Shanghai’s environment means that sometimes we need to escape indoors. Particularly with the current weather.
A hot summer and sometimes polluted times mean that indoor play areas and activities are a good option to have.
So we have:
Play Areas for Young Kids
Twinkle's flagship store at Shanghai Centre is finally open and it is now bigger and has upgraded play areas including a very popular children’s spa, children’s kitchen zone, supermarket zone, jumping castle connected to the ball-pool zone, and sandpit filled with wood cubes, and factory zone. In addition to the play area, baking room, and fun karaoke stage they will provide fun time for every family.
At the Shanghai Centre, they serve the best food of ALL the play areas. They have an incredible selection of freshly cooked delights. You can see the beautiful open kitchen which is impeccable and the menu is not what you would expect of a kid's club and is certainly premium fine dining!
It is a lovely place for parents to have quality time with their friends and families while kids are having a fun time! During the weekends the Shanghai Centre venue will stay open late so a good choice in the holidays. It has the excellent baby changing facilities so the best choice for children under three and activities for ages up to 5.
Get your early bird ticket starting at 95RMB which is half price between 8:00a.m - 10:00a.m. The normal price is 188RMB or 218RMB on weekends.
Addresses:
1. Xintiandi Store- 2nd floor 150 Hubin Road
2. Pudong Century Link Store-3rd floor 023 Century Link Mall, 1192 Century Avenue 3. Gubei L』Avenue Store-2nd floor L211, 99 Xianxia Road 4. Grand Gateway 66 Store-3rd floor, 1 Hongqiao Road
5. Shanghai Center Flagship Store-1376 West Nanjing Road
This newly opened play space on Jiangning Road replaces the Changde Road location and will definitely entertain your youngest. Spread over two floors, this huge, magical place has all kinds of different play zones including a Lego area, play kitchen, princess area and a supermarket, not to mention the classic ball pit and lots of slides and toys for toddler fun. Also very conveniently it is beneath Cages the renowned expat sports bar.
PRO TIP: It is possible to have multiple entries (don't lose your ticket) through the course of the day, so at the Jing'An branch you could visit CAGES for a burger for an alternative snack.
If you are situated in Gubei then why not check out the Tianshan Road branch which is equally vast and only opened last year. They have a wide range of dining options, great coffee and fresh juices. Mini Mars cater to all age groups and now have baby zone for children under 24 months of age and an expansive play area for 2-8 year olds.
It is the best play option around and it is an enormous space - with multiple floors at the Tianshan branch to explore. The only problem is your child will want to come back as it is a young child's paradise. The only challenge you face is how to pass three hours in their coffee shop.
Addresses: 1. Jing'an store - 1st floor, Jing'an Sports Center, 428 Jiangning Lu 2. Changning store - 1900 Tianshan Road; Price: 248 RMB 1* day pass (1 kid + 1 adult)
Balloon Island is a unique, bilingual kids club. They believe that playing with a purpose is educational, and with a giant Volcano and a Louvre Pyramid. Each play centre has it's own individual theme.
They have the creative design to facilitate this vision. They have multiple venues around Shanghai and it is cutting-edge design that makes it a good choice. The enormous volcano is perfect for parent afternoon nap in the midday heat as well as perfect for exploration and a rambunctious toddler.
(Find Volcano Island next to Shimao Riviera Garden Weifang Rd)
Volcano Island: 680 Pucheng Road (Pudong)
Addresses:Volcano Island: 680 Pucheng Road (Pudong), Oasis Island 480 Jinkang Road, Forest Island 3F Qibao Vanke Mall 3366 Caobao road, Castle Island: 3F Raffle City, Zhongshan Park ChangNing
Step into the world of Peppa Pig at this fantastic indoor play attraction designed specifically for pre-schoolers. At 1100 square metres with ten themed play areas your little ones may never want to leave. It is situated in the Pudong New Area but is well worth the adventure.
Each area features a main character from the cartoon and allows children to play out their favourite stories. Explore Grandad Dog’s garage, ride your trikes and visit Danny Dog at the car wash! Help Zoe Zebra deliver letters and packages. And join Peppa and George to have fun in their Treehouse.
Peppa Pig World of Play Summer British Picnic Experience
Until August 31st , PPWOPis collaborating with British Consulate-General Shanghai to learn more about the British Picnics. Participants will get the chance to meet the official Peppa Pig in her world and have the immersive British picnic experience. New incredible themed toys and amazing British style picnic games are prepared to bring a unique and family fun day out. You can even pose for a portrait with some exciting picnic utensils.
A weekday annual pass is now available for the summer. Come and enjoy the picnic and laugh, learn and play with Peppa Pig!
Time: Until August 31st
Address: 3rd floor, LCM Plaza, 2389 Zhangyang Road: Ticket: Purchase at the venue or follow their official WeChat account PPWOPSH to get more info.
There are several branches of E Cube Club around the city. They are all great fun for kids ages 2 to 7 or 8.
In Changning at The Place, E Cube is themed with My Little Pony, Transformers, Play Doh and Nerf.
In Jing』an (almost approaching Putuo), it’s a wide open space with lots to do, such as little cars and moving animal toys to ride on.
In Hongqiao at The Hub, it’s a large space with a variety of climbing and playing. Entrance is around 120 RMB per time if you buy 10 entrances at once. E Cubes are all in malls which have lots of food options.
Addresses:
Level 3, The Place, 100 Zunyi Road, Changning
Level 2, Yueda Mall, 889 Yuyao Road (near Changning Road), Jing』an
A little more expensive at over 200 RMB per child, this play area will please kids up to around 9 or 10, so it’s a little more versatile, and of coure any kids that love basketball will love it.
They sell snacks inside, but the Hubindao Mall has excellent food in the basement floor areas.
Address:
Level 2, Hubindao Mall, 150 Hubin Road, Luwan, www.nbaplayzone.com
This is a much smaller play area, but useful if you are on or near Huaihai Rd. It’s in Times Square (near K11), costs 100 RMB and is suitable for ages 2 to 5. You get one free fresh fruit juice and can play for as long as you like, despite the name.
Address:
Level 5, Times Square, Huahai Road, Luwan
A relatively recent addition to Shanghai, these are good climbing places for ages 7 to around 10. It costs from 150 RMB per child, and they climb all the way around (harnessed at all times) takes about 15 minutes or so.
They can go round again to get your money’s worth, while you wouldn’t really want to keep going back there to do the same thing next time.
But it’s good fun for the age group as a nice addition to a mall trip.
Address:
The Place, 100 Zunyi Road, Changning
Arch Walk Mall, Maotai Road, Changning
Gets very busy on public holidays, but otherwise it’s a nice visit. Not very big, but worth a try.
As you can imagine, there are plenty of places for kids to build all themes and types of Lego possible. It’s good for ages 3 upwards, as we all love to play a bit of Lego.
Tickets start from 150 RMB, cheaper if you combine them with a pass to Madame Tussauds and Changfeng Ocean Aquarium.
Website: www.legolanddiscoverycenter.cn
A small but decent visit. Though not big, kids will always love an aquarium. The highlight of this one is the huge glass walls wherein you can gawp at lots of sea creatures.
After the main aquarium, you walk along to the Beluga whale show, hoping to be lucky enough to be picked to touch the whales too. Just raise your hand and make your best cheesy white grin.
Entrance starts at 80 RMB.
As with all such places – don’t go on public holidays, try to find an off day to visit.
Address: Changfeng Park, 451 Daduhe Road; Open 9am-5:30pm; 400 0988 966
Good for ages 8 upwards, and adults – so don’t go in the evening with kids. But, they do have kids』 sized karts, so it’s good for free weekdays or weekend mornings, and great for teenagers activity in Shanghai.
Address: In Changfeng Park (you can enter the park from all sides and see the brown signs for Disc Karting), www.kartingchina.com
This place has been around for a long time, but has mixed reviews. Nonetheless — it's laser tag. Kids of all ages and all good adults love laser tag.
Contact them via their websitr from group and individual prices.
Address: B2 of World Plaza, Pudong South Rd, near Lujiazui, www.bigecn.com
This is in Global Harbor mall, the huge mall at 3300 North Zhongshan Rd near Jinshajiang Rd.
An arcade world by Sega – so it’s good for ages 7 and up for hours of screaming eletronic arcade play.
As well as everything virtual and 3D, there are also bumper cars, a Haunted House, and a smaller indoor roller coaster. Entrance is a little price-y at 250 RMB upwards, but it's a good one-off treat.
Address: 3300 Zhongshan Bei Road next to JinshajiangRd
Good for an hour and for ages 10 and up (good for fun for teenagers in Shanghai), and costing around 100 RMB each, you can try several different VR experiences here. Not good for younger kids.
Address: 457 Jumen Rd near Runan Rd
All Star Skating club used to be called Century Skating. It’s basically the same – a very professional ice skating rink in Shanghai, in a basement floor of the Mercedes-Benz Arena. Prices range from 60-80 RMB.
It’s great for kids ages 6 all the way to teens, and you can pay around 150 RMB per lesson for a set of 10 professional ice skating lessons. Contact for details.
Website: www.mercedes-benzarena.com
Looking for a fun outlet for your child to release their energy? Jump 360 has 3000 square metres to do just that with an enormous trampoline zone good for ages 5 to adults. They have three branches, in Gubei, Baoshan and Minhang. The Minhang venue on Jidi road is a truly huge place, good for all the family to jump around, as well as having dodgeball, climbing and many other special fun zones. They also do kids birthday and kids party planning and deals.
Address:
Gubei (AR Games): 4th Floor, Shanghai Expo, Xingyi Road 021 80198834; Minhang (Speciality Crazy Carts; 1408 Jidi Lu (behind the BYD car dealership), www.jump360.com
99 Xing Yi Road Bookings: 021 6173 8150; Baoshan (Zip Lines): B5-1 Elite Valley, 258 ChangJiang Road. 021 6116 0151