10 Things to do in Kyoto with Kids

Kyoto is considered a city for adults, due to the variety of historical areas, temples and gardens. However, children need not be bored, as the Japanese always offer fun spaces where the little ones can fall in love with this charming city.

I recommend booking at least 3 days to visit Kyoto, so that you have enough time to enjoy yourself. Some places offer babysitting services, but there is nothing like experiencing it as a family and taking the opportunity to visit theme parks, stroll through fun museums or go on a cruise.

There are many things to do in Kyoto in December, for example you can stroll through the streets and take advantage of the Christmas celebrations. Children love Christmas and here you can celebrate in a different way.

The best things to do in Kyoto at Christmas time include:

• Take part in parades and wander the alleys of the most important districts, where the lighting of lights beautifies the city. One of the most important is Chion-in, where Taiko, a Japanese drum rhythm, is played.
• Meet Santa San or Hoteiosho, Japan's equivalent of Father Christmas. They are animated characters who hand out gifts for children, but their physical appearance resembles that of Buddha.
• Try Christmas cake, a typical Japanese sweet made with fresh cream, strawberries and a mini Father Christmas.
• Visit the Teijin Christmas market, which offers traditional drinks and a festive atmosphere. Keep in mind that it attracts thousands of people, so it is advisable to stay close to the children during the tour.

Additionally, in Japan the predominant religions are Buddhist and Shinto, so beyond a spiritual meaning, these days are commercial. As a result, shops are usually open for the entire Christmas season. Before Christmas there is a holiday to celebrate the Emperor's birthday, so you can also take advantage of the colourful festivities around it.

Kyoto has a variety of parks that are ideal for children, offering children's areas such as playgrounds, mechanical rides, movie studios, ninja experiences and more.

Tour Toei Kyoto Studio Theme Park

A must-visit if you're going with children is a stroll through the Toei Kyoto Studio theme park, also known as Toei Uzumasa Eigamura or Movie Land, where kids will never get bored. It's very similar to the famous Disney parks, but with the charm of Kyoto. General admission to the park costs about €2.

For starters, you can tour the recording studio, where there are dishes used for Japanese series, films and documentaries, as many areas are inspired by the Edo period and have an old-fashioned feel to them.

During the visit, children will feel like they are in a movie, as famous characters roam around the park. You can also find replicas of important buildings or monuments, such as the old Nihonbashi Bridge or parts of the Yoshiwara red-light district.

The fun never ends in this park, children can take advantage of the 3D cinemas, ninja re-enactments and the haunted house which offers the best activities in Kyoto during October, such as Halloween celebrations. Other activities include:

• Rent a kimono or yukata, to walk around the park, children will surely look forward to being part of this tradition. It costs approximately €7 to €17.
• 3D Ninja Maze, find the exit in record time with the help of your group. It costs approximately €3.
• Ninja Climbing, children can climb a wall around 7 metres high. It is an attraction where you can spend 20 to 40 minutes, for an approximate cost of €9.
• Ninja Mystery House, ideal for children and adults. You will discover all the secrets of the ninjas for around €4.
• Laser Battle, ideal for children over the age of three, who will have to sneak around mysterious traps. The approximate price is €4.
• Archery, while the kids are having fun, you can have a Japanese experience for around €3. Please note that this activity is only available on Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays and during Golden Week from April to May.

Head to Takaragaike Park

The park is located at one end of Lake Takaragaike, hence its name. I recommend you visit this area as a family, as it has an area called Kodomo no Rakuen, which in English is known as the Children's Paradise.

It is an aquatic experience, where outdoor activities are often organised. You can enjoy a picnic for lunch, or take a bike ride along the trails. It is twelve minutes from the centre, but the quickest way to get there is from the Karasuma underground line.

Admission is free and there are play areas for children. The best time to visit is during the summer, but if you're travelling with children who are curious about animals, I suggest taking advantage of the best winter activities in Kyoto which include mandarin duck watching.

Take advantage of the swimming pools at Fushimi Minato Park

This family-friendly area offers the best activities during the spring and summer, as temperatures are pleasant and you can cycle along the trails, or take a dip in the outdoor pools.

The facilities are spacious and house some of Kyoto's finest temples, imperial palaces and gardens. It's the perfect way to introduce children to Japanese traditions without overwhelming them.

Interact with Japanese macaques at Kyoto Monkey Park

If your family loves animals, you can't miss the Monkey Park experience. To get there you must climb Mount Iwata located near the Arashiyama district. Bring sun protection and comfortable sneakers, as you will have to climb for about twenty minutes to reach the monkey enclosure.

This adventure is one of the best things to do in Kyoto and is included in the itineraries of the most popular tours in the city, as it is a traditional Japanese activity. There are around 120 monkeys to feed and admission is around €4.

In Kyoto's districts, you'll find many different kinds of gift and candy shops, which the kids are sure to love.

Here are the main places to go shopping:

• Teramachi area: it is a shopping street where you can buy typical sweets, souvenirs of the city and manga.
• Yellow Submarine: ideal for buying collectible cards.
• Funahashiya Shop: located in Kyoto since 1885, it is ideal to buy souvenirs and taste the typical Japanese rice cake.
• Yojiya: if you are travelling with teenagers, they will probably be eager to buy Japanese make-up. This cosmetic shop has quality products that are very famous on social media.
• Aeon Mall Kyoto Gojo: if you still haven't found the perfect gift, browse this modern building with over 140 shops.

There are many interactive museums in Kyoto, ideal for entertaining children. The city is not only home to iconic temples, but also to learning and fun spaces that are ideal for children.

Stroll through the JR West Railway Museum

Children are curious about the unknown, so the JR West Railway Museum is the perfect place for them to explore the 53 trains on display. It is possible to encounter locomotives, electric trains and railways.

Located in Umekoji Park, you can take tours, look at antique artefacts and see toy train circuits that enthrall the little ones. Formerly the Umekoji Steam Locomotive Museum. Note that it's closed on Wednesdays and general admission is around €8.

Take a tour of the Kyoto International Manga Museum

The Kyoto International Manga Museum is a space that exhibits more than 300,000 manga and comics. Some volumes are available in English, but you can use your phone' s translator to give the kids the full experience.

There is a courtyard where you can share with the family and enjoy outdoor exhibits. There is also a children's library, where manga have illustrations that do not require reading. Other activities include drawing classes and tours of the premises.

Admission is around €6 for adults, while children pay an approximate fee ranging from €1 to €3.

Explore samurai history at the Samurai and Ninja Museum in Kyoto

You can travel back in time and learn about the history of Japanese warriors, samurai and ninja, and the kids are sure to have a great time here. The Kyoto Samurai and Ninja Museum also preserves armour, clothing and other objects from the era.

You can rent costumes to dress up with the kids, there is a variety to choose from, such as swords, ninja or samurai costumes, among others.

Children love new adventures, so I suggest a cruise on the Hozu River to the small port town of Kameoka. Along the way, you'll enjoy unparalleled views, birds, fishing grounds and boats selling snacks.

During the summer, the Hozu River hosts the Habani Festival, a ritual fireworks display, first held in 1733. It's a safe activity, as a professional will explain what to do and children can participate with adult supervision.

Children will probably be curious to see geisha and maiko walking around the city in bright costumes. You can invite them to a cultural experience where they will dress up as authentic Japanese. Keep in mind that during the summer the yukata offers a cooler fabric, while for visiting Kyoto in winter it is better to opt for a kimono.

After touring the city's best temples, your family will probably want to explore another type of environment. I suggest you stop by the Kyoto Aquarium which offers an immersive and educational experience.

There are areas ideal for learning about marine life, as well as touring the home of penguins, salamanders, jellyfish and other aquatic species. There are live animal trainings, whale feeding areas, Japanese food restaurants and souvenir shops.

Each activity is a complete surprise for children, who will be fascinated by the animal-filled tube pools. General admission is around €15 for adults. Children aged 3 and up can also get in for around €5.

The Kyoto Zoo is one of the oldest zoos in Kyoto, operating since 1903, and was restored in 2015 to ensure the safety of its facilities. There are areas with contact animals, where children are allowed to get up close and personal.

It's an attraction that won't take long, and admission for adults is around €5, with children under the age of fifteen free.

At the Kyoto Youth Science Centre there are replicas of dinosaurs, which will capture children's attention.

You can also find fossils, greenhouses and butterfly gardens. There is a youth science hall and a children's science hall, as well as 3D exhibits. Parking is free and admission is around €4.

It is very important for children to feel included in adult activities, so you can book a samurai experience to share with the family. You can book a class to learn the samurai protocols, as well as the movements, the use of the fan and the sword.

If you prefer to enjoy the show as a spectator, there are also local shows that showcase the best of kembu, known to be a samurai sword art.

• Sign up with the kids for hands-on activities such as attending scarf-making classes, painting fans, making Japanese ceramic dishes, playing Japanese drums or making local sweets.
• Book the best food tours- this will depend on how comfortable the children are with trying new dishes.
• Visit Fushimi Inari-Taisha with its colourful gates and pathways offers a fun experience for both adults and children. I recommend scheduling it in the afternoon to avoid the crowds.

• If you are travelling in summer, I suggest you keep your children hydrated to cope with the extreme temperatures of the season.
• There are many tourists most of the year, so be careful in the alleyways, as they run the risk of getting lost in the crowd as they disperse.
• The bullet train makes it easy to travel from one city to another. If you want to get out of Kyoto and visit the surrounding area, it's the best option. You can get there in a matter of minutes, which will keep the kids from getting tired.