Family Trips
A paradise for family trips
Among the 2.1291 million tourists who visited Okinawa in 2016, Taiwanese made up over 30%, marking a 29% increase from the previous year. Short flight times, affordable prices, and child-friendly facilities are the main reasons why Okinawa has become an increasingly popular travel destination. ■ Okinawa makes for an incredible spot for a family vacation. Best of all, there are loads of kid-friendly things to do. Taiwan to Okinawa takes about an hour by plane, making it a common trial trip for first-time parents to see how their kids handle air travel. Clean and well-maintained baby facilities are available everywhere,
Kindergarten Parent-Child Trip: Fun at Mintong Happy Farm
Recently, kindergartens such as Yigaomeiyu, Shakespeare, Zhang Yi, and Tongyantongyu from Hsinchu’s private sector, led by their principals, brought along about a thousand parents and children to Mintong Happy Farm in Dongshan Township, Yilan, for a one-day trip that combined high-end technology with natural ecology. The event kicked off with a welcome performance by the Magabahai Indigenous art troupe, blending traditional and modern dance. Meanwhile, the farm also invited many professional teams to join in the fun. For example, teachers and students from Taipei City University of Science and Technology launched a high-altitude balloon on the farm. The balloon was equipped with various cameras and communication devices, allowing users to view its path, altitude, temperature, humidity, and pressure through an app, as well as live footage transmitted from the balloon. In addition, there was a radio fox hunting activity where parents guided their children to use antennas to locate the source of signals based on audio types and signal strength. Such activities not only engaged both parents and children in science education but also helped strengthen the parent-child bond.
Ocean Painting Competition Invites Families to Explore Together
In May, the Evergreen Maritime Museum will host the “Colorful Ship Wonders – National Elementary School Marine Painting Competition.” All elementary school students are eligible to participate free of charge at the museum. With sponsorship from Evergreen Marine Corp., this year’s prize money has been increased, giving young artists a great opportunity to earn scholarships. Participants will create their artwork on-site and submit it the same day. Those who register online in advance (goo.gl/nvFmo5) will also receive a small gift. On the day of the event, each participant can collect one sheet of drawing paper provided by the Evergreen Maritime Museum. Drawing boards and art supplies must be brought by participants. One accompanying parent may enter the museum for free, while any additional parents will enjoy a 50% discount on full admission.
Make soap and find happiness in Hualien – Forestry Bureau invites families for a fun day out
During the three-day Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, many people took the opportunity to travel. On the first day of the break, with clear weather in Hualien, the Hualien Forest District Office organized a series of activities including “Chihu South – A Fulfilling Mid-Autumn, Soap-Making Happiness,” “Lintianshan Forest Manager’s Office – Atayal Weaving Exhibition,” “Ruisui Ecological Education Museum – Life by the Sea,” and “Hualien Coastal Life Special Exhibition.” These offerings range from parent-child crafts and cultural arts to ecological activities, making them perfect for family outings.
A Mini-Trip Around Zhubei: Explore 4 Exciting Themes
From October 15 to November 30, the Zhubei City Government is launching a “Zhubei Cultural Stroll Mini-Trip,” combining the area’s local agricultural and fishing industries with unique tourist attractions to create a series of special tour routes. These allow visitors to deeply immerse themselves in Zhubei’s culture and enjoy the city to the fullest.
Early bird sales for Japan ski holidays kick off now! 5 powder snow paradises with coaches and guides — even beginners can take the plunge
To meet this winter’s demand for ski tourism, HowToTrip’s Japan ski holiday packages are now officially on sale. In partnership with the Republic of China Ski Association, certified instructors will teach small groups of 6 to 8 people in Japan. Packages start from NT$42,900 (tax included) for 5 days, or from NT$37,900 (tax included) for 5-day independent travel. Travelers can fly directly to the airports nearest the major ski resorts and reach their powder snow paradise in as little as one hour from the airport.
Birdwatching by the Pond, Wooden Toy Crafts – A Parent-Child Trip to Luodong Forest Farm
To encourage parent-child visits to Luodong Forest Farm, the Luodong Forest District Office of the Forestry Bureau has specially organized the "Pondside Birdwatching Fun" activity, where families can learn about birds during the course and understand bird forms through board games. The office also hosts "Wooden Toys: Play This Way," where participants can DIY unique toys using small logs and branches. The public is warmly invited to sign up. The Luodong Forest District Office stated that with the changing of seasons, winter migratory birds have quietly arrived at the Luodong Forestry Cultural Park. The Luodong Nature Education Center has seized the opportunity to let more people get to know them, launching the "Pondside Birdwatching Fun" course that combines board games with birdwatching activities. In addition to birdwatching, the specially organized "Wooden Toys: Play This Way" event allows participants to learn and try simple tree pruning, and DIY unique and fun toys using small logs and branches pruned from man-made forests by forestry farmers.
Yilan Luodong Forest District Office Invites Families to Explore Together
The Forestry Bureau’s Luodong Forest District Office has specially organized the “Pondside Birdwatching Fun” activity, where parents and children can learn about birds during the course and also understand bird shapes through board games. They have also launched “Let’s Play with Wood,” where participants can use small logs and twigs to DIY unique toys. The public is warmly invited to sign up and join in. The Luodong Forest District Office stated that “Pondside Birdwatching Fun” combines board games with birdwatching activities, providing binoculars, educational materials, and more for participants to use. The “Let’s Play with Wood” activity allows the public to learn and try simple tree pruning, understand the little secrets to helping big trees grow healthily, and DIY small logs and twigs pruned from man-made forests into unique and fun toys. The registration includes a log toy material kit and other teaching materials. The office noted that the minimum age limit for both activities is first grade of elementary school, and each session is limited to 30 participants. Group reservations require a minimum of 10 people. Available time slots are from 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM and from 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM. Individual participants can only register for one session, which will be held on January 26.
Zhubei County's Happy Art Fun Reading Campaign Promotes Parent-Child Reading Together
Going all out to promote reading, the Zhubei County Government’s Cultural Affairs Bureau will hold a "Happy Art Fun Reading" event on the 15th at the outdoor plaza of the Cultural Affairs Bureau Library. The event will feature 8 major themed activities, inviting families to enjoy a day of reading together, immersing themselves in a literary atmosphere. There will be stories to listen to, lectures to enjoy, as well as exhibitions and markets to explore—all aimed at helping the public appreciate the beauty of reading and art. Cultural Affairs Bureau Director Chang I-chen noted that this year’s Happy Reading Market will have a Christmas theme, featuring 65 creative market stalls. In addition to good books, there will also be parent-child aesthetic craft experiences. On the day, there will also be a parent-child challenge game that incorporates classic picture books into gameplay to spark children’s interest in reading. Parents and children who complete a total of 12 reading stamps through joint reading can exchange them for vouchers. The day’s “Happy Reading Big Giveaway” will let participants play one round of bingo using two receipts, and the more lines they connect, the more great books they can win. The receipts will be donated to the World Peace Foundation. The “Reading Little Soldiers” activity will run in 30-minute sessions, where publishers like Little Lu and Hsin-Yi Publishing, along with volunteer moms, will help children engage with books through listening, speaking, reading, writing, and playing. The “Creative Fun” session at 1:30 p.m. in the Cultural Plaza will involve folding paper into caterpillars and having fun watching them crawl in a blowing competition, plus a prize quiz activity.
Colorful Winter Family Getaway – Relaxation for Both Parents and Kids
Spend a night at Mandarin Oriental and enjoy the beauty of a winter holiday. The hotel has launched a colorful winter family travel package that includes a stay in a cozy room, as well as a 60-minute “Tranquil” classic head massage for two people at its spa – which has been awarded the highest five-star rating for two consecutive years by Forbes Travel Guide – allowing you to fully relax your body, mind, and soul. Additionally, there's a delightful Bizzie Bee children’s craft set prepared for the little ones, complete with colored pencils, notebooks, fun and educational games, all designed to spark their imagination and creativity, while also giving families quality bonding time together. Bizzie Bee is a Hong Kong-based charity, and 100% of its profits go towards supporting vulnerable communities by organizing more art activities. This initiative, along with the Christmas Polar Bear “Share Love” charity drive, brings warmth to the cold winter season. This package starts from NT$16,500 per room per night.
Major Makeover at Linkou Dongshi Market: Family Fun, Delicious Food & Smart Shopping
A Traditional Market Like No Other – A Feast of Flavors and Heartwarming Family Time Await at Linkou Dongshi Market’s Grand Transformation. The market has been revamped to become New Taipei City’s first lifestyle education market. From now until December 31, shoppers spending over NT$100 can enter to win a 55-inch LCD TV. Additionally, those who register by the 28th can join the market’s fun-filled kids’ experience camp. Families and friends are welcome to shop and explore at Dongshi Market. New Taipei City Deputy Mayor Yeh Hui-ching stated that this year (2018), the city government has carried out extensive renovations to both the hardware and software aspects of Dongshi Market. In terms of hardware, not only have the stalls been visually upgraded and better organized, but the overall atmosphere has also been transformed into a lifestyle education hub — featuring elements such as an entrance inspired by the 24 solar terms, a “Market Q&A Kids’ Corner,” and more. The market has also incorporated eco-friendly concepts by introducing a “Bags on the Go” zone, where shoppers can pick up reusable shopping bags or repurposed plastic bags. The deputy mayor also encouraged everyone to support environmental efforts and noted that market vendors have all been guided to install electronic payment systems, enhancing convenience for consumers.
Family Fun in Changhua: Low-Key Yet Rewarding. The Changhua County Government Publishes a Book Encouraging Parent-Child Exploration of Five Key Abilities
Family Fun in Changhua: Let parent-child pairs learn and develop five essential abilities through travel games. On the 20th, the Changhua County Government launched its new book “Family Fun in Changhua: Cultivating Great Abilities,” which features 60 experiential tourist attractions across the county. The publication calls on families to join hands and explore the endless charm of Changhua while having fun. The book includes 60 attractions such as leisure farms and visitor centers, and features articles written by five well-known parent-child bloggers—including “Rice Mom” and Hong Shuqing—based on their firsthand visits. These offer a fresh parent-child travel perspective to guide readers through Changhua. Wu Shih-chang, chairman of the Changhua County Tourism Industry Association, also led association members at the event, welcoming visitors from across the country to experience deep and meaningful parent-child tours in Changhua. Deputy Magistrate Lin Ming-yu noted that Changhua may be low-key, but it’s full of substance. In recent years, the number of visitor centers in the county has grown rapidly. The book provides an in-depth look
The Toucheng Parent-Child Inclusive Amusement Park officially opens — a great destination for family fun
Toucheng Township now has another excellent spot for parent-child interaction and fun. The township office has developed a Parent-Child Inclusive Amusement Park within the Toucheng Sports Park. With a budget of NT$3 million allocated in August this year, construction began through contracting, and the project was fully completed earlier this month. After passing over a hundred safety inspections, Township Mayor Cao Ganshun happily announced the official opening of the Parent-Child Inclusive Amusement Park on the morning of the 16th. The Social Affairs Section of the Toucheng Township Office stated that the Toucheng Municipal Sports Park covers a large area and originally included facilities such as basketball courts, an ice-skating rink, parking lots, a swimming pool, leisure pathways, parent-child play equipment, and artificial hill landscaping. It has been an important daily recreational and sports venue for local residents. To further meet children’s leisure and recreational needs and to inspire their creativity through play, the township has planned and designed the “Parent-Child Inclusive Amusement Park,” suitable for shared use by families. The park’s equipment includes a grassy slope slide.
Luxury family getaway at year’s end: 5-star hotel package lets guests enjoy award-winning aromatherapy
With Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve coming one after another, these two months are filled with the warm festive holiday vibe. But taking long vacations and traveling far isn’t always easy—so a light urban trip is a more convenient option. Mandarin Oriental, Taipei offers parents looking to treat themselves a new choice: its colorful winter family stay package not only includes a room in a 5-star hotel, but also allows two parents to enjoy massage treatments at an internationally awarded aromatherapy center for some well-deserved relaxation, while children receive a beautifully crafted arts and crafts set to create and play fun games. Mandarin Oriental, Taipei’s aromatherapy center has been awarded the highest five-star rating by the Forbes Travel Guide, known as the “Oscar of the hotel industry,” for two consecutive years. The highlight of this colorful winter family stay package is the inclusion of this aromatherapy experience—two
The "Earth Palette" at Fengyuan Huludun Park, a kids' playground
As one of the three major exhibition areas of the Taichung Flower Expo, Fengyuan Huludun Park features landscape design based on the existing park and the soft-pi Creek riverside. Zone 5 takes inspiration from water, inviting artists to create four land art installations that form an “Earth Palette.” These interactive and playful landscape features attract many families, reflecting Huludun Park’s core concept of cultural harmony. The 2018 Taichung Flower Expo not only showcased flowers but also emphasized the symbiotic relationship between nature and society. Zone 5 of Fengyuan Huludun Park is built around five key concepts—aquatic life, islands, transformation, cohabitation, and solar terms—combining flowers and all living things into a spectrum of vibrant colors. It features four fun, family-friendly landscape installations, creating an Earth Palette perfect for parent-child interaction. Among them, the most popular with children is “Fengrui Woven Space,” which uses multiple woven net beds as petals to form a flower in rich, saturated colors. A wind-driven orb installation serves as the flower’s stamen, resulting in a space where kids can freely climb, crawl, and lie down—turning it into a delightful earthbound playground.
Taichung » So Heartwarming: Council Candidate Lin Dayu Hosts a Parent-Child Storytelling Event
Parent-child storytelling has become a popular campaign activity. On the 4th, Lin Dayu, a candidate in the Dali-Wufeng district for the city council, held a grassy storytelling parent-child event at Daxin Children’s Park in Dali District. He invited Dad Lu’s Storytelling Theater and a physical activity workshop to tell stories to the children and organize fitness games. Hundreds of parent-child pairs attended, creating a warm and joyful atmosphere with less of an election vibe. Lin Dayu’s campaign headquarters chose Daxin Children’s Park, which has a grassy area, to host the “Grassy Storytelling” parent-child event on the afternoon of the 4th. Lin Dayu stated that the aim was to encourage parents to take their children outdoors, allowing kids to enjoy the pleasure of listening to stories while also experiencing physical activities. He encouraged parents to create more opportunities to read with their children, inspiring kids to willingly pick up books. Through shared reading between parents and children, family communication can be enhanced and relationships strengthened.
Combining soil and water conservation concepts with fun activities allows families to learn while playing
The Miaoli County Government plans to hold a "Soil and Water Conservation Disaster Prevention Knowledge FUN – Disaster Prevention Party" from the 20th to the 22nd next to the Hakka Roundhouse near the Houli High-Speed Rail Station. The event will integrate soil and water conservation concepts with a variety of fun family-friendly activities, aiming to instill these values in children from a young age and encourage the public to protect Taiwan's beautiful environment together. County Magistrate Hsu Yao-chang stated that the concept of soil and water conservation is like waste sorting—it needs to be subtly instilled from childhood and integrated into daily life, eventually leading to voluntary compliance with regulations and environmental protection. Yang Ming-rao, head of the county’s Water Resources Bureau, mentioned that on the 20th, a soil and water conservation promotional event will kick off at the Hakka Roundhouse. The event includes a “Soil and Water Conservation Knowledge Decoded” exhibition to spread awareness, as well as a performance of the “Soil and Water Pressure Cooker” action play by Taipei’s Children’s King Theater Troupe, allowing children to learn correct concepts through engaging performances. There will also be a “Soil and Water Conservation Story Ma Ma Says”...
Challenging the Electronic Gaming Parlors – Candidates Unveil Their Strategies
KMT candidate for Hsinchu County Magistrate, Yang Wenke, announced on the 8th that he will host a “Youthful and Soaring” concert at his campaign headquarters to celebrate Double Ten Day. Since his headquarters features a family-friendly rest area open to parents and children from 9 AM to 9 PM daily, it has become a popular photo spot for families. On the 8th, Yang Wenke announced at his campaign office that a “Double Ten National Day Youthful and Soaring Concert” will be held from 3 PM to 6 PM on the 10th in the plaza in front of the headquarters. He invited everyone to sing the national anthem together, and small national flags will be distributed on-site to create a “flag tunnel.” In addition, the event will feature performances by the Wooden Horse Balloon Art Team, a fun inflatable zone, and the Feiyang Mobile Truck. Yang Wenke’s campaign headquarters has also set up a family leisure space with a slide, LEGO blocks, board games, rocking horses, and more, all available for free use by families from 9 AM to 9 PM daily.
Taipei » Polls fluctuate wildly: Yao Wen-chih says DPP is severely underestimated
Yao Wen-chih, the Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) mayoral candidate in Taipei, held a press conference on child-friendly policies at Minsheng Community on the 21st. He proposed turning the vacant lot east of the Songnan Base, adjacent to Minsheng Community, into a “For Kin & Kid” children’s play center and art exhibition venue. The facility would combine functions such as family play areas and public temporary childcare services to create a high-quality parenting environment and ease the burden on parents. Additionally, regarding the latest poll results, Yao said he found that half of those who voted for Ko Wen-je last time would not do so again this time. Of course, governance by the DPP has also led to some spiral of silence effects, but he remains confident about the election. “I believe our poll numbers are severely underestimated.”
Canaan Group Treats Underprivileged Children to an Early Mid-Autumn Festival at Fantasy Magic Castle
Canaan Huafeng Hotel, a subsidiary of the socially responsible Canaan Group, hosted children from underprivileged families on the 19th at the Fantasy Magic Castle, the only in-hotel, family-oriented amusement facility in central and southern Taiwan, built with an investment of tens of millions of NT dollars. The kids experienced an early Mid-Autumn Festival celebration, expressing amazement and joy throughout the day. Canaan Group has been committed to local public welfare and caring for vulnerable groups since its establishment. In addition to organizing community blood donation events from time to time, it also held its first public welfare marathon last year. Recently, with the completion of the parent-child facility — Fantasy Magic Castle, and the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival, the group specially organized the “Fantasy Magic Castle Mid-Autumn Public Welfare Event” to allow children from underprivileged families to celebrate the festival early. Chen Jian?, General Manager of Canaan Huafeng Hotel, stated that the Fantasy Magic Castle at Canaan Huafeng is the first of its kind in the nation.