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HONG KONG SCIENCE MUSEUM FOR KIDS – ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW

INSIDE: Roam the Gnome’s Guide to Hong Kong Science Museum with Kids. 

On our very first day in Hong Kong, the morning of our arrival, we had big plans but I’d underestimated the power of ‘jet lag’ this trip.

It gave me serious BRAIN FUZZ, that not even lots of hot milky tea or food could help. 

We needed to take it slow, so our plans changed.

We headed to the Children’s Gallery at Hong Kong Science Museum, as I knew it would be a good diversion for the kids to keep them busy and engaged with hands-on activities while my brain recovered. 

Take a look. 

Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking on one of these links, we may receive a small commission at NO extra cost to you. Main image credit: Karendotcom127  via Flickr CC BY-2.0

hong kong for kids science museum signs

Hong Kong Science Museum Exhibition

Thankfully, my darling friend Tania, a close high school buddy, was our chaperone and guide around Hong Kong this day, and somehow managed to lead us to our destination, the Hong Kong Science Museum.  

It wasn’t easy for us to find, but perhaps that’s because we came via way of ferry, on route via a sidetrack to a cool Hong Kong playground we found nearby

You’d think the Hong Kong Science Musem would be, given it is on every tourist map, and in all the guide books, and is even sign-posted by these pink signs.

But even with a local expat in tow, we did go round and round in circles for some time.

I’m not sure I ever would have found it with my brain the way it was that day!

But we were so glad we did.

hong-kong-science-museum-childrens-gallery

Hong Kong Science Museum Children’s Gallery!

The Science Museum is definitely on our “Hong Kong for families” list.

There’s over 500 exhibitions over four floors.

AND more than 3/4 of these are hands-on, AND super-dooper kid friendly.  

My boys LOVED the Children’s Gallery.

It’s on the top floor, the 3rd level.

We suggest heading right up to the top level first, and working your way down.

Level 3 is where the kids will want to spend most of their time, especially if they are between 3 and 10 years old. 

Building Work Site at cite des enfants paris

Big Kids Work Site at Science Museum in Hong Kong

At the Big Kids’ Work Site, created in conjunction with Cites des Science museum in Paris, children can learn about the process of building a house and are encouraged to cooperate together to help develop their social skills.

In the Build Your Own Coaster activity, children work together to make a coaster and learn about the scientific principles behind it.

The Cloud Ring produces surprising cloud rings, with the aim of stimulating children’s curiosity and their interest in science.

The Time Tower and Hidden Animals exhibits help develop the children’s observation skills and enhance their concept of space.

Take a sneak peek here.

hong kong science museum magic ball game pic

Magic Ball

Ned and Jack were mesmerised by the Magic Ball, a ping pong ball that they could send on a round-about journey forced by wind flow!

hong kong for kids bubble fun

Bubble Hoops

They rolled cone-shaped wheels down the train track, and explored how and why trains don’t derail.

They discovered a gigantic lava lamp and watched the liquid bubbles as they raced towards the top, but once Ned found the bubble hoops, that was it.

Making king-sized bubbles with new-found friends – well, no wonder he didn’t want to leave.

 As fun as this was to watch, it was also a great laugh to try.

Beware: Bubble making is slippery. Watch out for the slip ups.  

Or should that be ‘slip downs‘?  

Hot tip: Keep an eye on those toddlers.

If you have trouble maintaining your balance on slippery surfaces, imagine how they go!  

Without a doubt, the Bubble Making station is comical and entertaining for all are watching.

Once you find a way out of the Children’s Gallery (Warning: it might take some time), you can explore the rest of the museum.

buttons to press at hong kong science museum pic

3rd Floor:  The Energy Efficiency Centre

Also on the same floor.

While this exhibition is all about saving energy, I’m not sure my kids understood that.

But they were excited to ‘drive’ a car, and press a few buttons on the different displays.

energy machine at hong kong science center

Image credit: Jennifer Tharp via Flickr CC BY-2.0  2/22/16 

2nd Floor: Hong Kong Science Museum Energy Machine

Find a spot somewhere in the middle, near the escalators, and watch this feat of engineering roll out.

“Shows”, for want of a better word, start at 11:00 am, 1:00 pm, 3:00 pm and 5:00 pm.

The kids will be held spellbound by all the balls:

  • moving
  • jangling
  • dinging
  • twinging
  • rattling
  • pinging, and
  • rolling.  

The balls hit the drums, sound the chimes, strike the Gong, play the xylophone and ring the bells.

It’s a musical symphony for your ears AND eyes.

With thanks to the HK Science Museum buffs.

  • This exhibit demonstrates energy conversion through the movement of balls down the towers.
  • When set in motion, a continuous stream of balls will roll along tracks within and between the two towers like a roller coaster, producing dramatic sounds and visual effects.
  • Each synthetic fibre ball has a diameter of 19 cm and weighs 2.3 kg.
  • The total length of tracks is more than 1.6 kilometres.
  • It takes about 1.5 minutes for a ball to travel from Tower A along the longest route before returning to the starting point.

hong kong science museum games pic 

2nd Floor: More Science Museum Hong Kong Attractions

The 2nd floor also has a number of zoned areas:  

Food Science

The kids will want to ride the bike that shows how fuel is burned.

Home Technology

Shows how common home appliances such as air conditioners, refrigerators and dehumidifiers are made, as well as basic safety for operation.   

Kids can explode the inner parts of a Gas Meter, a Electric Meter or a Water Meter.

Telecommunications Gallery

The kids will want to call you on the ‘switchboard’ and ‘be on TV’

Prototype Zone

Filled with hands-on games and activities.

As well as all of this, there’s a whopping big aeroplane suspended from the ceiling!

electricity and magnetism gallery pic 800

1st Floor:  Electricity and Magnetism Gallery

 Ned found this section fascinating – bright, and colourful, and interactive.

There was an electricity plug to pull, electricity conducting experiments and magnetic motors to spin.  

But the rest of this level?

Skip it.

OH&S (Occupational Health and Safety) is a necessary, but BORING, subject and no amount of enthusiasm from museum staff tasked with creating a gallery about it can find ways to jazz it up. 

ground floor at the science museum hong kong

Ground Floor: Dinosaur Gallery at the Science Museum HK

 This floor was our second favourite spot after the Children’s Gallery.

brains on the ground floor in the biodiversity gallery at HK science museum

Biodiversity Gallery 

There’s dinosaurs, and BRAINS.  

What’s a boy not to love?

world of mirrors at science museum HK

World of Mirrors

Roam the Gnome and I (with a sleeping Jack in tow) had a giggle in the World of Mirrors.

What is it about magic morphing mirrors that makes me laugh myself silly at these reflections?  

Oh, it’s oh-so funny to be as short as an elf, as tall as a long-necked giraffe, and as plump as Mrs WashaLot, with a BIG BUM to boot.
 
There’s:

  • Light experiments (shadows, colour projections on the walls – fun for the kids)
  • A whole room of Mathematics challenges – more than 30 brain teasers and puzzles (good for children 7 and above), and
  • Sound and Motion experiments too. (Fancy lying on a bed of nails?  Here’s your chance.)

There’s often special exhibitions housed on this floor.

Check the website to see the current exhibition details. 

800px-Hong_Kong_Science_Museum,_Gift_Shop_and_Bookshop_(Hong_Kong)

Image credit: Mk2010 via Wikimedia CC BY-3.0 

Hong Kong Science Museum Souvenirs

There’s a Museum Shop located in the main lobby with lots of interesting gifts, souvenirs, books and publications including:

  • Science Museum postcards
  • HK Science Museum mascot keychains
  • Aerospace notepads
  • Color changing mugs
  • Stationery including pencil tops, magnets
  • Toys including sticker boards
  • Tshirts 
  • Coasters

hong kong for families resting

What to eat at the Science Museum in Hong Kong

Food and drink is NOT ALLOWED in the Science Museum except in the Sitting Out Area.

BYO snacks and drinks and plan for a brief interlude there at some point. 

We strongly suggest that the best way to keep everyone happy for longer is to eat a big morning tea or lunch BEFORE YOU ENTER. 

That will give you breathing room to get through most of the fun activities up top before a snack break beckons. 

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Image credit: WiNG via Wikimedia CC BY-3.0 

THE INSIDE SCOOP: Hong Kong Museum of Science

Correct at time of publication on Roam the Gnome. Please check with venue for updates. We apologise in advance if there have been any changes we are unaware of. All prices in HKdollars, unless otherwise stated

Hong Kong Science Museum Address: 2 Science Museum Road Hong Kong (Tsim Sha Tsui East, Kowloon)
Telephone:  2732 3232 
Website:  Click here
Email: [email protected]

PIN hong kong science museum 800

Hong Kong Science Museum Opening Hours:

  • Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays: 10am – 7pm
  • Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays: 10am – 9pm
  • Christmas Eve and Chinese New Year’s Eve: 10am – 5pm

Closure of Hong Kong Science Museum
Thursdays (except public holidays), and the first two days of the Chinese New Year

Hong Kong Science Museum Entrance Fee

The Hong Kong science museum ticket price is:

  • $20 HK for an adult ($US 2.50 / $AUD 4.50 approx)
  • $10 HK for kids ($US 1.30 / $AUD 2.30 )
  • Children under 4 years old are FREE when accompanied by an adult with a ticket
  • Free admission for full-time students 

It’s a bargain.

We’re not going to squabble or even try to find a discount at that price.

Our best budget friendly tip?  Entrance is FREE on Wednesdays.

800px-Science_Museum_Road_near_Cheong_Wan_Road_(Hong_Kong)

Image credit: Mk2010 via Wikimedia CC BY-4.0 

How to get to Hong Kong Science Museum

By MTR:

  • Around 18-minute walk along Cameron Road from B2 Exit of Tsim Sha Tsui Station towards the direction of Tsim Sha Tsui East.
  • Around 20-minute walk along Austin Road from D Exit of Jordan Station towards the direction of Tsim Sha Tsui East.
  • Around 15-minute walk along the footbridge from Hung Hom MTR Station towards the direction of Tsim Sha Tsui East.

By Bus/Mini-bus:

  • Buses that stop outside by the Museum are KMB Nos. 5, 5C, 8, 8A, 13X, 26, 28, 35A, 41A, 81C, 87D, 98D, 110, 208, 215X, 219X, 224X, 269B, 260X and Citybus No. A21
  • Tsim Sha Tsui (East) Bus Terminus: KMB Nos. 13X, 26, 35A, 41A, 98D, 208 and Citybus No. 973
  • Mini-bus Terminus: 7 and 8

By Car:

From the New Territories through Lion Rock Tunnel (Southward):

  • Take Waterloo Road to Princess Margaret Road to Chatham Road South to Granville Road to arrive at Hong Kong Science Museum

From the New Territories through Tate’s Cairn Tunnel (South-Westward):

  • Take Prince Edward Road East to Ma Tau Chung Road to Ma Tau Wai Road to Chatham Road North to Chatham Road South to Granville Road to arrive at Hong Kong Science Museum

From Hong Kong Island through Cross Harbour Tunnel (Northward):

  • Hong Chong Road, then follow Tsim Sha Tsui road sign to Chatham Road South to Granville Road to arrive at Hong Kong Science Museum

From Kowloon East through Airport Tunnel (Westward):

  • East Kowloon Corridor to Chatham Road North to Chatham Road South to Granville Road to arrive at Hong Kong Science Museum

From Kowloon West (Eastward):

  • Ferry Street to Gascoigne Road to Chatham Road North and follow Hung Hom road sign through Wuhu Street Tunnel to Gillies Avenue South to Wuhu Street to Chatham Road North then Chatham Road South to Granville Road to arrive at Hong Kong Science Museum

Hong Kong Science Museum Parking: Click here for the closest parking to Hong Kong Science Museum

Map of HK Science Museum

Toadstool Rating: Hong Kong Science Museum Review

If you’ve nothing much else to do, a visit to the Hong Kong Science Museum will be moderately fun for the kids.

We’ve been to lots and lots of museums, science museums, and dedicated “children’s museums” around the world – this one doesn’t rate compared to lots of others.

But without the comparisons, it’s definitely a fun spot for a few hours of hands-on activities for the kids and families in Hong Kong.
hong kong science museum REVIEW

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