“The happiest place on earth”

This one’s obvious. Disneyland is the prototypical dream family holiday destination. The newest Disneyland opened here four years ago, and holidays in Hong Kong have not been the same since. While relatively compact, the park features the themed attractions found in other Disneyland parks, and its incorporation of Chinese culture makes it uniquely Hong Kong. Seasonal displays and parades are scheduled during major Chinese and western holidays; the park is now celebrating summer with its Disney characters parade, complete with sprays of water to cool you off in the sweltering heat.

Culture clash

If visiting art museums has the children bored and squirmy, reward them with a jaunt to the Space Museum (10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui). One of the city’s most recognisable structures, the large white dome is impossible to miss on the Tsim Sha Tsui harbour front. The family-friendly museum houses a planetarium and interactive, educational exhibits that teach visitors about space science and astronomy. Most impressive, however, is the Space Theatre, which offers screenings of international OmniMAX films inside its enormous hemispherical dome. The theatre reopens this month after extensive refurbishments.

The high ground

The Peak is a must-do tourist destination with panoramic views of the city, shopping, dining and attractions well suited for children and parents alike. The excursion starts with a thrilling ride on the historic Peak Tram from Central. Upon arrival at the Peak Tower, visitors can get up close to the uncannily realistic figures of celebrities such as Johnny Depp, Barack Obama and Bruce Lee at Madame Tussauds wax museum. Video game aficionados will go wild at EA Experience, where over 70 gaming stations are set up including car simulators and virtual sports stadiums. Bubba Gump restaurant, themed after Forrest Gump, is fun for fans of the film, and the food’s not bad either.

Surf and sand

A lazy day at the beach is a summer classic. Many Hong Kong beaches are well equipped with shower and changing facilities, as well as lifeguards, shark nets and snack kiosks. Hitting the sands on weekdays is even better, as there are fewer crowds. One great place to spend a few hours is Shek O, a quiet village that has a beautiful beach and several restaurants right beside the sand. To get there, take bus 9 from Shau Kei Wan MTR station or bus 309 from Exchange Square. A more far-flung but still accessible destination is Lantau Island’s Silvermine Bay Beach, which is surrounded by ancient temples and seaside eateries. Catch the ferry from Central Pier 6 to Mui Wo; the beach is steps away.

Chill out

Spa-going might be thought of as a strictly adult activity, but children can get in on the pampering too with treatments specially designed for the underage. One such indulgence can be found at the InterContinental Hotel’s I-Spa (18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui). The 45-minute session called “Chun, Pure Bliss for Children” is a gentle full body massage with lemongrass and orange oils that takes place in one of the spa’s lovely outdoor pool cabanas. It is supposed to improve sleep quality and strengthen the immune system, but early-onset spa addiction is one possible side effect. Reservations: 2313 2351

One-stop shopping

Small children generally don’t like shopping, but a trip to Harbour City (3–27 Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui) might help keep the whole family happy. The massive shopping complex succeeds in being everything to everybody with a huge selection of designer fashion, sportswear, electronics and toys housed under one roof. The ground floor of the mall's Ocean Terminal section is zoned for children’s clothes and toys, including some big-name designer shops for miniature fashionistas such as Armani Junior, DKNY Kids and D&G Junior. If clothes shopping is still not your kids’ idea of a good time, Toys’R’Us next door might fit the bill.

July is the month of kid-friendly events in the city, from the colourful International Arts Carnival performances to the annual favourite Hong Kong Book Fair.