Needless to say, the moment you become a parent, your life changes drastically. When it comes to deciding on how to spend your free time, the focus isn’t so much on what you’d like to do anymore. It’s what the children would like to do! After all, nothing is as rewarding as seeing them happy. We’ve put together a list of the top 10 things to do with the kids in Macau, certain to create joyful moments shared as a family, whether you’re local or visiting the city. Many of these activities are super budget-friendly and some of the best things to do with kids in Macau.
Visit the Macao Giant Panda Pavilion
Set at Seac Pai Van Park, the Macao Giant Panda Pavilion is home to four lovely pandas everyone seems to fall in love with, especially kids. Two of these pandas were born at the Giant Panda Pavilion itself. You’ll find these furry pals happily munching on bamboo or–if you’re lucky enough–being playful and “posing” for pictures. After visiting the pandas, save some time to explore the Seac Pai Van Park which is home to some more animals such as red pandas, flamingos, ostriches and primates and a rich variety of flora and fauna. The park features a shaded seating area where you can rest and perhaps have a little picnic! Kids do love a picnic.
How much: Children up to 12 enjoy free admission.
Macao Giant Panda Pavillion Seac Pai Van Park, Estrada de Seac Pai Van, Coloane, +853 2888 0087, www.macaupanda.org.mo
Paddleboat Ride at Hac Sa Reservoir Water Park
Time spent outside surrounded by nature is the absolute best and kids these days aren’t having enough of it. The Hac Sa Reservoir Water Park is located in the lush green-filled Hac Sa Natural Park. Families can rent a paddleboat for great value and go for a ride while enjoying the natural and peaceful surroundings. For a full day of fun, consider taking the kids for a hike at the nearby family trail and wrap up the outdoorsy adventure with a delicious barbecue party at the barbecue facilities of the Hac Sa Natural Park.
How much: MOP $40 for a 30-minute paddleboat ride for four
Hac Sa Reservoir Water Park Estrada de Hac-Sa, Coloane, +853 2833 7676, nature.iam.gov.mo
Visit the Maritime Museum
It’s up to parents to light in kids the spark for an interest in general knowledge. Visiting museums is a great way to do so. So much of Macau’s history is tied to seafaring, so a visit to the Maritime Museum is in order. The museum is set at the same place where the first Portuguese to reach Macau dropped anchor. It’s divided into four different areas: maritime ethnology, maritime history, maritime technology, and the aquarium. The latter is a gallery of four aquariums, each representing a specific sub-aquatic environment where different species of fish can be observed. At the ethnology section, there’s even a model of a dragon boat made largely out of whalebone to be found!
How much: Admission for children under 10 is free; free admission for all Macau ID holders
Maritime Museum 1 Largo do Pagode da Barra, Macau, +853 2859 5481
Take a Cultural Tour Around the Old Streets of Macau
One of our favorite things to do with kids in Macau is to tour around some of the oldest and most historic areas in the city. Bring the kids along on a walk around and learn about the city’s history and culture. Tour around the Historic Centre of Macao, which is listed as UNESCO World Heritage, for a day and visit some of the landmarks that make Macau so unique. Walk from Leal Senado Building and Senado Square to St. Dominic’s Church and then make your way up to the Ruins of St. Paul’s and finally head up the hill to Mount Fortress. The key is to find cool or interesting facts about each place that will speak to kids. For example, how a typhoon led to a devastating fire that consumed a church that was, at the time, one of the largest in Asia. Or how Mount Fortress, set 52 meters above sea level, was crucial in fending off the Dutches during the invasion in 1622, plus, there are real cannons!
How much: Free!
Leal Senado Building 163 Avenida Almeida Ribeiro, Macau
Senado Square Largo do Senado, Macau
St. Dominic’s Church St. Dominic’s Square, Macau
Ruins of St. Paul’s Company of Jesus Square, Macau
Mount Fortress Rua do Monte, Macau
Visit the Macao Science Center
Visiting the Macao Science Center is a great way to spend time with the kids that is simultaneously fun and educational. The Science Center houses a planetarium, an indoor playground and 14 different galleries, each covering a subject. Robotics, eco-conservation, food science, genetics, and acoustics are some of the interesting featured subjects. At each gallery, kids are invited to try out the demo material at disposal and experience the results for themselves, which is the best way to learn. In addition, Macao Science Center promotes a series of special events aimed for kids and families throughout the year such as concerts, 2D and 3D screenings at the planetarium dome, family workshops and special exhibitions!
How much: Children under two enjoy free admission; MOP $15 for children between two and 11 years old; free admission for Macau ID holders under the age of 18.
Macao Science Center Avenida Dr. Sun Yat-Sen, Macau, +853 2888 0822, www.msc.org.mo
Attend the House of Dancing Water Show
The legendary House of Dancing Water show is such a hit that it became one of Macau’s trademarks. With its top of the line sound and light effects and the mastery of a team of divers, acrobats, gymnasts, and dancers, this show set at a water-based transforming stage show leaves grownups and little ones in awe. It is definitely an unforgettable experience. If your kid happens to have a thing for motorcycles, you’ll be happy to learn that there’s a thrilling motorcycling stunt series on the show too!
How much: Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
The House of Dancing Water City of Dreams, Estrada do Istmo, Cotai, +853 8868 6767, www.thehouseofdancingwater.com
Ride the Golden-Reel at Studio City Macau
How about a ride on an eight-shaped Ferris wheel built straight into Studio City Macau’s facade? Exciting, right? The exhilarating ride will have any toddler, kid, or teen buzzing! The Golden Reel at Studio City Macau is set at 130 meters high above from the ground, offering wonderful views over Macau. The Ferris wheel features 17 steampunk-themed cabins and each can accommodate up to 10 people.
How much: Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Infants up to the age of two ride free.
Studio City Macau Estrada do Istmo, Cotai, +853 8865 8888, www.studiocity-macau.com
Splash Away at Grand Resort Deck at Galaxy Macau
Perfect for hot summertime, Galaxy Macau’s Grand Resort Deck will make the day of any kid! The 75,000 square meter water park is home to the world’s longest skytop river ride and world’s largest skytop wave pool. Grand Resort Deck is fitted with all possible and imaginable attractions: waterslides, waterfalls, a splash tower and splash mountain, spray loops, an aqua dome, foaming geysers and more!
How much: Hotel guests enjoy free access to the Grand Resort Deck. Day passes are available for MOP $468 (includes 1 adult and 1 kid aged 6 years old or below) for non-hotel guests
Galaxy Macau Estrada da Baía da Nossa Senhora da Esperança, s/n, Cotai, +853 2888 0888, www.galaxymacau.com
Bounce off at FlipOut Trampoline
Let the kids loose at FlipOut Trampoline at Studio City Macau! This is a fun trampoline park where they can enjoy the fun of bouncing off the floors and walls in a safe padded environment. The trampoline arena features different zones to be explored, with a few being designated for smaller children and others aimed at older kids. The attractions include a battle beam, pinball tramp, waterfall and more!
How much: Child ticket (aged under 18) is priced at MOP $150 per hour and adult ticket is priced at MOP $200 per hour.
FlipOut Trampoline Level 2, West Wing, Studio City Macau, +853 2872 3695
Go for a Skywalk at AJ Hackett Macau Tower
If the case is that you’re a parent to an adventurous little soul, what could be more exciting than a 233-meter high skywalk around Macau Tower? With no handrails! Many do not know that the recommended minimum age to walk is just three years old, as long as the child can fit properly into the security harness. Those under 18 years old need to have written authorization from their parents. Taking place at the 1.8-meter wide outer perimeter surrounding the Macau Tower, the AJ Hackett Skywalk is a thrilling activity do be shared as a family while enjoying the unbeatable birds-eye view over the city. Naturally, the package includes a photo that will surely end up in the family photo album! We have known many families to enjoy this activity and consider it one of best things to do with kids in Macau.
How much: The AJ Hackett Skywalk around Macau Tower (includes certificate, membership card, video + photos, exclusive t-shirt and tower ticket) is priced at MOP $693 per person
AJ Hackett Skywalk Level T2, Adventure Zone, Macau Tower, Macau, +853 8988 8656
