Seoul with a Toddler

Seoul is a vast, tremendously busy city meaning that visiting Seoul with a toddler can be tricky, tough and tiring at times. Our guidebook and other family travel blogs suggested loads of things to do in Seoul with a toddler or older kids so we were really looking forward to our trip. BUT when we arrived in Seoul, we realised that the recommended attractions were really spread out. We didn’t want to spend all of our time in Seoul with toddler Zizi (2 and a half) and big brother H (4 and a half) merely dragging them around the subway system for hours on end.

SO we broke up our visit to Seoul into manageable chunks. Ignoring some of the harder-to-get-to activities and focussing on putting together fun, easy-to-do days out. We hope you find this useful. Here are our top tips for having an incredible time in Seoul with a toddler.

Seoul with a Toddler – Top Tip #1: War Museum

Let’s start with a toddler highlight that’s not so obvious – Seoul’s War Museum, where the history of conflict in South Korea is detailed. Guns, tanks and wartime atrocities may not seem like an obvious day out in Seoul with a toddler but bear with me…

Rhino and I took H and Zizi there and we took turns visiting the war museum itself. Luckily, there are 3 FUN and TOTALLY FREE things for the children to enjoy just outside.

First of all, there are loads of aeroplanes, tanks, armoured cars and even a replica warship to explore. H and Zizi ran around them and could even get into many of the war vehicles. In fact, once H and Zizi had explored the warship it was hard to get them off it.

Next up, there’s a great little playground right next to the war vehicles. Admittedly, not the most exciting for a parent but a small sacrifice to spend time in the fantastic war museum. Much, much better is the Children’s Museum which is next to the playground. Note that you need to get an allocated time to visit so it’s best to go there at the start of your visit. Like many of the children’s museums we visited in South Korea, so much thought has gone into making the hands-on exhibits as fascinating as possible for the kids. Inside children could do a whole range of interactive activities although the soft play area at the end was a favourite!

Seoul with a Toddler – Top Tip #2: Palaces

You mustn’t visit Seoul without witnessing the grandeur of its historical palaces. There are plenty to choose from, so which one to choose from? The toddler-friendly one of course!

Gyeongbokgung Palace is really central and a beautiful place to stroll around. The historical architecture is in perfect contrast to the metal and glass of the modern city plus from other angles, it feels like you are out in the country – green hills often pop up behind the palace’s ornate rooftops.

Why is it kid-friendly? The answer lies in the palace’s grounds. The palace complex is a maze of dozens of doorways and courtyards to run, race and clamber through. What toddler wouldn’t have fun?

Adjoined is the excellent Folk Museum (there’s a gate between the two at the back of the palace grounds) there is another children’s museum. Set on two floors, there were a series of interactive games in the basement with more imaginative play like cooking in a large kitchen upstairs. H and Zizi loved it and spent hours there, so I’d definitely recommend this when in Seoul with a toddler.

Seoul with a Toddler – Top Tip #3: Yummy Food

I’m not a fan of generically listing ‘food’ as a top tip or highlight within a blog. There’s a good reason I’m mentioning it for Seoul with a toddler though. The food in South Korea is fairly unique in the world, often spicy and difficult to order if you don’t know the cuisine well. If you know what to order, some of the most popular dishes are great for young children. Check out H and Zizi’s recommendations below.

So here are H and Zizi’s recommendations for food when in Seoul with a toddler:

⦁ Bibimbap – a plate of vegetables, egg, rice and sometimes minced meat. Food that toddlers should mostly recognise. Just avoid the spicy, red sauce and take care if they serve it in hot stone which needs to be safely put out of reach.
⦁ Ssambap – basically Korean tapas. You will be given a wide selection of different plates to try. Whilst H and Zizi turned down most of them, there was always something they would eat.
⦁ Galbi and Samgyeopsal – Korean barbeque (beef and pork respectively). The adult way to eat it is to take some barbequed meat, rice, sauce and side, then wrap it all up in small lettuce leaf parcels and eat it. A toddler can have a plate of barbeque meat, rice and sometimes vegetables. Easy!

Seoul with a Toddler – Top Tip #4: Suwon

On the edge of Seoul, there is a suburb called Suwon which is brilliant to visit with toddlers. The cultural highlight is Hwaseong Haengung, a historical palace. Make sure you time your visit to catch the martial arts performance (11:00 Tuesday to Sunday) – both H and Zizi were enthralled by it.

Suwon is famous for its fortress walls. You can see them in toddler-friendly style on the trolley bus (called a limousine) which meanders around the pretty town and walls.

Finally, take your toddler to the hilarious toilet museum on the edge of Suwon. I’m a bit lost for words (as I was when in fits of giggles looking at the exhibits) but here is a photo to give you an idea. As you can imagine, the toilet humour goes down incredibly well with toddlers and young kids – H and Zizi had a brilliant time!

Enjoying this post? If you’re planning a visit to South Korea with young children find out how we had the perfect day in Gyeongju and why we recommend staying in Log Cabins on Jeju Island.

Seoul with a Toddler – Top Tip #5: Noraebang

Seoul is very hectic which can be a bit overwhelming for a toddler. Plus a lot of walking can tire toddlers out. So, if you’re in Seoul with a toddler and you need a fun break (or if it’s raining) then head to a Noraebang (literally a singing room).

A Norae-what?? Think about a nice, comfortable room where your family can relax with a few drinks and listen to some music. And sing along to the music. And dance like you do in your kitchen. That’s right – Noraebang is Karaoke. A Korean favourite and a chance to mess around with the kids in a fun environment where they are away from the hordes of people around the city. We all had a blast!

Seoul with a Toddler – Top Tip #6: Taxis

A quick tip this one. After a few days, we realised that the combined cost of 4 bus and subway tickets was generally costing the same as taxi rides. Taxis are relatively cheap and, if you are travelling within the city centre, are more convenient options for a similar price as public transport.

Seoul with a Toddler – Top Tip #7: Namsan Tower

For superb views over Seoul head to the Namsan Tower. Located up on a hill overseeing the city, you get 360 degrees panoramic views of the city. If that’s not your idea of fun when in Seoul in a toddler, then consider distracting your toddler with the massive tub of popcorn you can buy cheaply with the ticket. It bought Rhino and I enough time to admire the skyline. There are also entertainment areas in the lower floors of the Namsan Tower for them to enjoy.

On your way up or down from the Namsan Tower you can take the cable car. H and Zizi thought this was pretty cool.

Seoul with a Toddler – Top Tip #8: Skip the DMZ Tour (North Korea)

After a successful trip to the war museum, going on a tour to the border with North Korea is a no-brainer when in Seoul with a toddler, right? This may seem obvious but no, it’s not suitable. Not only would a toddler get bored on the bus rides but most trips include an infiltration tunnel which is claustrophobic, steep and tiring, plus the other attractions aren’t exciting for toddlers.

Rhino went on a DMZ tour and had an excellent time whilst I took H and Zizi to yet another children’s museum. So, our top tip is to toss a coin and decide who goes to DMZ, and who has to babysit. Luckily I’d already been 10 years earlier!

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Finding this interesting? Need a guidebook? We used this guidebook throughout our time in Seoul with a toddler, which included the Seoul highlights above.  If you are thinking about a Seoul holiday then CLICK HERE to purchase (note – I am an Amazon affiliate member and will receive a small commission if you do buy, but it won’t cost you any extra. Thanks!)