5 km cable care ride or a speedy train journey to get from one side to the other. Roller coasters on cliffs, carnival
games and wildlife habitats featuring sharks, pandas and an aquarium give this park a lot to boast about. However, I’d save it for when my kids are a little older, perhaps 10+, as we found it to more of an “older” park.
Markets Walking Tour
One of our best days was when we explored the markets of Kowloon. Starting on Shanghai Street, where you can pretty find any specialty item you’re looking for, make your way towards the Jade Market. Here you can negotiate prices on jade pieces, but be careful – many of stall owners work together and will try to sell you a lower quality piece of jade for more than you need. Stay strong. Regardless, it’s all beautiful and worth the experience. After leaving the Jade Market, make your way to the Flower Market. As you may have guessed, this is a street where your senses will be on fire as you
smell and view some of the most amazing flowers ready for you to buy. Make sure you check the rules for your country if you want to bring flowers or potted plants back with you. At the end of the Flower Market Street, you’ll run into the Bird Garden (formerly called the Bird Market in its previous location). Here, you’ll find shops selling various types of birds, crickets, meal worms and accessories. You can also watch the locals catching up with each other while their personal birds do the same while hanging from rods in their own cages. It’s quite a unique experience.
Star Ferry
The Star Ferry provides both a taxi across the Victoria Harbor service and a Victoria Harbor tour. We found the taxi service across the harbor and back to be wonderful, especially if you plan your return trip at night. Enjoy partaking in an experience dating back to the 1920s, when people depended on the ferries for commuting between the Hong Kong and Kowloon districts. My kids found the seating especially cool. You’ll have to board one to see why.
Avenue of the Stars
Reminiscent of the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles, the Avenue of the Stars recognizes the greats in the Hong Kong Film Awards. Stroll
along the Victoria Harbor promenade, gaze at the Hong Kong skyline and have fun posing with famous stars and statues! Be sure to pose with Bruce Lee, the most iconic statue along the avenue.
Sky100
Located on the 100th floor of International Commerce Centre, the tallest building in Hong Kong, Sky100 offers amazing 360-degree views of Hong Kong and Victoria Harbor. Reserve your timing and check to see if the entire deck is open, as many events will block off half the deck, allowing you only a 180-degree view. Who knows, you might even witness bridal photos being taken! You’ll be whisked away on one of the high-speed elevators to the 100th floor, enjoy the views of the city and then treat
yourself to high tea. The girls really felt special being so high up and enjoying a special tea treat. It was easy to spend two hours here. After taking in the views, soak up information about Hong Kong’s history through interactive displays. This is a must do in Hong Kong, whether alone, as a couple or with kids.
Science Museum
The Hong Kong Science Museum provided more entertainment than we were expecting. Setting out to enjoy the museum for only an hour or two, we emerged a full five hours later. This museum was entirely hands on, from bottom to top. The Energy Machine, a major focal point in the center of the museum, will amaze you, and kids will love the life-size
DC-3 airplane hanging from the ceiling.
Symphony of Lights
Every night at 8 p.m., both sides of Victoria Harbor come to life with lasers and buildings synchronized to music, which is the Symphony of Lights. Witness it from the Star Ferry for a special treat, or from the Avenue of the Stars or Hong Kong Convention Center. This short, 14 minute show will delight young and old.
Walking and Enjoying the Sights
One of the absolute best things about Hong Kong, especially the
Kowloon area, was the walking and sightseeing. Just strolling the streets, day or night, allowed us so much insight into Hong Kong and its culture. Wafting aromas enticed us from restaurant after restaurant as we walked by, bright lights beaming down from billboards and store signs made it feel like daytime, random little stores were found in alley ways and small shopping centers, like the store full of rubber ducks and people were just all around friendly! I loved walking around in this city.
We spent five days in Hong Kong, and now that I know how much there is to see, we easily could have booked a week there. Next time, we will head to Victoria Peak, Botanical Gardens, Big Buddha, and more, but for now, I hope these nine activities in Hong Kong to do with kids will keep you busy!
Moving Overseas with Children
I’m amazed at the number of family activities in HK – Kowloon sounds perfect for wandering around and exploring. Excellent guide, thank you for sharing your best finds!