The Seoul Metropolitan Government said on the 18th that starting on the 20th, it will operate "Here and There, Seoul-style Kids' Cafes" every weekend.
Here and There, Seoul-style Kids' Cafe is a kind of pop-up playground set up only on weekends. The Seoul Metropolitan Government noted that it is a "weekend-specialized kids' cafe that families can visit as if going on a picnic together."
Accordingly, the kids' cafes that the Seoul Metropolitan Government has operated indoors will be expanded outdoors. As of September, there are a total of 153 kids' cafes operated by the city of Seoul, 25 district offices, and local communities, according to the city. Since opening the first kids' cafe in Hyehwa-dong, Jongno District, in 2022, the number of users has exceeded 1 million. The city plans to expand these kids' cafes to a total of 200 locations within the year.
A total of 18 outdoor kids' cafes will open this time. They will be set up at Cheongundapwon in Northern Seoul Dream Forest, Nanji Hangang Park, Children's Grand Park, and Gangseo Yangcheon Elementary School, among others.
Eligible users are children ages 4 to 9 by international age. Operations will run in three sessions, two hours each. The fee is 5,000 won per child, and guardians are free.
The number of admissions will follow the capacity corresponding to the play area size at each site. Half of the slots will be available by advance reservation, and the rest will be accepted on site on the day. Advance reservations can be made on the Our Neighborhood Care Portal website.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government will pilot Here and There, Seoul-style Kids' Cafes through November, then expand the locations and period next year.
Ma Chae-suk, head of the Women and Family Policy Office at the Seoul Metropolitan Government, said, "We will operate this as a representative Seoul play space that both children and guardians can happily visit every weekend."