ℹ️ This guide is based on official information from Seoul Metropolitan Government, Visit Korea and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and is updated when details change.
• Free and low-cost family events in Seoul this week only (as of 2026-09-28)
• Plenty of free programs at places like Seoul Grand Park, the National Museum of Korea and DDP
• Written after going with our two kids (5 and 3) — updated every Monday
• Includes stroller access, nursing rooms and parking info
Looking for things to do with kids in Seoul this week? This list only covers events running from Monday, September 28 to Sunday, October 4. This week a lot of festivals fall on Saturday, October 3 (National Foundation Day). The big ones are the Seoul Light Hangang Light Island Festival on Nodeul Island (from Oct 2), the Hangang Peulpeul Fall Sports Day at Ttukseom (Oct 3–5) and the Dongdaemun Festival (Oct 3), and the Seoul International Garden Fair at Seoul Forest runs until October 27. This page is updated every week by a parent raising a 5-year-old and a 3-year-old who goes to these places in person. Events that have ended are removed and only new ones are added.
📅 Last updated: 2026-09-28 (1st week of October) | Updated weekly
• Seoul cultural events: Seoul Open Data Plaza cultural events API
• Free programs: about 30 per month on average, according to the Seoul Culture Portal
Last updated: September 28, 2026
The list I use when looking for places to take kids in Seoul. It only includes kids’ events, activities and festivals running in Seoul right now.
Ended events come off the list and new ones are added.
Use it if you’re wondering what to do with the kids this weekend. Places I’ve been to with my two kids (5 and 3) are marked with ⭐.
Don’t Miss This Week
| Event | Location | Until | Cost | Ages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🆕 Han River International Dance Festival: “Hamel Returns” | 반포한강공원 예빛섬 (Banpo Hangang Park, Yebit Island) outdoor stage | Oct 1 (Thu)–Oct 3 (Sat), 17:00 | Free | All ages |
| 🆕 Gwangjin Outdoor Library: “Achasan Forest & Rest” | 아차산어울림광장 (Achasan Eoullim Plaza), Gwangjin | Oct 1 (Thu)–Oct 4 (Sun), hours vary by day | Free | All ages |
| 🆕 Jongno Family Performance Festival | 종로 아이들극장 (Jongno Children’s Theater) | Oct 2 (Fri)–Nov 1. Fri 19:30, Sat & Sun 13:00 and 16:00 | All seats 20,000 won | Kids & families |
| 🆕 Seoul Light Hangang Light Island Festival | 노들섬 (Nodeul Island), Yongsan | Oct 2 (Fri)–Oct 11 (Sun), 18:30–22:30 | Free | All ages |
| 🆕 Seoul Tourism ON Festa | 남산 팔각정 (Namsan Palgakjeong Pavilion) area | Oct 2 (Fri)–Oct 3 (Sat), 13:00–20:00 | Free | All ages |
| 🆕 Hangang Peulpeul Fall Sports Day | 뚝섬한강공원 (Ttukseom Hangang Park), Hangang Peulpeul area | Oct 3 (Sat)–Oct 5 (Mon), 10:00–22:00 | Free. Some craft activities are paid | All ages |
| Dongdaemun Festival | 장한로 (Janghan-ro) area, Dongdaemun | Oct 3 (Sat). Times vary by program | Free | All ages |
| 🆕 Bukchon Korean Music Festival | 원서공원 (Wonseo Park), 은덕문화원 (Eunduk Cultural Center), 노무현시민센터 (Roh Moo-hyun Citizen Center) and more, Jongno | Oct 3 (Sat)–Oct 4 (Sun) | Free | All ages |
| 🆕 K-Wave Dance Festival | 이태원로 (Itaewon-ro), about 400 m between Itaewon and Noksapyeong stations | Oct 3 (Sat)–Oct 4 (Sun), 12:00–22:00 | Free | All ages |
| Gangnam Festival | 도산대로 (Dosan-daero) area, Gangnam-gu | Oct 3 (Sat)–Oct 5 (Mon) (per Korea Tourism Organization) | Fees and detailed schedule: check official sources | All ages |
| 🆕 Jamsu Bridge Food Road (Car-Free Jamsu Bridge Ttubeok-ttubeok Festival) | 잠수교 (Jamsu Bridge) area, Banpo | Oct 4 (Sun), 14:00–22:00 | Free. Just show up | All ages |
| 🆕 Geumcheon Siheung Haenggung Culture Festival | 은행나무로 (Eunhaengnamu-ro) area, Geumcheon-gu | Oct 4 (Sun), 12:00–21:00 | Free | All ages |
| 🆕 Live Quest Musical “Codename X” | 국립중앙박물관 (National Museum of Korea), Theater Yong | Until Oct 18. Showtimes vary by day | VIP 77,000 / R 66,000 / S 44,000 won | Ages 2+ |
| Seoul Outdoor Library | 서울광장 (Seoul Plaza), 광화문광장 (Gwanghwamun Square), 청계천 (Cheonggyecheon) | Fri–Sun until Nov 1. Switches to daytime hours during October | Free | All ages |
📌 Just what’s on Saturday, October 3 (National Foundation Day): Hangang Peulpeul Fall Sports Day (Ttukseom), Dongdaemun Festival, Bukchon Korean Music Festival, K-Wave Dance Festival (Itaewon), Gangnam Festival, Seoul Tourism ON Festa (Namsan), Namsan Yagwang Myeongwol (17:00) and the last day of the Han River International Dance Festival. In the evening, the Light Island Festival on Nodeul Island is on too.
Free Activities & Museum Programs
| Event | Location | Until | Cost | Ages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🆕 [Seoul Museum of History] Museum Treasure Hunt: Portable Angbuilgu Sundial | 서울역사박물관 (Seoul Museum of History), permanent exhibition Zone 1 | Until Oct 25. Tue–Sun 09:00–18:00 (Fri until 21:00), closed Mondays | Free | All ages |
| 🆕 [Hansung Baekje Museum] Weekend Family Class: “Find the Secrets of the Baekje Royal Fortress!” | 한성백제박물관 (Hansung Baekje Museum) classroom, Songpa | Until Dec 5. Sessions at 13:30 / 15:40 | Free | Families with elementary schoolers |
| 🆕 [Hansung Baekje Museum] Mysterious Artifact Encyclopedia | 한성백제박물관 (Hansung Baekje Museum) classroom, Songpa | Sep 30–Nov 18, 15:00–17:00 | Free | Elementary schoolers |
| [Seoul Baekje Children’s Museum] Seoul History & Ecology Explorers 3: Fall | 서울백제어린이박물관 (Seoul Baekje Children’s Museum) classroom and outdoor nature area | Until Oct 15, 16:00–17:30 | Free | Age 5 to 1st grade, with a parent |
| 🆕 [Seoul Baekje Children’s Museum] Moonlight Walk in the Baekje Royal Capital | 서울백제어린이박물관 (Seoul Baekje Children’s Museum) front yard and 몽촌토성 (Mongchontoseong Fortress) | Until Nov 27. Fridays 17:30–20:00 | Free | Families & kids |
| 🆕 [SeMA Art Archive] Riddle Shapes Play | 미술아카이브 (SeMA Art Archive) learning building 2F, Jongno | Until Oct 25. Sessions at 10:30 / 13:30 | Free | Grades 1–3 |
| 🆕 [Buk-Seoul Museum of Art] Artwork Stories Told by Kid Docents | 북서울미술관 (Buk-Seoul Museum of Art) B1 gallery, Nowon | Until Oct 10. 16:00–17:00 (3 sessions in total) | Free | All ages |
| 🆕 [Seo-Seoul Museum of Art] Play Lounge Workshop | 서서울미술관 (Seo-Seoul Museum of Art) 1F Gallery 3, Geumcheon | Until Oct 10. Saturdays 11:00–17:00 | Free | All ages |
| 🆕 [Seoul Children’s Museum] Picture Book Studio: Small but Special | 서울상상나라 (Seoul Children’s Museum) B1 special exhibition hall, Gwangjin | 10:00–17:00, closed Mondays | Exhibit free (4,000 won admission separate) | All ages |
| 🆕 [Jeungsan Library] Story Time with the Cat Librarian | 구립증산도서관 (Jeungsan Public Library) 3F family reading room, Eunpyeong | Until Nov 11, 13:00–17:00 | Free | Preschoolers |
| 🆕 [Seoul Upcycling Plaza] Haechi & the Sharing Heroes: Toy Donation and Sharing | 서울새활용플라자 (Seoul Upcycling Plaza) 1F, Seongdong | Mon–Sat 10:00–18:00, closed Sundays | Free | All ages |
| 🆕 [Seoul Robot & AI Science Museum] Media Facade “Seoul Lime: Robot City” | Museum 1F and main entrance exterior, Dobong | Until Dec 5. Sep–Oct: Tue–Sun 20:00–22:00 | Free | All ages |
| Ompang at the Seoul Museum of Life | 서울생활사박물관 (Seoul Museum of Life), Nowon | Booking: opens 14 days before your visit at 09:00, closes 23:00 the day before | Free. 2–5 people per account | Families with kids |
| National Children’s Science Museum permanent exhibits | 국립어린이과학관 (National Children’s Science Museum), Jongno | Booking: opens daily at midnight, 14 days ahead | Check the official website for fees | All ages |
| National Folk Museum Children’s Museum exhibits | 국립민속박물관 어린이박물관 (National Folk Museum Children’s Museum), Jongno | Booking: opens daily at 09:00, two weeks at a time | Exhibits free. Online booking required | Families with kids |
| [Jeungsan Library] Children’s Room September Book Picks: “Reading Makes You Curious About Science!” | 구립증산도서관 (Jeungsan Public Library) 3F children’s reading room | Until Sep 30 | Free | All ages |
| [Seoul Baekje Children’s Museum] For Parents: Museum Hyuhyu Program 10 — Baby’s First Jacket (Baenaet-jeogori) | 서울백제어린이박물관 (Seoul Baekje Children’s Museum) classroom | Until Sep 30 | Free | Parents & parents-to-be |
Late September–Early October Festivals & Outdoors
| Event | Location | Until | Cost | Ages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🆕 2026 Seoul International Garden Fair | 서울숲 (Seoul Forest) area, Seongdong | Until Oct 27, 12:00–19:00 | Free | All ages |
| 🆕 Car-Free Jamsu Bridge Ttubeok-ttubeok Festival (Fall) | 잠수교 (Jamsu Bridge) and 반포한강공원 (Banpo Hangang Park) | Every Sunday in Sep–Oct, until Oct 25 | Varies by program | All ages |
| [Jungnang Cultural Foundation] 2026 Jungnang Yongma Falls Festival | 용마폭포공원 (Yongma Falls Park), Jungnang | Oct 10 (Sat), 11:00–21:00 | Free | All ages |
| [Gangseo-gu] 24th Heo Jun Festival | 서울식물원 (Seoul Botanic Park), 마곡광장 (Magok Plaza) and 마곡중앙로 (Magokjungang-ro) area | Oct 10 (Sat)–Oct 11 (Sun), 11:00–21:00 | Free | All ages |
Classes & Hands-On Programs
| Event | Location | Until | Cost | Ages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🆕 (October) Whispering Cheongdam Park | 청담근린공원 (Cheongdam Park) playground, Gangnam | Oct 3–Oct 31, holidays and Saturdays. First come, first served via Seoul Public Service Reservation | Free | Families with kids 6+ |
| 🆕 Seoul Children’s Grand Park Animal School: “Little Animal Village Explorers” | 서울어린이대공원 (Seoul Children’s Grand Park) zoo, Gwangjin | Wednesdays until Nov 25. Book by 17:00, 14 days before | Paid (price on the booking page) | Preschoolers (5–7) & early elementary |
| 🆕 [Seoul Sewerage Science Museum] A Water Drop’s Transformation | 서울하수도과학관 (Seoul Sewerage Science Museum) | Saturday afternoons, Oct 10–Dec 12. Registration open now | Free. First 20 people | Grades 1–3 |
| 🆕 Jump into the Fallen Leaves at Eungbongsan | 응봉유아숲체험원 (Eungbong Children’s Forest Play Area), Yongsan | Oct 13–Nov 10. Registration open now | Free. First come, first served | Families |
Free Performances & Exhibitions
| Event | Location | Until | Cost | Ages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| [Performance Spring Day × National Dance Festival] International Dance Company Showcase | 은평문화예술회관 (Eunpyeong Culture & Arts Center) theater | Sep 29 (Tue), 10:30 | Free | Teens & families with teens |
| [2026 Performance Spring Day] The Barber of Seville: Open for Love Today | 오류아트홀 (Oryu Art Hall), Guro | Sep 30 (Wed)–Oct 2 (Fri), 10:30, 14:00, 19:30 | Free | Teens & families with teens |
| [Seoul Namsan Gugakdang] 2026 Namsan Yagwang Myeongwol | 서울남산국악당 (Seoul Namsan Gugakdang) outdoor courtyard | Oct 3 (Sat), 17:00 | Free | All ages |
| 🆕 [Cheonggyecheon Museum] Nomura Motoyuki, a Star of Cheonggyecheon | 청계천박물관 (Cheonggyecheon Museum) special exhibition hall, Seongdong | Until Oct 11. Tue–Sun 09:00–18:00, closed Mondays | Free | All ages |
| 🆕 [Seoul Children’s Museum] The Possibilities of Play: Seeing | 서울상상나라 (Seoul Children’s Museum) 1F lobby, Gwangjin | Until Oct 31. 10:00–18:00, closed Mondays | Exhibit free (4,000 won admission separate) | All ages |
Parks & Nature Programs
| Event | Location | Until | Cost | Ages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🆕 [Seoul Baekje Children’s Museum] Baekje Royal Fortress Moonlight Camp | Lawn around 서울백제어린이박물관 (Seoul Baekje Children’s Museum), Songpa | Until Nov 27, 17:30–20:00 | Free | 30 families with young kids |
| Seoul Forest Heritage Garden “Pause” Concert | 서울숲 (Seoul Forest) K-Heritage Garden, Seongdong | Saturdays 15:00 (until Oct 24). This week: Oct 3 | Free. Check official info | All ages |
For Seoul’s October park and forest-play programs for young kids, search the park tour and education/experience sections of Seoul Public Service Reservation. Most are first come, first served and often fill up on the first day of registration.
Seoul-Style Kids Cafes (Public)
Childcare staff on site, around 2,000 won for 2 hours. Ages 4–9.
- 초록초록 (Chorokchorok) (서울숲 (Seoul Forest), Seongdong) — New in May 2026. Forest theme
- 서울식물원점 (Seoul Botanic Park branch) (Gangseo) — LEGO garden theme
📌 This post is updated every week. Ended events are removed and new ones are added.
Events we’ve been to get a ⭐ and a separate review post.
If we missed an event, let us know in the comments!
🎯 Seoul Travel Essentials
- ✈️ Korea SIM Card (KT 4G/5G) — Airport pickup, unlimited data
- 🗼️ N Seoul Tower Observatory Tickets — Online booking discount
Recommended Seoul Tours for Families
- Seoul Family Tour — Kid-friendly customized tour of Seoul and nearby areas
- Seoul Palace & City Tour — Small group tour covering Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, and Namsan Tower in one day
※ Some links are affiliate links — booking through them helps support this blog.
Related Guides
📋 Sources
- Seoul Metropolitan Government — Seoul cultural events calendar
- Visit Korea — Festivals and events nationwide
- Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism — Arts and culture events
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Where can I take kids for free in Seoul?
Seoul’s public kids cafes (about 50 locations), the Children’s Museum at the National Museum of Korea, the Seoul Grand Park zoo (free for children under 36 months) and hands-on programs at Seoul Forest and Boramae Park are free year-round. Check the top of this page for free events running right now.
Where can I find information on kids’ events in Seoul?
You can check the Seoul Culture Portal (culture.seoul.go.kr), Seoul Public Service Reservation (yeyak.seoul.go.kr) and each district office’s website. This page pulls those sources together and is updated every week.
What ages are these events for?
Most are open to all ages, and the recommended age for each event is listed in the tables. Programs that babies and toddlers under 36 months can join are marked separately.
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