Japan is an amazing country, full of unique things to see and do. There’s no shortage of fun ideas and it’s an extremely kid-friendly destination. There is something usually on every street that will catch your eye and attention. Although the flight there is long, we find traveling with our daughter to be very easy once we arrive there. Convenience stores are on every corner so you’re never far from grabbing snacks or drinks. With cute characters like Hello Kitty, Totoro, Anpanman and kawaii stuff all over, it’s like a child’s dream. There’s a surplus of activities to do in Japan for kids that will make them smile (and you too!) Here’s a list of just a few ideas to for your next family trip.

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Things to Do in Japan for Kids

Holding a hedgehog at Harry’s Hedgehog Cafe

Hedgehog Cafe

While wandering around Tokyo we came across Harry’s Hedgehog Cafe. Being a lover of these little critters I had to stop in. Once inside we found the line to be quite long, but it moved quickly. When we got to the front of the line we noticed a menu of choices to pick from, and each one included a drink. We chose a combo of 30 minutes with some meal worms to feed them for a total of $16.

Terra petting one of the hedgehogs, she loved it!

After picking our menu choice, we were seated on both sides of a small open cage and provided gloves to wear while handling. Their spikes can feel quite sharp when they get scared, so we wore gloves most of the time. Terra loved playing with and feeding them. They were pretty calm with a few jittery moments, but I loved holding and cuddling them. Hedgehogs are such interesting creatures! At the end we paid and grabbed a stuffed hedgehog souvenir to take home.

Terra loved watching these interactive displays at the museum

Anpanman Museum

Since Terra loves the Anpanman characters we knew we had to check out Anpanman Museum. It’s an amazing place to spend the day. Across Japan there’s several locations, depending on where you are. Whether your kid is familiar with these characters, they will still love the many fun things to do here.

Adorable breads and sweets made to look like the characters

At some point we got an Anpanman balloon and she didn’t want to let it go!

As we explored the museum we came across a little cafe/village for pretend play, an area to jump around and play with balls, climbing areas, building stations with various blocks and toys, interactive displays, cafes with cute Anpanman themed foods, and much more! Terra loved just wandering around here to explore. We also noticed an occasional show happening with the characters, although we never stopped to watch all of it. Overall, it’s truly a paradise for kids and will keep them happy all day!

On the colorful streets of Harajuku

Harajuku

Another place we enjoyed bringing Terra is Harajuku. It’s fun to explore for people of all ages, and there’s lots to see and do here. With the unique street fashion and kawaii shops we were in delight the whole time. There’s so many pops of color going on and fun music all around. You can also try some of the street foods, Terra especially loved the crepes. It’s a overall cool Japanese culture experience for your kids to have. We loved to people watch, admire the funky fashion and shop for souvenirs.

The outside of the whimsical building of Studio Ghibli

Ghibli Museum

One of our favorite places we’ve been in Japan is Ghibli Museum. Terra absolutely adores all of the movies and loved seeing the history behind it all here. Photos are not allowed inside, so I don’t have any to show except for the outside. The inside was filled with whimsical fun and we walked through windy quirky pathways through each area.

It’s not easy to get a ticket, but if you book this full day Miyazaki Movies Tour it’ll be included. You’ll also get to tour an open air Edo museum and some other spots that are reminiscent of scenery from the films.

Robot sculpture from “Castle in the Sky” on the rooftop

Looking into the cafe area of the museum

It truly is a magical place and you’ll learn how movies were made and see exhibits inspired by the movies. We got a glimpse of how a typical artist studio looks, and some progression of the drawings. Terra’s favorite place here was the play area where kids can climb and go inside the giant Neko bus. We then went to the roof area for some beautiful views of the museum and property. At the end is a really cool gift shop with all kinds of Ghibli goodies. After the shop, we stopped at the museum cafe to grab a bite to eat, and there were plenty of kid-friendly options available. Before leaving we also walked around the grounds of the museum and explored some of the parks around, it was quite a charming area.

Outside of a Daiso shop in Tokyo

Daiso

Every time we go to Japan we make sure to stop at Daiso. It’s equivalent to a 99 cent store in America. The stores are pretty big and there’s an extensive amount of cool stuff to check out here. They are located in various locations around Japan, but the largest one is in Harajuku. Terra loved exploring all the aisles and never got bored. It’s filled with so many random things that everyone will have a blast! It’s also a great place to grab some small souvenirs as well.

A glimpse of the cafe filled with friendly cats

Cat Cafe

Another family favorite to go while in Japan are the cat cafes. Terra absolutely loves them and being able to just hang out with a bunch of cats in a small space made her day. They typically have drinks and snacks available to munch on while visiting. We mostly just focus on seeing the cats and how each one is unique. We found them all to be very friendly and approachable. There were even some sleeping inside cups and bowls, it was adorable! We highly recommend stopping at one while in Japan.

Terra enjoying the prize games at the arcade

Musical drums game at the arcade

Visit an Arcade

Arcades are always fun for kids of all ages, and the ones in Japan are just awesome. You can find one pretty much anywhere and there’s a plentitude of stuff to do to keep you busy all day. You can practice your dance moves, catch and win prizes, play video games, play simulator and racing games, be silly in the Purikura photobooths, and so much more. We had a blast it was hard to leave, definitely a must-have experience for anyone.

Interacting with the wild deer on Miyajima island

Miyajima Island

On the way to Hiroshima, we stopped at Miyajima Island to explore for a few hours. Along with seeing the Great Torii and trying some street snacks, we also interacted with the wildlife. It’s quite an enchanting experience for kids with the wild deer wandering around. Terra always loves to see animals, and being able to get up close and personal with them is so unique. The deer are so tame you can even hand feed some of them. There’s a lot more to see and do on the island so either make a day of it or stay overnight.

Closeup of one of the owls at the cafe, so cute!

Holding one of the owls at the cafe

Owl Cafe

Yet another animal cafe, but this time with a variety of owls. At an owl cafe like this one you’ll have the chance to get up close and personal with the owls, including holding and petting them. I’ve never really had the chance to interact with one, so here was my chance. They may be hard for little ones to hold, but they’ll still love being able to look at them. We also got some adorable owl-themed desserts and drinks, a nice ending to a cool experience.

Terra fascinated by the scenery outside along the train journey

Take a Scenic Train Ride

During every visit to Japan, we also love to venture outside of Tokyo. There’s so much to see in the countryside and mountain areas. Terra loved looking outside the large windows, this one in particular was on the way to our three day trip to Takayama. Kids are fascinated by trains and love seeing the scenery outside. You can even teach them a bit about what they’re seeing and about the special shinkansen trains in Japan. Regardless of your destination, they will love the journey there!

A view in Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens in Japan

Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens

With every city we visit, we love checking out local parks and gardens. It’s a great way to get outside and be in nature a bit. Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens is a beautiful landscape garden next to Tokyo Dome City. Terra loved being able to run around and search for nature things to collect here. You can also see some wildlife and they can learn about the local trees and plants here. There’s a few bridges hidden within here, so it’s a great photo opportunity. If the weather is nice you can have a picnic or just wind down in between site-seeing. It’s a nice escape from the busy side of Tokyo.

Tokyo Disneyland

Although we haven’t visited here yet, it’s an obviously great choice to go with kids. Rides, games, and Disney characters are always guaranteed to be a day of family fun. If you have enough time to go while in Tokyo, definitely make a stop here. You can buy a one day pass here and skip the line as well!

We hope you enjoyed this list of ideas on what to do in Japan for kids. This is just a few of many activities to do, Japan is full of stuff to discover, and being in a new country is always inspiring!

Have you been to Japan with your kids? If so, what other things did you do there?

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Every now and then on weekends we like to explore more around where we live. With a car, the possibilities are endless in discovering what surrounds us. In searching for ideas on day trips from NYC, I came across White Post Farms, located in Melville NY on Long Island. With a little over an hour drive from Brooklyn, it seemed like a nice escape for the day. I had never heard of this farm before, but was pleasantly surprised by what it offered.

Family Fun NYC Day Trips: White Post Farms

Spending the day at White Post Farms was such a blast. There was so much to see and do, and Terra never got bored. The close interaction with the animals was so unique. Here’s everything you need to know about spending a day trip here.

The Market

Upon arriving at White Post Farms you’ll see a large market with parking lot to the right. We went on a slightly rainy day so the parking lot was half empty when we got there. First we checked out the market and grabbed a bite to eat. There was a lot to pick from, various sandwiches, soups, salads and drinks like coffee, tea, and smoothies. The food tasted very fresh and it was made to order. Outside is a large seating area to eat with covered tables, so it was nice even in the misty rain.

In the market area there was various farm fresh local food, as well as fresh baked goodies. Behind the market is another shop which we mostly just passed through to get to the actual farm. There are signs leading to the farm entrance so it’s very easy to find.

Entry into the Farm

Before you enter the farm you have to pay for tickets and any extras you choose. For us tickets were $18 each, even for kids. We also opted to get a combo package including a bottle of milk and cups of food to feed the animals, a pony ride and train ride. The combo gives a big discount so it makes more sense to get it.

Terra feeding a goat near the entrance to the farm

Adorable pigs nearby the goats

Feeding more goats she loved it!

Pigs and Goats

As you enter the farm the first thing you’ll see are the goats and pigs. They especially love the milk and the food, so we spent some time here feeding them. Terra loved having them eat right from her hands. We found the setup really nice to be able to get up close and personal with the animals, something we’ve rarely seen elsewhere. Next to the animals are hand washing stations, which are great for keeping hands clean in between feedings.

Birds landing right on Terra's head, she loved it!

The birds lined up on a rope

Aviary with Exotic Birds

Located close to the pigs and goats was an aviary, filled with Australian lorikeets and other exotic birds. They have nectar cups for sale before you enter, but at first we opted not to buy. However when we saw the birds were only interacting with those who had the nectar, we decided to buy a few cups. It was so cool having them land on us and feed on the nectar. The interactivity here was truly enjoyable and unique. They even landed on our heads a few times, Terra wasn’t sure what to think of it!

The alpacas were so cute

The camels, we rode these in Morocco!

A group of lemurs cuddling together while sleeping, so cute!

We fed the zebras through the chute

Exotic Animals

Throughout the rest of the farm are plenty of exotic animals, some of which I’ve really only seen in zoos. We saw zebras, monkeys, lemurs, alpacas, kangaroos, and various types of camels. Terra especially loved seeing the camels after our camel trekking trip to the Sahara Desert. Some of these animals you can’t get close or interact with, but you can feed them food down a chute. Nearby the animals was an explanation of what they are and the region they come from, which I thought was cool.

Getting up close and personal with Patches the Giraffe

Patches the Giraffe

One of the highlights of our visit here was being able to get up close and personal with the Patches the giraffe. We were able to pet his head and feed him veggies. Being that it’s one of our dreams to do an African Safari and stay at Giraffe Manor, we loved being able to experience this close to home as well. We definitely recommend visiting just for this alone!

Terra enjoying the pony ride

The train ride, Terra loved it!

Train and Pony Rides

Aside from feeding the animals there are pony and train rides. Since we got the combo package they were both included. Terra really enjoyed both of these and it was organized quite nicely. The train went around a few times, so it was a good length of time. Nearby the train were a few food places with kid friendly options for a quick snack.

The main playground area, so fun!

Terra loved exploring all the miniature houses

Playground Area and Miniature Houses

Next to the exotic animals was a big playground with mini houses lined up next to each other. The miniature houses were especially popular with the kids as they loved going inside and peeking through the windows. Terra could have spend a few hours here alone if we let her. It was a great way to end our day here after seeing all the animals. Your kids will be quite worn out after this!

Bird Show and Water Slides

At various times in the day there’s a bird show showcasing some of the exotic birds they have on the farm. The timing didn’t work out for us to see it, but it looked like a cool event to check out while here. There were also big bounce houses with water slides, but due to the weather we chose not to go here. But it looked great for a nice summer day!

After spending a day here, we definitely think White Post Farms was a worthwhile trip. The ability to interact and get close to so many animals was a wonderful experience. All of the other activities on the farm were a bonus! If you’re looking for ideas on day trips from NYC, this should be on your list.

Have you been to White Post Farms? If so we’d love to hear about your experience here!

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As September arrives we start to think about apple picking and harvest festivals. It’s become a yearly tradition to go with Terra and make homemade applesauce. Living in NYC we are surrounded by plenty of farms to choose from. Since we mostly go upstate, I thought this year we’d try to check out some in Jersey as well. Being in Brooklyn it was much easier to access not having to drive through the city to get there.

Apple Picking Near NYC: Alstede Farms

Alstede Farms was recommended by a friend and also popped up throughout my search. It was only about an hour drive from us, so we decided to plan a day trip there. We went a bit early in apple season around mid-September. It seemed to be less busy around this time, as we’ve heard from others that it can get quite crowded on weekends.

Entry to the Farm

As you arrive at Alstede Farms there’s a large parking lot with attendants helping to navigate you to available spots. It was well organized and easy to manage. After parking we walked towards the farm, where we were greeted by a few farm animals before entering. This as a nice way to get the kids excited about going to the farm. We spent a bit of time petting the horse and donkey before heading on our way.

The market area with homemade ice cream and pumpkins

The area to purchase the tickets and apple boxes/bags were to the right after entering. Since we were ready for lunch we decided to check out the food area first. There’s a tent with various choices (hotdogs, burgers, fries, sandwiches, etc.) We also saw a homemade ice cream stand near the market with a lot of flavors to pick from. There’s also a farm market here with lots of fresh goodies and even some local wine. Of course there are also apple cider donuts, our personal fall favorite.

Apple Picking

After paying for entry, you can choose to either walk or take a tractor to the U-Pick farm. There are also wagons free to use if you choose to walk. We opted for the tractor for the experience and ease of reaching the various spots quickly. It comes every 10-15 minutes so we never waited long for one.

Wandering around the orchard

Terra picking some apples, she loved helping out!

Since we were mostly interested in just apples we went to the orchards first. There were some types of apples that weren’t ripe yet, but a good amount available for us to pick from. Since we were there early in the season we found the trees were packed with apples and some even untouched. This farm isn’t organic so we saw some chemical residue on the apples, something to keep in mind if you decide to sample a few while picking.

Sunflower field next to the orchard

Close to the orchards was a sunflower field, available to pick from. After wandering through the field a bit we waited for the tractor to take us to our next stop.

Corn Maze

The next stop after the apples was the corn maze. Since Terra wasn’t really interested we decided to skip this, but it looked fun. There were a few snacks being sold outside of it in case you need a hunger boost.

Berries and Peaches

Our last stop on the tractor ride was the berries and peaches, located right next to each other. We were only interested in peaches as it was towards the end of berry season so passed up on them. The peach trees were really full and perfectly ripe. Since our box was nearly full we decided to head back.

Before you exit the U-Pick area you have to pay for what you picked. We filled a fairly large box of apples and peaches for around $35, so the price wasn’t too bad for what we got.

Terra trying out the large bubbles in the activities area of the farm

There was also hula hoops to try out

The clown from the puppet show playing tricks on Terra

Other Farm Activities

There’s a lot of other farm fun activities located around the entry area. There are giant bubbles that kids can make and some hula hoops at the end of the tractor ride. There’s also a puppet show at various times throughout the day. Terra’s favorite part was being able to see and feed the animals again. This was a nice way to end our day here.

The cows were so cute!

Feeding the horse, he was so gentle!

She just loves feeding and petting the animals

Overall we found Alstede Farms to be a pleasant fun-filled day. It was well organized and easy to navigate. You can really spend a whole day here, but we found 3-4 hours to be sufficient. It’s a great choice for apple picking near NYC, our favorite part of autumn!

What’s your favorite apple picking spot near NYC? We’d love more ideas!

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