For kids who travel or live abroad, it is hard to find a place specialized for them to play. This itinerary will show you some wonderful places where your kids can have fun and make friends.

Children's paradise, Shanghai

Shanghai Discovery Children's Museum (Tel: 021-36060832) which locating at No. 330 Yangqu Road, Zhabei District (by Linfen Road; inside the Zhabei Youth and Children Center) is the first children's museum in China specially designed for children aged 2-10 years old. This nonprofit organization was opened in 2004 by two mothers and aimed its goal for enriching children's lives by providing an exciting and interesting learning environment. Their hands-on, interactive exhibits and educational programs attract both parents and children who are willing to make learning into a fun interactive process. The instructions are all in both English and Chinese and many foreign parents and kids go there.

Walking into the museum, you may find yourself in a Lilliput. Everything in the store, the hospital, the post office, the kitchen and the woodworker area are mini-sized and suitable for children to play with. During the roll play, children will learn general knowledge and experience which are helpful to their lives and studies. You can take public bus No. 04/ 46/ 118/ 749/ 812/ 912 and the admission fee is CNY10.00 per adult and CNY15.00 per child. The opening hour is from 09:00 to 17:00 (colsed on Monday).

Besides, there is a more professional and scientific emphasized museum for 2 - 15 years old children - Shanghai Children's Museum (Tel: 021–62783130) at No. 61 Songyuan Road (by Hongqiao Road), Changning District. Public bus No. 48/ 72/ 73/ 113/ 224/ 506/ 754/ 806/ 814/ 855/ 909/ 911 all have stops there and the business hour is from 08:30 to 17:00 (last ticket sold: 15:45). The admission fee is CNY20.00 and please kindly note the museum is closed on Monday and official holidays.

Amusement park

This museum was founded in 1996 and consists of Foyer, Nautical Hall, Space Hall, Moon Hall, Planetarium, two Information Halls, Interactive Exploration Area, Children's Reading Area and Theme Room. In this museum, children can play and operates many kinds of toys and models, watch the circular-screen movie and make their own souvenirs. The vivid and advanced equipments can inspire children's interests, help them learn and understand the scientific history and knowledge.

If you want to advance your children's physical condition and play some exciting games with them, the Children's Dream Country which is in the East World Trade Center (No. 3999 Hutai Road, BaoShan District) is your best choice. The 30 thousand square meters area makes this playground the biggest children's mall in Shanghai and that 80 percent of it is designed for play. The discovery museum, training camp, game hall and experiencing area can improve children's abilities and skills together with their parents. Besides those, you can buy everything for your kids here and of course these aboratively designed productions are safer and more suitable. You reach it by public bus No. 527/ 702/ 844/ 963, HuNan Line, QiBao Line, ShangLiu Line and BeiLuo Line.

We all wish for our children a healthy and hopeful future, while a happy and meaningful childhood is a good start.