Spending rainy days with kids in Seoul
Aqua Planet Ilsan / Courtesy of Hallie Bradley
By Hallie Bradley
Monsoon season has arrived with a wet bang. Raindrops are falling, the windows are covered with water and the galoshes have been taken out of their closet hiding spaces.
While the idea of the wet season isn't all that horrid, trying to figure out what to do with kids when it's wet and all they want to do is play outside, run around or just see something different, can be. Here are some ideas for places to go and things to see with children this monsoon season here in Seoul.
Visit an aquarium: Aquariums make for fun in the rain, cold or heat. If you're in eastern Seoul, head to the COEX Aquarium which features 183 display tanks, 90 breeding tanks and 40,000 sea creatures. There's also the Lotte World Aquarium in Jamsil, the city's largest and newest aquarium featuring over 55,000 sea creatures.
If you're in western Seoul, head out just a bit to Aqua Planet Ilsan which features not only sea creatures, but also birds and a petting zoo with farm animals. The tanks are immense and there is plenty of space to let kids wander and learn about their favorite swimming friends.
Visit a children's museum: There is an abundance of fun to be had at any one of the numerous museums around the city that caters to the young and young at heart. Seoul Children's Museum is designed especially for those little toddlers and preschoolers you've got tagging along.
They can touch and feel to their hearts' delight at this museum in Children's Grand Park. If your little one is interested in science, head over to the Gwacheon National Science Museum which offers learning experiences for both younger and older children.
For art lovers, head to SEMA's Buk Seoul Museum of Art. Exhibitions are chosen with children in mind and they can also color and create in experience rooms. If there's a break in the rain, don't forget to head to the rooftop for some great views.
See a performance: Visit the LATT Children's Theater in Dogok-dong, southern Seoul. It promotes itself as the only English-language children's theater in Korea and features a culture complex for children who speak English or are learning it. Visit
for information about current productions.
For something a bit more musical, check out 1m Classic Art Hall in downtown Seoul which organizes cultural programs related to music. There are musicals but also children can participate in musical instrument lessons as well.
Visit a children's cafe: There are children's cafes all over if you know how to spot them. One famous kids' cafe with branches around the city is Lilliput. Expect to be required to order a drink and/or snack when you enter or pay a fee for your child to play for a couple hours while you sip coffee. Another option is to head to a character-based play cafe or park.
Pororo has cafes and parks around the city. Pororo Parks, the bigger between the cafes and parks, are located in Jamsil and COEX. Cocomong has children's parks in Gangseo-gu and Gimpo. Or visit a Tayo Kids Cafe in Boramae, Dongdaemun or in Eunpyeong New Town. Whatever your child is into, there is a children's cafe for them.
Cuddle up with a movie: If the rain begs you to stay in, there's always watching an old school movie to keep you and your little ones busy. The movie “Christopher Robin” starring Ewan McGregor is coming out in August, so now seems like perfect time to catch up on Winnie the Pooh's earlier adventures in the Hundred Acre Woods.
As the downpours continue, curl up under a blanket, get a bowl full of honey… or popcorn and introduce the next generation to this well-known character.