A one-day family trip in Taichung featuring special attractions that are relaxing for adults and fun for kids!

As a local of Taichung, I feel ashamed for not having properly introduced the city’s popular attractions. This article plans out a complete one-day itinerary, showcasing several photogenic and fun spots all in one go, and I hope everyone will enjoy it.

Taichung is truly a great place to stroll, have fun, and shop!

Daren Balloon Company was established in 1960 and is the only remaining balloon factory in Taiwan. Visiting and participating in balloon-making activities here requires advance online reservation, so be sure not to forget to book before you come!

First, you will be led into the balloon factory for a tour, where the instruments inside and the balloon manufacturing process are explained in detail, along with the history of Daren Balloon Company and knowledge related to balloons.

Everyone has played with balloons as a child, but few have seen how they’re made — so this experience is quite novel. After the guided tour, it’s time for the balloon DIY activity!

Again, it’s a big sister who teaches everyone how to make balloons, including steps such as soaking in coagulant and latex solution, rolling the mouthpiece, applying talcum powder, and more. The teaching is done in a relaxed and fun way to show how balloons are made.

Everyone listens attentively, following every instruction step-by-step. Once the balloons are made, they are put into a machine to be heated. During the heating process, the big sister also leads activities, demonstrates and teaches various shaped balloons, and holds a quiz with prizes — those who answer correctly get a balloon from her hands. The whole process takes about one to two hours.

Option A: Museum visit + handmade balloon DIY + balloon games
Tour cost: NT$250 per person
Tour duration: About three hours

Tour cost: NT$190 per person
Tour duration: About two hours

Tour cost: NT$120 per person
Tour duration: About one hour
(Children under 3 years old are free, but must present a National Health Insurance card)

Friendly reminder: Taiwan Balloon Museum has limited space and does not offer free visits. To join the museum tour and DIY sessions, you must register online in advance, with reservations accepted up to two days before the event.

Address: No. 505, Section 5, Dafeng Road, Shengang District, Taichung City (near the Fengyuan/Shengang Interchange on the National Freeway)
Opening hours: 9:00–12:00, 13:00–17:00
Customer service hotline: (04)25284525
Reservation website: http://www.prolloon.com.tw/

This former police dormitory, located next to Taichung’s Fifth Market, has existed since around 1932. It once faced demolition, but fortunately, it was preserved as a literary special zone, continuing the past and future of Taichung literature through the history of “Taichung Literature” as a dedicated space!

There is an old banyan tree in the park with a very long history. Its aerial roots form a unique tunnel-like canopy, creating a spectacular sight that is truly breathtaking. Here, you can slow down, take a leisurely stroll, and enjoy the tranquility and comfort reminiscent of a Japanese garden.

However, there are many plants and trees here, so there are plenty of mosquitoes. Be sure to take protective measures. You must spray mosquito repellent when you come here. Xiaomantou got bitten several times because he sprayed too late!

I was well-prepared for outdoor activities. A few days ago, when I went to Watsons, I bought mosquito repellent because it contains DEET approved by Taiwan’s Ministry of Health and Welfare, making it effective against mosquitoes and fleas. Plus, Xiaomantou thought the packaging with all the cute bear designs was super adorable, and they came in small, portable sizes, so I just bought them all at once.

When I traveled to Japan before, I used to buy Japanese mosquito repellent to stock up, but Taiwan actually has good mosquito repellent products — the scent is pleasant and not overpowering, and the prices aren’t as high as in Japan. So, it’s nice to support local products once in a while.

The park covers an area of over 2,000 ping, divided into two main themed areas: “Taichung Literature Museum” and “Taichung Literature Park.” The entire park integrates old buildings with new creativity, with several structures well-preserved and repurposed to house permanent exhibitions, thematic special exhibitions, a theme restaurant, a literature lecture hall, and a children’s exhibition area, displaying and introducing works by many renowned writers.

On this wall is the children’s poem “Little Grass” by writer Zhao Tianyi. This poem encourages everyone that life, like little grass, should be resilient — even in harsh environments, it stands tall, stays green and thrives, facing each new day with positivity.

There is also a large sandy pit filled with white pebbles, which many children can’t resist playing in, while adults can sit nearby and enjoy the cool breeze.

It's just that these places have a lot of mosquitoes, so you really need to be careful! I'm so glad mosquitoes don't like me, haha!

Address: No. 48, Lequn Street, West District, Taichung City

Xizi (Fork) Restaurant is located on Fuhuiyuan Road behind the Taichung City Government. It's so close to my home, haha! That's why we often take a walk here to play. There's a small pebble sandbox in front of the restaurant for kids to play in, and it's not restricted to diners only!

If you're driving, it's recommended to park in the underground parking lot of the government area in this district. Come up from the "C area" of the parking lot, and Xizi will be right in front of you. The two big green snails at the entrance are so eye-catching that it's hard not to notice them!

There is also a whole row of snails on the other side of the restaurant. Why did the restaurant choose snails as its image? By looking at the words on the restaurant, "Beauty, Slowly Awakening", you can probably guess a little. It means to let everyone slow down the pace of life and enjoy life and meals well!

The kids went crazy when they saw the sandbox. But don't worry about getting dirty. There is a hand - washing and foot - washing area next to the sandbox. After rinsing, go in to change clothes, and you can still have a comfortable and clean meal.

As soon as you enter the restaurant, you'll see this row of fruits and vegetables at the door. We liked them so much that after the meal, we took a plastic bag from behind the cabinet and bought some fruits and vegetables to take home. Coming to a restaurant and buying vegetables is really a first for me!

The meals at Fork are all à la carte, and you can also pay extra to make them into set meals. You can choose a main course and pair it with bread, soup or drinks, etc., and match them according to your own preference.

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Address: No. 6, Fuhuiyuan Road, Xitun District, Taichung City
Business hours: 08:00 - 22:00
Phone: (04)2254 - 0691
Fan page: https://www.facebook.com/667378226703302/

Play ONE Pizza, DIY your own pizza all - you - can - eat, delicious and fun!

UMI Parent - Child Kitchen. The oceanarium %s is fun and delicious %s A new opening, a happy paradise for kids!

About a year and a half ago, there was an office worker in Taichung City who was a web graphic designer. He saw the empty cement wall in his old alley and came up with the idea of painting. He painted his favorite comic "One Piece" on the wall and shared the creative process online. Unexpectedly, it became an overnight hit. Many people came here to worship, creating a topic.

The location of the Anime Mural Alley is in "Lane 100, LinSen Road, West District, Taichung City". You can park your car on LinSen Road. There are parking spaces for cars and motorcycles on both sides.

The alley is a bit hard to find. Coming from the direction of Taichung Railway Station, walking along LinSen Road, not long after passing the Xingwusuo Yanyi Field, pay attention to the right - hand side and you'll see this hand - shaken drink shop. The mural alley is right next to it.

It initially started with the theme of "One Piece" and slowly expanded from in front of the self - owned house to the end of the alley. Later, it got longer and longer, and the neighbors on the left and right all invited him to paint on the front of their houses, making this alley full of childlike fun.

Address: No. 102, LinSen Road, West District, Taichung City

The predecessor of the Old Tree Root Magic Woodworking Workshop was the "Old Tree Root Industrial Co., Ltd.", which was established in the 79th year of the Republic of China. It developed various outdoor play equipment, toys and amusement landscape facilities made of logs. In the 94th year of the Republic of China, after being guided and transformed, it became a wood tourism factory integrating art, cultural creativity, education and tourism. It officially started operation in the 100th year of the Republic of China.

When buying tickets, I also applied for a membership card. I can enjoy discounts for continuous consumption in the future. Of the 200 - yuan ticket, 120 yuan can be used for consumption in the park. So the three of us paid a total of 360 yuan, which was all used to offset a handmade toy. We want Xiaomantou and Dad to complete it together. The staff will assist, so don't worry about not doing it well!

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In addition, when buying tickets, three large marbles were also given. They are given for several small games in the back playground that require marbles to play.

In the park, you can do DIY creations with logs by yourself, play interactive amusement equipment, drink coffee, experience puppet shows, get to know vegetables in Grandma's vegetable garden, and there is also a Tujiaocuo three - courtyard that you can play with children's toys, etc.

It is a forest amusement park full of ingenuity and creativity, and it's also a great place for the whole family to have fun together.

Address: No. 63, Shuyi Road, South District, Taichung City
Official website: http://www.mutou - wood.com/

■ On weekdays (Tuesday to Friday), the park is not open to the general public. It is closed on Mondays.
It is open to the general public on Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays (no reservation required)

■ Group Activity Entry Guidelines:
Time: Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Number of People: Reservations required for groups of 30 or more, by appointment only

■ General Public Entry Guidelines:
Time: Saturday, Sunday, and national holidays, 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Ticket: NT$200 (NT$120 can be used for in-park purchases)

The itinerary for the day is as follows:Taiwan Balloon Museum → Taichung Literature Museum → Xzi Family Restaurant → Taichung Anime Mural Alley → Old Tree Root Magic Workshop

East District. Taichung Railway Station

1. Yu Hotel (trendy and modern hotel with comfortable beds and bright rooms, located next to Zhongxiao Night Market)
2. Entrepreneur Hotel (next to Taichung Railway Station, one minute from New Era Shopping Mall, with surface parking available)

West District. Caotun DAO Boutique Commercial Area

1. ChénYì Cultural Tourism - Taichung Bird’s Day (trendy and artsy hotel near the Boutique Commercial Area, featuring a game room and gym, and provides bicycles)
2. 1969 Blue Sky Hotel (a hotel blending classical and industrial styles, located in a prime area with many long-standing Taichung food spots)

West District. The largest night market in Taiwan, Fengjia Night Market commercial area

1. Dulux Leisure Hotel (spacious and comfortable, with an SPA jacuzzi, KTV room, and close to Fengjia Night Market)
2. Biogen Boutique Hotel (located inside Fengjia Night Market, extremely convenient for shopping and dining, with comfortable rooms and an underground parking lot)

[Authorized reprint from Sophie's Family Travel Fun] Original article source: [Fun for Both Adults and Kids: A Big Recommendation for a Family Trip in Taichung!]