For the kids · Shanghai, China
14 Things to Do in Shanghai with Kids
Parks, zoos, hands-on museums and rides: the Shanghai the kids will actually remember.
Chosen by venue type (family-oriented categories), ordered by real review volume. Updated monthly.
Yu Garden
Park & natureYu Garden is a classical Chinese garden in the Old City of Shanghai, next to the City God Temple and Yuyuan Bazaar.
Read our full guide →Shanghai Disneyland
Park & natureShanghai Disneyland is mainland China's first Disney theme park, a vast, world-class resort that blends classic Disney magic with distinctly Chinese touches.
Read our full guide →Shanghai Ocean Aquarium
Park & natureShanghai Ocean Aquarium, located in the heart of Pudong near the Oriental Pearl Tower, is a world-class facility that offers an immersive journey through aquatic ecosystems from around the globe.
Read our full guide →Century Park
Park & natureFree entryCentury Park is a sprawling green oasis in the heart of Shanghai's Pudong district, covering 140 hectares.
Read our full guide →Shanghai Acrobatic Dome
EntertainmentThe Shanghai Acrobatic Dome is a premier entertainment venue in the Huangpu District, renowned for its spectacular acrobatic shows that blend traditional Chinese circus arts with modern theatrical flair.
Read our full guide →Jing'an Sculputure Park
Park & natureFree entryJing'an Sculpture Park is a contemporary green space located on Shimen Er Road in the bustling Jing'an district of Shanghai.
Read our full guide →Pearl of the Orient Cruise Ship Terminal
Park & natureFree entryThe Pearl of the Orient Cruise Ship Terminal is not just a transportation hub but a popular public park and promenade along the Huangpu River in Shanghai's Pudong district.
Read our full guide →Shanghai Renmin Park
Park & natureFree entryShanghai Renmin Park, located in the heart of the city at People's Square, is a serene oasis amid the urban frenzy.
Read our full guide →Shanghai Zhongshan Park
Park & natureFree entryShanghai Zhongshan Park is a sprawling urban green space in the Changning district, named after Sun Yat-sen (Zhongshan).
Read our full guide →Bund Valentine Wall
Park & natureFree entryBund Valentine Wall is a charming park and nature area located on the iconic Bund in Shanghai, specifically at No.500 Zhongshan Dongyi Road in Huangpu District.
Read our full guide →Huangpu Park
Park & natureFree entryHuangpu Park is a small but iconic green space situated at the northern end of the Bund, where the Huangpu River meets the Suzhou Creek.
Read our full guide →Lujiazui Central Greenland
Park & natureFree entryLujiazui Central Greenland is a sprawling park located in the heart of Pudong, Shanghai's financial district.
Read our full guide →OKDeal Travel
Park & natureFree entryOKDeal Travel is not a traditional park but a unique outdoor recreation space located in a former French Concession building in Shanghai.
Read our full guide →Gucheng Park
Park & natureFree entryGucheng Park is a modest urban green space located in the Xiaodongmen area of Shanghai's Huangpu District.
Read our full guide →
How we pick these
We keep only child-appropriate venue types — parks, zoos, hands-on museums, theme parks — then rank them by how many families actually review them well, out of the 142 Shanghai places we track. Refreshed monthly, with no paid placement.
Good to know
Most picks suit ages 2 to 10; a few also work for older kids and teens.
Popular museums and parks in Shanghai are calmest right at opening or after 3pm.
Keep one indoor pick in your back pocket in case the forecast turns.
Common questions
Is Shanghai good to visit with kids?+
Yes. Parks, boat rides and hands-on museums make it easy to break up sightseeing with things children enjoy, and every spot on this list is one families rate highly.
What can you do for free with kids in Shanghai?+
Plenty of parks and playgrounds cost nothing. See our free things to do in Shanghai for the full set.
How many days do you need in Shanghai with children?+
Two to three days is enough to cover the highlights at a relaxed, kid-friendly pace.
Rather have a human do the planning? A Local Friend can build this day for you, at local prices.