11 Family-Friendly Things to Do in Hanoi With Kids

Looking for family activities in Hanoi that go beyond the usual temples and museums? Hanoi is one of Southeast Asia’s most family-friendly cities — packed with hands-on experiences, green spaces, cultural performances, and creative workshops that kids (and parents) genuinely enjoy. This guide covers the best things to do in Hanoi with kids in 2026, from water puppet shows to perfume-making at NOTE – The Scent Lab (Lotte Mall Tây Hồ, ★4.9) where the whole family creates something together. This family activities Hanoi guide covers everything you need to know.

Whether your children are 5 or 15, Hanoi offers a mix of active, educational, and genuinely fun experiences that don’t require long travel times between stops. Most of the activities below are clustered in walkable areas or inside family-friendly malls — so you can fit several into a single day without meltdowns in the back of a Grab car.

1. Create Your Own Perfume Together at NOTE – The Scent Lab

This is one of those activities that sounds niche but turns out to be a family highlight. At NOTE – The Scent Lab inside Lotte Mall Tay Ho, each family member creates their own perfume from scratch — choosing from 30+ ingredients, blending drop by drop, and naming their creation. The 90-minute workshop accepts kids aged 8 and up (with a parent), and the workshop instructors are trained to work with younger participants.

What makes it work for families: everyone does the same activity but creates something completely different. Parents and kids discover each other’s scent preferences — which often leads to surprising conversations. (“You like smoky woods? Since when?”) The result is a set of personalized perfumes that become genuine keepsakes from the trip.

The Lotte Mall studio is different from our Saigon space — sleek white counters instead of exposed brick, the hum of the mall outside instead of motorbikes. But the bottles are the same, and so is the quiet that falls when someone starts blending.

“I attended with my two kids and she made sure they felt included.”

“I participated with my mother — a very meaningful time with people who participated together.”

Details:

• Location: Store 410, 2nd Floor, Lotte Mall Tay Ho, 272 Vo Chi Cong, Tay Ho, Hanoi
• Duration: 90 minutes
• Ages: 8+ (with parent). Younger kids can watch and help with naming/labeling.
• Rating: 4.9 stars from 500+ reviews
• What you take home: Each person’s custom perfume bottle + formula saved for reordering

Book a Family Workshop Session

2. Watch a Water Puppet Show at Thang Long Theatre

Water puppetry is a uniquely Vietnamese art form that originated in the rice paddies of the Red River Delta over 1,000 years ago. The Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre near Hoan Kiem Lake runs multiple daily shows, each lasting about 50 minutes. Wooden puppets dance, fight, and tell stories across a pool of water, accompanied by live traditional music.

Kids are mesmerized — the splashing water, the dragon that breathes actual fire, the humor that transcends language barriers. It’s short enough to hold attention spans and cultural enough that parents feel good about it. Book tickets in advance during peak season (October-March) as shows sell out.

Details:

• Location: 57B Dinh Tien Hoang, Hoan Kiem District
• Duration: 50 minutes
• Shows: Multiple daily (check schedule at thanglongwaterpuppet.com)
• Best for ages: 3+

3. Explore Lotte Mall Tay Ho — A Full Day Under One Roof

If you’re staying in the Tay Ho (West Lake) area, Lotte Mall Tay Ho is a family activity hub in itself. Beyond the perfume workshop at NOTE – The Scent Lab (2nd floor), the mall offers:

• Lotte Cinema — international films, including kids’ movies with English audio
• Indoor playground and game zone — arcade games, claw machines, soft play areas
• Food court with diverse options — Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese, Western — something for every picky eater
• Lotte Mart supermarket — great for picking up Vietnamese snacks and treats as souvenirs
• Observation area — views over West Lake and the Red River

The mall is air-conditioned (a lifesaver in Hanoi’s summer humidity), has clean restrooms, and is easy to navigate with strollers. Many families spend half a day here — workshop in the morning, lunch, then a movie or playground time.

4. Cycle Around West Lake (Ho Tay)

West Lake is Hanoi’s largest lake — a 17km loop that’s perfect for a family cycling adventure. Several shops along Thanh Nien Road and Lac Long Quan rent bicycles, including child-sized bikes and tandem options. The path is mostly flat and separated from heavy traffic on the quieter northern stretches.

Along the way, stop at:

• Tran Quoc Pagoda — one of Vietnam’s oldest pagodas, sitting on a small peninsula
• Quang Ba Flower Market (early morning) — a riot of colors and scents
• Lakeside cafes — grab a smoothie or coconut water and watch the sunset

For younger children or shorter rides, the 4km stretch along Thanh Nien Road (between Truc Bach Lake and West Lake) is the most scenic and manageable.

5. Vietnam Museum of Ethnology

This is the museum that changes kids’ minds about museums. The Vietnam Museum of Ethnology in Cau Giay District dedicates most of its space to outdoor exhibits — full-scale traditional houses from Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups that kids can walk through, climb around, and explore.

Inside, interactive displays explain Vietnamese culture through clothing, tools, music instruments, and daily life objects. The museum also hosts weekend craft workshops (check their schedule) where kids can try traditional weaving, mask painting, or clay modeling.

Details:

• Location: Nguyen Van Huyen, Cau Giay District
• Hours: 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM (closed Mondays)
• Duration: 2-3 hours
• Best for ages: 5+

6. Take a Family Cooking Class

Hanoi is one of the world’s great food cities, and a cooking class turns eating into an active experience. Several operators run family-friendly sessions that include a market visit (kids love the chaos of Dong Xuan or a local wet market), followed by hands-on cooking of 3-4 Vietnamese dishes — typically spring rolls, pho, and a stir-fry.

Look for classes that:

• Offer child-appropriate tasks (rolling spring rolls, mixing sauces — not handling hot oil)
• Include the market tour (the shopping is half the fun)
• Have small group sizes (6-10 people max)
• Provide recipe cards to take home so you can recreate dishes together

Most cooking classes run 3-4 hours and include eating everything you make — which doubles as lunch.

7. Walk Around Hoan Kiem Lake and the Old Quarter

The heart of Hanoi is surprisingly walkable with kids. Hoan Kiem Lake is compact, shaded, and car-free on weekends (Friday evening through Sunday). The walking streets around the lake fill with local families, street performers, and vendors selling balloons and toys.

Kid-friendly highlights in the Old Quarter:

• Weekend night market (Hang Dao Street, Friday-Sunday evenings) — handicrafts, toys, and street food
• Dong Xuan Market — Hanoi’s largest indoor market, chaotic and fascinating
• Train Street — watch (from a safe distance) as trains squeeze through a narrow residential alley (check current access rules, as regulations change)
• Ice cream at Kem Trang Tien — a Hanoi institution since 1958

8. Hanoi Botanical Garden (Bach Thao Park)

Bach Thao Park (Hanoi Botanical Garden) is a 10-hectare green space near the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum area. It’s one of the few places in central Hanoi where kids can run freely on grass, climb on structures, and burn off energy without worrying about traffic.

The park has old-growth trees that provide heavy shade (essential in summer), a small lake, and paths perfect for toddler-pace strolling. There’s often a small funfair with rides for younger children. Combine it with a visit to the nearby Ho Chi Minh Museum — older kids find the story of Vietnam’s independence compelling.

9. Trang An or Tam Coc Day Trip (Ninh Binh)

If you have a full day to spare, the boat rides through Trang An or Tam Coc in Ninh Binh province (2 hours south of Hanoi) are unforgettable for families. You glide through limestone karst landscapes in a small rowboat, passing through caves and past ancient temples.

The boat ride is calm and gentle — suitable even for young children. The scenery is otherworldly and genuinely awe-inspiring. Many families say it’s the single most memorable day of their Vietnam trip.

Logistics:

• Distance: ~90 km south of Hanoi (2-2.5 hours by car)
• Duration: Full day trip
• Best for ages: 3+ (life jackets provided)
• Tip: Trang An is slightly more organized than Tam Coc, with fixed routes and prices — better for families

10. Vietnam National Museum of Nature

Located in Cau Giay District, this museum focuses on natural history — dinosaur skeletons, geological specimens, and exhibits about Vietnam’s diverse ecosystems. It’s less crowded than the Ethnology Museum and has enough hands-on elements to keep kids engaged for 1-2 hours.

Combine it with the nearby Ethnology Museum for a full museum morning.

11. Pottery Village Day Trip (Bat Trang)

Bat Trang Pottery Village is a 30-minute drive from central Hanoi and offers hands-on pottery experiences perfect for families. Kids sit at a pottery wheel and shape their own bowl, cup, or vase with guidance from local artisans. The village has been producing ceramics for over 700 years.

Most workshops take 1-2 hours and include painting your creation. Finished pieces can be fired and shipped, or you can take home air-dried pieces as souvenirs. The village market also sells beautiful ceramics at factory prices.

Planning Your Family Days in Hanoi

Here are three sample itineraries based on your family’s style:

Active Adventure Day

Morning: Cycle West Lake (2 hours) → Lunch at a lakeside restaurant → Afternoon: Perfume workshop at NOTE – The Scent Lab in Lotte Mall (90 min) → Evening: Walking streets around Hoan Kiem Lake

Culture and Creativity Day

Morning: Vietnam Museum of Ethnology (2 hours) → Lunch: Old Quarter → Afternoon: Water puppet show (50 min) → Evening: Night market on Hang Dao Street

Rainy Day Plan

Lotte Mall Tay Ho full day: Perfume workshop at NOTE – The Scent Lab (90 min) → Lunch at food court → Movie at Lotte Cinema → Playground and arcade → Snack shopping at Lotte Mart

Practical Tips for Families in Hanoi

• Traffic: Hanoi’s traffic is intense. Use Grab (ride-hailing) rather than attempting to cross major roads with young children. Many drivers have child car seats if you request in advance.
• Weather: Hanoi has four seasons. Summer (June-August) is hot and humid — plan indoor activities during midday. Winter (December-February) can be surprisingly cold and damp — bring layers.
• Food: Vietnamese food is generally mild enough for kids. Pho (noodle soup), banh mi (baguette sandwiches), and spring rolls are reliable hits. Most restaurants can adjust spice levels on request.
• Strollers: Sidewalks are often cluttered with motorbikes and vendors. A lightweight carrier or compact stroller works better than a full-size one.
• Timing: Start activities early (8-9 AM) to avoid heat and crowds. The hour before sunset (4:30-5:30 PM) is also a sweet spot.
• Booking: Pre-book workshops, cooking classes, and puppet show tickets online — especially during peak tourist season (October-April).

Why Hanoi Works for Families

Hanoi is a city that rewards curiosity — and kids are naturally curious. Unlike beach destinations where the activity is essentially “sit,” Hanoi keeps everyone engaged. The Old Quarter is a sensory adventure. The food is an education. The cultural experiences are hands-on enough to hold young attention spans.

And the city is compact. You’re never more than 30 minutes from the next activity, which means less transit time and more actual fun. Add in the affordability — most family activities cost a fraction of what you’d pay in Singapore, Tokyo, or Bangkok — and Hanoi becomes one of the smartest family destinations in Southeast Asia.

“My daughter took a similar class in Singapore but this is at a different level. We learnt about sensory moods and smells. We will definitely come back!”

“Such a beautiful experience. My daughter and I did a spontaneous perfume making workshop here today.”

Looking for fragrance gifts to bring home? Browse NOTE’s perfume collection — crafted from Vietnamese ingredients like lotus, cinnamon, and agarwood.

Follow NOTE – The Scent Lab: @note.workshop on Instagram · TripAdvisor

Related Articles

• Last Day in Hanoi? 7 Things to Do Before Your Flight
• What Is a Perfume Making Workshop? Everything to Know
• Why a Custom Perfume Is the Best Vietnam Souvenir
• 5 Best Craft Workshops in Ho Chi Minh City
• Beyond Coffee at the Cafe Apartment Saigon
• Cooking Class vs Perfume Workshop in Saigon

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best family activities in Hanoi?

Top family activities include water puppet shows at Thang Long Theatre, hands-on perfume workshops at NOTE – The Scent Lab (Lotte Mall), cycling around West Lake, the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, cooking classes with market tours, and boat trips to Trang An in Ninh Binh. Hanoi offers a strong mix of cultural, creative, and outdoor experiences suitable for children of all ages.

Is Hanoi good for families with kids?

Yes. Hanoi is compact, affordable, and full of hands-on activities that keep children engaged. The food is mild enough for young eaters, Grab makes getting around easy, and family-friendly malls like Lotte Mall Tay Ho offer air-conditioned backup plans for hot or rainy days.

What age is appropriate for a perfume workshop?

At NOTE – The Scent Lab, children aged 8 and above can participate in the full 90-minute workshop with a parent. Younger children can join, watch, and help with naming and labeling their parent’s creation. The workshop instructors are experienced with families and adjust their guidance for younger participants.

What indoor activities are available in Hanoi for rainy days?

Lotte Mall Tay Ho is the best rainy-day option in the Tay Ho area — it has a perfume workshop, cinema, indoor playground, and food court all under one roof. Other indoor options include the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, water puppet shows, and cooking classes.

How many days should a family spend in Hanoi?

Three to four days is ideal for families. This gives you time for the Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake, one or two creative workshops, a museum visit, and a day trip to Ninh Binh — without rushing. Five days allows for a more relaxed pace and additional activities like Bat Trang pottery village.

Can I book activities in Hanoi in advance?

Yes, and it’s recommended for popular activities during peak season (October-April). The perfume workshop at NOTE – The Scent Lab can be booked online at workshop.thescentnote.com/book. Water puppet show tickets and cooking classes also benefit from advance booking.

Is the perfume workshop a good family souvenir activity?

It’s one of the most personal souvenirs you can create in Vietnam. Each family member makes their own perfume with a custom name, and the formula is saved permanently — so you can reorder when you return. Many families say the perfume brings back Hanoi memories every time they wear it.