Seoul is an amazing place for kids! We lived in Seoul for 3 years with our two young boys. We explored all day every day and never exhausted our options. Several of my friends who have now moved to OTHER towns and cities have commented how fabulous Seoul was in this category. There’s SO MUCH TO EXPLORE!
Of course that’s not to say that all options are created equal. You will find a large range of price points and … how do we say … ACTUAL kid-friendly environments? Some establishments seem to like the idea of children without having any idea what child development actually entails.
But don’t worry, I haven’t included the activities I wouldn’t personally recommend AND I made sure to exclude some beloved attractions that are no longer around (sad!). And if you want our much shorter/ much more selective list of our VERY FAVORITE activities for children in Seoul, then definitely check that out too.
First, a few pointers for kids activities in Seoul:
1. Any rules posted are to be strictly followed.
I know this sounds like a no-brainer, but playgrounds in the USA have suggested age ranges for different structures all the time… but that’s left up to the parents.
NOT SO in Korea! Museum workers, community volunteers, various other adults and grandparents… will not hesitate to enforce rules. I found it was just easier to follow them (even when you’re 98% sure your child is completely safe and not endangering anyone else in any way).
2. Check, double-check, and triple-check admission hours and schedules.
As an expat I wasn’t as naturally familiar with the Korean national holidays and closures! Lunar New Year in winter and Chuseok in fall are two major ones to watch out for as far as closures. But there’s also Children’s Day to look out for in May; things will likely be open, but whoa whoa whoa big crowds alert!
Also, almost everything is closed on Mondays. Tons of activities. You think I would’ve learned this lesson after multiple years of living in the country, but no. It’s laughable how many times this happened to me and my friends. (Because SOME things ARE opened and you’re lulled into a false sense of security!!) I’m hoping the next expat generation can learn from my mistakes.
3. Know how you’re going to get there!
As you likely already know, Seoul is a MASSIVE city geographically. It’s not like some other urban cities where there’s a major downtown district where most of the activities are at; there are dozens of neighborhoods with worthwhile attractions… and they can be extremely far apart.
Half of the battle of any kids’ activity in Seoul is just nailing down HOW BEST TO TRAVEL THERE! Cars actually work really well for many of these activities because large malls and zoos have large, easy-to-park-in, parking lots (this definitely played a factor in our decision to buy a car).
However I wouldn’t recommend trying to drive to Gangnam or Myeongdong without a really great parking game plan. For the busiest neighborhoods it works well to take a bus or ride the subway. If that sounds intimidating, definitely read my guide to all things Seoul subway with kids.
Without further ado, here’s the big honkin’ massive list of children’s activities in Seoul, South Korea!!!
1.Seoul Grand Park Zoo
Perhaps my very favorite place to take children in all of Seoul, the Grand Park Zoo has wonderful animal exhibits and beautifully kept grounds and gardens. Nestled pretty far south of Seoul, it’s worth the drive/subway trip to be nestled in the forested hills of Gyeonggi! Visit in autumn when the leaves change for a truly magical outing.
What’s more, the playground is amazing and the free shuttle buses are animal/insect themed and truly adorable.
English Visit Korea’s webpage has great information you’ll need about hours & admission prices (spoiler alert: everything is ridiculously REASONABLY priced with admission tickets ranging from free (!!!) -5000 won (Just $5! What is this sorcery!!??).
Address: 102 Daegongwongwangjang-ro, Gwacheon-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
2. Children’s Grand Park
Children’s Grand Park is perhaps one of the more obvious locations to take your children in Seoul ;). And for good reason! It’s a kid’s paradise with every activity under the sun: a children’s museum, an amusement park, a rose garden, tons of excellent playgrounds, a splash creek in summer, cafes for refreshments, and just a lot of other stuff. There’s even a zoo if you can believe it, but it’s quite small and the animals are rather sad. (Take the trek out to support Seoul Grand Park Zoo! haha)
Even the Children’s Grand Park subway station next door has murals that are kid-friendly and brightly colored. You can rent strollers at the park, and there are nursing stations as well. My kids love this park.
3. Seoul Children’s Museum
Having been to several different children’s museums in large cities, I can say that this one is ranked pretty high up there for me. You can’t beat the price!! It’s crazy cheap, and the membership is a great value (even with multiple children). There are 4 floors of activities to explore with the main floor rotating out seasonally. I can’t recommend it enough.
The water station on the upper floors was a highlight for my littles and the older kids really enjoy the climbing area near the Space exploration area. Bring a lunch to enjoy in the designated eating areas with tables upstairs, or head outside to Children’s Grand Park for a picnic if the weather is decent.
Definitely add this museum to your list of must-do activities if you live in Seoul!
4. Gwacheon National Science Museum
It’s a little far away, but a very affordable must-see for any dinosaur fans or animal lovers. The second floor is full of great displays on prehistoric animals, while the main floor has interactive exhibits about physics, the human body, and a fun play area.
Bonus: There are some fun interactive play areas outside the building, too.
Closed on Mondays (like so many other things in Seoul!)
Get more info here!
5. Olympic Grand Park
Olympic Park in eastern Seoul is the previous headquarters of the 1988 Summer Olympics! It’s a HUGE green space –you can easily find it on maps of Seoul– with so much to do. There are sculpture gardens, multiple playgrounds, bikes to rent, nature paths to walk, a museum, cafes, sports arenas, an indoor swimming pool, and more.
My favorite things to do here with kids:
- Ride bikes and scooters near the large Welcome Gate (as featured in the article’s cover photo): It’s so tough to find wide, open, safe spaces for this in Seoul!
- Rent the family bikes to pedal around the large park (can be rented by the Welcome Gate as well)
- Hop aboard the touring train (buy tickets on weekends and select weekdays at the small convenience station to the right of the flags by Welcome Gate) for a pleasant tour of the park!
6. COEX Aquarium
There are two major aquariums in Seoul; this COEX Aquarium is the first. I’ve only attended this one, so admittedly, I’m biased.
If you only have one (young) child and you live in Seoul– the family pass membership is a great value. We had the pass for a year and went a bunch of different times. My son never got tired of it!
Read more on the COEX Aquarium official website.
7. Lotte World Aquarium
The Lotte World Aquarium is somewhere I’ve personally never been. Although we lived just a short walk away, we had the COEX aquarium membership and didn’t see a need to visit here too. BUT my neighbor friend often took her son, and they had great things to say about the pink beluga whale. High reviews all around!
This blogger has an excellent article on what you can expect to find at the Lotte World Aquarium as well as a nice comparison run-down between this one & Coex (spoiler alert: pretty similar with a slight edge on Lotte being newer and slightly larger… COEX is slightly cheaper with just as many species + a great selection of sharks).
This also starts our journey into the many many kids activities offered in Songpa-gu/ Jamsil neighborhood at/around the Lotte World Mall.
8. Lotte World Theme Park
The world region-famous Disney knock-off park that will knock your socks off! It’ll cost you a pretty penny to get in (46,000 for kids/56,000 won per adult ticket), but your kids are sure to remember it for awhile.
It’s the largest indoor theme park in the world with a decent chunk outdoors, too. Read all about it on the official website.
PST! You can check out the outdoor area by walking the path around Seokchon Lake! It’s GORGEOUS during cherry blossom season (April) and fun to watch all of the rides in action.
9. Pororo Park (Lotte Mall)
While you’re in the area, stay awhile! There’s SO MUCH to do in Lotte World Mall alone. Pororo Park is one of these hidden gems, especially for the toddlers and preschoolers in your life. It’s a massive indoor play area PLUS actual attractions (ferris wheel! train ride! carousel! bumper cars!) and it’s all themed around the beloved Pororo characters. You feel like you’re in an Arctic Antarctic winter wonderland.
This is also on the pricier side but you can get a punch card that will save you a decent chunk of change if you think you’ll be going a few different times. There’s certainly no end to the possibilities once you’re inside, and your littles will be begging you to come back often.
Check out their official website for more details.
10. Lotte World Ice Rink
Friends, we still aren’t done at Lotte World Mall in Jamsil yet. I know, seriously.
Lotte World Mall is home to Korea’s largest ice skating rink. Do check the hours carefully before you plan to go, though- there are frequently ice skating lessons going on that would prevent you from hopping on to free skate.
And don’t worry, it’s safety first at this skating rink: NO ONE under age 6 is allowed on the ice (that is most likely Korean age NOT international age, it’s unclear), and helmets + gloves are required at all times.
11. Everland Theme Park
A little further down south (technically in Yongin) you can find Everland: Korea’s largest theme park! It’s a kid’s paradise with over 40 rides and attractions PLUS a whole area called “Zootopia” with real live animals to observe.
It looks like a long distance away on the map, but it’s only about a 30 min drive from Seoul. Oh, and right next door is Caribbean Bay: fabulous water park. Your kids will be kissing the ground you walk on if you take them to both of these locations, oh man. Parents of the YEAR right there. Or…they may be exhausted and be a puddle of human emotions from all of the stimulation?
Official website found here!
12. Harry Potter Cafe
If your kids are a little bit older they may love stepping into the magical realm of the Harry Potter Cafe. The official name is 9 3/4 King’s Cross and there are 7 floors to explore. Read a full review by Sara Travels here!
Located in Hongdae, you’ll want to get off at the Hongik University Station subway stop.
Address: 24, Yanghwa-ro 16-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
13. Visit a Cat Cafe
You’ve likely already heard about the popular phenomenon of animal cafes all over Seoul. I think the cat cafes are great for children because cats tend to be less intimidating (smaller than the sheep and more familiar than the meerkats). Of course you’ll need to purchase (an extremely overpriced) drink to enter the cafe and follow a set of rules in order to play with the cats.
We went to the one in Gangnam and, to be truthful, the cats all looked kind of sad. But it is a good chance to see and love on some cats if your kids are into that!
14., 15. & 16. Seoul Forest: Butterfly House, Feed the Deer, Summer Splash Pad
Seoul Forest is another one of those massive green spaces with lots for kids to do. Huge fields for running or soccer, playgrounds to climb on, butterfly green houses to walk through, deer to feed (yes, seriously!), and a splash pad in the summer. What’s not to like??
You can find it all here, and the location is pretty central to most areas of Seoul.
I’ve broken these down into 3 separate listings because the park is so spread out; you can’t do everything at Seoul Forest in one, two, or even 3 outings. You’ll really benefit from knowing which area of the park you’re headed to (unless you’re fine wandering and walking for a good long while!). I’ve attached the PDF map below.
The flowers are gorgeous in spring and the leaves are stunning in fall. Bring your kids to Seoul Forest!
273 Ttukseom-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, South Korea
17. Peruse bookstores for children’s books!
Kyobo Bookstores will usually have a decent English children’s section as well as some great toys to buy. Prices are rather expensive honestly, but there are multiple locations (Gwanghwamun and Gangnam/Sinnonhyon come to mind) which makes it more convenient, perhaps.
My personal favorite bookstore for English children’s books is found near Jamsillaru station & called Seoul Bookbogo bookstore.
The selection is massive and the prices are ridiculously reasonable (1500 won- 3000 won per book for brand new/ gently used picture books & early readers). More details can be found here.
14, Shincheon-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul, Seoul, KOREA
18. Songpa Children’s (English!) Library
I loudly sing the praises for this library in this article full of tips for Seoul expat parents. This wondrous haven made our time in Korea so. much. better. And luckily there are several other branches, too.
Cheongpa English Library for Children: 35-20 Cheongpa-dong-2ga , Yongsan-gu, Seoul , Seoul, KOREA
Songpa English Library for Children: 14 Sincheon-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul. , Seoul, KOREA
Yongdu Public English Library for Children: 133 Muhak-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul. , Seoul, KOREA
Bring your ARC and get yourself a library card! Although you can only check out 5 books at a time, it’s still free children’s books in English IN KOREA which is pretty revolutionary and excellent. There are lots of tables to sit and read or work on homework. There’s even story time in English plus movies are shown every so often! Ask a librarian for upcoming events.
19. Vounce
I LOVE Vounce trampoline parks! They were perfect for my energetic kids to jump out their wiggles- especially in the winter or during stretches where the air pollution is poor.
These can get pretty pricy and you’ll also need to purchase their Vounce jumping socks before you can participate. But it’s a really nice outing to have in your “back pocket” for special occasions.
Also worth noting that the employees were always SO good with kids and seemed happy to be working there. Oh and you can’t beat these party light/pink fong disco dance parties that happen for 10 minutes of every hour.
Locations in: Daechi (Gangnam Samseong Center) & Jamsil (B1F of Jamsil Tower in Songpa near Jamsil subway stop), Banpo, Jukjeon, and many more!
20. Try the Unique Sweets at Insadong
Insadong is a great place to shop for souvenirs or traditional Korean goods. But it’s also a great place to introduce your kids to some pretty unique sweets! The two treats you should try while visiting Insadong:
- Dragon’s Beard Candy, or Ggultarae: the confectioners are always really engaging which makes it so fun to watch the demonstration as they make it on the street (Allergy heads-up: filled with peanuts and almonds)
- Poo Bread, or Ttongppang: It’s what it sounds like, but thankfully also NOT what it sounds like. It’s sweet bread that’s in the shape of a dollop of …. human feces. There are different fillings, but the sweet red bean is classic. This sounds crazy, I know, but it’s actually delicious.
21. Cool off with some Bingsu at Sul-bing!
It’s no secret that I’m obsessed with bingsu (Korea’s refreshing ice flake-based dessert), and I have converted my children to these loyalties as well. Although you can get bingsu in the summer months at almost any cafe, there is one place you MUST take your children: Sul-bing. It’s the best of the best.
I’ve written all about my undying love for Sulbing dessert shop in the past. They have TONS of locations around Seoul and a rotating seasonal menu.
I could probably end the article right here right now because it just doesn’t get any better than sharing bingsu with your loved ones on a hot Seoul summer day. (But don’t worry, I won’t).
22. Try all of the flavored almonds in Myeongdong
The Myeongdong shopping district is an amazing neighborhood to explore! The street food stalls in the evenings, the bright lights, the abundance of clothing & skin care brands available… it’s a shoppers paradise.
One of the more appealing shops for kids, though, may be the Honey Butter Almond & Friends (HBAF) store. You can typically sample the various flavors (ranging from seaweed to corn to peach to wasabi etc. etc.). But honestly you can’t beat that classic honey butter flavor. My kids eat them up, and they don’t normally enjoy almonds. I personally love the yogurt flavored almonds- don’t knock it til you try it!
Myeongdong Shopping Street, Jung-gu, Seoul
23. Children’s Museum of the National Museum of Korea
The National Museum of Korea is located in Ichon, and the grounds are fantastic. I highly recommend walking around the exterior at some point, but don’t forget to go inside, too! When you enter the museum, turn LEFT towards the Children’s Museum!
Don’t forget to make a (free) online reservation before you go!
Visit the website HERE!
I loved bringing my boys to this museum because it’s a smaller, simplified version of what you’ll find at the National Museum: tons of things to learn about traditional Korean culture and heritage! There’s various rotating exhibits, but you can usually find: a dress-up section with traditional hanboks and warrior outfits, a pretend home to play in (based on those from hundreds of years ago), coloring tables, exhibits about significant animals in Korean folklore, basic Korean words, and so much more. It’s definitely worth your time!
Address: 137 Seobinggo-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Open 10 am- 5:50 pm daily (yes, even on Mondays! woooo!)
24. Go to the movies!
The movie theatres in Seoul are really wonderful. My two favorites are Megabox in COEX and Lotte Cinema World Tower, but there are countless others too….like, a LOT.
We were really lucky that generally speaking, movies are shown in their original language with Korean subtitles. That means MANY movies are naturally going to be played in English. That’s great news for a lot of American/British/Canadian/Australian expat kids.
Don’t forget to buy some popcorn! Instead of the heavy movie theatre butter you find in America, you can often find a few different (lighter) options: some sweet like caramel, others savory.
25. Lotte World Tower
Lotte World Tower is the tallest building in all of Korea, and ranks as one of the Ten Tallest Buildings in the World! The views from the top are incredible (and extra fun if you are an expat that is familiar with the city!) Older children may appreciate the glass-bottom lookouts and spying Lotte World Amusement Park from (way, way) above.
This is a pricier day out with kids- children’s tickets are 24,000 won and adult’s tickets are 27,000 won each.
See their full visitor’s guide webpage HERE!
26. Kids Cafes for Days
Really, you can walk into any large mall (Hyundai, Lotte, Parnas, IPark etc etc) and find a kids cafe on their map/directory. With a bit more googling, you can find local neighborhood kid cafes. Ask around!
They shut down and open back up elsewhere pretty often, but locals will know where to point you. I loved our small, humble kid cafe within HomePlus! It was much cheaper with plenty of new-to-him toys for my preschooler to play with on a cold winter afternoon!
27. Pororo Lounge (Kids Cafe) at COEX
Yes, this is different than the Pororo Park in Jamsil. Yes, that’s kind of confusing. No, there is no limit for the love shown to Pororo in Korea. And I’m here for it! He’s the happiest penguin around!!!
This is expensive for sure, but also really well-done, clean, and fun for toddlers & preschoolers. It’s on the basement level (I mean COEX is all kind of a basement but it’s the floor below the main basement floor haha).
28. The War Memorial of Korea (Airplanes! Ships! Playground!)
I know it may seem counter-intuitive to bring your young kids to anything involving “war” in the title. But somehow this was one of our favorite locations to visit (repeatedly, over the years!). The War Memorial itself is a huge museum with exhibits centered on Korea’s history (with an emphasis on wars ancient and modern, the kingdoms, conquers, etc.). I highly recommend the museum for older children and adults.
For younger children, don’t miss: the gigantic outdoor collection of tanks, airplanes, helicopters, and a large ship you can climb up/ around (walk around the back/right side of the building to find it). Keep walking further to find a great playground and the separate entrance for their Children’s Museum! It’s not a huge children’s museum, but the exhibits are interactive & hands-on. The end of the children’s museum ends in a fun indoor climbing wall/ rope structure so kids can get their wiggles out. Official website with more info HERE.
29. Buy stickers at Daiso
Or really… buy anything at Daiso! Give your kid a 3 won limit to pick whatever they want, and let them think you are the coolest ever.
If you’re unfamiliar, Daiso is a Japanese chain that is VERY popular all over Korea (read our post for more global stores you can expect to find in Korea!) It’s like a dollar store but way better and way bigger… and you just have to see it for yourself.
30. Tour Gyeongbokgung Palace
I honestly loved bringing my sons here whenever someone came into town or hadn’t been to see it before. This historic palace just didn’t ever get old for me! It’s huuuuuuge on the inside. You can wander outdoors for hours, and kids can explore & seem to enjoy walking through the small doorways & peeking into the different rooms.
Your kids will either love or detest the Changing of the Guard ceremony (10 am & 2 pm daily minus Tuesdays). It’s certainly a sight and sound to behold, with beautiful traditional outfits & instruments. My toddler didn’t care for the extremely loud noises, so there’s that. But those costumes! Amazing! Many will also rent out traditional hanboks to wear around, so that’s fun to watch!
The admission price is very reasonable (3000 won per adult, half that for older children, free for ages 6 & under).
31. Children’s National Folklife Museum
So this museum is actually located within Gyeongbokgung Palace grounds! It’s very well done, and highlights the tasks/tools of daily, traditional Korean life from days gone by. My boys adored the mix & match food activities, and the workers were all so helpful. 5 Stars!
And if the Changing of the Guard AND Children’s National Folklife Museum failed to impress your child… then take them to the secret playground nearby (see map below) to be their personal hero.
32. Hike Up N. Seoul Tower
Is there anything in Seoul more iconic than Namsan Tower?? I don’t think so! This is a really fun hike to do with active children, particularly in autumn when the weather cools down and the air is (more likely to be) fresh and the leaves are changing color!
We did this hike a few different times, most notably as a spur-of-the-moment decision when I was 8.5 months pregnant + with our toddler, way past his bedtime. Did I regret it later when my back hurt for …. the rest of the pregnancy? Slightly. But was it a ton of fun with great night-time views at the top? Absolutely!
Be aware:
If you take the subway, there is a significant hill to trek up just to get to the base of the mountain. AND the whole hike up is stairs, so NOT stroller-friendly. And parking is kind of a nightmare. I’m not trying to dissuade you I promise, just want you to be mentally prepared. Haha Many people will walk up the hill and then pay to take the cable car to the top. That’s another great option!
33. Wander the Insta-Famous COEX Library
Easily my favorite library I’ve been to, this library is gorgeous. I will admit that there isn’t a ton for kids to do here, but the centerpiece in the room switches seasonally, which is fun to come see. You can also let your kids out of the stroller and do loops on the escalators with you (if it’s winter and the air quality is especially bad, for instance. Haha) They DO have books, but you don’t check them out to borrow. You can flip through them on-site, though!
If you have older kids it would be fun to grab a cookie from Ben’s Cookies a 1 min. walk away in COEX mall (one of my favorite global dessert spots in Seoul!) and do some reading or homework at one of the tables on the upper level. We loved doing that for date night sometimes!
34. Children’s Transportation Park
I can’t leave out this hidden gem of a park. The Children’s Transportation Park in Jamsil is located right next to HomePlus. If you have wheel-loving children, this park is a must-do. Bring your scooters and your bikes (and don’t forget the helmets!) to this typical-playground-meets-miniature-highway! There are some really fun hills they can speed around, a sandy area to dig in and multiple play structures!
35. Kidzania Seoul
Last but not least, Kidzania! My kids weren’t quite old enough for this Miniature-City-themed play place, but I loved passing by it! Learn more on their official website here (tons of cute pics of children dressed & ready to run a city, delightful haha!!).
And if you aren’t worn out after this article, you may also be interested in reading our others!
Check them out here:
25 QUICK TIPS FOR PARENTS WITH BABIES & TODDLERS LIVING IN SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT RIDING A SUBWAY IN SEOUL WITH BABIES AND KIDS
What a wonderful compilation of activities! Great job!
Love this post! Brings back so many great memories. And this is one of the biggest reasons why I miss Korea so much. Kids activities for days! Playgrounds on every corner, kids sections at every museum, the mini toilets. One that I would add to your list is the Trickeye Museum. Don’t know if you ever visited it, but the kids loved it. You download their app and it uses augmented reality to take pictures of yourself in some pretty crazy settings.
This post makes me want to go back and visit!