Top 10 fun family things to do in South Korea

Whether you're travelling with younger children or teenagers, there's plenty to keep everyone entertained. You can explore Seoul's backstreets by e-bike, build your own lunchbox at a traditional market, brave the rollercoasters at Lotte World or step inside moving worlds of digital art.

Here are 10 of our favourite things to do in South Korea with your family.

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1. Learn K‑Pop dance moves together

If your children know every word and move to the latest K-pop hits, it’s time to let them shine at a dance class in Seoul. Your instructor will teach you the steps to a K-pop routine, breaking down the moves so that everyone can join in.

It's a chance for the whole family to try something new, whether you're a confident dancer or have two left feet. And at the end, you'll have a video of your finished routine to take home. Who knows, you might discover that Dad has a hidden talent…

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2. Explore Seoul on an e‑bike tour

Exploring Seoul on two wheels with an e-bike makes covering more ground that little bit easier. With a private guide leading the way, you can pedal past royal palaces, follow riverside paths, weave through traditional hanok neighbourhoods, just metres from modern cafés and shops.

The electric assistance takes the effort out of the hills, leaving you more time to enjoy the sights and stop for photos along the way.

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3. Build your own lunchbox at Tongin market

For a lunch with a difference, head to Tongin Market in Seoul, where you can put together your own meal using traditional brass coins.

Exchange your money for a handful of coins and an empty lunchbox, then wander between participating stalls, choosing whatever takes your fancy. You might pick up dakkochi, grilled chicken skewers coated in a sweet or spicy sauce, or gimbap, seaweed-wrapped rice rolls filled with vegetables, egg and meat.

Everyone gets to choose their own dishes, so if your family can never agree on what to eat together, this is a great option. It's also a lovely way to introduce children to Korean food, one small portion at a time.

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4. Ride the Lotte World rollercoasters

From high-speed rollercoasters to gentle rides for younger children, Lotte World is a great place to spend a day together in Seoul.

Thrill-seekers can tackle Atlantis, an outdoor rollercoaster with steep drops and sharp turns, or French Revolution, an indoor coaster that loops and twists between the park's buildings. For something gentler, there's the Camelot Carrousel, the Balloon Ride high above the indoor park and The Adventure of Sindbad, a boat journey past pirates and a three-headed dragon.

There's plenty happening beyond the rides, too. Seasonal parades bring dancers and costumed characters through the park, while evening performances feature illuminated floats and colourful lighting effects. Depending on when you visit, you might also catch a circus act, marching band or musical performance.

With a large indoor section, it's a good option whatever the weather, especially if you're visiting during Korea's hotter summer months or colder winter days.

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5. Take some snaps in a photo booth

You'll spot self-service photo booths all over Seoul, and they're a fun way to capture a few memories of your trip.

Step inside, choose your props and get ready to pose. There are wigs, hats, oversized glasses and playful accessories to try, along with filters and themed frames to personalise your pictures.

Some booths even offer limited-edition K-pop idol frames, making it look as though you're posing alongside your favourite stars. Add a pair of character headbands, pull your best expressions and you'll leave with a strip of photos to stick on the fridge back home.

6. Experience the clash of pots and pans at a madcap NANTA show

What happens when you combine a kitchen, a group of chefs, traditional Korean rhythms and a lot of flying utensils? You get NANTA, one of Korea's most entertaining live performances.

Set in a busy kitchen, pots, pans, knives and chopping boards become percussion instruments, while acrobatics, slapstick comedy and audience participation add to the fun.

There's very little spoken dialogue, so you don't need to understand Korean to follow the story. It's fast-paced, funny and a great evening out for the whole family.

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7. Feel part of the art at the ARTE Museum

At ARTE Museum, you're not simply looking at the artwork. You can feel part of it.

These immersive digital art spaces use enormous projections, sound and light to create nature-inspired scenes that seem to come alive around you. Depending on the location and exhibition, you might find yourself standing beneath a towering waterfall, wandering through a field of flowers that stretches across the walls and floor, or watching waves crash around you.

Each room offers something different to discover, with installations that shift and change as you move through them. There are plenty of opportunities for some unusual family photos, too.

You'll find ARTE Museums in Jeju, Gangneung, Yeosu and Busan, making it easy to include a visit in your South Korea itinerary.

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8. Soar over the sea on Busan's Songdo cable car

For a different perspective on Busan, hop aboard the Songdo Marine Cable Car and glide high above the water.

As you travel across the bay, you'll have aerial views of Songdo Beach, Yeongdo Island, Namhang Bridge and the rocky coastline beyond. Look down and you'll spot the sea stretching beneath you, with walking trails winding along the cliffs.

For an extra thrill, choose one of the cabins with a transparent floor and watch the water pass beneath your feet.

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9. Ride Busan’s Sky Capsules

The bright red, blue, pink and yellow Sky Capsules travel along Busan's coastline at a leisurely pace. With the sea on one side and green hills on the other, it's a chilled out way to take in the scenery while resting tired legs.

Each capsule holds up to four people, so you can sit back together, watch the waves and take in the views. The journey takes around 30 minutes, giving you plenty of time to enjoy the ride and take photos along the way.

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10. Meet Snoopy and friends on Jeju Island

If your family loves the Peanuts characters, Snoopy Garden on Jeju Island is well worth a visit.

Set among Jeju's green landscapes, this charming attraction brings Snoopy, Charlie Brown and their friends to life through themed gardens, exhibitions and life-sized character displays.

You can follow gentle walking paths through the grounds, discover familiar scenes from the comic strips and stop for photos with your favourite characters. There's plenty of space for younger children to explore, while older visitors will appreciate the nostalgic touches and garden design.

Ready for some Korean family fun?

Our South Korea Family Adventure and Family Fun in Korea trip ideas are a great place to start. Both combine Korea's cultural highlights with memorable family experiences, guided activities and time to explore at your own pace.

Speak to one of our travel consultants and we'll help you create a family holiday to South Korea that brings together the experiences you'll all enjoy most.