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Things to Do in Seoul with Kids: 50+ Fun Family Sights

ByJessica Lee Updated on

Back to school has been buzzing with “Golden” and “Takedown.” K-Pop Demon Hunters is on a continuous loop in our car, which has me reminiscing about our trip to Korea. Seoul is hot with K-pop hits, delicious eats, advanced skin and beauty care, innovative tech, and it’s also packed with family fun.

We spent 8 days in Seoul with a 1-year-old, 5-year-old, and 7-year-old and found the best mix of culture, play spaces, and delectable, yet kid-friendly eats. If you’re searching for things to do in Seoul with kids, this list will help you plan a trip everyone enjoys.

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A woman in traditional hanbok walks through a vibrant red and green columned corridor at Changdeokgung palace, with text overlay reading “Top Seoul Things With Kids. A Guide for All Ages.” The Pinterest graphic promotes a blog post about things to do with kids in Seoul.

Why Seoul is a fantastic family destination

Seoul is one of those rare cities that manages to blend modern life with tradition in a way that’s exciting for kids and soul-enriching for parents.

The city is safe, clean, and easy to navigate, with convenient public transportation that takes you almost anywhere you need to go. Add in stroller-friendly sidewalks, family zones at train stations, and kid-focused amenities in many attractions, and you’ll see why Korea with kids just works.

During our 8 days in Seoul, we balanced sightseeing with downtime for our 1-year-old, while still finding enough energy-busting activities to keep our 5 and 7-year-olds happy.

Two young boys in pastel hanbok walk through a traditional palace gate following a crowd toward a large, ornate building inside the complex of Changdeokgung in Seoul, South Korea.

Our itinerary mixed cultural must-sees like palaces and hanbok dress-up with indoor kids cafés (lifesavers when you just need coffee and a break). Even meals were family-friendly—whether it was street food at night markets or sit-down Korean BBQ where our kids loved cooking right at the table.

What struck me most was how much Seoul caters to families without losing its identity. Somehow managing to maintain its rich heritage while still openly embracing the new. It felt like a city where our kids could explore freely, but we never had to sacrifice cultural experiences, comfort, or convenience.

As an added bonus, in case you needed another reason, you can find numerous free things to do in Seoul making it even more of an attractive family travel destination.

Inside view (from someone standing outside the door) of a busy Korean barbecue restaurant covered in Korean signs and images filled with customers, including a man holding a baby while browsing the menu, under metal ventilation pipes.

Planning your itinerary

One of the trickiest parts about exploring Seoul with kids isn’t finding things to do—it’s figuring out which ones you want to visit and how to fit them together.

Many children’s attractions are clustered in the same areas, while others have confusingly similar names (like Seoul Children’s Grand Park and Seoul Grand Park). It’s easy to get them mixed up if you’re not paying attention to the details.

To save your sanity, group sights by neighborhood or subway line and try to plan each day around one area. For example, you can pair COEX Aquarium with Starfield Library since they’re both inside the COEX Mall, or combine Champion 1250 with the Gundam Base both in I’Park Mall. Being strategic will cut down on long commutes and help your kids last longer before the meltdowns start.

Getting around

Seoul is a sprawling city, but it’s surprisingly easy to navigate. The subway system is clean, efficient, and stroller-friendly, with clear English signage. Most major attractions are just a few stops apart, so once you plan your routes, getting around with kids is manageable.

A young boy in a black puffer jacket kneels on a blue subway seat labeled “KORAIL” while peering out the window of an empty train car in Seoul, South Korea.
A child in a black puffer jacket walks through a bright clean subway corridor toward the direction signs for Seoul Metro lines 2, 4, and 5, surrounded by commuters.

Uber is available in Seoul. Kakao, however, is used more than Uber and might be worth trying out.

In Korea, Google Maps can be less reliable than in other places. Naver Maps is the recommended alternative, available on the App Store and Google Play. A travel tip is to search in English on Google or Google Maps for your attraction or destination, then copy the Korean name or address into Naver or Kakao.

Seoul is very pedestrian and stroller-friendly, with wide sidewalks, large crossings, and some pedestrian-only streets and plazas. It’s easy to walk and let your kids stretch their legs.

Two children kneel on a deep red subway bench, one looking out the window and the other chatting, while a baby in a stroller wearing a fuzzy white coat drinks milk from a bottle in the foreground.

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Best Things To Do in Seoul With Kids

The following list is organized by type of activity, whether something indoors or outdoors, something educational, cultural, or more playful.

Scroll down or skip ahead with the links here to review the following sections for things to do in Seoul with kids: Iconic Seoul Attractions, Indoor Kids Activities, Outdoor Play Spaces and Parks, Entertainment and Amusement Activities, Educational and Cultural Experiences, Street Stops and Snacks, Shopping with Kids.

Iconic Seoul Attractions for Kids

Gyeongbokgung Palace (경복궁) – Seoul’s most famous palace, where kids love the colorful changing of the guard ceremony. Strollers are allowed, but expect some uneven stone paths. If you are dressed in a proper full hanbok, you get into the palace for free.

Changdeokgung (창덕궁) – A UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its Secret Garden. Less crowded than Gyeongbokgung and more stroller-friendly. Wearing a proper full hanbok will get you into the palace for free.

Namsan Seoul Tower – Take the cable car or hike up for panoramic city views. Families love adding a lock to the fence as a keepsake.

A young family of 5 dressed in traditional Korean hanbok sits on the stone steps of the historic Changgyeonggung palace building with green latticed doors and a golden sign above them.
A close-up view of the elaborately decorated roof and wooden eaves of a traditional Korean Gyeongbokgung palace gate in Seoul, featuring vibrant colors, symbolic ornaments, and a golden sign in Hangul.
A wide view of the intricately detailed Geunjeongjeon Hall at Gyeongbokgung Palace, with tourists—many in colorful hanbok—gathered around the grand entrance on large flat stones in Seoul in spring.

Bukchon Hanok Village (북촌한옥마을) – Wander charming alleys of traditional Korean houses. Stop at the Bukchon Traditional Culture Center (북촌문화센터) for kid-friendly cultural activities. Please respect the tourist visiting times.

House of Baek Inje (백인제가옥) – A preserved Korean mansion that feels like stepping back in time. Quick stop that pairs well with Bukchon strolls. Free admission.

Ikseon-dong Hanok Village (익선동 한옥마을) – Quieter than Bukchon with narrow lanes full of cafés, boutiques, and snack stops—great for families looking for a slower pace.

Namsangol Hanok Village (남산골한옥마을) – A traditional village with restored hanok homes, cultural performances, and workshops. It’s free to enter and stroller-friendly.

A dad in blue and a child in black walk under a low wooden gate with a tiled roof marked "Watch Your Head," entering a traditional Korean house courtyard in Namsangol Hanok Village in Seoul.
White spring cherry blossoms bloom on a tree above traditional Korean rooftops with dark grey tiles in Namsangol Hanok Village, Seoul, set against a clear blue sky.
A young boy walks past wooden hanok buildings in a heritage village, Namsangol, with traditional Korean architectural features like tiled roofs and wooden beams in view.
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Indoor Kids Activities in Seoul

KidZania Seoul – A kid-sized city where children role-play real jobs like pilots, chefs, or doctors. Best for ages 4–12; plan at least half a day.

Sea Life COEX Aquarium – A massive aquarium inside the COEX Mall with walk-through tunnels and interactive exhibits. Convenient if you’re also shopping or dining nearby.

A family walks past a large blue wall mural at the Coex Aquarium entrance in Seoul, inside a mall, featuring marine animals like sharks, turtles, and seals with the slogan “Fantastic Water Journey.”

Seoul Children’s Museum (서울상상나라) – Hands-on science, art, and play exhibits designed for younger kids. Great stop to let toddlers and preschoolers explore freely.

Cafe de Enfant (카페드앙팡 남영점) – A family café where kids play in themed zones while parents relax with coffee. Known for clean facilities and toddler-friendly play areas.

Golden Blue Kids Village (골든블루키즈빌리지) – Indoor kid paradise with soft play zones, water play and slides in splash-pad style zone, ball pits, and more.

A young toddler girl wearing a leopard print skirt sits on a pink carousel horse inside a whimsical indoor amusement area decorated in all pink tones at Lilliput Kids Cafe in Seoul, South Korea.
A bowl of stir-fried rice topped with greens and a sunny-side-up egg garnished with sesame seeds, served alongside a basket of crispy Korean fried chicken at the Lilliput Kids Cafe in Seoul.
A toddler wearing a leopard-print skirt and white shirt stands at a toy kitchen set, reaching toward a pretend stovetop with plastic pots and pans and lower light pink cabinets at Lilliput Cafe in Seoul.
A father holds his toddler who reaches toward a pastel pink beauty play station inside a children's Lilliput play café in Seoul filled with posh and plush toys and pretend setups.

Lilliput Kids Cafe (릴리펏 청담본점) – Stylish kids café with themed play zones and a full restaurant menu. Ideal for a relaxed family meal where kids stay entertained. Additional branch in Yulhyeon-dong.

HJ Familia Cafe (효정패밀리아카페) – Upscale kids café with beautiful play installations and a solid food menu. Ideal if you want a slower-paced meal while your kids are entertained.

Bear Park Eunpyeong (볼베어파크 은평점) – A massive indoor play zone with climbing structures, trampolines, and slides. Great for burning energy on a rainy day, especially for ages 3–10. Located inside Lotte Mall Eunpyeong.

Smart Brick Kids Cafe (스마트브릭키즈카페) – A LEGO-inspired play café where kids build while parents relax with coffee. Fun mix of creative play and downtime.

Champion 1250 – IPark Mall Yongsan Branch – A huge indoor climbing and play complex with trampolines, climbing nets, ball pits and obstacle courses. Best for older kids to burn energy.

Two children play on a large yellow and gray net structure under dramatic ceiling lights shaped like a starburst, inside Champion 1250, a modern kids’ indoor playground in Seoul, located in IPark Mall.
A spacious, modern indoor play area, Champion 1250, in IPark Mall in Seoul, features a massive ball pit filled with blue and white balls, a green climbing island, a yellow slide, netted climbing structures, and a father helping his child climb down into the balls.
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Outdoor Play Spaces and Parks

Cheonggyecheon (청계천) & Gwangtonggyo Bridge (광통교) – A restored stream running through downtown Seoul, perfect for a family stroll. Kids love splashing in summer, but bring a change of clothes.

Yongsan Family Park (용산가족공원) – Calm green space with ponds, picnic areas, and walking trails. A peaceful break in the middle of the city.

A young boy pushes a stroller with a toddler along a wide stone bridge overlooking Seoul’s Cheonggyecheon Stream, framed by modern skyscrapers and evening city lights.
A wide view of Cheonggyecheon Stream in downtown Seoul, Korea at sunset, with people strolling or sitting along the waterway between rows of modern skyscrapers and bright digital billboards.

Hangang Parks (한강공원) – Stretched along the Han River on both sides a group of parks with some offering bike rentals and paths, bridge views, playgrounds, climbing structures, and picnic spots. Great place to spend a sunny afternoon or an evening to wind down.

Seoul Forest Park (서울숲공원) – Large tree-filled green space with stroller-friendly walking trails, deer feeding, and themed playgrounds. A favorite for families needing downtime outdoors.

Children’s Grand Park (어린이대공원) – A huge park located in Gwangjin District with a small zoo, amusement rides, botanical gardens, green spaces and trails, and playgrounds. Free entry makes it an easy family day out. The Children’s Museum can be found in the same area.

Seoul Grand Park (서울대공원) – Similar name but a different spot—this one is located further south in Gwacheon. The Grand Park offers a larger zoo and botanic garden. Here you will also find Seoulland.

The entrance to Children’s Grand Park in Seoul marked by a pastel green archway with colorful letters and signs in both Korean and English, with a bike rack and groups of people walking nearby.
A man pushes a stroller along a brick path lined with blooming cherry blossom trees as crowds of people walk beneath the canopy of pale pink flowers inside the Children’s Grand Park in Seoul.
Two children sit inside a brown and purple Keenz stroller wagon being pushed along a brick pathway in the Children’s Grand park lined with trees and trimmed bushes.
A toddler plays on a patch of green turf, bent over with head down and hands on the ground in a yoga-like pose, with blooming cherry blossom trees and a traditional Korean pavilion in the background at the Children’s Grand Park in Seoul.
A wide view of a theme park featuring a Viking ship ride, spinning roller coaster tracks, and various colorful attractions spread across a plaza inside the Children’s Grand Park in Seoul, South Korea.
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Educational and Cultural Experiences

Hanbok Dress up – Rent traditional Korean outfits for the whole family and take photos at nearby palaces. Kids love dressing up, rentals are affordable, and they will get you into the palaces for free.

A toddler in a peach hanbok crawls on the ground beside an adult wearing a navy and gold traditional Korean hanbok inside a Changdeokgung palace corridor lined with red wooden columns.
A young boy wearing a cream-colored hanbok stands on a stone block near a traditional Korean stone wall and tiled roof, next to a tree outside Changdeokgung.
A hanbok rental store, Dorothy Hanbok in Seoul, with a mannequin in a pale blue and gold hanbok stands next to a sign displaying rental pricing and photos of visitors in traditional attire.

National Museum of Korea – The children’s program and interactive exhibits make history approachable. A good rainy-day option with stroller access.

National Folk Museum of Korea – Located on the grounds of Gyeongbokgung Palace, this museum introduces you to Korean history and traditions through artifacts and seasonal exhibits. It’s free to enter and has a dedicated children’s museum section with hands-on activities.

Bukchon Traditional Culture Center (북촌문화센터) – Small but engaging stop offering hands-on cultural activities like calligraphy and crafts. Great tie-in to a Bukchon Hanok Village walk.

National Children’s Science Center (국립어린이과학관) – Hands-on science museum with experiments, space exhibits, and discovery zones. Best suited for school-aged kids who love STEM.

Starfield Library (별마당 도서관) – Instagram-famous open library inside COEX Mall, with towering bookshelves and cozy reading spaces. Quick stop that pairs well with the aquarium or shopping.

The spacious, glass-ceilinged library atrium of Starfield COEX Library in Seoul, South Korea, filled with people, featuring towering curved bookshelves and a large dome-shaped floral installation made of colorful artificial flowers.
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Entertainment and Amusement Activities

Lotte World Adventure (롯데월드) – One of the world’s largest indoor theme parks with rides, parades, and characters kids love. Plus outdoor attractions. Go early or on weekdays to avoid the heaviest crowds. Check out their website for different character takeovers – like Pokémon!

Trick Eye + Ice Museum – Interactive 3D art and photo zones, plus an ice room that kids find hilarious. Quick visit and very Instagram-friendly. (Also houses the Love Museum, but this one is only appropriate for adults.)

A top-down view of a whimsical indoor theme park with a blue-and-gold carousel at the center, surrounded by castle-style buildings, a monorail track, and visitors walking through the plaza at Lotte World amusement park in Seoul.
A child and adult approach a grand castle entrance with blue spires and medieval-style murals, at Lotte World Adventure amusement park in Seoul, Korea.
A scenic path lined with cherry blossom trees in full bloom beside a lake, with people walking under a ride track at Lotte World and modern city buildings in the distance in Seoul.

Hongdae Games & Arcades – the Hongdae area houses numerous arcades, internet cafes, gaming stations, VR experiences, escape rooms, and more popular with older kids.

Seoulland (서울랜드) – Korea’s first theme park with classic rides, seasonal festivals, and kid zones. Smaller and less crowded than Lotte World, cane make it easier with younger kids.

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Street Stops and Snacks in Seoul

K-Star Road – Street (Apgujeong-dong) filled with giant K-pop themed bear statues. Great photo op for families with kids who love K-pop. Also, known for its luxury brand stores lining the road.

Gangnam Style Sculpture (강남스타일 동상) – A quick but fun stop to let kids dance out their energy while you snap photos at this famous landmark.

Ihwa-dong Mural Village (이화동 벽화마을) – Hillside neighborhood covered in colorful murals and art installations. Expect some steep climbs, but the views and photos are worth it.

A family poses in front of COEX Mall beneath a giant bronze sculpture of crossed hands performing the Gangnam Style dance gesture, set against a modern cityscape in Seoul.
A toddler in a leopard skirt sits on a black-and-white checkered Gangnamdol bear statue labeled “U-KNOW MAX” on a sidewalk in Seoul.

Insa-dong Culture Street – Famous for crafts, tea shops, and quirky street snacks like dragon’s beard candy. Fun for browsing with kids and easy to combine with nearby hanok villages.

Ttongppang (똥빵) – A silly, poop-shaped waffle filled with sweet red bean, Nutella, or custard, popular with kids. Availability changes, but still found at some Insadong street stalls.

Sweet Hotteoks (호떡) – A warm, chewy pancake filled with brown sugar, cinnamon, and sometimes nuts, often sold at night markets and food street carts. Easy to find all over the city.

Mung Bean Pancakes (빈대떡) – Savory, crispy pancakes made with ground mung beans, vegetables, and sometimes meat. Best enjoyed fresh at Gwangjang Market, where the sizzling stalls are part of the experience.

A three-story open-air shopping plaza Ssamziegil with modern glass storefronts, colorful art, and food stalls on the ground level, bustling with visitors in Seoul’s Insadong area.
A mom holding a toddler poses with two boys in front of a giant bear statue wearing sunglasses labeled “GANG NAM” at the K-Star Road landmark in Gangnam, Seoul, with high-rise buildings in the background.
A boy stands with one hand behind his head, looking at a humorous sign covered in cartoon poop illustrations and Korean writing outside a novelty-themed café in Insadong, Seoul.
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Shopping with Kids in Seoul

Myeongdong Night Market (명동야시장) – Bustling night market with K-pop music, neon lights, and street food kids will actually eat—like dumplings, skewers, and sweet pancakes.

Namdaemun Market – Seoul’s largest traditional market, packed with food stalls, clothing shops, and the famous Toy Alley kids adore. It’s bustling and can feel chaotic, so keep little ones close.

Ssamziegil (쌈지길) – A spiral-shaped shopping complex in Insadong full of handicrafts, souvenirs, and snack shops. Easy to wander with kids, though it can get crowded.

Anyoung Insadong Shopping Mall (안녕인사동) – A modern shopping mall with rotating cultural exhibits, shops, and family-friendly dining. Convenient spot if you’re already exploring Insadong.

A multilevel open-air shopping center Ssamziegil with glass walls, colorful signage, and outdoor wooden benches, where people are walking and browsing small local stores.
A multi-story indoor shopping mall, Anyoung in Insadong, with sleek glass walls with long bar lights, dark stone architecture, and rows of vendor booths on a green artificial turf floor, selling clothes, crafts, and food.
The bustling entrance to a Namdaemun market in Seoul with bold signage in Hangul and English, surrounded by colorful buildings and crowded vendor stalls.

Starfield COEX Mall (스타필드 코엑스몰) – One of Seoul’s largest malls, home to COEX Aquarium and the Instagram-famous Starfield Library. A one-stop destination for families with lots of food options.

Lotte World Mall (롯데월드몰) – A modern shopping complex connected to Lotte World Adventure. Ideal for combining shopping, dining, and theme park fun in one place.

I’Park Mall (아이파크몰 용산점) – A giant shopping mall that houses Champion 1250, Gundam Base, and arcades. Great rainy-day stop where kids can play while parents shop.

A young boy stands in front of a life-sized Spider-Man figure hanging upside down from a web inside a themed indoor exhibit with brick walls and tilted street signs in Popcorn D Square inside I’Park Mall, Seoul, South Korea.
A father lifts his toddler toward a giant plush statue of Totoro holding an umbrella, surrounded by yellow flowers and indoor lighting in a themed shopping space at IPark Mall in Seoul.
A young boy wearing black mimics a strongman pose next to a towering, muscular Hulk statue in torn pants at a themed Marvel indoor display area in IPark Mall, Seoul.
A wide white space-ship-like display boasts the title “The Gundam Base” at the I’Park Mall in Seoul, showing colorful display cases for various grades of Gundam model kits under bright lighting, with informational panels for each series.
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Wrapping up our family’s Seoul adventure

Seoul gave us a little bit of everything—palaces and hanok villages, and don’t forget the hanboks. Parks and play cafés that gave us a breather, and markets bursting with colors and flavors our whole family could enjoy.

It’s a city that somehow balances tradition and innovation, while still making space for families to explore comfortably. If you’re planning a trip to Korea with kids, I hope this list helps you map out days that feel fun instead of frantic.

And if you’re traveling with little ones, especially babies or toddlers, make sure to check out my tips for surviving the long flight. With the right prep, Seoul isn’t just doable with kids—it’s exceptional.

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