80 Ways to Survive Summer in Hong Kong with Kids

Looking for things to do this summer with kids? Here are 80 of our picks on the best and most unique things to do in Hong Kong this summer with kids.

(Note: We will continue to update this article so please bookmark it to stay up to date.)

From 8 July-August, head down to Wan Chai waterfront which will be transformed this summer into “the city’s backyard garden” for the Harbour Chill Carnival. The 3,000-square-foot space will house various pop-up installations, shelters, chairs and swings and a series of moveable animal furniture to relax on. Entertainment will include live music shows, performing arts programmes from different countries, X-game performances and a special edition of “A Symphony of Lights” light and music show. Snacks and drinks will be available for purchase from various kiosks.
teamLAb is coming to Hong Kong! Combining art, science, and technology with the natural world, teamLab offers a multi-sensory experience not to be missed. The international art collective is comprised of interdisciplinary specialists, including artists, programmers, engineers, animators, mathematicians, and architects. A great experience for adults and children alike, teamLab is like a playground, art gallery and a show combined. TeamLab is running 9 July – 14 January at Megabox. Ticketing information.
Hong Kong’s annual festival of fun will take place at Central Harbourfront from 9 June-23 July. The SummerFest theme, “Fun in the Sun,’ encourages everyone to enjoy themselves with a series of cultural programmes including film nights, dance festivals, sports and fitness days and an outdoor market selling local designs and products. If you’re feeling creative, you can also craft your own products such as dreamcatchers, keychains, nightlights and pastel paintings. Entry is free.
Cool down from the summer heat with Hong Kong’s first S2O Songkran Music Festival set to take place on 5-6 August. The world’s wettest party will immerse visitors in a world of water and lights while they enjoy high-energy performances by world renowned DJs and stunning visual effects.
Since its opening almost 3 years ago Ocean Park’s Water World has remained a top choice for a hot sunny day. Boasting exhilarating rides such as Rainbow Rush, Cavern Chase and Daredevil Drop to get the adrenalin pumping, there are also more sedate options such as the Lazy Cruise. Younger visitors will have a blast in Whiskers’ Splash, and lucky parents may be able to escape to a VIP Cabana. Water World’s design makes it suitable for all weather. Ticketing information. Read more about Water World.
Check out the International Arts Carnival which runs from 14 July to 13 August. There’s a range of entertainment on offer including the Hong Kong Ballet’s collaboration with UK based design powerhouse, 59 Productions, “Sam and her Amazing Book of Dinosaurs,” inspired by a children’s pop-up book. It also encompasses the International Children’s and Youth Film Carnival, with over 50 fun-filled film screenings on offer.
Ahoy matey! Hop aboard the Aqua Luna this summer for their Pirate and Mermaid Cruise2.0! Dress up like pirates, search for long-lost treasure and learn how to tie knots fit for a sailor. Tickets are $300 for children and $240 for adults.

The amazingly cool M+ museum, one of the largest museums of contemporary art in the world, is open Tuesday to Sunday in the West Kowloon Cultural District. Experience the best of modern Eastern art as well as Western art at M+. The ongoing Yayoi Kusama exhibition has been proving incredibly popular, so get your tickets online in advance!

Check out more museums to visit in Hong Kong
Feed alpacas at Go Green Organic Farm in Yuen Long. The farm is also known for its locally-grown pineapples, so make sure to try the fresh pineapple ice cream! Entry to the farm costs $150 and an extra $80 if you want to feed the alpacas.
Splash about this summer at the Fun Fun Inflatable Water World at Whitehead BBQ -located at the north of Wu Kwai Sha with the magnificent view of Tolo Harbour and Pat Sin Leng. With four giant slides, a wave pool and a trampoline, as well as floating beds for Mum and Dad to relax and enjoy, it’s sure to be a fun day out. Entry prices start at $90-$120 per hour.
Take a rock climbing class at YMCA Indoor Climbing Wall. You can also check out the rock climbing packages at Verm City.
For chocolate lovers, check out The Chocolate Museum of Hong Kong in Ngong Ping Village. Do some chocolate tasting, watch performances and take part in DIY workshops.
Spend a day on Cheung Chau island where you can bike around the island, relax on the beach and taste some local delicacies.
Show off your green fingers at 448 Farm in Yuen Long, where you can plant and arrange flowers, care for animals, have a BBQ and get involved with lots of other family activities.
Visit Goofy Waves Watersports Club and Academy. Located on the waterfront at Sha Ha Village in Sai Kung, Goofy Waves offers wakeboarding and wakesurfing lessons alongside a range of watersport activities – boat rental, sunset cruises. The 8,000 sq ft clubhouse has a private docking pier and training equipment including a trampoline and swimming pool. Outdoor movie nights are often held and the venue can also be hired for events.
Enjoy some “Endless Summer Groove” at The Pulse in Repulse Bay. On the weekends between 15 July until 31 August The Pulse will be running series of events and music activities for a beachside summer carnival. Play at the Giant Boombox and share your DJ skills via Instagram reels; design your own T-shirt; take to the dance floor to show off your rhythm or try your hand at some graffiti.

Head to the Maritime Museum to explore, learn and get involved with the history of Hong Kong’s extensive maritime trade routes of the past.
Visit H.A.N.D.S. roller sports ground for a spot of skating atop a shopping mall in Tuen Mun. There are three levels to accommodate roller skating, skateboarding and bicycling/balance biking. Kids and adults alike can enjoy this bright, cheerfully coloured space together and get a good dose of fresh air too.

For other skate parks check out our round-up

Saffron Cruises make spending a night on the water possible with many overnight boat options. You can visit remote places such as North Sai Kung or the Soko Islands where you can relax in peace and quiet.
Get out the burger patties, sausages, buns and s’mores for a BBQ on the beach. Big Wave Bay, Long Ke in Sai Kung, Repulse Bay and Shek O beaches all offer free BBQ pits.
Take a trip out to High Island – a ride away from Sai Kung by sampan – where you can enjoy a pristine beach, hiking trails and a seafood restaurant run by a family.
Hike around the Peak (stroller friendly).

While you’re up at The Peak Tower, check out the dazzling array of restaurants, shops and entertainment venues with a fabulous view. Make sure you grab yourself a gelato from Messina.

More top spots for ice cream

Wander through fields of gold, orange and red sunflowers that grow up to 10 feet tall! Imported from Japan and the Netherlands, you’ll find the flowers at the 7,000 square foot Shun Sum Yuen flower farm, which is open to the public throughout June, July and August from 8am to 6pm. Prices vary, but you can expect to pay around $50 per person to get close to the flowers, so be sure to bring cash!

More farms to visit in Hong Kong

Pretend it’s winter by ice skating at The Rink in Elements.

Ice rinks in Hong Kong

Have a family night at TikiTiki Bowling Bar in Sai Kung.
Go rock-pooling in Sai Wan for some great photo opportunities.
Bounce for joy, even on a rainy day, at Ryze .
Get away from the concrete and hike to Shui Lo Cho Waterfall on Lantau Island. You can get some respite from the heat in all but one of the pools.
Learn how to sail.
Hike the Dragon’s Back and reward yourselves with lunch at Cococabana and a dip in the sea on Shek O beach afterwards.
Play, eat and create at the Origami Kids Café in Kai Tak Cruise Terminal.
Cool off at Tseung Kwan O public swimming pool, complete with slides and a boat to play on.
Choose a clear-blue-sky afternoon to spend at Sky 100, the ICC observation deck on the 100th floor.
Have a family outing to Snoopy World in New World Plaza, Sha Tin.
Take the ferry out to Lamma Island and have a yummy lunch and a walk on the winding path across the island.
Hike to Tai Long Wan and camp on the beach if you’re feeling adventurous!

Visit Trio Beach in Sai Kung. Either enjoy a short 30-minute hike or get a sampan from Pak Sha Wan pier.
Take to the ocean aboard a boat. If there’s a big group of you, how about trying the Jac55 cruiser, The Blue Whale? It has capacity for 55 people and even has a hot tub. Available to hire through Hong Kong Yachting.
Spend a rainy day at the Hong Kong Museum of History to learn more about the people, places and events that have shaped Hong Kong to the city it is today.
Have a parent-child adventure at Planet J Indoor Playroom in Causeway Bay equipped with inflatable hamster wheels.
Get the kids surfing at one of the Treasure Island surf camps on Pui O beach, Lantau.

Spend a rainy day in Jolly Thinkers, a café packed full of hundreds of board games to keep the family busy for hours.
Try some family team building at CrossFire Arena with bubble soccer, laser tag, dodgeball and archery tag.
Pick up a second-hand book at Lily Bookshop in Central to continue the oh-so-important lesson of reduce, reuse, recycle.
Visit The Big Things at The Mills in Tsuen Wan, NT, a unique nature themed playground inspired by Finnish design and featuring rare animals, insects, volcanoes and swamps.
Heading to Disneyland? You won’t want to leave without spending a few hours at the Resort’s Victorian Spa where you can swim and indulge in a variety of treatments. Kids can check out the Children’s Fun Menu which includes hair-braiding, nail treatments and face-painting.
Visit the HK Aqua-bound Centre in Stanley to enjoy a range of water sports.
Learn more about Hong Kong’s history with Hong Kong a La Carte Tours. Our favourites include the “Hong Kong in Three Hours” and “Tai Po Exploration” tours!
Get your skates on at Bun’s 2020, a beginner-friendly rink of painted cement, and a larger hardwood rink for experienced skaters. The fun neon decor will take you straight back to the 80s!

Create your own flavour of cup noodles at the CUPNOODLES Museum in Tsim Sha Tsui. For $60, you can design your own cup and fill it with your favourite soup base and toppings!
Head to Epicland on Lantau Island to experience some of the largest indoor slides in Asia, plus a variety of fun games and activities suitable for all ages from baby to adult.
Enjoy some Instagram-worthy dim sum at Yum Cha.

Best places for Dim Sum

Rent a bike from the Friendly Bicycle Shop at Mui Wo Ferry Pier and spend your day exploring the area on wheels.
Visit the new Tai Kwun Centre for Heritage and Arts in Central.
Improve your green credentials with a visit to the Green Hub, a former police station in Tai Po.
Visit Mingle farm in Yuen Long to spend the night in a bubble, literally!
Get your ducks in a row! Florentjin Hofman’s giant Rubber Duck which paid Hong Kong a visit in 2013 is returning, and now there are two! Part of Florentjin Hofman’s Rubber Duck Project, the giant DOUBLE DUCKS travel across sky, land and sea, greeting everyone at Victoria Harbour on 9 June before arriving at Ngong Ping 360, where they will stay between 14 June to 3 September. A number of events will also take place, such as “Flying Rubber Duck”, “Bubble Bath-themed Cable Cars”, “Gigantic Crystal Bathtub” and more. You’ll also be able to see Double Duck themed installations around Hong Kong’s MTR stations.

Are you brave enough to escape from Lost ? Check out the latest venue at The Pulse, Repulse Bay. There is also now a centre in Causeway Bay.
Venture into the virtual world of Davy Jones or battle zombies in the Deadwood Mansion courtesy of Sandbox VR, the ultimate virtual reality experience. It’s not cheap at $325 per person for a 45 minutes session, but the technology and equipment is pretty spectacular. The original location is TST, but there is now an additional location in Clearwater Bay.
Listen to the birds tweet at the Aviary Park on Cotton Tree Drive. Although the Edward Youde Aviary will be temporarily closed until 31 December, the Caged Display Area will remain open as usual.
Make the most of summer breezes by flying a kite in some of Hong Kong’s scenic spots. Clearwater Bay Country Park has a beautiful space.
Take a slow ride around Hong Kong on a ding ding. A tram ride is much more fun than just getting from A to B. The kids love it.
Take your furry friend for a day out at the new pet-friendly 20,000-square-foot garden in Tai Po. If you visit before 30 July (2023) you can also enjoy pet-friendly events including pet massage workshops and adoption days.
Head over to Noah’s Ark in Ma Wan for the day to see the animal statues and get involved with some summer camp activities.
Catch a family-friendly movie at Candy Park Cinema in Tsuen Wan. With a play area, multi-coloured seats and an endless list of PG films, this is the perfect place to spend a rainy afternoon.
Check out the Hong Kong Science Museum to teach the kids more about science, technology and astronomy. The museum has a multitude of workshops and events over the summer months, including Butterfly Watch, Practical Guide on Rainforest Resources and an energy machine exhibition. Entry is just $20 for adults or $10 for children.
Take the kids to see the animals at the Zoological and Botanical Gardens education and exhibition centre, open until 4.30pm.
Glide across the mountains in a crystal bottom cable car on the way to the Big Buddha. You’ll also glimpse the double ducks.
Solve a mystery just like everyone’s favourite detective, Sherlock Holmes at the Gold Coast Hotel.

More staycation ideas

Head to Cheung Sha beach for a day of swimming, sunbathing and feasting at Bathers Restaurant.
Go for a picnic at Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park in Sai Ying Pun.

Spend your afternoon cuddling bunnies in Hong Kong’s very first Rabbitland Café.
Learn to knit and get the family knitting scarves and jumpers for the winter. Visit Crafties HK or Make & Do if you are looking for workshops. Also, stock up on art supplies in The Artland in Wan Chai and have fun at home with the kids creating some spectacular works of art.
Join a Mahjong class for beginners.

Spend a rainy afternoon at the Hong Kong Museum of Art.
Get a taste of luxury at the Hong Kong Palace Museum. Until 14 August you can get your bling fix with the Cartier and Women exhibition.
Until 9 July the Heritage Museum will host the Virtually Versailles immersive exhibit, so you can experience France’s grandeur and heritage right here in Hong Kong.
Experience a different dining experience with the world’s first Transformers themed restaurant, Transformers: The Ark. Through 3D technology the interactive restaurant tells the story of how the Autobots came to Hong Kong and serves upscale fast-food that children will love!
Tire out your little tikes at the new 5,700 sq. ft. interactive indoor play area Jello & Mellow. Located in Quarry Bay (close to Taikoo Shing MTR station) and overlooking the park, the stylishly decorated space offers an enticing all-day family option. For reservations or enquiries email [email protected].

Featured image: Shutterstock; Image 1: teamLab; Image 2: Summerfest; Image 3: Water World; Image 4: Aqua Luna; image 5: Whitehead BBQ; Image 6: Goofy Waves; Image 7: HANDS; Image 8: Shutterstock: Image 9: Cococabana; Image 10: Shutterstock; Image 11: Buns2020; Image 12: #FlorentijnHofman, Double Ducks; Image 13: Hong Kong Science Museum; Image 14: Shutterstock