If you’re in Hong Kong with kids, there’s plenty of things to do.  It’s not the friendliest city in the world for kids but if you’re here on holiday there’s enough things to keep you entertained for at least a week. Note – my Dad tends to like places with no people and where you can get a bit of exercise and run around so a lot of the places listed below aren’t that busy and not touristy. Here’s my favourite things to do in Hong Kong with kids:

Peng Chau Island – wicked crab hunting.  It’s a nice ferry ride over (Ferry Schedule here), about 30 minutes if you get the fast ferry.  Not many people around and good exercise without tiring you out.  My Dad and I have been here half a dozen times and I’m always happy to go back

Hiking Dragon’s Back – I first hiked here when I was about 4 and a bit years old.  Made it up no worries, but that was about 20 degrees. If you’re here in the middle of summer, or in the 7 or 8 months when it’s 30+ degrees, it’s going to be a bit harder.  Without kids, it’s about 20 minutes up if you’re fit.  I overtook all these plonkers in their compression gear, hiking poles and fancy hiking shoes.  Any sneakers are fine, it’s not that difficult and some great views overlooking Shek O

Rhyze Trampoline Park – bouncing and jumping into foam pits.  Go early morning, as soon as it opens and there’s not many people. My Dad took me out when it was T10 and we had the whole place to ourselves.  It’s in Quarry Bay, so a bit far from anything, but there’s also an indoor golf center nearby if you fancy that. Good for a rainy day in Hong Kong with kids.

Big Wave Bay Beach – awesome shallow beach with ironically, not very big waves. It’s ideal for kids, with a little stream you can catch fish in and for the most part, usually clean (unlike many other beaches in Hong Kong which are disgusting).  A bit further away but worth the extra journey time. They’ve got some restaurants (local style), and a few places you can buy or rent togs and beach stuff so no need to take much. This is the best beach in Hong Kong with kids.

Core Hong Kong Water Park – Opens in the summer only, but aa load of fun is to be had here. It’s a bit of a drive out there but mostly all of highway so wont take that long.  Check out or review of Core Hong Kong here, a must try at least once if you live in Hong Kong or are here in Hong Kong with kids visiting.

Hong Kong Science Museum – fun way to spend a morning and they usually have some special exhibit on.  If you go early, even on weekends, as soon as it opens, there’s not many people there.

Inspiration Lake – brilliant for riding bikes and running around like a madman.  Out on Lantau but it’s an easy drive and not too many people if you go early morning.  Take a tent, have a picnic, and hire a boat and see the giant Koi fish and turtles. Best biking in Hong Kong with kids.

Wong Nai Chung Gap Reservoir – hire a paddle boat and bring the mosquito repellant.  Paddle around the edges and feed the fish and turtles.  Nice. Not something you do a regular basis but once in a while is fine. Better for younger kids under 5 or 6.

Ocean Park – We’ve grown a bit bored of it, but if you’ve never been it’s well worth checking this out, one of the best attractions in Hong Kong with kids.

Tai Po Kau – Spot a few snakes and lizards and go for a nice easy walk, unless it’s the middle of summer and 35 degrees.  This is a nice walk that’s not too busy if you go early. Supposedly one of the best places in Hong Kong to spot reptiles, we saw a few but got to get lucky.

And here’s a few more not so great but ok things to do in Hong Kong with kids:

1. Biking at Hong Kong Science Park – drive out there, you can hire a bike here but they don’t open until late morning/lunchtime.  There’s a good bike track that goes for miles along the waterfront, but it’s noisy in some parts as there’s a highway on the other side.  Not much else to do at the actual Hong Kong Science Park, it’s just a big office complex that’s home to tech companies.
2. Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden – Far away at the base on Tai Mo Shan in Tai Po, if you go weekdays it’s a good place to escape the crowds and see some animals and nature
3. Bones of Miss Willy – A bit of a walk (around 8-9km walk return), sweltering hot in summer but quite pleasant in winter when you won’t sweat your head off.
4. SuperPark Hong Kong – Newly opened indoor playground in TST with a bunch of pretty cool things to do to keep your kids busy for hours.
5. Hong Kong Zoological & Botanic Gardens – Walk up from Central for some greenery and a few rather raggedy looking animals. It’s alright though if you need to waste a few hours.
6. Kowloon Walled City Park Bike Track – Surprisingly good with very friendly staff at the bike rental kiosk, this is actually pretty good. Have a look at Kowloon Walled City Park while you’re there.
7. Hong Kong Space Museum – Not my favourite and often packed with tourists, but you’re most likely going to be somewhere near this area so if you’re with kids it’s probably worth spending an hour two here.
8. Po Fook Hill – Right beside Ten Thousand Buddha’s, you’re probably going to end up here attempting to find your way to Ten Thousand Buddha’s.  Quite interesting and definitely worth checking out if you’re in the area.
9. Hong Kong Heritage Museum – Near Po Fook Hill and Ten Thousand Buddha’s in Shatin, this is ok, especially if you happen to be into Bruce Lee. The kids area is underwhelming but the rest of it is not bad.
10. Disney Hong Kong – Probably somewhere near the bottom of list of things to do in Hong Kong with kids, but if you’re into Mickey and Minnie and dealing with a billion tourists, then you might enjoy it.
11. Noah’s Ark Hong Kong – If you’re looking for something to do in Hong Kong with kids, and have exhausted all other options, you might consider this.  It’s pretty average at best but if get a nice day the ferry ride and walk around is nice just on it’s own.
12. Hong Kong Park – Nice little “oasis” in Admiralty right next to Pacific Place. Bring the mosquito repellant, especially if you stumble across the childrens playgound which is home to the hungriest little buggers on Hong Kong Island
13. Hong Kong Wetland Park – Quite a ways out, Hong Kong Wetland Park is also one of those places to go in Hong Kong with kids after you’ve exhausted all other options.  It’s alright but you need to go during the right time of the year to see the birds.
14. Hong Kong Maritime Museum – Most likely you’re going to be around where this is located and if you need to fill in an hour or so, it’s worth checking out, but otherwise you won’t be missing out if you leave it off your list of things to do in Hong Kong with kids.
15. Hidden Planet Hong Kong – Surprisingly good, Hidden Planet at The Pulse in Repulse Bay is a multi-sensory experience for both kids and adults.  Unfortunately only open for a limited time so check the Pulses website to see if it’s still on.

Send us any questions or comments you have about things to do or places to go in Hong Kong with kids via email or ask us on twitter.