Korea with kids: what works and what to skip

Strollers and the subway, theme parks, kid-friendly food, baby facilities, and a realistic pace for Seoul with children.

4 min read

Korea is an easy country to travel with children: safe, clean, with excellent public toilets and nursing rooms, and food kids tend to like. A few things to plan for.

Getting around

• Subways have elevators at most stations, but older stations can involve long walks between exits. Check "elevator" on Naver Map or Kakao Map.
• Taxis are affordable for short family hops; Kakao T works well. Car seats are not standard in taxis.
• Buy a child T-money card for children aged 6–12 (child fare) at a convenience store; under 6 ride free with an adult.

Theme parks and activities

• Lotte World (Jamsil): indoor and outdoor, good for rain or cold. Pair with Seoul Sky and the aquarium next door.
• Everland: Korea's largest theme park, about an hour from Seoul; buses run from Gangnam. Zoo safari and a big kids' area.
• Seoul Children's Grand Park: free, with a small zoo and playgrounds.
• Hanbok rental at Gyeongbokgung: kids love it and the palace is free in hanbok.
• Han River parks: bike rental with child seats, trikes, and convenience-store picnics.
• Aquariums: COEX, Lotte World, Aqua Planet Jeju.

Food

Gimbap, bulgogi, fried chicken, mandu (dumplings), japchae, and rice dishes are reliably kid-friendly. Ask for "an maep-ge" (안 맵게, not spicy). Convenience stores have fresh milk, fruit cups, onigiri and yoghurt.

Facilities

• Department stores and large stations have nursing rooms (수유실) with microwaves and changing tables.
• Pharmacies (약국) are everywhere; children's fever medicine is sold over the counter.
• Many restaurants have high chairs; floor-seating restaurants are easy with toddlers.