Making Friends In Hong Kong: How To Meet New People As Parents

 Making friends as adults in Hong Kong is no easy task, let alone when you have kids! But finding your mum or dad squad is the best way to get through the ups and downs of parenthood. We’ve put together a useful guide on how to meet people and make friends as parents in Hong Kong.

There is nothing more life-changing than becoming a new parent. The sleepless nights, the crying babies, the endless diaper changes; how do we get through this new life stage? With the help of other parents, of course! Whether you’ve lived in Hong Kong for a while or just moved here, here are some tips on making friends in the 852!

Read More: The Ultimate List Of Things To Do In Hong Kong For Kids And Families

Take The Kids Out To Play

One of the best ways to meet other parents is to take the kids to one of the many indoor playrooms, outdoor playgrounds or picnic spots in Hong Kong. You’re bound to bump into and have conversations with other parents as you sit on the bench and watch the littles play! You’ll notice the same faces frequenting your regular spots and your kids may even make the introductions on your behalf.

Read More: Picnics in Hong Kong – The Best Picnic Spots For The Family

Join Facebook Groups Specifically For Parents Making Friends

It’s easy to find Facebook groups for mums and dads based on where you live, your country of origin or areas of interest. Many groups are private and parents are willing to offer advice and have discussions regarding homes, children, buying, selling, helpers, pets, schools and any other topics that are useful for new families. Hong Kong Moms and Hong Kong Breastfeeding Facebook groups are good places to start, but there are also location-specific Facebook groups such as Discovery Bay Mums and Dads or Sai Kung Mummies and nationality-specific groups such as German Mums In HK and Russian Mums In Hong Kong.

Read More: Discovery Bay Hong Kong – Restaurants, Kids Activities And Things To Do In DB

Reach Out To Old Connections

If you’ve lived in Hong Kong for a while, chances are you know at least a handful of people. Don’t be afraid to drop them a message on social media to say hello and set a coffee date! Even if it’s a distant connection, the worst that could happen is they don’t remember you and don’t respond, but if they do, it might just be the start of a lifelong friendship.

Read More: That Mama – Anjali Harjani Of Malabar Baby Talks About Life As A Working Mum

Find Your Community On Instagram

Sharing your parenthood journey on Instagram is a wonderful way to connect with like-minded mamas and papas. Who knows, your IG story about your kiddo smirking after painting the walls with crayons may prompt other parents to relate and reply to it! Similarly, you can also follow other mums on Instagram and strike up a conversation when they post something that you relate to.

Volunteer At Schools, Nonprofits And Charities

We know that taking care of the kids keeps you busy enough. But if you can find the time, volunteering at NGOs and charity organisations is not only meaningful but also gives you an opportunity to connect with other parents who share similar interests. You can also ask about the parent committee at your child’s school and volunteer to help out at bake sales, sports days and other special events where you’ll surely meet other parents.

Read More: Where To Volunteer In Hong Kong – 20 NGOs And Charity Organisations

Create a Bumble BFF profile

We’ve all heard some good (and not-so-good) stories when it comes to dating apps. But Bumble is one of the few apps where people have met and formed genuine, long-term connections! It has a BFF section which is a friend-finding mode that connects people from all walks of life, including parents. Simply create a profile, add some fun photos and make sure you answer a couple of prompts that show your personality!

Join A Workout Class

Whether you’re into yoga, pilates, spinning or HIIT, there’s definitely a workout class for you out there! Put on your favourite activewear, work up a sweat and don’t forget to strike up a conversation with your fellow gym-goers before or after. If you’re a new mom, there are postnatal fitness classes where you’ll definitely connect with other new moms.

Read More: Postnatal Fitness, Yoga and Pilates In Hong Kong

Making Friends On Meetup

Another great social media platform to meet people is Meetup. Browse around the website or type in your activity of choice and your neighbourhood, and you’ll find a list of groups or events that are happening around you. You can even create your own group or organise an event so if you don’t find anything you like, you can always start your own!

Search For Cultural And Spiritual Groups

If you practice spirituality, joining a group that emphasizes community and celebrates special occasions together is a great way to meet new people. Find your nearest cultural society or religious organisation and you might just create your supportive network of mums and dads.

Read More: Sassy Mama’s Guide To Festivities Around The Globe

Sign Up For Creative Classes And Workshops

Being a parent shouldn’t deter you from keeping in touch with your interests, you’re your own person after all! Whether you’re into calligraphy, glassmaking, pottery or even leather crafting, there are many workshops and creative classes that’ll only take up an hour of your day. If you want to try something new, look for beginner-level workshops at Klook and HK Ticketing; you can learn a brand new skill and meet new people along the way!

Read More: Arts And Crafts – The Best Art Supply Stores In Hong Kong

Editor’s Note: Making Friends In Hong Kong: How To Meet New People As Parents was updated in January 2023 by Najuka Redkar.