Seoul With Kids | The Best Things To Do And Places To Stay
Finding kid-friendly attractions, restaurants and hotels in Korea can be a challenge. Especially as there is little information in English available about ‘South Korea for kids’. Surprisingly Seoul is a very family friendly travel destination. Many children or family discounts are available at most of the major attractions. Read on to find out where to stay and things to do in Seoul with kids!
Traveling to Korea with kids can be a wonderful experience for families looking to explore a new and exciting destination. This vibrant country offers a unique blend of ancient traditions and modern technology, along with delicious cuisine, beautiful landscapes, and plenty of opportunities for fun and adventure. With a rich cultural heritage, fascinating history, and a range of family-friendly activities and attractions, Korea is a great place to take your kids for a memorable vacation. Whether you’re interested in exploring the bustling streets of Seoul, visiting ancient temples, or sampling some of the country’s famous street food, there’s something for everyone in Korea.
Travel To Korea With Kids
- Subways & Buses: children under the age of 7 (accompanied by an adult) can ride buses and subways for free. This special discount is limited to one child per adult. Adults traveling with multiple children have to pay an extra transportation fee. Use a T-Money card to pay for the bus or subway in Seoul.
- Entrance Tickets: purchase your entrance tickets online upfront as in South Korea there are many special foreigner discounts available. Best site to find discounted activities is Trazy.
- What To Bring: make sure to pack clothes appropriate to the weather! Check out this Korea packing list.
- Museums: most of the museums have a special kid sections with all sorts of activities and interactive displays. Stamp tours are also available in most museums.
- Strollers: all main department stores offer free-strollers. In many of the parks like Seoul Land, Seoul Zoo, Lotte World there are strollers available for rental. Fee depends on the park. Strollers can also be rented with pick up at one of the airports. Check more info here. .
Things To Do In Seoul With Kids
Seoul for children is a great place to be. The city is filled with theme parks, special children sections in museums, kids cafes and cool children museums. There are loads of things to do in Seoul, below is just a selection of the most popular things to do.
1. Seoul Children’s Museum
The Seoul children’s museum in the children’s grand park Seoul is a great museum, established to help children increase their creativity and imagination. The 4 floor buildings hosts over 100 interactive displays and has special cultural activities available that are great fun for kids and their parents.
Entrance Fee: 4000 krw / Children under 36 months old go in for free
Address: 216, Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul
Official Website: here
2. Seoul Grand Park
The Seoul Grand Park is a huge park in the south of the city and has some of the best kids activities in Seoul. The park consists of a zoo, a rose garden, the Seoul Land theme park and the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art. Click here for more info.
Address: 181, Gwangmyeong-ro, Gwacheon-si, Gyeonggi-do
2.1 Seoul Land
Seoul Land was Korea’s first amusement park and is divided into different sections. World Square, Samcheonri Hill, Model Land and Fantasy Land. These all have a different theme. The park also has over 40 different roller coasters, each one suitable for a specific age group.
The theme park hosts many festivals all year around including the character festival, water festival, Halloween festival, Christmas Party, snow party and more.
Tickets: online 18 000 krw / on site 25 000 krw. Book tickets here.
Opening Times: park times differ every day. Around 9.30 am – 8pm.
Note: Free admission for children under 36 months old.
2.2 Seoul Zoo
The huge zoo hosts over 3000 animals and is the 10th largest zoo in the world! It has two different sections, namely Seoul Zoo and a farm petting zoo. From the subway station the zoo is a 15 minute walk away, so taking the shuttle or sky cable cars is recommended.
Tickets: Adults 5000 krw / Teens 3000 krw / Children 2000 krw. Seoul Land and Seoul Zoo packages are available. Check package info and prices here.
Opening Times: 9 am – 7 pm
Note: Children (ages 3-12) / Teens (ages 13-18) / Free: Children (ages 5 and under), seniors (ages 65 and older)
3. Teddy Bear Museum
Looking for unique places in Seoul? The Teseum Teddy Bear Museum is an amazing indoor theme park where visitors can experience Korean history, the origin of teddy bears and other Seoul themes through the use of cute teddy bears. Just next door is the mirror maze museum. Kids fun in Seoul guaranteed!
Tickets: Online Adults 10000 krw / Teens 8000 krw / Children 6000 krw. Onsite each ticket is 3000 krw more expensive. Buy tickets here.
Opening Times: 8.30 am – 7 pm
Note: Children (ages 6-12) / Teens (ages 13-18) / Free: Children (ages 5 and under), seniors (ages 65 and older)
Address: 19 Jibong-ro, Changsin 1(il)-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul
4. Lotte World
The Lotte World theme park in Jamsil is a great places filled with exciting rides, an aquarium, an ice rink, the folk museum and much more. The perfect place to take your kids for a fun afternoon. Children can enjoy various laser shows, parades and try food from all over the world.
Magic Passes are available for an extra fee, these passes allow you to skip waiting lines. (A little overpriced tbh).
For yourger kids there is a separate theme park called the Undersea Kingdom Theme Park, here you’ll find rides like ball pits, climbing halls and merry go rounds.
Tickets: Online 35000 krw (all ages). Onsite Adults 52000 won / Teenagers 46000 won / Children 43000 won / Babies 14000 won. Buy tickets here.
Opening Times: 9.30 am – 10 pm
Address: 240, Olympic-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul
5. COEX Aquarium
The huge COEX Aquarium hosts over 183 different display tanks and 90 breeding tanks. Over 650 different species (over 40 000 creatures) are hosted in the 16 themed zones. The largest population of sharks in Korea are living in this aquarium, making this a must go tourist site in Gangnam.
Tickets: Online Adults 21000 krw / Children 19000 krw. Onsite adults 28000 won / Teenagers 25000 won / Children 22000 won / Seniors 20000 won. Buy tickets here.
Opening Times: 10 am – 8 pm
Address: 513, Yeongdong-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
6. Kids Cafe seoul
South Korea is the place to be for themed cafes! All sorts of coffee shops can be found that are great with kids, including cat cafes, dog cafes and even you can find special kids cafes in Seoul. These cafes are for kids and their parents. They are decorated with bright colours and offer various fun indoor playgrounds. Most cafes have qualified childcare staff around to watch the children in the indoor playing area. Separate space is available for parents to enjoy their drinks and snacks.
Best cafes in Seoul are I Like Dalki, Tayo, Little Orchard, Hello Kitty Town and Toread Kidscafe.
Check out this video on the coolest kids cafe in Korea
7. Alive Museum And Dynamic Maze
The newest attraction in Seoul, perfect for children and parents. In the Dynamic Maze, teams complete cool missions and try to escape the maze. After finishing the Dynamic Maze, make your way to the Alive Museum which is filled with trick art. A perfect place to take Instagrammable pictures with your kids!
Tickets: Online Dynamic Maze 8500 krw / Alive Museum 8500 krw / Combo 12000 krw. Onsite Dynamic Maze 12000 krw / Alive Museum 12000 krw / Combo 18000 krw. Buy tickets here.
Opening Times: 9 am – 8.30 pm
Address: 12 Insadong-gil, Insa-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul
8. Figure Museum W
Are your kids fans of super hero movies, Star Wars or other character movies? Then this is one of the best things to do in Seoul for kids. The new concept museum is a theme park, toy and figurine exhibition. The different rooms have different themes, perfect for the children of all ages.
Tickets: Online 12000 krw (all ages). Onsite adults 15000 krw/ Teens 13500 krw / Children 12000 krw. Buy tickets here.
Opening Times: 11 am – 7 pm (closed on Mondays)
Address: 3, Seolleung-ro 158-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
9. Feed Deer In Seoul Forest
Seoul Forest is a great park to spend an afternoon especially because of the different kinds of animal in the park. There is a huge deer park, a rabbit cage, butterfly and insect garden. At the deer park is a vending machine, selling deer food for only 1000 krw. Cheap and great fun for family trip to Seoul.
Entrance: Free
Opening Times: 7 am – 8 pm
Address: 273, Ttukseom-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
10. Dongdaemun Market Toy Alley
In the Dongdaemun Market area there is one alley filled with different toy stores, selling all sorts of kid related stuff from clothes to bicycles and toys. During the weekend you’ll see many Korean families with their kids in the area. It is more for the experience of being surrounded by many kids and toy stores, than to find great deals. Toys here are similarly priced than back home.
Address: 390-3 Changsin-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul
11. Grevin Living Waxwork Museum
The Grevin Wax Museum is a famous French museum that houses over 80 different wax statues of famous people, both Korean and international. This is a great place to visit with kids, especially when they are into K-Pop. Korean celebrities like Psy, G-Dragon and famous figure skater Kim Yuna are featured. Other famous people are Obama, the Queen of England, Van Gogh, Einstein and more!
Tickets: Adults 18000 krw / Children & Seniors 15000 krw
Opening Times: 9.30 am – 7 pm
Address: 23, Eulji-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
** Note: this museum is currently closed due to refurbishing and renovations **
12. Outdoor Swimming Pools Along Han River
Along the Han river are 5 outdoor swimming pools, open only during the summer months. It is the perfect Seoul attractions for kids on a hot summer day. Most of the times these pools are quite crowded as many families are looking to cool down their little ones, but it is still a great place to spend an afternoon. Other things to do along the Han river are taking a Han river cruise, renting a bike or just relaxing in one of the many parks.
More Info: here
13. Namsan Tower
Make your way by bus or cable car to Seoul tower at the top of Namsan mountain. Going all the way to the top of the tower gives great views of Seoul. Other things to do in the tower are Hello Kitty Island, Ssentoy Museum and Hanbok experiences. Many restaurants and cafes are located in and around the tower, the perfect place to go for dinner. Read our full guide to N Seoul Tower here.
Tickets Observatory: Adults 10000 krw/ Children 8000 krw
Opening Times: 10 am – 11 pm
Address: 105, Namsangongwon-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Click here for more info on how to go to Namsan Tower
14. Nanta Cooking Show
The Nanta Cooking Show is the most popular Korean comedy performance. The story is about 3 chefs that are trying to finish preparing a wedding buffet. The show is filled with acrobatics, magic tricks, comedy and audience participation.
Nanta is performed daily in Myeongdong, Hongdae Theatre and other cities across Korea. One of the best things to do in Korea with kids!
Tickets: starting at 28000 krw. Tickets need to be bought online in advance.
Opening Times: 10 am – 11 pm
Address: 105, Namsangongwon-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
15. Seoul City Tour Bus
Visit the best spots in Seoul without having to worry about how to get there. The city tour bus runs daily from Tuesday to Sunday and comes every 30 minutes. The tour follows the same course every day, this is a great way to see all the highlights of Seoul in one day. There are 3 different courses available, but if this is your first time in Seoul then the Historic tour is recommended.
The Palace Course
Gwanghwamun Gate (departure) > Deoksugung Palace > Namdaemun Market > Seoul Station > The War Memorial of Korea > Yongsan Station > The National Museum of Korea > Itaewon > Myeongdong > Namsangol Hanok Folk Village > Ambassador Hotel > The Shilla Seoul & Jangchungdan Park > Namsan Seoul Tower > Grand Hyatt Seoul > Dongdaemun Design Plaza > Daehangno Street > Changgyeonggung Palace > Changdeokgung Palace > Insadong > Front of Cheong Wa Dae (Blue House) > Gyeongbokgung Palace, National Folk Museum of Korea, National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul > Sejong Center > Gwanghwamun Gate (arrival)
Tickets: adults 15000 krw / youth 11000 krw. Buy tickets here. Children under 5 go free when accompanied with adult.
Opening Times: 9 am – 6 pm
Address: 105, Namsangongwon-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
16. Other Museums In Seoul
Most of the museums in Seoul have a special kid section but the following museums are very kid friendly. Gwacheon national science museum, traditional Korean folk museum and the National Museum of Korea.
17. Hanwha 63 Aquarium
A little smaller than the COEX aquarium, but not less exciting. The Hanwha aquarium is located in the 63 building in Yeongdeungpo. What’s great about this aquarium is all the different shows. There are feeding shows and mermaid shows. A great place to learn about the different sea life animals for children.
Tickets: adults 15000 krw. Buy tickets here. Children under 5 go free when accompanied with adult.
Opening Times: 10:00 am – 10:00 pm
Address: 50 63-ro, Yeoeuido-dong, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul
Where To Stay In Seoul With Family
The best place to stay in Seoul for family is definitely close to the historic center, like Jongno, Myeongdong or Chungmunro. Other areas that are suitable for families is Gangnam and the Seoul station area. Try to stay away from areas like Hongdae, Itaewon or Yongdeungpo. The latter mainly because it’s far from everything. More details on where to stay in Seoul with family here.
1. Gangnam Family Hotel Seoul
A family friendly hotel with optional airport limousine pick up and drop off. All rooms have aircon, a small kitchen with fridge and a microwave. Rooms for 2, 3 and 4 people are available and kids under 6 years old stay for free.
This well located and affordable hotel is located in the more upscale area of Seoul, but well connected to the historic center and other sites.
Address: 143, Bongeunsa-ro, Gangnam-gu
Price: Check prices here.
2. Nine Tree Premier Hotel Myeongdong2
This hotel lies withing walking distance of Insadong, Myeongdong and other areas in the historic center. Extra beds for one child can be requested in advance for 33000 KRW a night.
The great American style buffet will ensure a great start of your day! This 3 star hotel received high reviews from families travelling to Seoul.
Address: 28, Mareunnae-ro, Jung-gu
Price: Check prices here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, Seoul is fairly stroller friendly. Most subway stations have escalators or elevators. The most popular sights in Seoul have pedestrian only areas or big side walks which perfect for strollers.
If you are traveling with little kids, you might want to stay quite central and close to the major tourist sights. If your kids are older and would like to go out in the evening, then Hongdae or Gangnam are good areas to stay in.
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