Playing In The Rain: Our Inside Activity Survival Guide Part 1

It’s safe to say that we’re pretty much over this dreary, damp weather. And though we hate to be the bearer of bad news… It’s not looking like it’s letting up too soon. So before the kids start bouncing off the wall any more than they probably already are at this point, here’s a list of some of our favourite places for loads of indoor fun.

INDOOR PLAYROOMS

Bumbletots
www.bumbletots.com.hk
Units 4-12, First Floor, The Waterside Mall, 15 On Chun Street, Ma On Shan, Hong Kong
2631 4001 | [email protected]
An indoor playground for ages 10 and below – on a rainy day, this is the place to bee.

Jungle Playroom
www.jungleplayroom.com
No. 3 Tan Cheung Village, Sai Kung, Hong Kong
2553 3825 | [email protected]
From mini-rollercoasters to play-doh, this jungle-like playroom has it all. Calling all little ones in Sai Kung between 6 months and 8 years.

Kids Club by Toys Club
www.hongkongtoyclub.com
The people behind Toys Club – the genius toy rental club and our go-to for bouncy castles, ball pools and the like for birthday parties – also offers a Kids Club periodically at various locations around Hong Kong for kids up to age 7. Check out their website to learn more  (and buy tickets).  And sign up for their newsletter to get the early scoop on their schedule or email them at  [email protected].

Playright Playscope
www.playscope.org.hk
Rooms 117-125 Hang Wo Hse, Tai Wo Estate, Tai Po, New Territories, Hong Kong
2650 2607 | [email protected]
As innovative as it is educational, this is our new favorite spot in the New Territories for great indoor play with exciting features like the Sky Web and Secret Tunnel. Join the PlayLab for stimulating playtime with similar-aged buddies, and members can even take home a favorite toy from the Toy Library for free.

FunZone
www.funzone.com.hk
Shop 121-123, Podium Level I, The Westwood, 8 Belcher’s Street, Hong Kong
2258 9558 | [email protected]
FunZone now runs English and Mandarin playgroup programs! In these programs, parents (or guardians) and children discover the wonders of language. Their teachers develop weekly activities that encourage motor-skills, co-ordination and early social development. FunZone has recently built a playgroup area that is both safe and comfortable so children can feel physically and emotionally secure. At the end of each playgroup lesson, the students are allowed to stay and play at FunZone for FREE!

Toy Library
2/F Hong Kong Central Library | 2921 0386
Plan ahead and book a session! For kids up to 8 yrs old.

WiseKids Playrooms
http://www.wisekidstoys.com/playroom/
Shop 201, The Arcade, Cyberport, Pokfulam | 2989 6298
1/F, 8 Sunning Road, Causeway Bay | 2151 9968
These folks have some of the best toys in town in their positively massive playrooms. Their play areas have everything from dress-up corners and craft areas, to a cool multi-sensory room with colors, sounds and things to touch and hold and a family game area. And while it’s really all about creative play, there are organized activities like songs or story time and snack time. Check their session times via their website.

7x Smarter Playroom
www.7xsmarter.com
2/F, 100 Queen’s Road East, Wanchai
2529 1834 | [email protected]
A lovely indoor playroom filled with books, toys, an ice-cream parlour and plenty more. Free play sessions plus themed playgrounds are set up for the kiddos in the afternoons. Best to call before you head over!

Finally, if you’re looking to try something new, or simply close by, scroll through this list of Government Playrooms that are all over the city – plus, they’re free!

MORE INDOOR FUN IDEAS

Art Jamming
http://www.artjamming.com/
123 Wellington Street, Central
2541 8816
Beat the icky weather blues with some art jamming! Just bring your creativity as they have all you need – canvas, paints, and a cool studio space. While you don’t need reservations, this is a popular spot so it’s a good idea to call ahead to make sure they aren’t booked for a private event.  Their afternoon sessions run 2pm-6pm – and note they are closed on Mondays.

My Happy Sunflower
2/F, 1 7 1 Hennessy Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong
2511 2538 | [email protected]
It’s easy and fun to create a pottery masterpiece that will last a lifetime. With a wide range of designs, colors and pottery, kids can create memories and a work of art.  Drop in, pick a piece of pottery to paint, and they glaze fire it up for you.


MegaIce
www.megaice.com.hk/
Unit 1, Level 10 MegaBox 38, Wang Chiu Road Kowloon Bay, Kowloon | 2709 4020
There are surprisingly more than a few places to go skating in HK, but this is one of our faves – and it’s the city’s only international-sized ice rink. Located in MegaBox, this massive rink has one of the best views around through its 30-meter glass window that offers full views of the harbour.

PLAY
www.321play.com.hk
1 and 2/F, Kras Asia Industrial Building, 79 Hung To Road, Kwun Tong
2342 9830 | [email protected]
Swing batter, batter…swing! PLAY is Hong Kong’s first ever indoor softball & baseball facility. In each of its 5 special ‘cages’ – from a bullpen with a laser speed gun for aspiring pitchers to the most sophisticated virtual pitching machine around that can deliver a ball up to 150km/hr (!). And if you don’t feel like swinging the bat, well, how about skiing or snowboarding instead on their two cool slopes.

Sideways Driving Club
www.sideways-driving-club.com
LG/F, 1-2 Chancery Lane, Central
2523 0983 | [email protected]
Go full throttle with their virtual racing car simulators.  Designed to recreate real-life racing conditions, these simulators are super fun and equipped with the same technology used by professional Formula One teams.

SkyPlaza Entertainment
Terminal 2 Hong Kong International Airport
www.hongkongairport.com
SkyPlaza at Terminal 2 of the Hong Kong International Airport is a perfect haven to dodge the rain for a day. For days when the kids are really bouncing off the wall, a few hours at the iSports centre, with simulations of a variety of sports, and Playstation Gateway, will probably just the thing.  Don’t miss the cool sights at Asia Hollywood, and end the day with a movie at Hong Kong’s one-and-only 4-D cinema.



OUR FAVORITE MUSEUMS

Check out our absolutely comprehensive list of the best museums for kids in Hong Kong here, or get the edited highlights below!

Hong Kong Heritage Museum
1 Man Lam Road, Sha Tin, Hong Kong | 2180 8188
Wander HK’s largest museum – over 32,000 square meters (!). The Children’s Discovery Gallery has eight play zones just for kids 4-10 years old.

The Hong Kong Museum of History
100 Chatham Road South, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong | 2724-9042
Kids will be glued to the many diorama displays on view here – you can peer inside a fishing junk, see what Kowloon Walled City looked like before it became a park, see the backstage of a Chinese opera, and walk down a re-created street of old Hong Kong – complete with a pawnshop, teahouse, and a Chinese herbal-medicine shop actually located in Central until 1980 and reconstructed in the museum.

Hong Kong Science Museum
2 Science Museum Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong | 2732 3232
Great for a day of hands-on learning. More than three-quarters of the museum’s 500 exhibitions over 4 floors is interactive and great for kids.

Hong Kong Space Museum
10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong | 2721 0226
Rainy day? No worries, here you can still do some stargazing at the Sky Show and even see what it’s like to walk on the moon. Also, remember to check out what the Omnimax movie currently playing is.

…and if the rain falls on a Wednesday, you’re in luck – many museums are free!

Need more ideas? Check out our fab Ideas & Inspiration page for loads of great stay-dry days!