Korea Kids’ Corner: Best dinosaur museums to explore with family!

(Photo courtesy of Haenam Dinosaur Museum)

Why are dinosaurs such a fascinating topic for kids? Perhaps it’s the giant size and awe-inspiring nature of these ancient creatures that captures their imaginations.

Dinosaurs evoke the time when these mysterious beings dominated the Earth, sparking curiosity and adventurous spirits in young minds.

In Korea, numerous dinosaur fossils and their activities have been discovered, with significant finds in the southern coastal regions. These areas are home to natural monuments and have been tentatively listed as UNESCO sites due to their historical value.

As a result, you’ll find a variety of fun museums and theme parks dedicated to learning about dinosaurs.

While there are many dinosaur-themed attractions across the country, some museums stand out for their ability to constantly captivate children’s interest while providing rich educational content. Here are the top dinosaur museums in Korea that promise an exciting and educational experience for your kids!

Haenam Dinosaur Museum (해남공룡박물관)

(Photo courtesy of Haenam Dinosaur Museum)

The Haenam Dinosaur Museum is the largest dinosaur museum in Korea. Haenam-gun County is one of “the five sites of fossilized dinosaurs across the southern coast” on the tentative list of UNESCO.

Haenam is unique for being the first place in the world where dinosaur, pterosaur, and bird footprints were discovered in the same stratum. This area has revealed numerous footprints, proving that it was once a habitat where these ancient creatures coexisted.

The museum boasts a large-scale exhibit with vivid displays where kids get thrilled as if they’re encountering real dinosaurs. Explore the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods through life-size models, bones, and fossils. The museum features a collection of large-scale dinosaur models, genuine Allosaurus fossils and authentic footprints found in the area.

Beyond the educational values, the museum offers a lot of fun activities and events, such as fossil making and a bubble magic show. Also, the dinosaur swimming pool is accessible to all visitors at no extra charge from July to August. Visitors can capture wonderful snaps at the dinosaur-themed trick art photo zone and the beautiful outdoor park featuring large dinosaur models and flowers.

Address: 234 Dinosaur Museum Road, Hwangsan-myeon, Haenam-gun, Jeollanam-do, Naver Map
Hours: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Closed on Mondays)
Tickets: Adults 5,000 won / Teens 4,000 won / Children 3,000 won
Parking: Free
Website

Goseong Dinosaur Museum (고성공룡박물관)

(Photo courtesy of Goseong-gun)

Goseong Dinosaur Museum is another one recognized as one of Korea’s best. Goseong-gun County is also one of “the five sites of fossilized dinosaurs across the southern coast” where dinosaur footprints were first discovered in Korea, with over 5,000 footprints found so far.

The museum boasts real oviraptor and protoceratops fossils and life-size models of monolophosaurus, tyrannosaurus and bactosaurus dinosaurs and more. Visitors can also view dinosaur footprints discovered in the Goseong area.

For children, the museum provides engaging activities like bone puzzles and fossil digging, as well as a dinosaur-themed trick art photo zone.

The museum is inside the Sangjokam National Park, where dinosaur footprints are preserved, and the museum’s outdoor area has large-scale dinosaur models and stunning coastal views of Hallyeo Maritime National Park. It is an ideal spot for a family outing.

Address: 618 Jaranman-ro, Hai-myeon, Gosung-gun, Gyeongnam, Naver Map
Hours: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Mar.-Oct.) / 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Nov.-Feb.) / Closed on Mondays
Tickets: Adults 3,000 won / Teens 2,000 won / Children 1,500 won
Parking: 2,000 won – 3,000 won for all day

Anmyondo Jurassic Museum (안면도 쥬라기 박물관)

(Photo courtesy of Anmyeondo Jurassic Museum)

The museum sits in the Taean Peninsula, home to the Taean Coastal National Park with 27 beaches on the west coast. The museum is well-known as home to the largest collection of genuine dinosaur fossils in Korea. It also features dinosaur models and exhibits from the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods, offering educational displays about dinosaurs, their fossils, and prehistoric life. The outdoor area includes large dinosaur models and a fun playground.

Although the museum is smaller and more expensive compared to those in Haenam and Goseong, it’s a beloved spot for families visiting Taean, especially those looking for a great combination of beach fun and educational experiences for kids.

Taean is a famous coastal area where visitors can enjoy swimming and collecting sea creatures at the same time due to tides. From the U.S. military bases in Pyeongtaek, it’s about an hour and 40 minutes’ drive away, making it a perfect destination for a beach day trip.

Address: 37-20 Gomseom-ro, Nam-myeon, Taean-gun, Chungcheongnam-do, Naver Map
Hours: 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. (Closed on Mondays)
Tickets: Adults 12,000 won / Teen 10,000 won / Children 9,000 won (Additional fees are charged for Media Hall and Planetarium)
Parking: Free
Website

Seodaemun Natural History Museum (서대문 자연사 박물관)

(Photo courtesy of by Seodaemun Natural History Museum)

Seodaemun Natural History Museum offers rich educational exhibits on dinosaurs, Earth, ecosystems, geology and biology. The museum is conveniently located in Seoul and features numerous exhibits and interactive experiences, educational and entertaining both for children and adults.

The museum widely covers natural history, including ancient creatures in Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic eras. Exploring the museum takes you on a chronological journey through Earth’s history, from the formation in the cosmos to ancient life and creatures. For the best experience, start your visit on the 3rd floor and make your way down to the 1st floor, where exhibits progress from the universe to nature and humanity.

The children’s favorite is the second floor, where visitors can encounter diverse dinosaurs, pterosaurs and other animals, including Tyrannosaurus and Acrocanthosaurus, Pteranodon and ancient mammals. There are also taxidermized animals and sea creatures. Visitors can learn about marine life as well with displays of all kinds of sharks that inhabit Korea.

The museum has good convenient facilities, including a nursing room and café, and the outdoor area features a dinosaur park.

Address: Yeonhui-ro 32-gil 51, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, Naver Map
Hours: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Tue.-Fri.) / 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. (Weekends) / Closed on Mondays
Tickets: Adults 7,000 won / Teens 4,000 won / Children 3,000 won
Parking: 3,000 won for 2 hours (5,00 won added for every 10 minutes after the first 2 hours)
Website