We've rounded up the top spots for families this weekend in Kyoto (Feb 28th & Mar 1st)! Don't miss the free digital art workshop for kids in Uji, the Plum Blossom Festival at Umekoji Park, or the interactive salmon life game at the Aquarium.
See our top picks
Free Digital Art Experience
Docomo Shop Uji Makishima
Free iPad digital art workshop for kids up to junior high on Saturday morning.
Kaleidoscope Exhibition: Enjoy Peeking
Kyoto Kaleidoscope Museum
Guaranteed visual fun for everyone at the kaleidoscope museum.
Museum Debut Support Project: Ring Ring Long
The National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto
A free, relaxed lobby installation specifically designed for babies and toddlers.
· February 28
5RAISE! IKURA-CHAN 2026 : An interactive game where families tour the aquarium learning about the life cycle of salmon, focusing on the 'Ikura-chan Survival' theme. Perfect for kids fascinated by fish and nature.It’s an engaging, educational, and hands-on experience tailored to the aquarium setting.
: View a magnificent collection of historical Hina dolls passed down through the Sugimoto family since the Edo period. A beautiful way to experience traditional Japanese seasonal culture.Focuses on the seasonal Hina Matsuri displays within a historic cultural property.
: A chance to enjoy food related to the Doll Festival and try classic Japanese games like shell matching (kaiawase). Great cultural immersion for families.Offers hands-on traditional play that older children might find engaging beyond just looking at dolls.
: Explore the gorgeous garden featuring cascading weeping plum blossoms and camellias. A beautiful way to spend Saturday afternoon outdoors, weather permitting.It features spectacular seasonal flowers and is running all weekend.
TOOLS FOR LIVING, NOW AND THEN + : An exhibition where you can get up close and 'touch' living tools from a slightly older era. Great for curious children wanting to see how things were made.Museums often have interactive displays, and this one focuses on tangible objects that spark curiosity.
· March 1
3: Parents and kids can work together to craft traditional Hina dolls and miniature tatami mats using actual tatami material. A unique craft souvenir to take home.It's a hands-on craft session specifically for parents and children, confirmed to run until Sunday.
: Check out the closing day of this art fair showcasing contemporary artists, held across the museum hall and Tofuku-ji Temple grounds. Good for a dynamic walkabout.It is the final day (March 1st) of a major local art event.
CITIZEN'S HINA DOLL DISPLAYFREE : Visit the Registered Tangible Cultural Property to see a lovely collection of Hina dolls donated by local citizens. This small display ends Sunday, March 1st.It is free and wraps up on Sunday, offering a quiet cultural moment near the city center.
Also On· anytime this weekend
8FREE : A fantastic free workshop where kids use iPads to create digital art and learn while having fun. Docomo users and non-users are welcome to join the session running this morning.It is explicitly scheduled for 11 AM on Saturday and is completely free for school-aged kids.
: Catch the tail end of the plum blossom viewing season at Umekoji Park this Sunday. It's a great chance for a relaxing stroll among the early spring flowers before the event concludes.This festival runs until March 1st, making Sunday the final day to enjoy the blossoms.
FREE : This free installation in the lobby is designed for families with very young children to relax, enjoy art, and even make their own masks. It's a low-pressure way to introduce kids to a museum setting.It's free and specifically welcomes babies and small children, making it ideal for parents with toddlers.
FREE : Explore the famous Hyakunin Isshu poetry anthology through beautiful art and calligraphy. It's free admission, making it an easy Sunday cultural visit.It's free admission and runs through Sunday, offering culture without cost.
: This is the final day to see an exhibition focused on traditional Noh masks, guided by Noh actor Izumi Yamada. A neat cultural deep dive for slightly older kids.It is the very last day (March 1st) of this specific exhibition.
: This museum has an exhibition specifically themed around 'peeking,' which naturally means it features tons of colorful, engaging kaleidoscopes. Perfect if the weather turns.Kaleidoscopes are universally engaging for kids of all ages and it's an indoor activity.
: A slow-paced program in nature where parents and toddlers can enjoy the cold air and the warmth of a bonfire. A great way to get the littlest ones outdoors this weekend.Specifically targets the 0-3 age group and involves sensory nature play.
: If you need a backup indoor activity, this Higashiyama spot offers fun with traditional Japanese games and crafts like origami. Good for a spontaneous cultural session.It's a reliable indoor option that works for any age group if the weather is poor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What free kids events are on in Kyoto this weekend?
We found two great free options: the Digital Art Experience for school-aged kids in Uji on Saturday morning, and the Hina Doll Display at Kōdashi Fureai Machiya on Sunday. Also, the Momodai Art Museum's lobby project is free and runs all weekend.
Are there any outdoor events on for the whole family?
Yes, check out the Plum Festival at Umekoji Park (ending Sunday) or visit the beautiful Jōnangū Shrine for their Weeping Plum and Camellia Festival on Saturday.
What can we do with toddlers (under 4) this weekend?
For the littlest ones, the 'Hina-kko Club' at Keihanna Park focuses on 0-3 year olds and nature play on Saturday. The National Museum of Modern Art is also hosting a free, relaxed installation perfect for babies and guardians on both days.
