Nine selected nationwide from more than 85,000 facilities; Ministry of Interior and Safety certification
Integrated play, care and development space earns high marks for safety management and child development
The Seoul-type Kids Cafe Hwagok Municipal Branch in Gangseo-gu has been named one of the country's outstanding children's play facilities for 2026 by the Ministry of Interior and Safety.
The ministry has designated outstanding children's play facilities annually since 2012 to promote safe, creativity-nurturing environments for children. This year, 49 facilities recommended by local governments and education offices were evaluated through written reviews, on-site inspections and assessments by private-sector experts — with only nine selected from more than 85,000 children's play facilities nationwide.
The Hwagok Municipal Branch earned high marks for functioning as an integrated public play space that organically combines an indoor play area, a terrace, a nature environment and child support facilities.
Judges particularly noted how the facility carefully divides quiet and active zones to match children's ages and play pace, and offers a range of developmentally appropriate activities and equipment — including a jungle playground, a zip line and role-play areas.
The branch opened in August 2025 on the first floor of Seoul Kids Plaza (35 Hwagok-ro 31na-gil, Gangseo-gu) and serves children ages 4 to 12 (born 2014–2022). It is open to all Seoul residents as well as anyone who works or attends school in the city.
Admission is 5,000 won per child for a two-hour session; one accompanying guardian enters free. Families with two or more children may receive free admission upon presenting supporting documents. The facility operates on a reservation-only basis, with bookings available through the Woori Dongne Kium Portal.
With this designation, the Hwagok Municipal Branch will hold outstanding facility status through 2029 and will receive a certificate and plaque from the Ministry of Interior and Safety.
"It is deeply meaningful and gratifying that the Hwagok Municipal Branch has been recognized as a model space for nurturing children's safety and creativity," Gangseo-gu District Mayor Jin Kyo-hoon said. "We will continue to work hard so that our children can play freely in a comfortable and reassuring environment."
The full list of this year's nationally designated outstanding children's play facilities is available through the ministry's Children's Play Facility Safety Management System. For more information on using the facility, contact Gangseo-gu's Birth and Childcare Division.
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