When it comes to making memories as a family, few things come close to a family trip. Especially a family trip against the backdrop of the Korean Winter Wonderland. From skiing to ice festivals or even catching a picturesque sunrise, you and your family won’t have a dull moment. Trust us when we say there’s plenty for the little ones to enjoy. Read on to find out all about why your family will love the #WinterKoreaFestival!
Why Korea is a Great Destination for a Family Vacation
Image Source: Korea Tourism Organization
First off, we’re going to tell you why #Korea is a top choice for a family trip. The reason might surprise you. Did you know that Korea has the lowest birth rate in the world, at 1.05 children per woman? This means that many families, extended families included, spend the bulk of their income and vacation time on one child. This forms the ‘pocket-8 culture’ in which each child enjoys the income of two sets of grandparents, unmarried relatives, and of course their parents1. What does this have to do with anything, you might wonder. It means that Korea has everything for children – from exquisitely curated kids’ cafes, the Alpaca World, and the Daegwallyeong Sheep Ranch, to an entire luxury hotel subculture dedicated to family staycations!
This also means that you will find no shortage of amenities, activities, and places to bring your children to in #Korea. Importantly, it means kid-friendliness pretty much wherever you go. That’s a pretty strong impetus to #visitKorea isn’t it? But that’s not all, there’s a plethora of fun and meaningful activities for the entire family to enjoy, especially now that the #WinterKoreaFestival is going on!
1. Family Activities in #Korea – Fun Ski Travel Packages
Skiing doesn’t always have to be in the Swiss Alps. Korea makes a fine alternative and also one that is less likely to break the bank! From breathtakingly beautiful sceneries to top notch facilities, what’s not to love about skiing in #Korea?
When you #visitKorea, you can check out the Fun Ski Festival taking place at Yongpyong Resort, Korea’s first-ever ski resort that is known for hosting many international competitions. In addition, the resort also offers skiing and snowboarding lessons and competitions conducted by professional instructors. You are also welcome to attend the awards ceremony for the winners of the competitions – definitely a unique experience for your children to share with their friends when they get back to Singapore!
Alternatively, you can attend the Go-Go Ski Festival at High 1 Resort, known for being the most environmentally-friendly resort in the country. This a great way to show your kids an example of sustainability efforts. While you’re there, don’t forget to get onto one of the 3 ski lifts where you will experience some IG-worthy, picture-perfect moments for your entire family! Your family can also choose your preferred difficulty level of skiing as there are several types of slopes. From beginners to more advanced skiers, there’s something for everyone in your family!
At both these ski festivals, you can look forward to an exciting array of cultural events and performances that will truly immerse you in the vibrance and charm of Korean culture. It’s a great learning opportunity for the kids.
2. #WinterKoreaFestival Family Activities – Fancy Some Fish?
You might have taken your kids longkang fishing, or maybe even regular fishing. But have they ever tried using their bare hands to fish for Trout in a huge man-made ice-cold pool? It’s a 100-year-old tradition in #Korea by the way! To complete the ice-cold experience, your kids can also try snow or ice sledding, ice football and even making ice sculptures at the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival at Gangwon-do, which is in the same area as the Ski Resorts so there’s plenty to do in the vicinity!
There’s even a festival solely dedicated to the Ginseng Trout – The Hongcheon River Ginseng Trout Festival happening at the Hongcheon River, also within the Gangwon area, It’s an annual tradition for Koreans to make their way to this river to carve ice and catch the Ginseng Trout. Your family can try your luck at catching the esteemed Ginseng Trout too. Of course, there’s a host of other activities as well. While you’re there, don’t forget to let your kids snap a picture with the views of thatched cottages for sharing in school!
3. #WinterKoreaFestival – Mountain Snow Festival
Image Source: Korea Tourism Organization
When it comes to Christmas and the winter season, children always love snowmen and animals. It’s all over the holiday-themed clothing, toys, gift wrappers, and even books. Well, picture this, a festival with huge snow sculptures of snowmen and animals. Your children are sure to have a ball of a time at the Taebaeksan Mountain Snow Festival taking place at Taebaeksan National Park after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic. There are a whole lot of other activities including live musical performances, an igloo café, ice slides, and much more. You’d probably want to set aside a day for endless family fun here!
4. #VisitKorea to Enjoy Strawberry Picking in Winter
There’s something about strawberry picking in winter that’s just so fun and magical, especially for the children. Given that the only strawberries they see in Singapore are those in the supermarkets, this will be a fun, hands-on, experience for the little ones. There are several farms that are easily accessible and known for being kid-friendly. Not only will your children enjoy picking strawberries, but they can also look forward to activities such as strawberry ice cream and strawberry jam-making sessions. While at it, the entire family can enjoy the picturesque views and snap some pictures for keepsakes!
5. #ImagineYourKorea With Alpacas and Sheep for Company
Children love animals! A family trip is never complete without some animal fun. Set a day aside to take your children to Alpaca World where they can interact and feed the adorable alpacas while you enjoy the surrounding nature. Apart from feeding the alpacas, the entire family can look forward to a range of hands-on programs. The location is also complete with all the necessary amenities to make it convenient for visitors from all walks of life. Definitely a fun day in store for the entire family.
Talking about animals, you can also take your family to the Daegwallyeong Sheep Ranch – a privately owned ranch that spans over a sprawling 195km2. It has a sheep grazing field surrounded by a circular walkway so visitors can view the sheep throughout their visit. You can get up close and personal with the sheep, feed them hay and even touch their heads. Your children will definitely be delighted. Also, have you heard of the movie The Man from Mars? There’s a wooden shack in this ranch that was used as a backdrop in the movie and it is now a photo hotspot – one of the gram! Just another reason to #visitKorea!
Mums and dads, these are just a few of the many wonderful activities that your family can enjoy when you #visitKorea. The #WinterKoreaFestival is a must for every family. If you’re wondering where to start with planning your trip, you can visit the TripZilla website for travel packages from various travel agents to suit your family’s needs and budget. Let the planning be taken care of so you can #imagineyourKorea and focus on enjoying your best family trip ever. But do hurry for the #WinterKoreaFestival ends soon!
References
- https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/south-korea-travel-with-kids/index.html
- https://www.havehalalwilltravel.com/winter-experiences-ski-resort-korea
