Seoul with kids
Last weekend, the weather was just too good to stay home, so we decided on a spontaneous family outing.
We originally thought about going to the Han River, but it was already a bit late in the day. Instead, we headed toward the National Folk Museum of Korea, right next to Gyeongbokgung Palace.
Honestly, one of the reasons we chose this place was a small “retro street” exhibit inside the museum grounds. My husband was surprisingly excited about it—and it turned out to be more fun than we expected.
A Cute Throwback: The 70s–80s Street
We didn’t plan ahead, so we missed the children’s museum this time.
But the retro street area more than made up for it.
You can’t go inside the buildings, but you can peek through the windows.
They recreated an old Korean neighborhood—complete with a tiny grocery store, classroom, and street scenes.
One detail that made us laugh: snack packaging from back then.
Unlike today’s oversized bags filled mostly with air, the old ones were transparent and actually packed full. It’s such a small thing, but it really shows how different times were.
Inside the Museum: What to Expect
The main exhibition halls were also worth exploring, even with young kids.
- Hall 1: History of Korean Life
Covers daily life from prehistoric times through the Joseon Dynasty.
Great for giving kids a simple sense of “how people lived long ago.” - Hall 2: Everyday Korean Culture
Focuses on food, clothing, and housing.
This one felt the most relatable for kids. - Hall 3: Life Cycle of Koreans
Shows the journey of life—from birth to marriage and beyond.
Slightly more abstract, but still interesting.
There was also a special exhibition about birth and early life, which was unexpectedly engaging from a parent’s perspective.
We even saw small groups of children walking around with a guide, listening and learning together. It made me think—maybe someday my kids will be doing that too.
Parking Tip (Worth Knowing)
Parking in this area can be stressful, especially on weekends.
We tried the parking lot near Gyeongbokgung, and here’s something interesting:
Even if the sign says “full,” it might not actually be full.
If you drive closer, the staff sometimes guide you in if space becomes available.
We almost gave up, but ended up finding a spot there.
Still, it’s a bit of a gamble—so keep that in mind.
Walking Through Samcheong-dong
After the museum, we walked over to Samcheong-dong.
This part of the day was honestly just as enjoyable.
The streets are calm, slightly hilly but manageable, and full of small shops and cafés.
Even our younger child (41 months old) managed to walk the entire route—over 10,000 steps that day.
We made it much easier with comfortable walking shoes and a lightweight backpack for the kids.
We don’t really use strollers anymore, so this kind of route worked well for us.
There were also quite a few tourists around, which made it a fun, slightly different experience for the kids.
A Hidden Find: LEGO Exhibit Near the Library
One of the most unexpected highlights of the day was a small exhibition we stumbled upon near Jeongdok Library.
Right next to it is the Seoul Education Museum, where a small exhibition was being held to commemorate Korea’s 80th Liberation Anniversary.
The display used LEGO to recreate historical moments, and our kids absolutely loved it.
It’s not a large exhibition—maybe 20 to 30 minutes is enough—but it’s a great quick stop, especially with younger children.
Quick info:
- Location: next to Jeongdok Library
- Admission: Free
- Time needed: around 20–30 minutes
- Indoor: good regardless of weather
Final Thoughts
This wasn’t a carefully planned trip, but it turned out to be one of those days that just worked.
If you’re looking for a simple, kid-friendly route in Seoul, this combination is worth considering:
- Museum time (educational but manageable)
- A relaxed neighborhood walk
- A small, fun bonus stop
It’s a nice balance between learning and just enjoying the day.
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