Visiting a museum can be a fun (and weather-proof!) way
to cultivate a love of learning among children – even when
they don’t realise it!
Sue Lynn Tan
shares her top picks.
Madness
M
useums in Hong
Kong do a great job
of making learning
both accessible and
entertaining for kids, and the wide
variety of museums ensures that
there is something for everyone to
do, whether it’s exploring historical
artefacts, building a model ship or
conducting a science experiment.
Ticket prices are a bargain to boot,
starting from just $10 per entry
and $100 for an annual pass with
unlimited access to some of the top
museums across the city. Here are
some of my favourites.
1
Hong Kong Science Museum
This museum is truly all about
kids with hundreds of interactive
exhibitions, exciting science
programmes and demonstrations.
Children will be amazed by the
22-metre-high Energy Machine
which, when set in motion,
demonstrates energy conversion
through a continuous stream of balls
whizzing along the tracks like a roller-
coaster. It will be hard to pull curious
minds away from the Electricity and
Magnetism Gallery with its many
interactive displays, from charging
a train to lighting an electric bulb.
Transportation buffs will fall in love
with the suspended DC-3 aeroplane,
the large treasure ship model, as
well as the cylinder diesel engine
on display. For something more
light-hearted, The World of Mirrors
gives plenty of laughs, with its many
amazing optical effects.
2 Science Museum Road, Tsim Sha
Tsui East, Kowloon. Tel: 2732 3232
2
Hong Kong Museum of History
Situated next to the Science
Museum, this museum tells Hong
Kong’s story through eight exciting
galleries showcasing times such as
prehistoric Hong Kong, the Han to
Qing dynasties and the evolution of
the modern city. Step back through
time exploring rocks and fossils
demonstrating our topography over
the last 400 million years. Kids will
love roaming through the stunning
reproductions of old Hong Kong,
including a quaint tea house, grocery
store and post office. And be sure not
to miss the double-decker tram or
life-sized fishing junk on display! For
those growing appetites, a spacious,
‘old-style’ cafe with decent food is on
hand.
100 Chatham Road South, Tsim
Sha Tsui, Kowloon. Tel: 2724 9042
3
Hong Kong Heritage Museum
Learn about the history, art
and culture of Hong Kong here
with exhibits spanning 7,500 square
metres. Highlights include the
Bruce Lee exhibit for kung-fu fans,
the Cantonese Opera Hall with its
gorgeously reconstructed theatre, and
the Children’s Discovery Gallery.
The Children’s Discovery Gallery has
eight play zones specially designed for
kids from four to 10 years old. Here,
children can explore the make-believe
Mai Po Marshes to learn about
animals, visit a traditional village
house and play olden-times games.
In addition, the Hong Kong Toy
Story exhibition will captivate young
minds with a nostalgic stroll down toy
memory lane.
1 Man Lam Road, Sha Tin, New
Territories. Tel: 2180 8188
4
Hong Kong Museum of
Coastal Defence
Immersed in history, the Museum of
Coastal Defence is housed in the old
Lei Yue Mun Fort which was built in
the 1880s. Situated on a high ridge,
the museum enjoys stunning views
of the harbour and city. Explore the
many outdoor exhibits, such as old
military vehicles, observation posts,
battery sites and an old torpedo
station. Head inside to wander
through the tunnel-like galleries and
pop by the Children’s Corner for
some drawing time and fun photo
opportunities. Special kids’ activities
are held on select Sundays, such as
warship or tank model making.
Museum
May 2016
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