Dongtan indoor zoo on a weekend: 7 badges for free entry at Artis

This is my story of a trip to Artis Theme Park with my child. From feeding animals to the aquarium and reptile touching, there was so much to do that it made a great weekend outing!

Where is Artis Theme Park, and how is the parking?

Artis Theme Park is on the 9th floor of Sinyu Medi Plaza near Dongtan Station, and you can park in the building's underground lot, so it's easy to come by car. I'd been wondering where to take my child for the weekend, and since it's inside a building, it wasn't hard to find.

We went right at weekend opening time. I wanted to look around at a relaxed pace with my child, so we set out early, and it was much more comfortable.

As soon as we stepped out of the elevator, there were aquariums, animal models and colorful flower decorations, and the kids' eyes went wide. The entrance is pretty for photos, and my child saying "What is this place?" in excitement was so cute.

Being an indoor spot among Dongtan's theme parks, it's less affected by the weather, which I liked. It seems fine for a rainy day or a day that's too hot or cold.

There are diaper-changing tables and a nursing room (suyu-sil), so people with young babies may want to note that. There was also information about a discount for employees in the Dongtan area, so if that applies to you, it's worth checking before you go!

How do entry and the animal feeding experience at Artis Theme Park work?

Before you enter, Artis Theme Park gives you a name sticker to write your child's name on. We stuck it on my child's clothes and went in, and a staff member called my child by name and kindly encouraged them to join the activities, which I loved.

Inside, you get a feed kit, a container where you can keep food for several different animals, which made the experience fun. There were mealworms too, and my child was fascinated but a little cautious at first. Once they actually fed the animals, though, they had a blast.

Can you touch insects and reptiles?

Deeper inside Artis Theme Park there's an area where you can observe and touch crickets, giant millipedes and a big pill bug called a megaball. Honestly, I as an adult hesitated a little, but the kids weren't scared at all and touched them happily. Since you see and touch them yourself, I think it sticks in memory more than a zoo where you just look.

We also saw lizards and softshell turtles, and snakes and various reptiles were displayed in glass showcases. There was even a sand play area, so my child never had a chance to get bored.

Stamps and badges

There are stamp spots all around Artis Theme Park, and when you finish them all you get a pretty badge. Collecting stamps was a lot of fun. My child kept saying "I have to get them all!" and searched eagerly, so we naturally ended up exploring every corner of the place.

Feeding carrots to guinea pigs and rabbits

Feeding carrots to the guinea pigs and rabbits was really popular too. Watching them take food up close was so cute, and my child carefully held out a hand and spent time bonding with them.

What marine life experiences are there at the Artis Theme Park aquarium?

Artis Theme Park has an aquarium area where you can see lots of water creatures, not just land animals, so it feels like a Dongtan aquarium. The aquarium space was nicely done.

You could also touch starfish and horseshoe crabs. When my child first saw the horseshoe crab, they were amazed and asked, "What is this?"

We could touch crabs too. My child was less scared than I expected, gently touching one with a hand and then watching it for a long time.

There was a freshwater ray feeding experience and a crayfish experience too. It doesn't end with looking at the tanks. Feeding and touching the creatures lets you feel them up close, which I liked.

They also sell raising sets for shrimp, thief crabs and crayfish, plus hermit crab products, so kids who want to raise creatures at home would probably love it.

The most amazing animals: the anteater and the pelican

Personally, the most amazing animals at Artis Theme Park were the anteater and the pelican. I never expected a pelican, so seeing one for real was incredible. My child watched the pelican for ages. The seal was swimming around happily too, and its movements were so cute that we couldn't move on for a while.

Facilities and the badge event at Artis Theme Park

Near the end of the route at Artis Theme Park there's a space where kids can draw. After seeing so many animals and sea creatures, it's nice that they can express them in a drawing.

Besides the play areas, there are seats where parents can rest for a moment, so it was easy to take breaks along the way. There was a goods corner and an unmanned café called Sweet Cafe, good for a drink or a short rest.

An event was running where you bring 7 badges and get a free park entry ticket, so if you plan to visit often, you may want to take advantage of it.

Is it a good indoor activity near Dongtan Station for kids?

If you're looking for an indoor activity space for kids near Dongtan Station, I recommend Artis Theme Park. True to a Dongtan theme park, there was a wide range of sights and activities, and it felt like a Dongtan indoor zoo and a Dongtan aquarium in one, so my child loved it. Next time I'd like to come with a friend's family and take it even more slowly!