Things to Do in Henan with Kids: 10 Family Favorites

I have guided dozens of family trips across China, and Henan is one of the most underrated when it comes to traveling with children. Most parents search for things to do in Henan with kids and find generic lists that ignore the chaos of real family travel. After many hours stuck in ticket lines and calming down overtired toddlers, I've narrowed down the ten experiences that genuinely work. This is my honest, field-tested guide.

Why Henan Is a Hidden Gem for Families

Henan sits at the heart of China, home to ancient capitals and UNESCO World Heritage sites. It might sound dusty for little ones, but modern museums and immersive parks have made history surprisingly accessible. The food is simple and delicious — noodles, dumplings, and sweet pancakes are almost universally kid-approved. The real challenge is avoiding tourist traps and knowing the right timing.

In this guide, I'll share the best things to do in Henan with kids, based on my own trial-and-error.

Insider Advice: Don't try to see everything. Henan is large — focus on one city cluster per trip. Luoyang + Zhengzhou or Kaifeng + Zhengzhou are classic combos that work well for families.

Top 10 Things to Do in Henan with Kids

These are my go-to recommendations, arranged by awesomeness and practicality. I've starred the ones that require extra planning.

1. Watch Shaolin Monks Perform at Shaolin Temple

Shaolin Temple is a family favorite — literally. The kung fu show is short, action-packed, and full of jumps, flips, and breaking boards. My kids were glued to it. The temple grounds have a few halls and courtyards, and the real show happens at specific times, so check the schedule when you arrive.

Getting there: From Zhengzhou or Luoyang, hire a car or take a bus to Dengfeng. The ride takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. The temple is a short shuttle from the parking lot — take it if your kids are tired, because it's a 15-minute walk otherwise.

Tickets: Around 100 RMB for adults, kids under 1.2 meters often get in free. Show your passport at the entrance. Prices can change, so check the official site before you go.

After the show, let the kids run around the pagoda forest — it's a bit of a climb, but the view is worth it. There are small snack stalls outside the temple; my kids loved the fried mantou (buns).

2. Explore Longmen Grottoes with a Treasure Hunt

Longmen Grottoes is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a jaw-dropping sight. Tens of thousands of Buddha statues carved into limestone cliffs. Kids, however, can quickly get bored staring at statues. My secret is to turn it into a treasure hunt: give each child a small picture of a specific statue or animal and challenge them to find it.

Best time: Arrive at opening time (8:00) or after 3:00 pm to avoid tour groups and heat. The west entrance is busier; the east entrance has fewer crowds and allows you to see the whole site from above.

Tickets: About 90 RMB for adults, kids under 1.4 meters are free. You can book through Trip.com or directly at the gate. Bring your passport.

Highlight for my kids: the massive Vairocana Buddha (17 meters tall) and the tiny Buddhas that cover the walls. Buy a postcard at the shop after you exit — kids can send one to their grandparents.

3. Step Into a Living Painting at Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden

This park in Kaifeng is like stepping into a Song Dynasty painting. Actors in ancient costumes wander, play music, and perform martial arts. My kids were mesmerized by the street performers and the opportunity to dress up in traditional robes for a photo.

Address: No. 5 Longting West Road, Kaifeng. Open daily from 9:00 am to 10:00 pm. The best time is late afternoon — you'll see the daytime hustle and the magical lanterns at dusk.

Tickets: Around 120 RMB per adult, kids under 1.2 meters enter free. Book online via Klook or Trip.com to skip the line.

Food is everywhere inside. Try the traditional sugar-painted figure — a local art where hot syrup is drawn into a dragon or butterfly. It's edible and a huge hit with kids.

4. Become a Detective at Yin Xu Museum

Yin Xu in Anyang is the site of the ancient Shang Dynasty capital and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The museum is quieter than most, which makes it perfect for families who want a break from the crowds. My kids loved the oracle bone exhibit — we turned it into a code-breaking game by comparing the ancient characters to modern Chinese.

Address: Yinxu Road, Beimeng Street, Yindu District, Anyang. Open 8:00 am to 6:00 pm (May–Sep) and 8:00 am to 5:00 pm (Oct–Apr).

Tickets: About 70 RMB for adults, kids under 1.4 meters free. It's a good indoor option for a hot afternoon.

Afterwards, head to the nearby Huan River north bank for a walk. It's a peaceful spot to let the kids run a bit.

5. Ride the Cable Car at Yuntai Mountain

If your family loves nature but isn't prepared for a tough hike, Yuntai Mountain is the answer. The cable car gives you incredible views of the cliffs and waterfalls without exhaustion. The Red Stone Gorge path is mostly flat boardwalk, perfect for little legs.

Getting there: About an hour's drive from Zhengzhou. It's easiest to hire a car for the day or join a small group tour from Zhengzhou.

Tickets: Entrance is around 120 RMB, cable car is extra (about 60 RMB each way). Kids under 1.2 meters often ride free on a parent's lap.

Pack a picnic — the food courts inside are pricey and not very kid-friendly. We brought sandwiches and fruit.

6. Touch History at the Henan Museum

The Henan Museum in Zhengzhou is a free gem, but you must book a ticket online in advance. It's an excellent rainy-day or hot-day escape. The collection includes ancient bronze bells, jade objects, and a huge dinosaur-like fossil? No, not here — it's mostly Shang and Zhou dynasty artifacts. But don't let that scare you: the “Ancient Music Show” is short and entertaining, with performers playing replicas of ancient instruments.

Address: 9 Nongye Road, Jinshui District, Zhengzhou. Closed on Mondays (usually). Reserve via the official WeChat account at least a day ahead using your passport.

The museum has a nice cafeteria on the lower level with drinks and light meals. It's not gourmet, but it's affordable and clean.

7. Burn Off Energy at Zhengzhou Science and Technology Museum

Designed for kids, this science museum has interactive exhibits on physics, sound, light, and water. My kids spent an entire hour at the bubble table alone. It's smaller than big-city science museums but perfectly manageable for a half-day.

Address: 1 Songshan South Road, Zhengzhou. Free, but appointments are required — reserve through their WeChat account. Bring your passports for the entry scan.

Hours: 9:00 am to 4:30 pm, closed Mondays. Allow 2-3 hours.

Right outside, there are food stalls if you get hungry.

8. Eat Your Way Through Kaifeng's Night Market

This isn't just dinner; it's an activity. The night market on Gulou Street (opposite the Drum Tower) is sensory overload in the best way. Kids love the sugar-coated haws (tanghulu) and the candy dragons that street artists make in front of them.

When: It starts around 5:30 pm and runs until 11 pm. Go early (5:30–7:00) to avoid the college-student rush.

What to eat: Try the “Fried Pancake with Egg” (da bing). My kids love the roasted sweet potatoes — they're sweet and easy to eat.

If your kids are adventurous, let them try the “smelly tofu” — just warn them it's fragrant in a very unusual way.

9. Take a Family Photo at the Yellow River Scenic Area

This is the mother river of China, and there's a fun surprise: a hovercraft ride! The hovercraft glides over the shallow water, which is thrilling for kids. The scenic area has wide lawns perfect for a picnic or flying a kite.

Address: Huanghe Road, Huiji District, Zhengzhou. Open daily.

Tickets: The park entry is about 20 RMB, and the hovercraft costs around 50 RMB per person (kids under 1.2 meters ride free on a parent's lap).

There are simple restaurants inside, but I'd save your appetite and drive back to the city.

10. Practice Calligraphy at Luoyang's Folk Art Center

Luoyang isn't just about ancient caves. Tucked inside an old street near Lijing Gate is a small folk art center that offers English-friendly calligraphy workshops. My kids got to dip a brush in ink and paint their names in Chinese — they were so proud of the results.

Location: Look for the “Luoyang Folk Art Center” near the Lijing Gate (ask your hotel for directions). It's a simple classroom, but the teachers are patient.

Cost: Around 50 RMB per person; one adult accompanies the child for free. Sessions last about 45 minutes.

After class, wander the old street and try the peanut candy — Kaifeng and Luoyang are famous for it.

How to Book Tickets Without Losing Your Mind

This is the part that makes foreigners panic. Most major attractions in Henan require real-name reservation, which means scanning your passport. The good news: many ticketing platforms now accept international passports.

• Use Trip.com or Klook for popular sites like Longmen Grottoes and Shaolin Temple. They handle the booking and send you a QR code, which you scan directly.
• For free museums (Henan Museum, Science Museum), use the official WeChat mini-program. Set it to English if available, or ask your hotel to help you reserve the day before.
• Always carry your physical passport — guards scan it at the entrance.

One more hack: if you see “sold out” on Trip.com, head to the official government site China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism for links to official booking portals. They are in Chinese, but translation apps make it doable.

How to Plan a Stress-Free Family Itinerary

I always tell my clients to build in one “soft day” — a day with just one major activity and plenty of breaks. Here's a sample four-day plan:

If you only have 24 hours in Henan with kids, I would pick Luoyang: spend the morning at Longmen Grottoes, then drive to Shaolin Temple in the afternoon (they are only 70 km apart but allow 1.5 hours). Take the shuttle, watch the show, and leave before dark. It's a lot, but you can rest on the drive back.

Parents' Reality Check: You will walk a lot. Bring a small first-aid kit, hydration salts, and a foldable stroller for kids under 6. Download offline maps on Apple Maps or AMap (English version) — Google Maps is unreliable in China.

FAQ: Things to Do in Henan with Kids

I hope this helps you turn your Henan adventure into a smooth, memory-packed journey. You've got this — and your kids will be talking about the kung fu monks for weeks.

Verified and fact-checked by the editorial team.