5 hidden play-areas in causeway bay

Last Updated on February 13, 2019

One of the things I found most baffling on moving to Hong Kong was all the tall buildings. I know, stupid right? What else did I expect from a city famous for its skyscrapers? But I suppose the thing I hadn’t really bargained for, until confronted by it head-on, was how difficult it made finding anything. I mean to say, in Europe, all the shops, restaurants and cinemas are generally at ground level; a quick stroll around a town centre and you can mark out what is what.

Not so in Hong Kong. Here, shops hide out on the 19^th floor of tower blocks or lurk in the basements of shopping malls. Even if you do have the astounding good fortune to find the building that contains that fantastic swimwear shop, once inside, you find that things are designed to befuddle you even more: lifts that only take you to certain floors, hidden stairwells, escalators that only seem to run in one direction (and, of course, never in the direction you aspire to travel). I once got so lost for so long in a shopping mall in TST that I almost gave up and decided to live in a plant pot.

And, if you do at last stumble across what you were looking for, and feel overcome by a joy that hasn’t been experienced since Jason got his hands on that fleece, don’t take it for granted. The exorbitant rents in Hong Kong mean that shops are constantly closing down or moving. Three times now I have been delighted to find a great new playroom, only to return a couple of weeks later to be faced with a locked door, a disappointed toddler and that slightly unsettling feeling that perhaps I’ve come to the wrong building, or in fact, more worryingly, imagined it all.

And so, not being able to easily look for yourself, you quickly learn to rely on word-of-mouth, your online sources and a bit of trial and error to help you navigate Hong Kong’s shopping districts. And having spent a couple of years now getting lost in Causeway Bay, I thought I’d share the little bit of knowledge I’ve gleaned about the play-areas there (both free and paid). I hope that they may allow you a little rest-bite if you ever find yourself, like me, child-in-tow, lost amongst the tall buildings.

1. Lee Gardens Two Play-Areas

Nestled in-between the children’s shops on the second floor of Lee Gardens Two, is a cute little play-area. Most Hong Kong parents will know this one for all the sweet toys as well as the large TV that shows Sesame Street and Sponge-Bob. Just be prepared for some difficult negotiations when you ask your child to leave it all behind to go and try on some shoes.

Until recently, the third floor housed another free play area. That has now been replaced by the private family club of Maggie and Rose.  If you can afford the membership fees, it looks like a great space with lots of children’s classes and camps.

For everyone else, the play area on the second floor is free, and the addition of nearby child-friendly toilets, feeding and changing facilities, makes this a great little pit-stop if you are running errands with your baby or toddler. The Pret-a-Manger on the ground floor, complete with highchair, gives you an option if you’re in need of a snack or a drink.

Lee Gardens Two, 28 Yun Ping Road, Causeway Bay
Opening Hours: play-areas are usually open and stocked between 11.00 – 20.30 everyday
Price: Free 
Age: No limit, but best suited for 9 months – 5-year-olds

2. Jumpin Gym USA

This flashy, noisy games arcade on the 2^nd floor of Windsor House, isn’t really my thing. Even standing near the entrance is enough to give me sensory overload. That said, I think my son would be happy to spend the rest of his childhood there. Other branches of Jumpin Gym (Cityplaza, Whampoa Garden, Hang Hau) feature full-on fairground rides and soft play areas. Whereas this one mainly has slot machines. However, there are a few child-friendly things in there as well. Primary and high-school kids will love the air-hockey tables and the basketball games and little ones will get a kick out of the couple of ride-ons at the back. There is also a fire-engine game where you get to squirt actual water. Brilliant.

Being a mean mother, I have never actually allowed my son to put money in any of the games (thankfully he is still at the age where he will sit on the motionless ride and actually think that he’s had a go). No doubt I’ll be rumbled sometime soon. If you do decide to part with your hard-earned cash, the games generally cost between $HK10 – 20 a go and you have to buy tokens from the cashier.

As I say, not for everyone, but still a good one to have up your sleeve if you get caught in some rain. As well as the Jumpin Gym, Windsor House often has child-friendly exhibitions on the ground floor, as well as lots of kids’ clothing and toy shops to browse, such as Toys ‘R’ Us and Its Magical.

Updated Summer 2018 – in addition to this arcade, Jumpin Gym has recently opened a playroom on the 13th floor of Windsor House called Planet J Kids. It looks pretty fun. For a full review, take a look at Blue Balu’s blog.

Jumpin Gym USA, 215 & 216B, 2^nd floor, Windsor House, 311 Gloucester Road, Causeway Bay
Opening hours: 11.00 – 22.00 every day
Price: free to watch and take in the crazy ambience, around HK$20 a game
Age: No limits, but probably best for 3-year-olds through to teenage

3. Kids Square @ Times Square

Updated December 2018 – Rats! A kind reader has informed me that the kid’s area with the bouncy castle is currently closed for renovations. I have contacted Times Square and they can’t tell me when it will reopen. I’ll try to update this soon! In the meantime, the lovely Donguri Republic is still open. 

Until very recently, this place on the list belonged to Rolly Pollies – a kid’s gym that had free play sessions – but sadly the exorbitant Hong Kong rents claimed it as yet another victim and it closed at the end of last year. However, where one door closes and all that, and now there is a new place for little ones to jump around in the heart of Causeway Bay.

This free bouncy castle can be found by going up to floor 13A of Times Square and has no doubt been set up to try and encourage footfall for the new Kids Square area, which features a range of children’s shops. The castle is normally open in the afternoon, although occasionally on weekend and bank holidays it gets deflated to make way for special workshops and events, so if you are making a special trip you might be best calling the hotline number below before you set out. During the week, I’ve never seen it be particularly busy, although weekends may involve more of a queue. Conveniently, there is a spotlessly clean changing and feeding room close at hand.

If all that jumping has made your little one ravenous, there are many food options here, including the child-friendly Pizza Express and a fairly spacious Starbucks. And on top of that, there are often child-pleasing exhibitions outside the Mall and the cinema here also shows family-friendly films.

My favourite thing about coming here though is that we get to sneak in a visit in Donguri Republic, a rather wonderful shop on the 9^th floor, full of cute, character-themed goods from Studio Ghibli’s films. Even if your kids haven’t seen My Neighbour Totoro (and if they haven’t, then quite frankly, you need to get to it), I don’t think they could help but be impressed by the huge Totoro welcoming them at the door, or the magnificent Cat Bus inside. Quite simply, both me and my son love it here.

Kids Square @ Times Square, 1 Matheson St, Causeway Bay (+852 2118 8900)
Opening Hours: Weekdays 13.00 – 21.00, Weekends (if no special event) Midday – 21.00
Price: Free
Age: No age limit, but children must be between 90 – 120cm tall for the bouncy castle

4. The Toy Library in Hong Kong Central Library

Situated on the 2^nd floor of Hong Kong Central Library, opposite the wonderful Victoria Park, the Toy Library is one you must book in advance. But, if you’ve been organised, it is a lovely way to spend 45-mins away from the hustle and bustle of Causeway Bay.

These free sessions are open to children aged eight and under, accompanied by an adult, and during that time each child can borrow up to two toys from the counter to play with. The range of toys on offer is vast, but the stalwart favourites are the Thomas the Tank Engine train sets, Tomica car garages, marble runs and the baby and pushchair sets. In addition to being able to borrow specific toys listed in the catalogues, there are also lots of toys out to share (which makes for some interesting toddler negotiations), an ‘imaginative play’ area which changes regularly (sometimes a kitchen with pretend food and sometimes a construction area with blocks and tools) and a padded soft play-area with toys for babies (which my 3-year-old still sneaks into). The years of hard play have taken their toll on some of the toys, but my son and his peers never seem to notice.  And if all the toys weren’t enough, some sessions even include craft activities and games.

If you want to make an afternoon of it, there are hundreds of lovely children’s book in the library here, including a large picture book section, and publications in both English and Chinese. On the ground floor, there is a small but rather wonderful shop, selling children’s books, toys, stationery, postcards and some unusual Hong Kong-themed knick-knacks. And on top of all this, the toilets have changing facilities, there is a DeliFrance café with both indoor and outdoor seating, and a public terrace which is a favourite amongst toddlers who want to eat some snack and chase the little birds that unwisely choose to congregate here.

Toy Library, 2/F Hong Kong Central Library, 66 Causeway Road, Causeway Bay
Opening Hours: 10am – 9pm daily, except Wednesdays when it is open 1pm-9pm, but do call in advance to book a slot.
Reservation hotline: +852 2921 0386, you normally need to book one week in advance.
Special Craft/Game sessions: 5pm session on Mon, Wed, Fri, 6pm session on Tues and Thurs, and 11am and 4pm at the weekends.
Price: Free
Age: 0-8 years

5. A few more Causeway Bay play ideas… 

(Updated summer 2018) So, you may have noticed that the article title promised five hidden play areas. The trouble is, since I left Hong Kong almost two years ago, times have changed and one of the listed areas has permanently closed.  I hope I can make it up to you with the details of a few more fun options:

The branch of IKEA, opposite Windsor House, was a favourite haunt of my son, and he would happily spend a couple of hours here – opening cupboard doors, playing at the children’s activity stations scattered across the store, and checking out the toys on display in the children’s section –  if I could bear it. There are also child-friendly toilets and changing facilities.

I had always admired the cool rocking chairs in the window of The Bonfire Café on Leighton Road but had never ventured in. Then, following a rather trying shopping trip with my son, we stopped off for a well-deserved drink  – and I was very glad we did. Tucked away in a corner is a little stash of toys, consisting of a tub of wooden building bricks, some play-food and a little assortment of bits and bobs. Not a huge selection, but enough to keep my son amused whilst I enjoyed my drink. The big hit though was the children’s electric keyboard and mic – which happily didn’t produce enough noise to drive any of the other customers away. The café also serves snacks and hot meals.

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If you are with slightly older kids (from around 6 years and up) they may well like to while away a little time at the Puzzle Bar within the Fashion Walk branch of Log-On. The puzzles change from time to time – when we were last there, there were lots and lots of Nanoblocks to get fingers and brains working. And of course, Log-On also sells a range of kid-pleasing stationery, gadgets and cute little cars.

If you are with children aged four and up, who have gentle hands and voices, a trip to Rabbitland Cafe could well be the cutest thing you do all year. You need to reserve a spot beforehand, bring socks to wear, and every child under eight needs to be accompanied by an adult – but surely stroking these gorgeous bunnies is well worth the hassle?

Photo courtesy of Rabbitland 

When I first heard that a new indoor mini-golf venue – Strokes – was opening in Causeway Bay, I was all ready to add it to this post. However, I get the impression it may well be overpriced – HK$128 per person for 9 holes of crazy golf. In addition to this, they have recently advertised on their website that ‘no children under 10 will be allowed on the course unless privately booked ‘. I’m not entirely sure what this means, although it doesn’t scream child-friendly. If you fancy trying it out, I would definitely contact them before turning up and warn them you have children in your party.

Teenagers may well love a game of lasertag at Lasermads. The theme is space – so expect dark mazes and intergalactic thrills. Probably not for the faint-hearted.

Victoria Park’s indoor swimming pool gives you a place for a dip. Although with no slides or children’s play equipment, you’ll need to be happy to make your own entertainment splashing around. Alternatively, Morrison Hill swimming pool is close at hand – with an indoor pool and small outdoor toddler paddling pool.

Had enough of the indoors? You can also check out the partly-covered ‘Sky Garden’ on the 4^th floor of Hysan Place, just next to GAP Kids. Don’t let the name fool you though – this is no green oasis – but there is some space to let your little one charge about, especially if you have a bubble wand in your bag, or if, like us, you’ve managed to snag some balloons off a promotion stand outside. Just a word of warning though, there are some open water features (thank you helpful architects) so close supervision is required!

And like Windsor House, Hysan Place and Times Square often have child-friendly exhibitions.

So, that’s me done. If you know of any more play-areas in Causeway Bay that I’ve missed, please leave me a comment – I’ll be delighted! And although I can’t hand-on-heart promise you, in this ever-changing place, all of the listed options will be there in a year, or indeed by next week, I hope one of them may offer you and your kids a little salvation amongst the skyscrapers.

If you want to know about more play options close by, have a peek at the hidden play-areas in Wan Chai.

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