Taipei is one of Asia's most rewarding cities for families. It pairs world-class museums, outdoor adventures, and legendary street food with one of the safest and most efficient public transit systems on the continent. Whether your children are toddlers discovering the world or tweens with a hunger for thrills, the Taiwanese capital delivers. This guide covers nine of the best things to do in Taipei with kids in 2026, complete with admission prices, age-suitability notes, and practical tips for every stop.

Getting here is straightforward: book your flights into Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, then arrange an airport transfer directly to your hotel. From the airport, a pre-booked ride saves the family from navigating buses and luggage on arrival day.

Taipei has a generous spread of family-friendly accommodation, from mid-range hotels near major MRT lines to upscale properties with pools and play areas. The Shilin and Zhongshan districts are popular with families because they sit close to several attractions on this list. Booking in advance through the hotels section of the app lets you filter by room type and compare deals across the city in one place.

Spread across 165 hectares in the Muzha area, Taipei Zoo is one of the largest zoos in Asia and an unmissable day out for families. The zoo is home to a Giant Panda House, a Tropical Rainforest Zone, an African Animal Area, and a dedicated Children's Zoo where little ones can interact with farm animals up close. General admission is NT$100 for adults and NT$30 for children aged 6 to 12, with children under 6 entering free.

The zoo opens daily from 9 AM to 5 PM, and the grounds are large enough that a full morning can be spent without seeing every exhibit. Multiple playgrounds are dotted throughout the site, giving younger children a chance to burn energy between animal encounters. Strollers are widely available to rent at the entrance. Plan to spend at least four hours here, and combine the visit with a ride on the Maokong Gondola as both share the same MRT terminus.

The Maokong Gondola connects the Taipei Zoo MRT station to the tea-growing hillside of Maokong, climbing 300 metres over a 4.3-kilometre route with sweeping views across the Taipei basin. Crystal-floor cabins are available for an extra NT$50 per person, and the see-through floor is a genuine highlight for older children who dare to look down. The standard single-trip fare is NT$70 for adults and NT$40 for children, with an EasyCard discount available.

The gondola operates Tuesday to Sunday from 9 AM to 9 PM, and is closed each Monday unless it falls on a public holiday. Note that it also shuts down periodically for annual maintenance, so check the official suspension schedule before your trip. At the top, the Maokong area is lined with teahouses serving local Tieguanyin tea alongside simple Taiwanese dishes.

The National Palace Museum holds one of the world's finest collections of Chinese imperial artefacts, and its dedicated Children's Gallery makes the experience genuinely accessible for young visitors aged 5 to 12. The gallery features a short-film cinema showing animated stories drawn from the museum's collections, four themed exhibition rooms with interactive displays, and costumed staff who share legends and folktales. Admission to the Children's Gallery is free, though advance online reservations are required as capacity is limited.

General museum admission is NT$350 per adult, with children under 18 admitted free to the main permanent exhibition halls. The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 9 AM to 5 PM, with extended hours to 8:30 PM on Friday and Saturday evenings. Allow at least two to three hours for a combined visit to both the Children's Gallery and a highlight tour of the main halls.

The National Taiwan Science Education Centre in Shilin is the country's flagship hands-on science museum and one of the best indoor options for families on a rainy day. Seven floors of permanent exhibitions cover life sciences, physics, chemistry, mathematics, and earth sciences, all presented through interactive models, experiments, and multimedia installations that are designed to be explored, not just observed. A 3D theatre and Virtual Reality Theatre add cinematic excitement, while fully equipped lab rooms let older children conduct guided experiments.

Standard permanent exhibition admission is NT$120 per adult and NT$90 for children aged 3 to 12. The centre opens Tuesday to Sunday from 9 AM to 5 PM. The NTSEC sits a short walk from Zhishan MRT station, making it easy to combine with a visit to the nearby National Palace Museum.

For a full day of rides and wildlife, Leofoo Village Theme Park is the closest major theme park to Taipei, located in Guanxi Township, Hsinchu County, roughly 80 kilometres south of the city centre. The park is divided into themed zones including an African Safari section, Wild West area, and Arabian Nights quarter, each with rides suited to different age groups. General admission tickets are priced around NT$799 for adults and NT$599 for children under 120 cm, with online purchases often available at a discount.

The park is open year-round with seasonal events including Halloween Tombstone Town in autumn and Christmas illuminations in winter. The easiest way to get there from Taipei is by booking a car rental or a shuttle tour, as public transport connections are limited. Arrive early to beat queues for the most popular rides and allow at least seven to eight hours for a complete visit.

Ximending is Taipei's most famous pedestrian district and an ideal destination for families who want to experience the city's vibrant street culture. The area is active from around 5 PM every day of the year, and its wide, well-lit streets and constant foot traffic make it very safe and easy to navigate with children. Food stalls and small restaurants serve everything from pepper pork buns and oyster omelettes to boba milk tea and shaved ice. The area is best reached via the MRT Blue Line to Ximen Station, Exit 6.

Shilin Night Market is Taipei's largest and most visited night market, and it remains a strong choice for families in 2026 thanks to its scale, variety, and indoor food hall. The underground food centre is especially family-friendly, offering a sheltered, well-organised space to sample iconic Taiwanese snacks including oyster vermicelli, scallion pancakes, grilled squid, and the famous XXL fried chicken. Prices are low, queues are part of the fun, and most stalls welcome curious children at the counter.

Above ground, the surrounding streets extend into a broader shopping and games zone where fairground-style stalls offer ring tosses, claw machines, and inflatable play areas. The market runs from approximately 5 PM to midnight and is served directly by the MRT Red Line at Jiantan Station. Families should aim to visit on weeknights to avoid weekend congestion.

Perched on a hillside overlooking the Pacific coast, Jiufen is a historic former gold-mining village that enchants visitors of all ages with its narrow stone staircases, red lantern-draped tea houses, and dramatic ocean views. The Old Street is open daily from 8 AM to 10 PM with no entrance fee. Children are captivated by the labyrinthine alleyways and the lookout points that drop steeply towards the sea, while families can duck into teahouses for taro balls and local sweets served with mountain tea.

The drive from Taipei takes roughly 50 to 60 minutes, and the easiest way to visit with children is by pre-booked private transport, as buses can become very crowded on weekends. Jiufen is best paired with a stop at the nearby Shifen Waterfall or Yehliu Geopark on the same day trip. The experience suits children aged four and above.

The Beitou district, connected to central Taipei by a short and scenic MRT ride, offers a uniquely relaxing end to a family holiday, with natural hot spring water pumped directly into hotel and resort pools at various temperatures. Spring City Resort is a widely recommended choice for families, with a large outdoor pools area, swimsuit-permitted bathing, and facilities suitable for children old enough to handle warm water safely. Admission to private resorts varies by venue, typically ranging from NT$400 to NT$800 per adult for a two-hour soak.

The surrounding Beitou area is also worth exploring beyond the springs: the free Beitou Hot Spring Museum occupies a beautifully preserved 1913 bathhouse, and the Xinbeitou branch of the Taipei Public Library, a landmark sustainable-design building, has a children's reading section. Beitou is 40 minutes from Taipei Main Station via the MRT Red Line, with a transfer to the Xinbeitou Branch Line. The hot springs are best suited to children aged three and above.

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