10 Best Things to Do with Kids in New Taipei

In Sanxia, there's a soap culture experience museum with a history dating back over 60 years. The museum is famous for its unique handmade "floating soap", which is made using traditional methods from extracts of natural herbs and is free from artificial fragrances and chemicals. The floating soap is mild and does not leave your skin feeling tight or dry. In addition, the soapy water can be broken down by microorganisms, which is very environmentally friendly.

In addition to making soap, visitors can also take part in an educational guided tour, which leads them along the sky trail and allows them to watch the machines in the factory at work. Please remember to book in advance if you want to do this. The handmade soap workshops provide an interesting and educational experience which makes them an ideal destination for families.

The Shihsanhang Site in Bali District is an important national heritage site. It was created during the Iron Age in Taiwan, between 500 and 1,800 years ago. Shihsanhang Museum was established as the first archaeological museum in Taiwan in order to preserve the site. Among the many interesting features here, the Whale Dune Observation Platform on the roof is the most eye-catching. Visitors can climb the long ladder at the entrance to reach it. On sunny days, you can see the sea, the sunset and even the Fisherman's Wharf on the other side.

The museum gives a detailed picture of life in the Shihsanhang period and displays many of the relics that have been unearthed on the site, such as ironware, iron-making furnaces, gold and gilt ornaments, copper bowls and copper coins. The archaeological experience room, archaeological sandpit and archaeological workstation are the best places for children to have fun. They can dig up shellfish, stone tools and animal bones in the sandpit and then use the archaeological tools for research and classification. This allows children to learn about archaeology through play.

Yingge Ceramics Museum in New Taipei City is the first specialist ceramics museum in Taiwan. At the entrance to the first floor of the museum, many children's activities take place, including ceramic-based puzzle games, mosaic tiles and ceramic dominoes. There are also permanent exhibition areas for contemporary ceramic artwork, an introduction to the history of ceramic arts, a ceramic arts education space, an international auditorium, an experience room and other functional areas.

The most popular area is the ceramic experience room for children, which is a free play space for children from 4 to 8 years old. Behind the museum, there's a ceramic art park. This large square is a great place for families as it offers water, sand and DIY painting activities during the holidays for children to enjoy.

The Taiwan Nougat Creativity Museum in Tucheng District is full of exhibits that illustrate Taiwan's history through the medium of nougat. In addition to providing information about the production and history of nougat, it also displays historic items and supplies relating to marriage and furnishings. It boasts a rich and diverse range of artefacts in its collections, such as tricycles, grocery stores, carriages and water pumps.

The museum also organises popular classes for making pineapple cake and nougat. Remember to book in advance if you want to take part. The museum sells souvenirs, cakes and nougat in various flavours, including chocolate, cream, green tea and walnut. Spending an afternoon making your own cakes and cookies is a fun thing to do.

Wen Sun Farm, which is located in Xindian District, covers an area of almost 12 hectares. At this popular, 100-year-old Taiwanese tea training school, tea is picked, processed, packed and sold. Thanks to the surrounding green hills, the cool, humid climate and ingredients that are free from chemicals, the pouchong tea produced here is in great demand. Other types of tea, such as organic green tea and organic black tea, are also popular among experienced tea lovers because they taste sweet even after being brewed for a long time.

In recent years, in response to the government's active promotion of leisure tourism farms, Wen Sun Farm has also launched a series of experience activities. Under the guidance of dedicated staff, tourists are able to pick, make and brew tea, learn how to pick and taste tea, and take away tea that they have made themselves. In addition to the tea making activities, Wen Sun Farm also has a campsite where visitors have the chance to see fireflies at night.

The Balizuo Bay cycle path is about 15 km long, with beautiful scenery on both sides, including stunning river views, grassy areas and reflections of blue sky and white clouds on the water. The path's attractive setting has earned it the reputation of being the most beautiful cycle path in New Taipei. Here you can rent different kinds of bikes, including balance bikes for toddlers, women's bikes and road bikes.

If you come here as a family, a tandem tricycle that you all have to pedal is a good way of having fun together. As you ride along the Tamsui River, you'll pass scenic spots such as Balizuo Bay Park, Shihsanhang Museum of Archaeology, Old Banyan Fort and Waziwei Nature Reserve. Stop at the Waziwei Nature Reserve, where you'll have the opportunity to see the plants and animals of the estuary, such as beach morning glory, mangroves, water reeds, mussels and mudskippers. If you're tired, you can rest on the grass and enjoy a picnic or a cup of Left Bank Coffee.

Located in Banqiao District, Fuzhou Wetland is divided into 2 parts and has a total area of about 40 hectares. It has a natural purification system to treat household sewage and a thriving ecosystem. It's currently the largest artificial wetland on Dahan River. As it's linked with a cycle path, a riverside park and sports pitches, Fuzhou Wetland is popular with families, who come to cycle here during holidays.

Along the path, there are several information boards explaining how the purification system works and describing common wetland plants, including hibiscus, bulrushes, shellflower and beach cabbage, which can trap the wind and slow down sand erosion. There are also many birds living here, such as little egrets, night herons and moorhens. If you are lucky, you may also see some rare migratory birds, like brown shrikes, painted snipes and black kites. When the Pacific Island silvergrass is in flower, large areas of the wetland turn a beautiful silvery white. This is something not to be missed.

New Taipei Metropolitan Park is the most impressive park in New Taipei City. Covering an area of 424 hectares and spanning Sanchong, Xinzhuang, Wugu and Luzhou districts, the park has 7 different natural landscapes and 68 sports fields, as well as a circular cycle trail almost 24 km long, making it a popular attraction for families. Like many others, this park also has a large area of grass, installation artworks, experience facilities, children's play areas, and more. At holiday times, many people come here to cycle, walk, run and have picnics.

The grass slide that is 7 metres high is the most popular attraction with kids, who love sliding down it. The playground is large enough for a range of different play equipment, including 4 types of slides, climbing nets, 3D floating balls, a rock climbing site, and colourful ramps. It's a paradise for children and an ideal place for the whole family to have fun and relax during the holidays.