Best things to do in Shenzhen with kids of every age

Shenzhen is an ideal destination if you live in Hong Kong and are planning a day out with the kids: it’s close, convenient and designed with families in mind.  

The Greater Bay Area city offers an impressive mix of indoor adventure parks, interactive museums and open-air green spaces – with plenty to appeal to everyone from toddlers and teens to parents. Here are a few standout attractions for a memorable family day out in Shenzhen.

Best for: Playing

Meland, Upper Hills Mall

This vast indoor amusement park is a wonderland on a dizzying scale, offering all kinds of immersive play environments. There are soft-play zones for toddlers, climbing structures and role-play scenarios for preschoolers, and more challenging activities for older kids – including climbing walls, interactive games and obstacle courses. 
 
Suitability: All ages 
Price: From CN ¥100 
Address: Level 3, Upper Hills, 5001 Huanggang Road, Futian District

Dx-Park 2.0, Qianhai Hop Tiandi Mall

Fifteen minutes from Shenzhen Bay, this expansive indoor amusement and sports park is open to kids of all ages, though it’s particularly well-suited to older children. It offers more activities than they could wish for, including go-karting, real-life Mario Kart, bowling, indoor mini-golf, archery, basketball, VR shooting games, arcade machines and a petting zoo. There’s also a buffet available from 11am to 7pm.  

Suitability: Ages 3+ 
Price: From CN¥200 
Address: B1-22, Qianhai Hop Tiandi, 19 Xinghua First Road, Bao'an District

Qianhai Huafa Snow World 

What better place to teach your kids how to ski than at one of the world’s largest indoor ski resorts? Besides the impressive main slopes, there are plenty of options for beginners, including gentle inclines where kids can safely learn with the help of instructors. Younger kids can throw snowballs, ride snow tubes and go sledding in the safe “snow play” area. Ski gear is included, but you’ll need to bring your own gloves, hats, socks and masks. Direct coaches operate from Hong Kong to Huafa, including services operated by Chinalink . 
 
Suitability: Ages 3+ 
Price: From CN¥300 
Address: 666 Binjiang Avenue, Shajing, Bao'an District 

Best for: Learning

Shenzhen Science and Technology Museum  

There are few more awe-inspiring spaces for children than this grand futuristic museum designed by Zaha Hadid Architects. Its interactive approach is designed with kids very much in mind, allowing them to get hands-on with exhibits and discover science up close. Tickets should be purchased in advance online , via WeChat or by emailing ticket@szstm.org.cn . They become available at 8pm each day, so evenings are the best time to book. 
 
Suitability: Ages 3+ 
Price: From CN¥200 (check website for special exhibitions) 
Address: 8 Guanghui Avenue, Guangming District

Red Cube

This interactive museum with hands-on STEM exhibits is perfect for curious minds of all ages. The complex features three museums, a giant bookstore and a play area on the second floor, making this venue a great choice for families with mixed-age children. Pre-booking is required for Chinese nationals; overseas visitors can register on arrival.  
 
Suitability: All ages 
Price: Free 
Address: 8028 Longxiang Avenue, Longgang District

Best for: Exploring 

Shenzhen Talent Park

For a relaxed stroll, especially with younger children, this coastal park features a large and carefully designed children’s playground. It’s a great spot for a picnic in front of the city skyline, and it’s close to plenty of other Shenzhen Bay attractions. There’s also an education centre focused on migratory birds, and a light show on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings.  
 
Suitability: All ages 
Price: Free 
Address: 3329 Keyuan South Road, Nanshan District

Shenzhen International Garden and Flower Expo Park 

Looking for a break from Shenzhen’s frenetic pace? This park in downtown Futian might be showing its age, but that’s exactly the appeal of a rambling adventure with kids. It’s large and quiet – full of classical Chinese garden scenes, fun sculptures and a small dinosaur museum. Take a photo of the park map as you enter to help find your bearings. And bring plenty of water.  
 
Suitability: All ages 
Price: Free 
Address: 8002 Shennan Road, Futian District

OCT Harbour

OCT Harbour could easily fill an entire weekend. This sprawling water-themed lifestyle and entertainment complex in Nanshan District has loads of kid-friendly attractions: the Dream Aquarium, the Pipikingdom Pirate Ship outdoor playground and the evening Water Show Theatre. You can also explore OCT’s wetland ecological park, browse the shopping malls or take the kids boating on the lake at the centre of it all.  
 
Suitability: All ages 
Price: Free (check website for specific activities) 
Address: 8 Baishi Road East, Nanshan District

Getting there

Getting to Shenzhen from Hong Kong is quick and easy – you can read our guide on getting to the city here. Most day-trippers take the High Speed Rail from West Kowloon Station or the MTR’s East Rail Line to the border crossing at either Lo Wu (Luo Hu) or Lok Ma Chau (Futian), but a coach or private car can be more convenient to reach outlying districts like Longgang, Bao’an or Guangming.

Be prepared

Weekends can get busy, so allow plenty of time for travel within Shenzhen, as traffic can be slow and the Shenzhen metro involves a security check for all bags. Remember to book in advance for attractions that require advance reservations, especially government-run museums. It’s best to bring a few different payment options, especially if it’s your first time in the Chinese Mainland. WeChat and Alipay are widely used, while cash and credit cards – ideally UnionPay – can also be useful.