Things to Do with Kids in Islamabad

The main kids activities in Islamabad are museums, indoor play centres, lakeside rides and short walks in the Margalla foothills. What is no longer on the list is the zoo: Marghazar Zoo closed in December 2020, and the site is now a wildlife rescue centre that is not open as a normal visitor attraction. Families who once planned a day around it need a different plan, and this guide gives one, sorted by age.

It stays on ideas for children. For opening hours, tickets and directions for individual places, we link to the guide for each rather than repeating it.

What happened to Marghazar Zoo?

The zoo, which opened in 1978 on the Margalla foothills, was closed after the Islamabad High Court ordered its closure in 2020, following concerns about animal welfare. The last animals left in December 2020. The Islamabad Wildlife Management Board has since used the 82-acre site as a rescue and rehabilitation centre, working with the charity Second Chance Wildlife, and plans have been discussed for a conservation centre. No date has been announced for public visits, so do not plan a trip there. If you are told otherwise, check with the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board first.

Toddlers and children under five

Young children need short outings, shade and somewhere to run.

• Soft play at Fun City, Centaurus Mall. On the fourth floor, with a soft play area and kiddie rides in an air-conditioned space. Its own site lists 11 am to 11 pm on weekdays, later at weekends, and shorter summer hours. Practical tip: you pay by top-up card, so set a limit before you go in.
• A neighbourhood or sector park. Islamabad's parks have swings and slides, and are free or very cheap. Japanese Park and Fatima Jinnah Park in F-9 are the best known, and our pages on Japanese Park and F-9 Park explain what each has. Go in the early morning or evening.
• Rawal Lake shore. Watching boats and feeding birds keeps small children content for an hour or two. See our guide to Rawal Lake.

Ages 5 to 10

This is the age at which Islamabad has most to offer.

• Pakistan Museum of Natural History, Shakarparian. Dinosaur skeletons, stuffed animals, a fish tank and an earthquake simulator are the things children remember. Sources give different opening hours and ticket prices, so check before going. Practical tip: the museum is quick to visit, so pair it with a nearby park. See our page on the Pakistan Museum of Natural History.
• Lok Virsa Museum. A walk-through museum with life-size figures, costumes and a craft area, and it is best with children who will look at a display for a few minutes at a time. Reported entry for Pakistani adults was about Rs50 in 2025, with a lower rate for children, but confirm at the gate. Details are in our Lok Virsa Museum guide.
• Pakistan Monument Museum. Lok Virsa's own website lists it as open Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am to 8 pm, closed on Mondays, with local adults at Rs200, students Rs100 and children under 7 free. The exhibits run from ancient civilisations to the independence movement, so it suits older children more than younger ones. See the Pakistan Monument for the wider visit.
• Lake View Park. Entry was Rs20 per person on the park's site in 2026, with boating, a bird aviary, go-karting, horse riding and swings costing extra. It opens daily from 10 am to 10 pm. Practical tip: bring cash for the individual rides.

Ages 11 and up

Older children and teenagers want to do something rather than look at it.

• Arcade and VR games. Fun City and MegaZone in F-9 (laser tag and bowling) are the usual choices. Ask about age limits and rates when you arrive.
• Short walks in the Margalla Hills. Some Margalla trails are short enough for a fit child, but they get steep and hot, and the hills are a national park with wildlife. Our guide to easy hikes in Islamabad lists the gentler options. Take water and start early.
• Daman-e-Koh. A viewpoint on the Margalla Hills with a wide view over the city. It can be reached without a hike, and our Daman-e-Koh guide covers how to get there.
• Cycling. Our page on cycling in Islamabad looks at where to ride in the city.

A sample day with children

For a family with a child of about seven and a toddler, this order works without rushing:

1. Morning: the natural history museum at Shakarparian, when it is cool and quiet.
2. Lunch nearby, then a rest for the little one.
3. Late afternoon: Lake View Park for a couple of rides and the lake.
4. Home before the evening traffic builds on Murree Road.

On a hot or wet day, replace steps 1 and 3 with Fun City. For more ideas that suit the whole family, see places to visit in Islamabad with family.

Practical tips for parents

• Weekdays are calmer. Weekends and public holidays are crowded at every place on this list.
• Carry cash. Outdoor gates and ride operators mostly take cash only.
• Plan around the heat. From May to September, do outdoor things before 10 am or after 4 pm.
• Check hours on the day. Museums close for prayers and lunch, and Fridays are different.
• Keep to marked paths in the hills. The Margalla Hills are a national park.

Looking further afield for a family trip? Our experiences page lists more ideas across Pakistan.

Frequently asked questions