Best Neighborhoods In Hong Kong For Families And Kids

KENNEDY TOWN: Hong Kong Island

Kennedy Town is the seamless melting pot of old and new and one of the trendiest neighborhoods in Hong Kong. With MTR access, it's easy to get to this waterfront haven of international food, spacious playgrounds and playrooms, modern restaurants, historical architecture, and local and international culture. K-Town offers something unique for each family member!

Pre-school-seeking families will appreciate the quality education offered at Mighty Oaks, Guidepost Montessori and Wilderness Kindergarten in Kennedy Town. For Primary and Secondary, there is the well-respected ESF Kennedy School.

For more useful tips on K-Town, check out our Family-Friendly Guide To Kennedy Town With Kids!

SAI KUNG: New Territories

Sai Kung is a fantastic kid-friendly neighborhood, as it offers the ultimate playground for outdoor and fun-loving families and a safe spot for kids to grow up in.

Sai Kung is a favorite spot for visitors and locals as islands, beaches, and boats surround it. The area also has excellent hidden coffee shops, must-visit shops, family-friendly restaurants, island excursions, and much more! So whether you want to head to the beach, hike, brunch, camp, or take a scenic sampan ride, Sai Kung delivers!

There are also international schools in Sai Kung, such as Woodlands Sai-Kung, which is very popular and offers bus services all over the area. Nord Anglia in Sai Kung offers families an excellent through-school option, and Hong Kong Academy (HKA) provides playgroups for kids ages 2-3 at their stunning campus in Sai Kung.

For more information on what to do and see in Sai Kung before deciding to move there, check our guide to Sai Kung With Kids In Hong Kong. Also check out our family-friendly neighborhood guide to Tseung Kwan O, a newer development.

SHEK O/BIG WAVE BAY: Hong Kong Island

Shek O and Big Wave Bay are located on the southeastern corner of Hong Kong island and offer stunning views, clean waters, fantastic hidden trails, and larger houses than in the city's center.

Whether you’re looking to go hiking, enjoy the beach or eat at the many laidback eateries, this place has it all! It's also conveniently located 30 minutes from central by car or taxi. However, finding a house in these two locations tends to happen by word of mouth as houses are scarce in both areas due to their green location.

Check out our Ultimate Shek O Guide on where to explore, eat and enjoy a family day out!

LANTAU ISLAND: Outlying Islands

Lantau Island is a huge island nearly twice the size of Hong Kong island. It's popular among families for its hiking, beaches, Disneyland Hong Kong, the airport, the Big Buddha, and so much more. This island has something for everyone!

It's also very well connected to central and other locations across Hong Kong, with an MTR line from Tung Chung and highway access over the bridge for those with a car.

It has a lot of residential areas, from Tung Chung to Mui Wo, Discovery Bay, and more. Yet, due to the size of the island and its geography, it is substantially greener than Hong Kong Island and gives you that island feel even though you can still find large malls in Tung Chung.

Check out our Little Steps Guides for Lantau Island:

• Ultimate Family-Friendly Guide To Mui Wo
• Visiting The Big Buddha On Lantau Island
• Guide To Citygate Outlet Shopping In Tung Chung

POK FU LAM: Hong Kong Island

Pok Fu Lam has become an increasingly popular spot for families to move to, it's one of the oldest neighborhoods in the city and is situated on the western corner of Hong Kong island.

Families flock to Pok Fu Lam due to the larger apartments, which can either be modern or colonial, with beautiful views of the ocean and parks.

Another major advantage is that it's a mere 15-minute drive from central or to any of the beaches located on the southside!

There are also various international schools available in Pok Fu Lam. Below are some of them:

• Kellett International School
• West Island School
• German Swiss International School
• Guidepost

Little Steps Guide to Visiting Waterfall Bay Park In Pokfulam, Hong Kong

LAMMA ISLAND: Outlying Islands

Lamma Island is the third largest island in Hong Kong and is known for its two main villages, Yung Shue Wan and Sok Kwu Wan. The latter is home to classic authentic seafood restaurants and a quaint fishing village, while the former has a wide range of restaurants, indie boutiques, and quirky cafes. Scenic hiking trails and beaches connect the two sides!

This bohemian island has become increasingly popular with families across Hong Kong due to its relatively large houses (for HK standards) at affordable prices and family-friendly activities. Hop on the ferry to Lamma Island, and in under 30 minutes, you’ll arrive in a world far from Hong Kong.

Here are our top things to do with the family on Lamma Island.

MID-LEVELS: Hong Kong Island

Mid-Levels may be mostly residential, but it’s also one of the most kid-tastic neighborhoods in Hong Kong! Hop on the escalator and explore this neighborhood packed with family-friendly places to play, eat, learn, and more!

Families recognize the quality education offered all around Mid-Levels. The schools go from nurseries to high school and will accommodate your child until graduation. Whether you're looking for a nursery like  Tutor Time International Nursery & Kindergarten, a quality preschool like Woodland Montessori, a middle school like Glenealy, or a high school like Island School - the area has it all! More schools in Mid-Levels:

• Carmel School of Hong Kong
• City Kids Preschool
• International Montessori School (IMS)
• Small World Christian Kindergarten

For more things to do, here is your Guide to Mid-Levels in Hong Kong.

CLEARWATER BAY: New Territories

Clearwater Bay is located on the eastern tip of the New Territories, and this gorgeous strip of outdoor living in Hong Kong has always been a favorite amongst families in Hong Kong. It offers sun, sea, village life, hiking trails, and larger houses in family communities!

Many families enroll their kids in schools throughout Clearwater Bay, Sai Kung, and the New Territories. Popular pre-school choices include Garden House, and Abacus (ESF).

Check out our Guide To Living And Visiting Clearwater Bay In Hong Kong if you're planning a move to this rockin' community or if you're looking to explore this area for a Sunday Funday!

DISCOVERY BAY: Outlying Islands

Discovery Bay is situated on the northeastern coastline of Lantau Island and is flanked by the majestic 465-meter high Tiger Head Mountain, lush greenery, and natural beaches- Tai Pak and Yi Pak Bays. Families who live here can enjoy strolls along its tree-lined beach promenade, whereas kids will revel in playtime at the thrilling beach playground, Noah's Ark, and various toy stores in the malls.

This part of the island has easy ferry, bus, and MTR connections. There are also various family-friendly restaurants to choose from, swimming lessons, playgroups for the little ones, and international schools:

• Discovery Montessori School - Up to 7 years old.
• La Petite Enfance - French School
• Discovery Bay International School - Kindergarten+
• Discovery College - Primary+ 

For more information on Discovery Bay, check out our guides:

• Things To Do In Discovery Bay With Kids
• Best Discovery Bay Playgrounds For Kids From Beach To Parks

HAPPY VALLEY: Hong Kong Island

Happy Valley is best known for its thrilling races and beautiful residential developments, but the fun doesn’t stop there! From races to playgrounds and from local nibbles to fine dining eateries, Happy Valley does its name proud!

The area provides a variety of accommodation, from modern skyscrapers to classic low-rise complexes. This is area is great for families who wish to be close to the hustle and bustle of the city but still prefer to live in a more quiet area that has plenty of green spaces.

There are also plenty of preschools to choose from, like Woodland Preschools and ESF Hillside International. This area is also popular with French ex-pats due to the prestigious French International School Hong Kong.

Check out our jam-packed Little Steps Guide to Happy Valley to explore this area family-style!

KOWLOON TONG: Kowloon

Kowloon Tong is an area that has become more attractive for families because it is conveniently located on the Kowloon side and has fantastic transport links via the MTR to the city center. This area also has various malls, such as the Festival Walk, Elements, and the Olympic station making it easy to shop for whatever you may need!

Kowloon Tong also has some great international kindergartens and schools in the area:

• American International School
• Kingston International School
• Anfield International Kindergarten
• Yew Chung International School
• Australian International School