TPE+ (Kid-Friendly List)
Kid Friendly recommendations in Taipei/Surrounding Counties
We booked a slightly last minute trip to Taiwan for 11 days (8 working days), and this is my ever-changing list of activities for the kids to keep each trip fun and exciting. Tidbit: Weekends are undoubtedly busy, and even more so during holiday and break seasons - so try to go on weekdays. Note, many places are closed Monday or Tuesday.
*If you have kids under 6, there are free community run indoor child play-centers.
Shilin District
* National Taiwan Science Education Center - Map - Exhibits include: math, earth, biology (botany, insects, human body), meteorology, geology, physics, astronomy. -inexpensive, 100NT for adults ($3 US), Kids under 6 and over 65+ (free).
* Taipei Children’s Amusement Park. (Next to the Science Center) - map - (Entrance Fee: $30 ($1 US), Price per ride (20-30NT ($1~ each).
*Shilin Night Market (Modernized, and has lots of food and games, but they cleaned it up making lose a bit of that nostalgic traditional night market feel — still lots to do here).
* Yang Ming Shan National Park 陽明山國家公園 - (map) - Borderline Beitou/Shilin District - Great for hiking, tea, restaurants with a view, but I would recommend booking at tour and ensure you have the right admission and applications. There is an easier trail - Qingtiangang the first part which you can see cows grazing.
Xinyi District
* Taipei 101 Observatory (but the shopping mall and B1 food court as also a great way to spend your time. There is also a Din Tai Fung location at 101 that you can get a number and walk around the mall to wait for a table.) (Observatory 89th 101 Deck views - $980 NT / $32 USD).
* Cat Cafes (Location varies. here are several around the city so search which ones have availability. We went to @catcafemocha at B1 A8 Mitukoshi in Xinyi (240 NT per person per 30 minutes; 50NT for each additional 10 minutes). Neko & Kafe looked great too but they only have a few times where kids are allowed. Note some only have children hours on certain days and times.
Zhongshan District
* Taipei Fine Arts Museum @tfam_museum (map) Great kids area in the basement that often mirrors the main exhibits + a few interactive areas. Main exhibits also can be quite interactive. NT 30 (approx $1 USD). (There’s a cute coffee shop next door also called Cafe ACME).
* Miniatures Museum of Taiwan - (map) - I haven’t been yet but this is on my list for next time!
* Miramar Ferris Wheel (arcade on top floor) and a lot of great food options (and shopping) including being next to Wired Cafe which is attached to a Tsutaya Bookstore where kids can “check out” books during the meal and return after the meal!
* Objects TW, 104, Taiwan, Taipei City, Zhongshan District, Lane 62, Section 2, Zhongshan N Rd, 32號一樓
Whenshan District
* Taipei Zoo (a must do!) for kids. (map) It is built on a hill, so see below for my recommendation to start at the top and walk down. PS. The panda sanctuary is air conditioned 😎. 100NT for adults ($3 US), Kids under 6 and over 65+ (free).
*Maokong: Pro tip: Take a cab (or ride Gondola depending where you’re starting) to the top of Maokong (for views and tea houses), then take the Maokong Gondola (cable car) down to Taipei Zoo South Station. From there, see all the exhibits at the peak and walk down the Zoo (you’d exit at the entrance of the Zoo). Approx $4 for Adults, takes 20 minutes). Note: check Maokong availability because the cable car times are not tied to Zoo times.
Zhongzheng District
* Huashan 1914 Creative Park & Wooderful Land
*Kinshu a Forest of Literature (map) - an old Japanese pavilion from 1917 that they turned into cultural exhibit/events and teahouse. Free community space.
Shongshan District
*Raohe for black pepper buns and a true night market feel for foods
Location Variable
* Oh My Zoo - Meerkat cafe!
* UUChinchila Cafe - Chinchilla cafe!
* Night Markets (Raohe for black pepper buns and a true night market feel for foods, Shilin, lots of food and games, but they cleaned it up to be a bit more modern and while it is separated by categories (food v. games) loses a bit of that nostalgic traditional night market feel — still lots to do here).
* Claw Machines stores like Starbeary Taipei
* Eslite bookstores (several closed, but you can still find them! Some have great stationary collections and others with craft DIY stations for kids).
New Taipei / Outside of Taipei / Popular for Day Trips
*Danshui (old street and night market) - waterfront and food
* Capybara Knight - Capybara cafe!
* Jioufen (map) - Mountain historic village known for narrow alleyways and teahouses. Super romantic and gives off Miyazaki’s “Spirited Away” vibes.
* Houtong Cat Village (map) - Former mining village that houses cats and tourism.
* Shifen Old Street (map) - Draw and release lanterns in the sky & a 10 minute walk to Shifen Waterfall
* Yehliu Geopark (map) - peninsula on northern coast of Taiwan famous for unique rock formations like the Queens’ Head (I and II); Oyster Rock; Fairy Shoe
TaoYuan City
* XPark Aquarium. (map) This is not huge by any means but it does pack in a good amount. Mesmerizing and instagrammable jelly fish room and penguins! (NT 600 / $20 18-24; NT 430 / $15 - w student ID; NT 270 / $9 age 4-11).
* Taoyuan Children’s Art Center (map) @tmofa_kids 100NT for adults (~$3 US), Kids under 6 and over 65+ (free).
* Simbalion Art Studio 雄獅文具-想像力製造所 (map) - art stationary factory with several DIY craft options (500 NT/$16 but includes 100 NT to spend on a meal at the cafe).
Yilan
* Yilan - Worth a day or overnight trip! (Longer trips like Taichung, Kaohsiung or Sun Moon Lake are not in this list).
Tons of family-friendly ‘home stay’ rentals. Example: Hami (we stayed here in 2022)!
Staying at Silk’s Hotel (Expensive but has so much for kids including bounce houses / kids area where kids can even “drive” cars / kids activities / free movies). Silks also is where my favorite Duck restaurant is (Red Lantern)!
I’ll try to update this list as much as possible. Leave a comment if you have additional questions, and I’ll try to respond!
Food and tea list to come :)
totally saving this list for our next trip 😍