If you come from a family of skiers and snowboarders, then you may not be my target audience for learning about winter activities in Korea for toddlers. You likely already have a winter plan. Unlike me, you’re confident enough with winter sports to know where to begin with teaching your little one how to enjoy the cold weather. However, if you come from warm weather this article might help you make some fun winter choices. Don’t worry if you live in a part of Korea that isn’t snowing because these locations specialize in maintaining and creating snow-like conditions. For example, we drove to Alps Village in the middle of January, after not seeing any snow for 2 weeks in Asan. We were a little concerned when we still didn’t see any snow on the drive, but were pleasantly surprised and excited once we arrived. Contacting the location ahead, or using 1330, may save you some anxiety. If the location is open, there will be snow! My Relationship with Winter I’m from Hawai’i. This means I’m more comfortable planning warm-weather fun, but not completely without cold-weather experiences. Hawai’i has an Ice Palace, open year-round on the island of O’ahu, so yes, I have years of experience ice skating; it was a middle school right of passage. In Korea, I can only hope that my knowledge of skateboarding and water sports can translate into enough muscle memory to enjoy sledding and snowboarding. This brings us to the following toddler recommendations for winter. Skiing Resorts Yes, I HAVE seen videos of toddlers skiing and snowboarding. Very impressive, but they are often raised by parents with lots of winter experience. If you don’t have winter experience, you can also get ski/snowboard lessons or go sledding at these ski resorts. Here are a few toddler-friendly ski resorts, in case you want to start slow: Vivaldi Park Toddler Notes: Music-themed winter fun for the family. Includes skiing, tube sledding, and snow play zones. Very popular location. Welli Hilli Park Toddler Notes: Resort destination that includes skiing, snowboarding, and an indoor water park among other things. Elysian Gangchon Ski Resort Toddler Notes: Great for beginners ages 3 years and up. Beginner-level slopes for skiing and sledding. Yangji Pine Resort Toddler Notes: Resort destination, much like Welli Helli Park, includes skiiing and sledding, as well as indoor sports and restaurants. Sledding Additionally, if you want to take your toddler sledding without the ski resort experience, you’ll find a few places near Pyeongtaek and Camp Humphreys. This can easily be a one-day activity without the need to stay overnight. I mention these since they are what I am familiar with. The sledding slopes may be busy with winter school vacations occurring in January and February. Waiting in lines for sledding can take a while so if your toddler is impatient in queues, then you may need a backup plan. Cheonan Sangnok Resort Toddler Notes: While this location includes an amusement park, it is closed for the Winter so if it looks exciting, then return for the rides in March. This location has 3 main slopes for different levels – Advanced (tube sled with long, steep climb to the top), Intermediate (tube sled with shorter course), and Toddlers (low slope with plastic sleds). Convenience store and restaurants on-site and in Sangnok Hotel. W14,000 on weekdays; W18,000 on the weekend. Sledding hours are from 10:00 to 16:30, closed Mondays and during rain. My favorite toddler family winter spot is Alps Village & Chilgapsan Ice Fountain Festival, also popular on Instagram and Tiktok for the majestic ice sculptures and magical Frozenesque background. Open daily, from 0900 to 2100 (with night show starting at 1800). For around W20,000 each, you can enjoy various slopes levels of tube sledding (eg. toddler only, beginner and toddler & parent, intermediate, and advanced), toboganning, snow play, ziplining, ice castles and ice sculptures, and a petting zoo. For a few extra won, you can purchase other things on site, like animal feed, food, coffee, roast chestnuts and sweet potato, train rides, to name a few. They also have gloves for purchase at the entrance, in case you forgot yours. If you decide that you want to stay longer, there are rental cottages, which can accommodate from 8 to 20 people, on location but they book quickly. For more information on sledding options Sledding in South Korea > The South of Seoul Blog Ice skating You don’t need to travel to Seoul to enjoy ice skating. Indoor and outdoor ice rinks exist in other areas of South Korea. You will need to check the free skate schedules before going and you can often use 1330 to do just that. You can also use the Konglish term “아이스깅크” or the Korean term “빙상장” to search for locations on Naver Maps or Kakao Maps. Gear Availability Locations require skaters to wear a helmet and gloves. Helmets are available in 3 different sizes but if your little one has a helmet that fits them perfectly, bring it. Locations also have snack and supply stores so if you want to purchase skate gear and accessories you may. Storing Your Things You’ll also need coins for the lockers. Skates are available for rent, but for your little ones, it may help to use 1330 to check available skate sizes before the drive. Yi Sun-Shin Ice Rink in Asan: If you enjoy watching the Asan Mugunghwa Football team, the Asan Owls, then you’re probably already familiar with the Yi Sun-Shin Stadium next door. Open from 0900 to 1800 weekdays; 0900 to 2000 weekends; closed Mondays. The skate rink is closed during lunch from 11:30 to 12:30 but you are welcome to eat in the snack shop while you wait. This location does NOT include skate aids so if your toddler isn’t ready, then I would not advise it unless you are a strong ice skater. Namseon Park Skating Rink may be your next adventure in Daejeon. This location includes ice skating, sledding, rides, and cute little penguin-shaped skate aids. Open from 10:00 to 20:00; closed Mondays. Daejeon could be an easy day trip from Pyeontaek but If you’d rather stay for the weekend. Winter-friendly Indoor Options If you and/or your toddler are “allergic” to the cold weather and just need a warm indoor location to play, you may want to consider: Choosing The Right Winter Toddler Activities In the end, your choices may depend on your toddlers courage and desire for adventure. Winter sports look easy when you’re watching animated princesses, gliding across a screen, but it’s good to have a back up plan in case your toddler doesn’t feel ready. LeaDan Yee, M.EdLeaDan Yee holds a Master’s in Education with a focus in Secondary Education and Teaching – Language Arts and Bachelor’s in Psychology, with a minor in Speech. As a Cultural Liaison and Content Creator at South of Seoul, Ms. Yee focuses on creating content for families interested in traveling and those with toddlers.  She is especially interested in opportunities to share her Native Hawaiian background and empower others to be cultural ambassadors. Prior to joining South of Seoul, LeaDan worked as a High School Speech Teacher and Adjunct Communications Professor. She specializes in Public Speaking, Argumentation and Debate, Team Management, and Event Planning.

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Wondering what to expect during Korea’s four seasons? Let’s take a look at what a year looks like living in Korea. Discover tips for how to appreciate Korean seasons for their own unique style. Korea’s ‘Four Seasons’ is Part of Small Talk Korean culture puts great importance on the 4 seasons. While living in South Korea, you may even hear about Korea’s four-season slightly more than feels comfortable. For example, many social conversations may begin with the question, “Do you know about Korea’s four seasons?” due to the fact it’s a conversation topic often covered in ESL classes. Additionally, the topic of Korea’s 4 Seasons may also be covered in Introduction to Korean classes. The following video introduces you to the seasons and the Korean vocabulary associated with the seasons. It’s a great idea to be familiar with the common vocabulary. Once you have lived in Korea for a while you may also become a little obsessed with Korea’s Four Seasons. Korean culture sets its rhythm by the changing of seasons and you soon find yourself spending a great deal of time talking about the fall colors, cherry blossoms, and heatwaves. It gets in your blood and you set your life clock to it in a way that you might not at home. This blog looks at how my appreciation for Korean Seasons plays out in real life and what my family does each year. About Korea’s Four Seasons Whether you’re from a place with just a couple of seasons or have experienced four seasons for most of your lives, you’ll discover that Korea has its own unique seasonal changes. This blog aims to give you a general overview of what to appreciate and look forward to with each season. And also link you to blogs that may help further guide your search. Korea’s seasons will arrive a little earlier and last a little longer in different parts of the peninsula. So, while you may not need to drive very far, you may need to wait a little longer depending on where you live. Additionally, much of the information online may relate mostly to Seoul so you need to confirm dates for your area. Watching the seasons change in Korea is more than just changes in climate and temperature. It’s much more exciting as you’ll soon notice by the seasonal posts about flower festivals, autumn colors, fruit picking, and ski trips, for example. While we wait on the edge of our seats for hints of color, it’s easy to lose sight of the beauty that continues to linger. Personally, I love watching changes in the landscape as I pass agricultural land. Especially rice fields that dance with the wind, “marshmallow season” or after the rice has been harvested and wrapped for transportation, and, my favorite, “fields of glass” or when the rice fields are flooded for planting. Color changes in the fields are part of how I appreciate the seasons in Korea. My Seasonal Guide for Korea I’d like to share some of my family’s favorite things to do during each season in South Korea. Since I came from Hawai’i, it’s been a neat experience to live in a place with such seasonal diversity. I have a family of three and my little one has been a toddler during our time in South Korea. Keep in mind, that the following recommendations come from my family’s experiences and what we enjoy. These recommendations don’t include everything there is to do in Korea during each season. My family loves nature and space for our toddler to play so we have fallen in love with the following activities. After reading my ideas, explore many other blogs to discover how you would like to appreciate Korea’s seasons. For example, you will discover that I don’t have much to say about the Winter season because I’m not a confident driver in the snow. I tend to spend these days, wrapped in layers of blankets, drinking something warm, as I admire the beauty of falling snow from the comfort of my living room. Though I do aim to visit at least one ski location in Korea before we leave. Spring Highlights in South Korea Many Koreans may admit to feeling like Korea mostly has two seasons because Spring and Autumn happen within a blink of an eye. This is why people rush to see Cherry Blossoms and Autumn Leaves. You will want to be ready to act quickly to catch the highlights of Spring and Autumn in Korea. 1. Cherry Blossoms Cherry blossoms usually begin to blossom around March and April. Each year a map is created for the Korean cherry blossom season. It predicts when each area will have peak blossoms. Remember that such maps are an educated guess. You can use Instagram to figure out what blossoms are popping at each location. Cherry Blossoms Exist Across Korea: You don’t need to leave your area to enjoy cherry blossom season. Most cities in South Korea have many tree-lined roads and local parks. You do not need to feel pressure to travel to a special location. You can find Pyeongtaek view areas on the South of Seoul blog. 2. Spring Fruit Picking Please keep in mind, especially when picking various types of berries in Korea (eg. strawberries, cherries, blueberries), that you’re paying for the experience, which often includes eating WHILE you pick. You may see the cost and be discouraged to pick when you see the size of the containers that you take home. It’s because you’re expected to also eat them while picking. If you have no intention to eat while picking, then these farms often also sell containers with fruit at a lower cost. 3. Spring Flower Festivals South Korea has many spring flower festivals in different parts of the country. Many flower festivals focus on blooms that aren’t cherry blossoms. Such flower festivals are perfect for families since kids often have plenty of room to run and plan. 4. Cafe visits The cafes in South Korea are unmatched. I help admin Cafes in Korea and something our group loves to do is visit cafes based on a theme or idea. In the spring I love to visit the cafes with views of cherry blossoms or a cherry blossom theme. Summer in South Korea Summer in Korea offers a variety of experiences depending on where you are in the country. In the countryside where we live, the rice paddies look like beautiful fields of glass, reflecting the sky, and nearby structures, like bridges and buildings. Monsoon season is often in June and may run through July. Some years are wetter than others so this would be a great time to make sure you have your raincoats, boots, and umbrellas ready. Otherwise, the summers are long, hot, and humid. 1. Arboretums You may notice a trend. Korean gardens have been something my family has enjoyed in all seasons. South Korea has many stunning arboretums which have indoor spaces that help with managing some of the sun exposure issues in the summer. 2. Summer Fruit Picking To be honest, there isn’t a season when you shouldn’t be out picking fruit. Korea has delicious seasonal fruits. In the summer we like to pick cherries and blueberries. 3. Beach Time The Korean coastline is filled with swimming beaches on all sides. The beaches may be rocky or sandy and the water is shallow on the west coast and drops off quickly on the east coast. Yes, I am from Hawai’i and I love what Korean beaches have to offer even though they may not have the same tropical aesthetic as home. If you live in Pyeongtaek, then you’ll find beautiful beaches just an hour or two away. Of course, there are beautiful beaches surrounding the peninsula. South of Seoul even has a list of volunteers’ Top 20 Korean Beaches across Korea. Autumn in South Korea Lush, green rice paddies are harvested and the Autumn leaves arrive. Fall is the season many look forward to because of the cooler weather and stunning landscapes. 1. Hiking and Viewing Fall Colors We recommend spending a lot of time outside in the fall. There are many easy hikes for toddlers around where we live in Pyeongtaek. Additionally, just like in the spring, Korean tourist organizations put out posters that guesstimate when the best dates for seeing fall colors in different parts of South Korea. Such posters will start circulating about two weeks before the fall color season begins. 2. Fall Fruit Picking Yes, we head back to the farms and orchards in the fall as well. Pick apples is a very popular activity for families. There is a very popular farm just south of Pyeongtaek where many go to enjoy apple picking and pie making. 3. Instagram Picks with Flowers and Grasses Instagram photos and cafes are a big part of our lives in the fall in Korea. Everyone becomes obsessed with muhly grass, pampas grass, and fall flowers. I recommend checking out the Chrysanthemum Festivals in October and November. Once again, you can use Instagram to discover exactly what grass and blossoms are blooming in each area of Korea. If you’re USFK affiliated, then Osan Air Base and Camp Humphreys often host their own Fall Festivals with food and activities for the family. 4. Cafe visits In the fall we are back in the cool cafes. As I mentioned, I help admin Cafe’s in Korea and something our group loves to do is visit cafes based on a theme or idea. Each fall I’m out visiting my favorite fall-focused cafes and soaking in the aesthetic. Nothing like sipping coffee and thinking to myself, “This is how to appreciate Korean seasons.” Winter Bundles of rice shocked up, waiting for threshing. By the way, “shocking” rice is the process of standing the bundles so they may dry. “Threshing” is the process of removing the grains from the straw. Soon the rice paddies will look like fields of giant marshmallows. While my use of simile may seem strange, you’ll never look at these large, often white, bundles the same way ever again. White is the color of this season in Korea. During the 2 years, we lived in Asan-si, our first snow day of the year arrived in late November, then didn’t return until late December. We continued to enjoy snow days in January and February. We also make the most of our outdoor time when it’s cold because the trails are free of snakes and spiders. The nippy winds arrive in late Autumn and linger through Spring. South of Seoul has many ski blogs for various skill levels. As I mentioned earlier, I’m less adventurous during the Winter, but I know others, such as my husband, who deeply enjoy the winter season. South of Seoul Seasonal Guides As I mentioned before, there are many more things to do in South Korea than mentioned above. You can learn more about how to appreciate Korean seasons by reading South of Seoul’s seasonal blogs by category. Join Pyeontaek Travelers If you would like to know how others appreciate Korean seasons, join the Pyeongtaek Travelers group! Many wonderful adventures are shared year-round. LeaDan Yee, M.EdLeaDan Yee holds a Master’s in Education with a focus in Secondary Education and Teaching – Language Arts and Bachelor’s in Psychology, with a minor in Speech. As a Cultural Liaison and Content Creator at South of Seoul, Ms. Yee focuses on creating content for families interested in traveling and those with toddlers.  She is especially interested in opportunities to share her Native Hawaiian background and empower others to be cultural ambassadors. Prior to joining South of Seoul, LeaDan worked as a High School Speech Teacher and Adjunct Communications Professor. She specializes in Public Speaking, Argumentation and Debate, Team Management, and Event Planning.

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Who needs to get away with the family for the weekend? Packup the kids and head to one of these Taean pensions perfect for families. About planning family travel in South Korea Speaking on behalf of all parents, even with one child, I know how difficult it is to plan a vacation for a family. Even though my husband, toddler, and I could sleep on a queen-sized bed, somewhat comfortably, it’s still not ideal. The larger the family, the greater the challenge. You may find that you’re either paying around 300,000 won or more for a large room OR more affordable rates to sleep on the floor. Personally, I slept on a single-mattress on the floor until my late 20s, so if you’re willing to be more flexible, then you may easily find a pension to meet your needs. About family pensions in Taean This blog will attempt to highlight pensions in the Taean Province for various types of families with different types of budgets. I’ve chosen to highlight Taean because there’s a lot of family activities in Taean, from the many beaches, flower parks, pine forest hikes, fishing and clam digging, historical attractions, and museums. You’ll even find dinosaurs randomly located in Taean, not just at the Jurassic Museum. Taean is also, at most, a 2-hour drive. If you, your kids, or your spouse needs a break from those 3 to 4-hour drives to the East or South coast, then perhaps you may want to drive West on your next family adventure. 10 Taean Family Fun Pensions * Milleore – North Taean. All rooms have an ocean view. Swimming pool and trampoline outside. Kids duplex room goes for 149,000 to 219,000 and includes toys and a slide. * Kkotji Oceanville – Great location for Kkotji Beach and activities on Anmyeondo Island. Pool with a slide outside. Rooms with rates around 100,000 for small families. Larger rooms are available for just under 300,000 won but may only have 1 western-style bed and/or floor sleepers. * Huina – Family-friendly pension for large families. Rooms, with separate bedrooms, with a 10-person max at 350,000 to 450,000 won. Small kiddie pool and play area outside with a large yard. * Jadeurak – Family-friendly pension with rooms that can access from 2 to 20+ people. Rates vary, depending on season and size. Large property with many activities on the property, walking distance to the beach. * Geurim Sok Punggyeong – Colorful pension with Ganwolho Lake on one side and the sea on the other. Fairytale room murals, indoor jet spas, swimming pool, yard, and a pebble beach. * Sang Sang Love Pension – Great for families with babies or toddlers. Whirlpool spas and toys inside the room. Various room sizes available for small (2-4 people) and large families. * Haegaon Pension – In between Cheongpodae and Mageompo Beaches and Nature World. Pension includes a swimming pool, trampoline, play areas * Petit Maison – Doesn’t have fun amenities but looks like a comfortable home and the “River” room has 3 western-style beds for larger families. Near Mageompo Beach, Nature World, and Jurassic Museum. * Deureuni Ocean Resort – At the entrance of Anmyeondo Island, includes a swimming pool and a yard. The rate for the Wonchuri duplex with 2 western-style beds, at 130,000 to 170,000 Won. * Aini Pension – At the entrance of Anmyeondo Island includes a swimming pool. Rates for the group room, with 2 western-style beds, at 95,000 to 150,000 won. LeaDan Yee, M.EdLeaDan Yee holds a Master’s in Education with a focus in Secondary Education and Teaching – Language Arts and Bachelor’s in Psychology, with a minor in Speech. As a Cultural Liaison and Content Creator at South of Seoul, Ms. Yee focuses on creating content for families interested in traveling and those with toddlers.  She is especially interested in opportunities to share her Native Hawaiian background and empower others to be cultural ambassadors. Prior to joining South of Seoul, LeaDan worked as a High School Speech Teacher and Adjunct Communications Professor. She specializes in Public Speaking, Argumentation and Debate, Team Management, and Event Planning.

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Want to learn more about the local farming culture? Visiting local farms is the perfect way to connect with your new home. About picking your own fruit in near Pyeongtaek, South Korea South Koreans love to visit farms with friends and families to pick their own fruit. Some farms charge an entry fee per person and then by the weight of fruit that you pick, while other farms may only charge for the weight of fruit you pick. Many even offer “all-you-can-eat” fruit while you pick fruit to go home. You can call 1330 to clarify the rules before visiting a farm. Both Camp Humphreys and Osan Air Force Base are located in Pyeongtaek, South Korea. That means that all of the fruit-picking farms recommended in this blog are near Camp Camp Humphreys and Osan Air Force Base. We recommend using Naver Maps or Kakao Maps to Navigate around Korea. Making Reservations for Fruit Picking You can make a reservation to pick-your-own fruit by using a bi-lingual concierge service. Since fruit picking is a popular activity in South Korea, you will need to make reservations at most farms – especially if you have a group or plan to go on the weekend. Making a reservation usually requires the ability to speak Korean or use Korean booking sites like Naver. Common fruit that you can pick in South Korea The common pick-your-own farms you can find across South Korea include: Pyeongtaek and surrounding areas have excellent pick-your-own farms because it’s a farming area with many old orchards and vines. Fruit picking seasons near Pyeongtaek Every fruit needs picked during a different time of year. You will want to confirm the season before visiting a farm because seasons can change based on the weather. These are the estimated seasons of each fruit: What to wear on your farm adventure It’s a farm. Wear comfortable shoes, and clothes that can get dirty, and take bug spray. Obviously, long pants and long-sleeved shirts are ideal yet many folks will still be dressed for Instagram. Just don’t get pressed if you get tons of bug bites and scratches picking fruit in a sundress. 7 most popular places to pick your own fruit near Pyeongtaek Watch these experience videos to learn more South of SeoulFounded in 2015, the South of Seoul team consists of volunteers on three continents working together to support English-speaking people traveling or living in South Korea. South of Seoul volunteers work with organizations and individuals across South Korea to improve equitable access to information across South Korea. Much of South of Seoul’s information focuses on Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. Blogs published under the authorship of “South of Seoul” include blogs compiled by multiple volunteers to improve access to standardized information unrelated to individualized personal experiences. www.southofseoul.net

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Dinosaur lovers rejoice. There are many Korean dinosaur parks, restaurants, and cafes to explore. A Blog for Dinosaur Loving Families and Tourists in South Korea Do you love Dinosaurs? Are you the parent or spouse of a Dinosaur lover? Or just love feeling transported through time … to the Jurassic or Cretaceous periods?  Korea has many diverse opportunities for dinosaur lovers. In the following list of locations, it will be easy for you to select the specific dinosaur experience you prefer.  While I tried to highlight locations close to Humphreys, there are quite a few locations for those who like to vacation further south. Indoor / Kid Cafes with a Dinosaur Theme: Starting close to Pyeongtaek, two very cool kids cafes exist with that celebrate dinosaurs. These kids’ cafes are perfect for families with young children. One dinosaur-themed kids cafe is in Dunpo, Asan and the other is in Sosabeol, Pyeongtaek. Both of these dinosaur-themed cafes will ignite the imagination of your little dinosaur lovers. Then you can sit back and watch their minds and hearts light up as they discover new things. A Dinosaur Restaurant in South Korea For the hungry family, just south of Pyeongtaek in Cheonan is a dinosaur themed restaurant that will fill your bellies and your minds. Grab the kids and make your next night a pre-historic family adventure. OutdoorDinosaur Parks and Theme parks Dinosaur-themed parks are scattered across South Korea. I’ve visited almost all of them with my family and I’ve organized them (mostly) by distance from Camp Humphreys in Paengseong, Pyeongtaek. With my blogs, I try to keep the recommendations easy for families living near Pyeongtaek or in popular family vacation destinations within South Korea. For example, I’ve included a recommendation in Jeju that will be perfect for your next holiday. If you don’t live near Pyeongtaek, you can easily find out how far these locations are from you using the South of Seoul smartphone app with organized content based on its distance from you! Additionally, you can leave your reviews for each of these Dinosaur adventures in South Korea so that more families and tourists in South Korea can bring learning about dinosaurs to life. Join the Pyeongtaek Travelers Group You are also welcome to join our Pyeongtaek Travelers. The South of Seoul moderated community of active and friendly travelers (most of whom live in Pyeongtaek, South Korea) sharing their adventures across the country. LeaDan Yee, M.EdLeaDan Yee holds a Master’s in Education with a focus in Secondary Education and Teaching – Language Arts and Bachelor’s in Psychology, with a minor in Speech. As a Cultural Liaison and Content Creator at South of Seoul, Ms. Yee focuses on creating content for families interested in traveling and those with toddlers.  She is especially interested in opportunities to share her Native Hawaiian background and empower others to be cultural ambassadors. Prior to joining South of Seoul, LeaDan worked as a High School Speech Teacher and Adjunct Communications Professor. She specializes in Public Speaking, Argumentation and Debate, Team Management, and Event Planning.

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