The challenge of mastering a big-city Metro system and the cityscape of Hong Kong with kids in tow did sound a little daunting. But we had a fantastic time! There are lots of cool things to do in Hong Kong with kids.
We’d arrived after three months of fulltime travel in South East Asia. We were getting comfortable with Tuk-Tuks and sprawling jungles. But were we ready for Hong Kong with kids?!
In short; YES!
We found the best food at Yum Cha and the Temple Street Night Market. We even found nature reserves, playgrounds, bush walks (in Hong Kong?!) and made our way around multiple wet markets.
It turned out to be a great introduction to East Asia for our first Family Gap Year. Here is what we recommend on your itinerary for Hong Kong with kids!
Things to do in Hong Kong with kids
In no particular order – more so in the order we explored in – here are 8 cool things to do in Hong Kong with kids. Plus a whole lot more kid-friendly activities and must-try foods to find!
1. Tsim Sha Tsui
Tsim Sha Tsui is a major tourist hub in Hong Kong, with many high-end shops, bars, pubs and restaurants that cater to tourists. It is generally a bustling downtown area of the city to explore. Plus, many of Hong Kong’s museums are located in the area.
As far as venturing out to Tsim Sha Tsui in Hong Kong with kids, this is a cool part of the city to get a feel for first.
We stayed our first two nights in Hong Kong is Tsim Sha Tsui. After heading out to find dinner we loved the vibrant bustle of this busy district al lit up at nighttime.
- Tip: Walk along the promenade and admire the handprints and plaques of Hong Kong film stars.
2. Dim Sum at Yum Cha – Hong Kong with kids
Dim Sum at Yum Cha had been highly recommended as a fun way (especially for the kids) to experience traditional Hong Kong Chinese food. Which, spoiler alert – turned out to be the coolest food experience in Hong Kong with kids!
In Cantonese, ‘Yum Cha’ literally means to ‘drink tea’. It is a time-honoured tradition in Hong Kong, celebrating the chance to come together and share a table spread with Dim Sum, tea, and other treats.
The YUM CHA chain of restaurants in Hong Kong puts a very modern twist on the old traditions and recipes. Which in turn is a (successfully sneaky) great way to introduce the kids to some different Chinese dishes!
We ended up eating at both Yum Cha Central and at Yum Cha in Tsim Sha Tsui and would definitely go again.
3. Victoria Peak – Hong Kong with kids
As soon as you land on Hong Kong Island, The Peak will inevitably be one of the first things that catches your eye. It is the best place on the island for views of Hong Kong City, Victoria Harbour and even the surrounding islands.
There are several ways to get up to the top of Victoria Peak. The most famous is to take The Peak Tram from Central. This was the city’s first reversible cable funicular railway. It takes around 10 minutes to reach to top.
The other option which in theory is great if you are in Hong Kong with kids and keen to burn some energy. I say, in theory, as we totally ended up by accident venturing up Mount Davis – instead of Victoria Peak!
But either way, a trip to the top of Vicotria Peak is one of the most iconic activities in Hong Kong and a great option for sightseeing with kids.
4. Mount Davis – Hong Kong with kids
Alight, this is the time I must confess how we accidentally hiked up Mount Davis in Hong Kong with kids…
My confession starts as we actually set off to find and climb the famous Victoria Peak. Which err, due to our slight navigational errors when taking the subway system and bus mapping, we ended up at Mount Davis!
But hiking in Hong Kong with kids?! This was definitely an unexpected find for us.
Though it turned out be a fantastic unplanned choice. We found ourselves meeting locals, exploring the old army base, and confirming that Hong Kong DOES in fact have some great bush walks!
5. Hong Kong’s Wet Markets
The wet markets in Hong Kong are the traditional markets that sell fresh meat, fruit and vegetables, and other perishable goods. There are wet markets in most neighbourhoods of Hong Kong.
We found plenty!
One that was a favourite wet market for the kids – mostly due to the friendly vendors that loved how wowed the kids were – was on Chun Yeung Street. This historic wet market has a tram line running right through it.
It is a popular market for the locals and a busy place to explore. Plus it was literally right outside our hotel reception door!
6. Monster Building
Agreed this is another of the unique things to do in Hong Kong with kids. But Gavin and I had seen a documentary about the incredible Monster Building in Hong Kong and were fascinated to visit it.
The Monster Building is a group of five connected buildings on King’s Road in Quarry Bay, Hong Kong. It was built in the 1960’s and has continued to inhabit a huge number of residents that live there today.
I believe that since we visited, there are restrictions on photography and visitor access. Though at the time we went it was very quiet and yet to become quite so Insta-famous! For us, it certainly stirred a lot of conversation with the boys about how people live differently around the world.
- Tip: It is easily accessible by getting the MTR line to Tai Koo.
7. Hong Kong Park
Hong Kong Park is a public park next to Cotton Tree Drive in Central, Hong Kong.
It is a beautiful, safe, and free urban park with a fabulous aviary and lots of other hidden corners to explore. There is a huge multi-level playground that is perfect for the kids.
It is a blissfully fun, outdoor and free park set within a concrete jungle!
8. Temple Street Night Market
Eating in Hong Kong is one of the easiest things to do – especially with kids.
The Temple Street Night Market is an absolute smorgasbord of Hong Kong and international snacks. Even if it’s only the parents up for trying a few of the unpronounceable or unrecognisable dishes. The kids will love the egg waffles, pineapple buns – and hunt down the fishball soup!
Free things to do in Hong Kong with kids
As well as dining at delicious Yum Cha, there are plenty more free things to do in Hong Kong with kids.
- East Coast Boardwalk
- Sheung Wan Street Art
- Kowloon Walled City
- Avenue of Stars Boardwalk
- Lai Chi Kok Park
- Belcher Bay Promenade
- Kwong Pan Tin Mural Village – Rainbow Village
- Repulse Bay Beach
- Goldfish Market – Tung Choi Street
- Hung Shing Yeh Beach
I really would have loved to see the Goldfish Market! That is where Hong Kong people go to buy luck-bringing goldfish and other tropical aquarium pets.
Though as far as free things to do in Hong Kong, we really enjoyed our (accidental) walk up Mount Davis. Plus, the adventure of finding the Monster Buildings was a fun free activity in Hong Kong with kids!
Other things to do in Hong Kong
Of course, there are many other things to do in Hong Kong with kids. The city has everything from theme parks to immersive cultural experiences, even a glass bottomed cable car!
These ones aren’t free, but if you have more time there are lots more directions of Hong Kong to explore as a family.
- Hong Kong Wetland Park
- Hong Kong Disneyland
- Ngong Ping 360
- Tian Ten Buddha
- Star Ferry
- Hong Kong Science Museum
- West Kowloon’s Art Park
- Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Garden
- Madame Tussauds Hong Kong
- Tai O Fishing Village
Food to try in Hong Kong with kids
Food is always an exciting part of travel. But travelling with kids makes the food aspect even more standout. They often surprise us with their bravery to try totally new things that they likely wouldn’t consider at home.
Albeit in somewhere like Hong Kong, there are plenty of foods that are totally new to the kids – and us too as adults!
Some foods to look out for and try in Hong Kong with kids:
- Gai Daan Jai – egg waffles
- Wonton Noodles
- Siu Mei – roasted meats
- Bo Zai Fan – claypot rice
- Hot Pot
- Egg Tarts
- Zhu Cheung Fun – rice rolls
- Fish Balls
- Sweet And Sour Pork
- Pineapple Buns
I have to add Hong Kong milk tea – Yin Yang – as a standout to try for the parents too.
Hong Kong-style milk tea is completely different from other Asian milk teas. It is a blend of black tea and evaporated milk.
But don’t write it off just yet! It is a bit of a taste novelty (without the typically unrecognisable Hong Kong specialities). Kind of like the literal epitome of East-meets-West for tea culture!
One challenge in Hong Kong with kids?
By far the biggest challenge of our time in Hong Kong was wrangling kids in an apartment that just was NOT designed for two energetic, outdoor boys! It said ‘standard sized deluxe apartment’!
We made the decision to stick to our budget, and booked a local hotel room in Tsim Sha Tsui.
Well, it was certainly an experience!
We are often asked about how the boys respond to moving homes as we travel. To which I am pleased to say now that we have learnt a lot about. One of the biggest lessons learnt as we follow behind our boys on this adventure, is of how adaptable children are…
Picture us arriving to Hong Kong at 02:00am, having travelled since that morning.
I was NOT IMPRESSED [understatement] to find an apartment that would do better titled as a SHOEBOX. It was ridiculously tiny. I was far overtired. Plus my feet as close to stuck out the door.
But the kids were so excited!
Gavin looked at me, and I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. When at that time of morning Harry squealed with excitement, “I LOVE this cute little house! Look how cute it is!”
It was a fantastic reminder that sticks with us to this day, about how kids see things so differently to adults.
Where to (otherwise) stay in Hong Kong with kids
For the last two nights we ended up rebooking and moved hotels. I am pleased to share that we found the Ramada Hong Kong Grand View Hotel.
It even had a swimming pool with a rooftop view out over the Hong Kong skyline, and was right above the tram track and an amazing old-style wet market.
At $60 USD per night, we would recommend anyone to stay here!
Getting around Hong Kong with kids
We fast became masters of the Metro!
Seriously though, Hong Kong is an easy city to get around in. We used the metro, the trams, hailed a taxi, took a bus to and from the airport, and walked in between all of those.
If we went again we would…
We would climb Mount Victoria!
Plus we would definitely stay at our second choice of hotel.
Though, in saying that; the shoebox did turn out to be one of our most memorable travel stories!
Read more about family travel in Asia
- Japan With Kids: Travel Guide.
- Fushimi Inari Shrine: Walking Up Mount Inari.
- Taiwan With Kids: Travel Guide.
- Visiting Taroko Gorge, Taiwan.
- Taiwanese Food: The Real Deal Traveling In Taiwan.
- Visiting Busan’s Jagalchi Market, South Korea.
More useful links for your travels in Asia and beyond
These are the companies we use and can recommend for planning and booking travel.
- Booking.com – The best all-around accommodation booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. It is easy to filter and sort into price and availability with all the extras you are looking for personally.
- 12GoAsia – Book trains anywhere online.
- Skyscanner– This is by far our favourite flight search engine. They are able to search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites often miss. We book all our flights through Skyscanner.
- GetYourGuide– Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions offered all around the world. Everything from walking tours, to street-food tours, cooking classes, desert safari’s and more!
- SafetyWing – A global travel insurance that covers people from all over the world while outside their home country. You can buy it short or longterm; and even if you are out of the country.
- World Nomads – Make sure you have insurance before embarking on travel to Hong Kong with kids!
