From riding the Maglev train to spending a day at Disneyland or relaxing in one of the city’s big parks, Shanghai has more family-friendly experiences than many visitors expect.
Top Family Attractions in Shanghai
1. Wander Through Yu Garden and Yuyuan Bazaar
Best for: toddlers, school-age kids, teenagers
Only have one day in Shanghai with kids? Yu Garden is a great place to slow down and learn traditional local culture during your Shanghai day tour. The curved bridges, old pavilions, and red lanterns make the whole area feel like something out of an old Chinese painting.
Kids like stopping on the zigzag bridge to watch the koi fish, then wandering into Yuyuan Bazaar (City God Temple of Shanghai) nearby. Along the way, you’ll find plenty of street snacks like sugar painting and grilled squid that make the visit even more fun.
>> Recommended best of Shanghai day tour: modern & traditional Shanghai
2. Head Up Shanghai Tower for Skyline Views
Best for: school-age kids, teenagers
When planning a trip to Shanghai, visiting the Shanghai Tower is one of the most memorable things to do in Shanghai with kids. The high-speed elevator shoots up to the observation deck in under a minute, and kids usually love watching the floor numbers climb.
Once you reach the top, you can see rows of skyscrapers in every direction. Most kids end up pressed against the glass, trying to spot places they passed earlier on the street.
Unique Things to Do in Shanghai with Kids
3. Stroll Along the Bund with Kids
Best for: babies, toddlers, school-age kids
On your Shanghai tours, walking along the Bund, one of the most famous attractions in China, is one of the easiest ways to enjoy Shanghai with kids. The riverside promenade is wide and stroller-friendly, so little ones can walk or run around while you take in the skyline.
Along the way, you’ll pass remarkable historical buildings from Shanghai’s early international days, which almost look like something out of a European city.
4. Ride the Shanghai Maglev Train
Best for: school-age kids, teenagers
The Shanghai Maglev is the fastest commercial train in the world, and riding it is also one of the top things to do in Shanghai, especially with kids. More often than not, kids think it feels more like a rocket than a train. Once it leaves the station, it quickly picks up speed until the screen shows numbers climbing toward 430 km/h.
You can actually feel the push as it accelerates, which makes the ride even more exciting for kids.
Fun Things to Do in Shanghai with Kids
5. Meet the Giant Pandas at Shanghai Zoo
Best for: toddlers, school-age kids
Shanghai Zoo is a great spot to spend a relaxed few hours with kids for your Shanghai family travel. The zoo is quite large and home to hundreds of animal species, but the giant pandas are usually the highlight for families, and meeting them is among the best things to do in Shanghai with kids.
Generally, kids love watching the pandas slowly munch on bamboo, then moving on to see giraffes, lions, monkeys, and other animals from around the world.
6. Burn Off Energy at PARTYDAY Shanghai
Best for: school-age kids, teenagers
If you're wondering what to do in Shanghai with kids when the weather turns bad, PARTYDAY Shanghai is a good option. This indoor playground covers about 8,500 square meters and has more than 80 activities, from VR and racing simulators to trampolines, climbing walls, and interactive group games.
Kids can spin through 360-degree rides, try racing challenges, or even see their drawings projected onto a giant screen in the light-painting area. Just make sure to book in advance.
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Educational Activities for Kids in Shanghai
7. Explore Shanghai's Best Museums for Kids
Best for: toddlers, school-age kids, teenagersShanghai has quite a few museums that are actually fun for families, not just quiet halls full of displays. Visiting the Shanghai museums is definitely among the best things to do in Shanghai with kids.
You can find massive dinosaur skeletons and thousands of animal and plant specimens at the Shanghai Natural History Museum, or learn about history at the Shanghai Museum, which has a huge collection with over a million artifacts.
During your family travel to Shanghai, you can also head for the playful area and the flight zone with its life-size airplane and simulation experiences in the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum. Besides, the Power Station of Art and M50 Art District are the best places to go in Shanghai with kids who enjoy art and creative spaces, as there are changing exhibitions and artistic buildings to explore.
>> Recommended 8-Day Family-Friendly Shanghai Suzhou Hangzhou Tour
8. Join a Traditional Chinese Cultural Workshop
Best for: school-age kids, teenagers
Many cultural studios around Shanghai offer small workshops where kids can try traditional crafts. In one class, they might practice Chinese calligraphy by writing Chinese characters with a brush; in another, they could cut bright paper into window decorations or simple animal shapes. Some places also teach basic Chinese painting.
Experience Shanghai at Night with Kids
9. Watch an Acrobatics Show at Shanghai Circus World
Best for: school-age kids, teenagers
Shanghai Circus World is one of the best places to see Chinese acrobatics, and enjoying the famous ERA: Intersection of Time show, which is a real crowd favorite, should also be included in the top things to do in Shanghai with kids. The performance mixes high-flying stunts, spinning motorcycles inside a giant metal globe, graceful aerial acts, and even moments with trained doves.
Kids usually watch the whole thing wide-eyed, especially during the more daring tricks.
10. Take a Huangpu River Night Cruise
Best for: toddlers, school-age kids, teenagers
A night cruise on the Huangpu River is a really easy way to experience Shanghai with kids. As the boat moves along the water, you’ll see the old Bund buildings on one side and the bright skyscrapers of Lujiazui on the other. Kids are usually fascinated by the famous glowing Oriental Pearl TV Tower as they pass by.
Besides, some boats even share short stories about the buildings along the river, which turns the ride into a little guessing game for the whole family.
Best Theme Parks in Shanghai for Kids
11. Spend a Magical Day at Shanghai Disneyland
Best for: toddlers, school-age kids, teenagers
Shanghai boasts many popular theme parks in China, and discovering Shanghai Disneyland should also be covered on the list of things to do in Shanghai with kids. There, young kids usually rush straight to rides like TRON Lightcycle Power Run, which feels more like flying than riding a coaster, while teenagers love meeting Disney characters or exploring the colorful Winnie the Pooh area.
The park is huge, so you can spend the whole day moving from rides to parades to snack breaks. When the fireworks start over the Enchanted Storybook Castle at night, most kids are completely mesmerized.
12. Build and Play at LEGOLAND Shanghai Resort
Best for: toddlers, school-age kids
LEGOLAND Shanghai is designed especially for kids who love building and playing with LEGO bricks, so most rides and attractions are made for them to join in, not just watch. Children can build their own LEGO cars and test them on small race tracks, wander through areas filled with giant LEGO creations, or hop on colorful family rides.
>> Recommended 5-day Shanghai family tour
13. Discover Marine Life at Shanghai Ocean Aquarium
Best for: toddlers, school-age kids
Shanghai Ocean Aquarium gives kids a close look at creatures they’ve seen in books or cartoons. Hence, visiting there is also among the top things to do in Shanghai with kids during your Shanghai trip. The underwater tunnel is the moment everyone remembers, and you can see sharks glide above your head while rays and schools of fish drift past the glass.
As you move through the exhibits, the scenery changes from tropical reefs to river habitats, so the walk never feels the same from one section to the next.
Popular Outdoor Activities in Shanghai for Families
14. Go Hiking in Sheshan National Forest Park
Best for: school-age kids, teenagers
Still considering what to do in Shanghai with kids beyond the city streets? Go hiking at Sheshan National Forest Park. You can start on the quieter bamboo trails of West Sheshan, then make your way up East Sheshan for views over Moon Lake.
The paths can be mixed into routes of about 4–10 km, so you can adjust the walk depending on how energetic the kids feel. Along the way, you’ll pass sculptures, scenic viewpoints, and small photo spots where families usually pause and appreciate the surroundings.
15. Relax at Century Park in Shanghai
Best for: babies, toddlers, school-age kids
There are several parks in Shanghai for families to slow the pace a little, and Century Park is often the first one people mention. If you are looking for family-friendly activities in Shanghai, it is a great place to go. Wide lawns, shaded paths, and lakes make it a pleasant place to wander with kids. There, kids can fly kites, ride small bikes, or watch ducks near the water while parents sit on the grass.
There’s also a countryside-style garden area and a quiet bird habitat where you might spot local wildlife if you’re lucky.
Plan a Shanghai Family Tour with ETC
When traveling in Shanghai with kids, a flexible plan can make the trip much more enjoyable. That’s where ETC comes in. We help you discover the best things to do in Shanghai with kids and customize a family itinerary based on what your children truly love. So, you don’t have to rush between Shanghai’s attractions, just enjoy your trip.
Not sure where to start? You can also browse our ready-made China family tours that include Shanghai.