Why Tokyo Is an Amazing City for Families
Tokyo looks huge and intense at first glance—but underneath the neon and skyscrapers, it’s a seriously kid-friendly city.
You’ve got:
- World-famous theme parks
- Hands-on science museums
- Quirky, only-in-Japan attractions
- Beautiful parks, shrines, and free viewpoints
Travel writers and family bloggers consistently rank Tokyo as one of the top family destinations in the world, thanks to its safety, public transport, and sheer variety of activities for all ages.
In this guide, we’ll walk through 25 fun things to do with kids in Tokyo, grouped so you can mix and match:
- Big-ticket days out
- Rainy-day indoor fun
- Free/low-cost adventures
- Ideas for toddlers, school-age kids, and tweens/teens
Big-Deal Bucket List Experiences for Kids in Tokyo
These are the “WOW” days—the ones your kids will talk about for years.
1. Tokyo Disneyland & DisneySea
Tokyo Disney Resort in nearby Chiba is at the top of almost every “Tokyo with kids” list—and for good reason.
- Tokyo Disneyland brings the classic castle, parades, and character-filled rides.
- Tokyo DisneySea is unique to Japan: ocean themes, more detailed theming, and shows that even adults obsess over.
Parent tip: For younger kids, a single day at Disneyland is usually enough; tweens/teens often love DisneySea more. Book tickets in advance and aim to arrive at opening.
2. Ghibli Museum (Mitaka)
If your kids love My Neighbor Totoro, Spirited Away, Ponyo, or any Studio Ghibli film, this museum is pure magic. It’s a whimsical building with:
- Short original Ghibli animations only shown there
- Play spaces like the Catbus (for younger kids)
- Beautiful details on every wall, window, and staircase
Tickets: must be reserved in advance for a specific entry time—no walk-ins.
3. teamLab Planets (Toyosu)
teamLab Planets is a digital, immersive art museum where you literally walk through rooms filled with light, water, and interactive projections.
Kids love:
- Walking barefoot through knee-deep water with moving koi projections
- Rooms of floating flowers or infinite mirrored lights
- Touch-sensitive installations that react when they move
It’s frequently recommended in family guides as a must-do with kids old enough to walk confidently.
Parent tip: Bring a small towel, and be prepared for shorts/leggings (you’ll wade through water in some rooms).
4. KidZania Tokyo
At KidZania, children work “jobs” in a miniature city: pilot, baker, firefighter, vet, news reporter, and more. They earn kid-currency for their work and can spend it in KidZania shops.
- Best for ages 4–12
- Sessions are pre-booked and often sell out
- Most activities are run in Japanese, but the staff are used to helping foreign kids too
It’s perfect if you want an unforgettable, education-meets-play day.
Classic Tokyo Sights That Kids Actually Enjoy
You still want to see “Tokyo,” not just playgrounds. The good news: many iconic spots are perfect with kids.
5. Tokyo Skytree (with Sumida Aquarium & Solamachi)
Tokyo Skytree is one of the tallest towers in the world and appears on almost every Tokyo family itinerary.
A kid-friendly Skytree visit can include:
- Observation deck with glass-floor panels
- Sumida Aquarium in the same complex (jellyfish, penguins, and beautifully designed tanks)
- Tokyo Solamachi mall with toy shops, character goods, and casual dining
6. Tokyo Tower
Tokyo Tower is the classic red tower many parents remember from manga and anime. Family travel blogs often suggest visiting either Tokyo Tower or Skytree (or both) with kids. Kids enjoy:
- Riding the elevator up
- Looking for famous landmarks from the observation deck
- Seasonal events (illumination, character collabs)
7. Asakusa & Senso-ji
Asakusa combines culture and kid-pleasing fun:
- Senso-ji Temple with its giant lantern
- Nakamise shopping street for snacks and souvenirs
- Optional rickshaw rides that kids find thrilling
Many “Tokyo with kids” itineraries use Asakusa as a launch point, especially when combined with a river cruise or Skytree visit.
8. Shibuya Crossing & Hachiko
Shibuya Crossing is quick but memorable:
- Watch from a cafe window or observation deck
- Cross with the wave of people
- Take a photo at the Hachiko statue
It’s a great short stop before or after dinner if your kids can handle crowds.
Animals, Nature & Outdoor Adventures
Tokyo isn’t just concrete; there’s a surprising amount of green space and animal encounters.
9. Ueno Zoo & Ueno Park
Ueno Park is often recommended as a full-family day:
- Ueno Zoo with its famous giant pandas and over 3,000 animals
- National Museum of Nature and Science (great dinosaur skeletons & hands-on zones)
- Swan boats on Shinobazu Pond
- Wide paths for scooters and strollers
You can do a short morning zoo visit or easily spend an entire day here.
10. Yoyogi Park & Meiji Jingu Shrine
Right next to Harajuku:
- Meiji Jingu offers a peaceful forest walk and big torii gates
- Yoyogi Park has open lawns for picnics, frisbees, or just running around
Several family blogs note this combo as a perfect “escape the city without leaving it” moment.
11. Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
Shinjuku Gyoen shows up on many “best of Tokyo” lists for its:
- Spacious lawns
- Seasonal flowers (cherry blossoms in spring, foliage in autumn)
- Family-friendly walking paths
It’s a great central spot for a calm afternoon, especially with toddlers.
12. Playgrounds: Asukayama Park, Robot Park & More
Tokyo has some truly fun playgrounds:
- Asukayama Park in Oji has long slides, a splash area, and a little museum, often highlighted in free-things-to-do-with-kids lists.
- Robot Park (officially Sakurazaka Park) in Roppongi is known for its unique robot-themed playground equipment.
Perfect for low-key days or when you want to balance museum time with pure play.
Indoor Playgrounds and Rainy-Day Rescues
Rainy season? Super hot summer? These spots save the day.
13. ASOBono! at Tokyo Dome City
ASOBono! is a huge indoor play center with:
- Soft-play zones for toddlers
- Ball pits and climbing structures
- Imaginative play areas
It’s widely recommended as one of Tokyo’s best indoor playgrounds for younger kids.
14. Little Planet, Tondemi & Active/Digital Play Centers
Families in Tokyo rave about newer digital and active indoor spaces, such as:
- Little Planet – projection-mapped sand pits, interactive walls, and AR-style games
- Tondemi – trampoline parks and climbing areas for older kids
These tend to be inside malls, making them easy to pair with lunch and shopping.
15. Unko “Poop” Museum
Yes, there’s a poop museum—and kids love it.
The Unko Museum has bright, silly exhibits built around the theme of poop (all very PG and cartoon-style). It appears frequently in family-friendly attraction lists as a funny, memorable stop, especially for elementary-age kids.
Museums That Don’t Feel Boring for Kids
16. Miraikan – National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation
Located in Odaiba, Miraikan introduces kids to:
- Robotics (including famous humanoid robots)
- Space and earth science
- Interactive exhibits about the future
It’s often mentioned as one of the top educational attractions for families visiting Tokyo.
17. National Museum of Nature and Science (Ueno)
This museum in Ueno Park offers:
- Dinosaur skeletons
- Animal dioramas
- Hands-on science zones
Many family guides suggest pairing it with Ueno Zoo for a full educational day.
18. Police Museum (Ginza) & Other Small Museums
The Tokyo Toy Museum, Fire Museum, Railway Museum (day trip to Saitama) and Police Museum in Ginza frequently appear in “free or cheap things to do with kids” lists:
- Dress-up areas
- Vehicle exhibits
- Hands-on displays
They’re perfect for shorter visits or as fillers between bigger activities.
Odaiba & Toyosu: One-Stop Family Play Zones
19. Odaiba Seafront & Giant Gundam
Odaiba is basically a family playground on the bay:
- Shopping centers with kids’ floors
- Seaside promenade
- A full-size Gundam statue at DiverCity that transforms on a schedule
Several family-travel sites recommend Odaiba as an easy “one-area” day with kids.
20. Joypolis, Legoland Discovery Center & Malls
In Odaiba you’ll also find:
- Tokyo Joypolis (indoor theme park skewed older/tweens)
- Legoland Discovery Center Tokyo for younger Lego fans
You can stack these with simple pleasures like ferris wheel rides, arcade games, and character shops.
21. Combine Odaiba With Toyosu & teamLab Planets
Since Toyosu (teamLab Planets, KidZania, Toyosu Market) is just across the water, many family bloggers suggest doing:
- Morning: teamLab Planets or Toyosu Market walk
- Afternoon: Odaiba mall, Gundam, and seaside park
It’s a high-impact, low-stress day because everything is relatively close together on the Yurikamome line.
Seasonal Fun in Tokyo With Kids
22. Cherry Blossom Picnics (Spring)
In spring, family blogs and guides recommend:
- Ueno Park for classic pink tunnel views
- Shinjuku Gyoen for spacious lawns and stroller-friendly paths
- Sumida Park near Skytree for river + sakura views
Bring a picnic sheet, snacks, and bubbles and you’ve got an easy day out.
23. Water Play & Summer Cool-Down Spots
Tokyo gets hot and humid in summer, but:
- Many parks have splash pads and water play areas
- Some playgrounds (like those highlighted in Tokyo-based family blogs) add seasonal fountains or shallow streams kids can play in
Add in shaved ice (“kakigori”) and you’ve got very happy children.
24. Autumn Leaves and Easy Hikes
Autumn brings:
- Beautiful foliage in Shinjuku Gyoen, Rikugien, and Meiji Jingu Gaien
- Easy family walks slightly outside central Tokyo, which many Kanto-area guides recommend as day trips with kids
25. Winter Illuminations
From November to January, Tokyo glows:
- Illuminations in Shibuya, Marunouchi, Roppongi, Odaiba, and more
- Kid-friendly photo spots and light tunnels
They’re often free, easy to reach by train, and perfect after an early dinner.
Free and Budget-Friendly Things To Do With Kids in Tokyo
Even with theme parks in the mix, you can balance the budget.
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
This Shinjuku landmark has free observation decks with fantastic city views. On clear days you can even see Mt. Fuji.
Shrines, Temples & Street Walks
Places like:
- Senso-ji in Asakusa
- Meiji Jingu in Harajuku
…are free to enter and give kids a taste of Japanese culture—bells, incense, ema wishing plaques, and all.
Neighborhood Adventures
- Ueno + Ameyoko for markets and snacks
- Local shotengai (shopping streets) near your accommodation
- Small local parks and playgrounds (often with unique equipment)
Many parents report that these “small” adventures become their children’s favorite memories.
Sample Half-Day Itineraries for Different Ages
Toddler-Friendly Morning in Ueno
- Morning: Ueno Park playground + zoo
- Early lunch: Family restaurant or bento on a bench
- Optional: Short stroll through the Nature & Science museum dinosaur hall
Short, slow, and stroller-friendly.
Primary-School Kid Day in Odaiba
- Morning: Miraikan science museum
- Lunch: Food court in DiverCity / Aqua City
- Afternoon: Gundam statue + Legoland Discovery Center
Add Joypolis or ferris wheel if they still have energy.
Tween/Teen Anime & Tech Afternoon
- Start at Akihabara: arcades, figure shops, retro games
- Move to Shibuya: crossing, photo spots, youth fashion
- Finish with dinner in Shibuya or Harajuku
Practical Tips for Enjoying Tokyo With Children
Transport Hacks
- Get IC cards (Suica/PASMO) for tap-in, tap-out trains
- Avoid rush hour (7:30–9:30 and 17:00–19:00) with strollers if possible
- Use lockers at major stations to avoid lugging everything around
Food Tips
- Look for family restaurants, food courts, and depachika (department store food basements)
- Convenience stores (konbini) are lifesavers: onigiri, fruit, snacks, milk
Ticket Booking & Reservations
- Ghibli Museum, teamLab Planets, KidZania, and Tokyo Disney all work best with advance reservations or date-specific tickets, as many travel and family guides emphasize.
How tokyoparents.com/ Can Help You Plan Family Days Out
- Ward-by-ward guides (Ueno with kids, Odaiba with kids, Toyosu with kids)
- Printable day plans (one page per age group)
- Checklists for what to pack for Disney, teamLab, or a park picnic
- Review pages where parents rate activities for different ages, stroller-friendliness, and cost
Choose a Few Anchors and Build Your Own “Tokyo With Kids” Story
Tokyo doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
If you pick:
- 1–2 big-ticket days (Disney, Ghibli, teamLab, KidZania)
- A handful of easy city sights (Skytree, Ueno, Odaiba)
- Plus some free parks and neighborhood walks,
…you’ll have a family trip (or weekend routine, if you live here) that feels balanced, memorable, and surprisingly relaxed.
There’s no single “perfect” itinerary—just the version that works for your kids’ energy, interests, and stage of life.
FAQs – About Fun Things To Do in Tokyo With Kids
1. What are the absolute must-do activities in Tokyo with kids?
For most families: Tokyo Disney (or DisneySea), teamLab Planets, Ueno Zoo + park, and either Skytree or Tokyo Tower are the most-mentioned highlights across family travel blogs and guides.
2. Is Tokyo suitable for toddlers, or should we wait until they’re older?
Tokyo works for toddlers too, especially with parks, playgrounds, indoor play centers like ASOBono!, and simple train rides. You’ll just want to plan slower days and pick fewer attractions.
3. Are things like teamLab Planets or Ghibli Museum okay for very young kids?
teamLab Planets is best once kids can walk confidently and handle dark rooms and sensory experiences. Ghibli Museum works well from around age 3+, especially if they’ve seen some of the films.
4. How many “big-ticket” days should we plan for one week in Tokyo?
For a 7-day trip, 2–3 major days (Disney, Ghibli, teamLab, KidZania) is usually plenty. Fill other days with parks, neighborhoods, and smaller attractions so no one burns out.
5. Do we need to speak Japanese to enjoy these activities?
No. Most major attractions are set up for international visitors with English signage or audio. For local playgrounds and smaller museums, basic polite phrases help, but you’ll still manage fine—especially with translation apps and a bit of patience.
