Seoul with Kids: 4 Family Experiences to Plan Around

A trip with children has a different rhythm. Famous sights can be part of it, but so can time to touch, play and discover at their own pace. Seoul offers children’s museums, sensory activities and a chance to make a family portrait. These four experiences suit different interests and itineraries.

01. Seoul Children’s Museum: learning through play

Seoul Children’s Museum · 서울상상나라

Inside Children’s Grand Park in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul Children’s Museum encourages children to move and explore. Rather than simply looking at exhibits, they join in activities and play. It is worth considering for active children and those who enjoy sensory experiences. Its mainly indoor exhibitions also make it less dependent on the weather.

Daily admission is limited. Individual visitors need an online reservation by the day before their visit. The official FAQ says bookings open at midnight two weeks before the visit date; individual bookings are not taken by telephone.

Best for: Active children, indoor play and a day planned around hands-on experiences.

Visit details

• Address: 216 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul.
• Access: Children’s Grand Park Station, Line 7, Exit 1.
• Hours: 10:00–18:00; last admission 17:00.
• Closures: Mondays, January 1, Lunar New Year and Chuseok holidays, and maintenance periods.
• Admission: KRW 4,000 for adults and children aged 36 months or older; free under 36 months.
• Booking: Advance online reservation through the official website.

02. Children’s Museum at the National Museum of Korea: history through discovery

Children’s Museum, National Museum of Korea

Original photograph

The National Museum of Korea in Yongsan has a dedicated children’s space for exploring Korean history and cultural heritage at a child’s level. Exhibits and activities offer an introduction without relying on long historical explanations.

The main audience is children aged 5–9. A separate play area is available for children under 36 months. Entry is free, but an online reservation is required; check your preferred date before arranging the rest of the day.

Best for: Families curious about Korean history and culture, younger primary-school children and an indoor activity at a gentler pace.

Visit details

• Address: 137 Seobinggo-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul.
• Access: Museum passage from Ichon Station, Line 4 or the Gyeongui–Jungang Line.
• Hours: 09:30–17:20, in 80-minute sessions.
• Closures: January 1, Lunar New Year’s Day, Chuseok and designated museum closing days.
• Admission: Free.
• Booking: Online, opening 14 days before the visit date. See the official visiting information.

03. Children’s Museum at the National Folk Museum of Korea: stories and traditions

Children’s Museum, National Folk Museum of Korea

Near Gyeongbokgung, this museum introduces traditional Korean culture and old stories from a child’s perspective. Exhibitions listed in October 2026 include a hands-on exhibition about dokkaebi and one based on stars. Dokkaebi are imaginary beings from Korean folk tales; stories and play offer an approachable way into an unfamiliar culture.

The location works with a Gyeongbokgung visit, but children’s museum entry is timed. Build the day around your reserved session, then fit the palace around it.

Best for: Families interested in traditions, children who enjoy stories, and visitors planning a Gyeongbokgung or Bukchon day.

Visit details

• Address: 37 Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul.
• Access: About 15 minutes on foot from Anguk Station, Line 3, Exit 1.
• Hours: 09:30–16:50, in timed sessions.
• Closures: January 1, Lunar New Year’s Day, Chuseok and temporary closing days.
• Admission: Free.
• Booking: Online through the official website.

Children and guardians must enter together. General admission is restricted for adults visiting without children.

04. A family photo session: a record of your time together

Family photographs gain meaning with time: a small child’s expression, everyone standing together, a day spent somewhere unfamiliar. A studio session offers a different record from everyday selfies. With a photographer-led package, help with poses and expressions can be useful when travelling with young children.

Cheese Smile Studio in Bukchon

Near Anguk Station and Bukchon Hanok Village, Cheese Smile Studio offers children’s and family photographs against simple backgrounds that keep the focus on expressions. Choose a session for your child or one with parents too.

Book a time before your child becomes tired, and agree when prints and retouched files will be ready.

Best for: A family keepsake, photographs with younger children and a day around Bukchon.

Visit details

• Address: 3F–4F, 27 Bukchon-ro 4-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul.
• Access: About five minutes on foot from Anguk Station, Line 3, Exit 2 or 3.
• Hours: 10:00–19:00; closed Tuesdays.
• Booking: Advance booking required. General sessions use Naver Booking; enquire by telephone or KakaoTalk for ID, passport and visa photographs.
• Official studio information

Choose for your child’s age and your route

Leave time to enjoy one experience rather than trying to tick off many places. Consider Seoul Children’s Museum for active indoor play, or the museum children’s spaces for an introduction to Korean history and culture.

On a Gyeongbokgung and Bukchon day, the National Folk Museum’s children’s space and a family portrait can fit into one itinerary, with plenty of time between bookings. Check meal and rest breaks, stroller access and reservation-change terms before setting out.

The pleasure of a family trip may lie in the time shared rather than the number of places visited. Choose a pace that leaves your child happy and gives everyone a memory to keep.

Hours, exhibitions and reservation conditions may change.