Museums for Kids
Museums in Hong Kong engage as well as they educate. Notably, the Children’s Discovery Gallery at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum includes eight interactive play zones and galleries for kids ages 4–10. Learn about and play with locally made toys in the Hong Kong Toy Story, dress as a fiddler crab and dance with wetland animals in the Mai Po Marshes exhibit. Exhibits on legendary martial artist and actor Bruce Lee and a reconstructed Chinese opera theater complete with the performers’ dressing tables, robes and hair accessories might also grab the attention of older kids. There's an ocean of stuff for families to enjoy at the Hong Kong Maritime Museum, from ship models to exhibits on piratesw, while at the Hong Kong Space Museum in Tsim Sha Tsui, the OMNIMAX planetarium takes center stage: Chairs recline, lights dim, and kids are transported up into the constellations.
A Hong Kong Walking Safari
Adventure awaits kids on Hong Kong's outlying islands. The 3km-trek around teeny tiny Sharp Island off the eastern reaches of New Territories is a great way to get a gander at Hong Kong’s fascinating volcanic rock formations (in one place, they look like a bunch of pineapples), with time for some swimming too at Hap Mun Bay Beach. Sections of the gorgous 62-mile MacLehose Trail, which winds across much of the New Territories from Pak Tam Chung to Long Ke, are great for families with kids and can be done in less than an hour or so: a trek to the Tai Mo Shan waterfalls (from Kam Sheung Road MTR) and along a well-paved stretch of the MacLehose (from the Pak Tam Au bus stop) through ambling countryside to the village of Chek Keng with stunning views along the way.
Ferries, Trams and Escalators
It's not just about about taxis and buses in Hong Kong, there are lots of fun ways to get around the city that will keep kids entertained along the way. Hong Kong's century-old tram system (affectionately known as the “ding ding” because of the bell rung at each stop) is a great way to get around the city. The six routes make more than 100 stops, so it's easy to hop on and off at your whim. The 5-minute rides across Victoria Harbour on the classic Star Ferry boats are a fun, quick and cheap adventure with skyline views thrown in for good measure. The Central–Mid-Levels Escalator is the most unusual mode of transport. The world's longest covered outdoor escalator system, it rolls from Central through Soho and finally arrives at the Mid Levels, where you can hop onto the Peak Tram to get to the top of Victoria Peak.
Lights, Sound, Action
The world’s largest permanent sound and light show is a good reason to postpone bedtime. At 8:00 p.m. each night, A Symphony of Lights illuminates 44 buildings on both sides of Victoria Harbour with a spectacle of colored lights and laser beams. For the best views, stake out a spot at the Avenue of Stars in the Tsim Sha Tsui district, or on the promenade of the Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai. Bring your kids aboard the aptly named Shining Star ferry for a dinner cruise and a chance to view the show from all angles as you circle the harbor.
Hollywood of the East
Hong Kong's film industry prides itself on its locally-made blockbusters, and it's not unheard of to stumble onto a film set during a stroll through town. But one sure way to “meet” celebrities is to visit Madame Tussauds Wax Museumhttp://www.afar.com/places/madame-tussauds-hong-kong-hong-kong at The Peak Tower, where kids can take photos with likenesses of Jackie Chan, Brad Pitt, Bruce Lee, and local actor and heartthrob Andy Lau. Film buffs young and old can appreciate the Avenue of Stars on the Tsim Sha Tsui promenade: Hong Kong’s take on the Hollywood Walk of Fame features famous handprints, a statue of Bruce Lee in action, and a truly cinematic view of the Hong Kong skyline.
City Shores
A day at the beach is a family standby. And with so much coast to choose from, families in Hong Kong don't even need to leave the city limits to escape urban life. Crowds gather at the Repulse Bay Beach, located in an upmarket residential neighborhood, to spend the day building sandcastles and the evening watching the sunset. An on-site playground occupies kids who may not yet be comfortable in the water. Venture a short cab-ride further and find the more secluded South Bay. Visit the peninsular village of Shek O for beaches with excellent water quality, changing rooms, and lifeguards on duty; arrive early to claim a spot on the sand. For a more active option nearby, trek a mile to Big Wave Bay for surf lessons.
A Little Country in the City
Hong Kong seems like a sprawling metropolis, but its landscape is actually three-quarters countryside. Take advantage of the parks to hike both within and beyond the city. The paved Morning Trail is a treat for parents with strollers, and after a 45-minute push uphill to The Peak Lookout you'll be rewarded with a delicious lunch and spectacular city views. For a more rural feel, head to Kam Shan Country Park near the Kowloon Reservoir for the Family Walk. The area is known locally as Monkey Mountain thanks to its population of rhesus macaques. These critters are friendly enough to pose for photos, but keep sweets and savories hidden.
The Vertical Ride
Known locally as the “ding ding,” it's hard not to feel affection for Hong Kong's trams. But a more daredevil way to traverse Hong Kong is via the tram's aerial cousin, the historic Peak Tram. First constructed in 1888, the funicular gains an elevation of over 1,000 feat in seven minutes. Pick up a ticket at the Garden Road Victoria Peak Tram Terminus for unrivaled views of the city as it makes its way from Central to Victoria Peak. Up top, the Mount Austin Playground a short walk from the tram station will be a big hit with the little ones. The fun of being above it all can also be had on the cable car and Mine Train roller coaster in Ocean Park on the waterfront of southern Hong Kong Island and on the 25-minute Ngong Ping 360 cable car ride on Lantau Island; kids will have almost as much fun journeying to their destination as they will when they arrive.
