Fun places in Shenzhen to take your kids on vacation

Looking for fun places to take the kids? Here are fantastic spots across Shenzhen where children can play, explore, and burn off energy.

Joyful Bay

The area in Shenzhen Talent Park Phase II features driftwood mazes, reef slides, canyon zip lines, and other exciting play structures.

The designers have created an entire marine-themed play system. Beneath the covered walkways, a winding water pool invites children to climb, splash, slide, and explore.

Venue: Phase II, Talent Park, Nanshan District

Metro: Line 2, 11 or 13 to Houhai Station (后海站), Exit H

O·POWER Arts and Culture Center

The pipe-lined walkways at O·POWER Arts and Culture Center.

The playground retains its vintage industrial aesthetic while embracing an explosion of dopamine-inducing Tiffany blue, making it a vibrant highlight of the area.

Highlights include spiral blue staircases, industrial-style sky-blue oil tanks and pipe-lined walkways, and uniquely designed blue swings. These are perfect photo spots where every shot looks like a magazine cover.

Venue: O·POWER Arts and Culture Center, OCT, Nanshan District

Metro: Line 2 to Qiaocheng North Station (侨城北站), Exit B

Zhongshan Park

The carousel in Zhongshan Park. File photo

The amusement area in Zhongshan Park has reopened to the public after years of rennovation. It features the pirate ship as its centerpiece and offers 23 attractions, including bumper cars, a drop tower, and a carousel. The mini train remains a popular choice, and the rapids ride adds a thrilling option. The only original ride removed is the mini Ferris wheel.

Venue: Inside Zhongshan Park, Nanshan District

Metro: Line 12 to Zhongshan Park Station (中山公园站), Exit D

Spiral treehouse

Along the Zhuguang section of the Dasha River corridor stands a spiral treehouse that resembles a seashell. Its smooth, curved surfaces blend perfectly with the surrounding natural landscape, making it look like an art installation that grew right out of the lawn.

The bottom level of this “seashell” houses a parent-child reading area with over 450 internationally award-winning children’s picture books. Little ones can choose their own books and enjoy immersive reading time with mom and dad.

Venue: Dasha River Ecological Corridor, Nanshan District

Metro: Line 7 to Zhuguang Station (珠光站), Exit D

Guiwan Park

Guiwan Park in the core area of Qianhai is Shenzhen’s first water corridor theme park. It features clear waters, natural oxygen-barren greenery, and is a true “all-around” family park.

Head straight to the outdoor children’s playground beneath the bridge. The warm-toned rubber flooring and varied terrain keep things interesting! The park includes parent-child activity zones where you can admire, play, rest, or lie down.

Venue: Guiwan Park, Qianhai

Metro: Line 5 or 9 to Qianwan Station (前湾站), Exit B

Lixiang Park

A slide in Lixiang Park. File photo

Lixiang Park includes a dedicated children’s playground, where the slides are the undisputed stars. Kids either bounce excitedly toward the slide entrance, eagerly anticipating the fast ride down, or climb nimbly through the play structures, chasing and running with abandon. Before you know it, the whole afternoon has flown by.

When you’re tired from playing, duck into the Nanshan Study Room · Hongyi Pavilion among the trees. Grab a book and sit down — look up to lush greenery, look down to a moment of quiet for yourself. Even with kids in tow, you can steal a moment of leisure.

Venue: Lixiang Park, Nanshan District

Metro: Line 1 or 12 to Taoyuan Station (桃园站), Exit A

Octopus Garden

Kids play at Octopus Garden.

On the rooftop of Hi Shopping Plaza (Phase II) stands a giant octopus sculpture — a free outdoor playground where kids can play all day long!

Here, the octopus’ tentacles transform into slides, climbing frames, and peek-a-boo corners. There are also seesaws, hanging balls, large turntables, and various other facilities. It’s not only a great place for kids to burn off energy but also a fantastic photo backdrop.

Venue: Top floor, Hi Shopping Plaza Phase II, Sea World, Shekou, Nanshan District

Metro: Line 2 or 12 to Sea World Station (海上世界站), Exit C or D

Planet 10 Playground

A view of Planet 10 Playground inside Shenzhen North Central Park, Longhua District. Lin Jianping

Planet 10 Playground offers a unique outer space-themed play environment. Its eye-catching giant slide and planet-shaped equipment make it a favorite among children. The park’s design immerses visitors in a colorful cosmic landscape, where different planets connect various play structures, sparking imagination and adventure.

Venue: Inside Shenzhen North Central Park, Longhua District

Metro: Line 4, 5 or 6 to Shenzhen North Station (深圳北站), Exit A

Zone A, Central Park

A facility at Zone A in Central Park in Futian District. Lin Jianping

This area houses a beautiful free children’s playground. Covering nearly 2,000 square meters, it features striking geometric lines and dopamine-boosting colors that give it a highly artistic feel. This park truly understands what kids love — slides, climbing frames, swings, and more. All the favorite activities are here.

Venue: Zone A, Central Park, Futian District

Metro: Line 11 to Fuxing Station (福星站), Exit A; or Line 1 or 10 to Gangxia Station (岗厦站), Exit G