At first glance, the shining, seething megalopolis of Jakarta doesn’t strike one as a great place for kids. Yes, it’s true that there is a lack of green spaces, and yes, the air quality in parts of the city is not the stuff you would want to be inhaling forever, but look beneath the surface and there are a hefty range of family or kiddy-friendly cultural, educational and sporting activities and excursions available right on our doorsteps.
Now, let’s not delude ourselves by including the museum of fine art and ceramics or the textile museum in the list, but take a look at our best picks of kid-friendly fun, including a good number of educationally stimulating activities that youngsters will love.
Cultural Excursions & City Green Spaces
Taman Mini Indonesia
Taman Mini Indonesia, a hundred-hectare cultural park, is the city’s premier tourist attraction, offering a host of family-friendly activities. There is an orchid garden, a bird park, mini replicas of traditional Indonesian houses and the Borobudur temple, cable cars, an IMAX theatre, museums, various cultural performances (particularly on Sundays), a science centre, a stunning “Children’s Palace” and a few restaurants, among other things. There should be enough to keep them entertained for the whole day!
Gates open every day from 8AM – 5PM but the attractions start operating at 9AM - 4PM. Entry to the park is only IDR 20,000 but each separate attraction may have an additional fee, ranging from only IDR 2,000 to IDR 180,000 (for the water park on weekends).
Taman Mini Indonesia
Jl. Raya Taman Mini
East Jakarta
Opening Hours: 8AM – 5PM daily
Phone: +62 21 8779 2078
IG: @ilovetamanmini
FB: Taman Mini Indonesia Indah
Email: [email protected]
www.tamanmini.com
Ragunan Zoo
Stroll or cycle through the numerous leafy walkways of South Jakarta’s Ragunan Zoo. You will encounter over 200 species of animals including Komodo dragons, orangutans, elephants and Sumatran tigers, though sadly quite a few of their enclosures could do with renovating. The best part is the primate centre, which was added in 2002 and is one of the largest of its types in the world. Gawp at the gorillas, ogle the orangutans and be charmed by the chimpanzees!
Entrance fee is IDR 4,000 for adults and IDR 3,000 with additional charges for parking and and other attractions. All payment requires JakCard from Bank DKI that can be purchased at the gate.
Ragunan Zoo
Jl. Harsono No.1
South Jakarta 12550
Opening Hours: 6AM - 4PM (Tuesday-Sunday)
Phone: +62 21 7884 7114
Email: [email protected]
ragunanzoo.jakarta.go.id
Car Free Day
Favourite location is on Jl. Sudirman - Jl. Thamrin, but also available in other areas throughout Jakarta
6-11AM every Sunday
Car-free Sunday sees Jakarta’s central business district transformed from a choked up, noisy, bustling strip of suit-wearing office workers, to a completely vehicle-free stretch of happy-go-lucky Jakarta residents, their kids and their dogs walking, running, hopping and chatting. From buskers to people dressed up, you will see the city’s main thoroughfare in a whole new light.
Read also: Jakarta Car Free Day: Exercise and Socialise
The Cat Cabin
The cat cafe trend has made its way to Jakarta all the way from its original home, Taiwan. Kemang’s The Cat Cabin, established by a trio of cat lovers last year, is bright, quirky and above all, clean. Adults and kids are welcome to order a cuppa, maybe sup down on one of their rice bowls and play, pet and photograph their gorgeous cats to their heart’s content. Although most of the kitties here are adopted, they are fluffy, cuddly, gorgeous balls of fun; there are even a couple of Persian cats. Understandably, there are a few (very sensible) rules which include no waking up a sleeping kitty, no pulling tails and no bringing your own cat. Admission fee on weekdays is IDR 60,000 for the first hour and IDR 50,000 for subsequent hours. On the weekends, the rate is IDR 65,000 for the first hour and IDR 50,000 for subsequent hours.
The Cat Cabin
Jl. Kemang Raya No. 31
South Jakarta 12720
Opening Hours: 10 AM-9PM on Tuesday-Thursday, 10 AM-10PM Friday-Sunday, closed on Monday
Phone: +62 21 7179 5243
FB: The Cat Cabin
http://www.thecatcabinjakarta.com/
Taman Suropati
This rare green spot is particularly well kept as it’s located in the same prestigious area as all of the diplomats and government official houses in Jakarta. Take the family for a stroll one Sunday and you may happen across a string ensemble practising. Walk the dog, or just walk the children out!
Taman Suropati
Jl. Taman Suropati
Central 10310
Opening Hours: 24 hours
Dunia Fantasi
Scream your lungs out on lightning-fast roller coasters and thrill rides, twiddle around in the old-fashioned “teacups,” dodge and weave your way around the bumper car track, take in the view on the Ferris Wheel, go round and round until you feel dizzy on the carousel – or preferably, just watch the kids do it! When lunch time arrives, there are a plethora of child-friendly eating options available within the park, from greasy Big Macs to richly flavoured rice bowls. Regular tickets are sold at IDR325,000 every day but interesting offers are almost always available. Visit their website for more information!
Dunia Fantasi
Jl. Lodan Timur No. 7
North Jakarta 14430
Opening Hours: 10AM-6PM (Weekdays), 10AM-8PM (Weekends)
Phone: +62 21 2922 2222
IG: @ancoltamanimpian
FB: Taman Impian Jaya Ancol
https://www.ancol.com/id/destination/dunia-fantasi
Ice Skating at Sky Rink
Sky Rink Jakarta, located on the 3rd floor of Taman Anggrek mall, is one of the largest ice skating rinks in South East Asia (1,248 square metres). Hire their skates and let the kids zoom around for a couple of hours. There’s also a snack bar if you get peckish and skating lessons can also be organised.
Sky Rink
Mall Taman Anggrek, 3rd Floor, Jl. LETJEN S. Parman Kav. 21
West Jakarta 11470
Opening Hours: 10AM - 10PM daily
Phone: +62 21 5642 888
IG: @skyrink_jakarta
FB: Skyrink Jakarta
https://skate74.wixsite.com/skyrinkjakarta
Jakarta Archery Club
Bored of doing the same thing week-in, week-out? Jakarta Archery Club offer play and pay programme for you and your kids. For two hours, experienced coach will guide you to learn the basic skills in archery start hitting the target in a correct way. The fee is IDR75,000 per person per two hours.
Jakarta Archery Club
Jl. Pulomas I
East Jakarta 13210
Opening Hours: 9AM-3PM (Thursdays), 8AM-12PM (Saturdays), 8AM-4PM (Sundays)
Phone: +62 857 7399 2929
IG: @jakartaarcheryclub
FB: Jakarta Archery
http://www.jakartaarchery.club/utama/
Spincity Bowling Alley
Visit the neigbourhood city to enjoy some bowling games with your family. Located at The Breeze in Bumi Serpong Damai (BSD) in Tangerang, Spincity Bowling Alley offers spacious area for you and your family to enjoy your free time. Fee starts from IDR55,000 per game per person or IDR225,000 per hour for maximum of 5 person.
Spincity Bowling Alley
The Breeze, BSD Green Office Park, Jl. BSD Grand Boulevard
Tangerang 15345
Opening Hours: 10AM-11PM (Sunday-Thursday), 10AM-2AM (Friday-Saturday)
Phone: 021 29580060
IG: @spincitybowling
The Wave Waterpark
Encompassing an Olympic size swimming pool, several water slides (on which kids can hurtle down on tubes or mats), and a “lazy river,” this water park is conveniently located right next to Pondok Indah Mall. It’s clean and safe (although the life guards have been accused of being lax so best to keep an eye on smaller children), and there are a number of refreshment stalls. One more thing: Ladies, you will feel more comfortable in a full swimming costume here as bikinis are not really the “done thing”. Ticket price is IDR100,000 for weekdays and IDR175,000 on weekends with discount available with entry after 6PM.
The Wave Waterpark
Pondok Indah Mall, Jl. Metro Pondok Indah
South Jakarta 12310
Opening Hours: 6AM-9PM daily
Phone: +62 21 750 6750
http://www.pondokindahwaterpark.co.id/index.php
Rockstar Gym
Offering fun, guided classes in martial arts, gymnastics, ballet, basketball, tennis, futsal and yoga, Rockstar Gym has eight convenient centres located in malls throughout Jakarta. Professional expatriate and local coaches instruct and encourage children and teens (between two and sixteen) through a progressive course incorporating reviews, reports, certificates, recitals and competitions.
Rockstar Gym
Multiple Locations
IG: @rockstargymofficial
FB: RockStar Gym
http://www.rockstar-gym.com/
Educational Play
Kidzania
Kidzania is essentially a child’s size replica of a real city, complete with roads, hospital buildings, salons, shops, vehicles and KidZos, the official currency. Children are encouraged to role play the part of real professions; uniforms and costumes are offered for a number of jobs like doctors, pilots, and archaeologists. Children aged between 2 and 16 can enjoy Kidzania and parents can watch as their kids play or relax in the parent’s lounge. Prices from IDR 50,000 – IDR 275,000 (depending on age and day of the week).
Kidzania
Pacific Place L6 - 601, SCBD, Jl. Jend. Sudirman No. 52-53
South Jakarta 12190
Opening Hours: 9AM-4PM (Monday-Thursday), 9AM-8PM m(Friday-Sunday)
Phone: +62 21 515 4888
IG: @kidzaniajakarta
FB: Kidzania Jakarta
https://jakarta.kidzania.com/in-id/
Bricks 4 Kidz
With its motto “We learn, we build, we play,” Bricks 4 Kids takes the universally loved Lego to new levels with a variety of educational activities and classes for children aged between 3 and 13. Classes for preschoolers use brightly coloured DUPLO sets and activities focus on fundamentals like letters of the alphabet, numbers, and colours. The after-school programme explores themes like “forces of nature,” “mission to space” and “construction craze”.
Bricks 4 Kidz
Jl. Pangeran Antasari No.18
South Jakarta 12410
Phone: +62 21 780 2766
IG: @bricks4kidz.id
FB: Bricks 4 Kidz - Indonesia
Email: [email protected]
https://www.bricks4kidz.co.id/
Out of Town
Arthayasa Stables and Country Club
Arthayasa Stables and Country Club offers safe and supervised pony riding for children as young as six as well as lessons in lunging and jumping for older children. Opt for a 20-minute pony ride (IDR 150,000) to 45-minute private riding lessons (IDR 500,000 – IDR 650,000) to tailored intensive courses. Arthayasa also offers classes for disabled people.
Arthayasa Stables and Country Club
Jl. Bulak Tengki No.10
Depok 16512
Opening Hours: 8AM-4PM (horse resting time at12-14PM) Tuesday-Sunday
Phone: +62 21 754 7025
IG: @arthayasastables
FB: Arthayasa Stables
Email: [email protected]
https://arthayasa.com/club/
Taman Safari
Get up close to Africa’s biggest predators at Taman Safari in Bogor. Apart from lions, the park is home to rhinos, tigers, crocodiles, sun bears, elephants and reptiles and most are roaming free as you drive by in your car. There is also a bird park, various animal shows and opportunities for fun photos with orangutans. A word of warning: The park can get extremely crowded on holiday weekends. Prices range from IDR 170,000 – 1DR 400,000 (cheaper rates for children and Indonesian nationals on weekdays).
Taman Safari
Jl. Kapten Harun Kabir No. 724
Bogor 16750
Opening Hours: 8AM-5PM daily, 7-10PM for Safari Night every Saturday
Phone: 1500 212
IG: @taman_safari
FB: Taman Safari Indonesia Bogor
https://tamansafaribogor.com/
Gunung Mas Tea Plantation
If you fancy fresher air, cooler temperatures, and some picturesque views, head to the hills of Puncak. Gunung Mas Tea Plantation is around an hour and a half’s drive from Jakarta in a scenic area boasting verdant vistas of rolling, tea-carpeted hills as far as the eye can see. You can take a tour of the tea factory to see how the tea leaves are dried, processed and packaged, or you can simply trek through the plantation, snapping photographs and chatting to tea pickers along the way. Guided hikes are available for a small fee with distances varying between 4km and 8km.
White Water Rafting
Around four hour’s drive from Jakarta are the scenic panoramas, lush paddy fields and mountainous landscapes of Sukabumi, an area favoured for camping, trekking and white water rafting on the Citarik river. Family rafting trips can be organised by Riam Jeram, among other tour operators. Packages typically include local transport, snacks, lunch, a guide and all the necessary safety equipment.
White Water Rafting
Office PT. Sarana Riam Jeram, Jl. Hidup Baru V Gg L No 19
South Jakarta 12140
Phone: +62 21 769 9016
https://www.riamjeram.com/
Bandung Treetop
Bandung Treetop, situated in hilly Lembang, is the ideal spot to take the kids for some fresh air, exercise, and most importantly, fun! Featuring 8 difficulty-rated circuits which include flying foxes, precariously high platforms, a ‘Tarzan jump’ and many other adrenaline pumping challenges, Bandung Treetop will appeal to kids with a sense of adventure and some fun-loving adults too.
Before participating in any activities, each client must go through a safety briefing conducted by the trained Patrol Guides. They will explain how the circuits work, how to use the equipment, and the safety instructions that must be followed at all times. These Patrol Guides will also be present throughout the circuits and will provide any kind of assistance and support for the participants.
Bandung Treetop
Jl. Tangkuban Perahu km 28
West Bandung Regency 40391
Phone: +62 22 8278 0672
IG: @bandungtreetop
FB: Bandung Treetop Adventure Park
Email: [email protected]
http://bandungtreetop.com/
Jungle Land
Situated in Sentul City, where visitors can still breath the fresh mountain air, Jungleland features more than 33 attractions that are spread over 35 hectares of land. Each of the six different zones, from “Tropicalia” to “Mysteria,” features unique height restricted rides, like their new water thrill ride, Hydro lift, and “Sarang Burung Berang,” which features a shocking 38-metre drop. A large range of restaurants and cafes are situated on the premises when lunch time hits. Tickets are priced between IDR 165,000 to IDR 220,000 (depending on the day of the week and residential status).
Jungle Land
Jl. Jungleland Boulevard, Kawasan Sentul Nirwana
Bogor 16810
Phone: +62 21 29 311 313
IG: @jungleland_indo
FB: Jungleland Indonesia
Email: [email protected]
http://www.jungleland.co.id/
Ujung Kulon National Park
A UNESCO World Heritage site, Ujung Kulon National Park incorporates vast areas of protected forest as well as the volcanic island group of Karakatoa, Panaitan Island, and smaller offshore islets like Handeuleum and Peucang island in the Sunda strait.
Famed for being the last refuge of the Javan Rhino, Ujung Kulon is also home to leopards, wild dogs, Javan gibbons and Javan Leaf monkeys, among many other species. As well as wildlife and bird viewing around the area, visitors enjoy diving in Panaitan Island, surfing in Legon Bajo and hiking In Peucang.
Before taking a trip there, you should contact the local management regarding permits and other arrangements.
Ujung Kulon National Park
Jl. Perintis Kemerdekaan No.51
Banten 42264
Phone: +62 253 801 731
http://ujungkulon.org/
