10 Things to Do in Prague for Children

You have booked a ticket to Prague and you are traveling with your children? You have made the right choice. Prague is the magical city par excellence and its discreet charm captivates tourists of all ages. Read on and get ready for some unforgettable days.

Traveling with children is an enriching experience. In this way, you get them used to different cultures and awaken in them the desire to explore the world. However, any activity becomes a bit more complicated as you will have to organize everything down to the smallest details. A good way to see the main monuments of Prague without tiring them too much is with a boat trip. There are dozens of excursions that ply the waters of the Vltava River, each with its own peculiarity. If you are interested, you can find the best ones in the post about Prague river cruises

The most common formula is a one-hour ride but there are different options that include a buffet dinner or a wine tasting. As usual, the boats depart from the pier in the vicinity of the Čech Bridge. On the way, you will be able to admire the following constructions:

• Rudolfinum, a magnificent neo-Renaissance building that houses a concert hall.
• Mánes Bridge.
• Kampa Island, a tiny strip of land a few meters from the Charles Bridge.
• Prague Castle, one of the largest in the world.
• Dancing House (Tančící dům), an original construction designed by Frank Gehry and Vlado Milunić.
• EXPO 58 building, the Czechoslovak pavilion at the Brussels EXPO 1958.
• Štefánik Bridge.
• Štvanice Island and its tennis arena.

The Museum of Illusions in Prague is a perfect option for you and your children to spend a fun afternoon. It is an interactive museum where you can lose track of space thanks to its rooms full of magic tricks and optical illusions - they will think they are in a dream! You can also purchase tickets in advance.

But the Museum of the Senses in Prague will also make the imagination of the youngest members of the family fly. This room has multiple exhibitions where science and visual effects are mixed to spend an unforgettable time with your family.

Another option linked to the river will allow you to sail with your kids on a quiet stretch of the river. If you've been to Prague before during the spring or summer, you've probably noticed a few pedal boats in the shape of a car or swan. These boats are rented on Slavic Island (Slovanský Ostrov), an islet on the eastern bank of the Vltava. It is a safe and captivating activity, especially for the younger audience. From the waters you can admire the Prague skyline and the elegant neo-Renaissance palace of Žofín.

This strip of land is home to another must-see attraction: a miniature train. Children can ride around the island on this unique mode of transport inspired by the steam locomotives of the last century. And after the ride, they can play in the playground going down the slides or enjoying the air in the face on the swings. Here are some useful suggestions for the most important summer activities.

DinoPark is a fun and educational amusement park. It is a franchise and can be found in different cities in the Czech Republic, but each one has a different theme and the one in Prague is dedicated to the Mesozoic. Its surface hosts both static and animated dinosaur figures and almost all of them have sounds. DinoPark is an interactive place: its 4D cinema and the paleontological park are the best witnesses. The attraction is open in spring (from 9:00 to 21:00) and children up to 3 years old get in for free.

DinoPark is located on the roof of the Galerie Harfa shopping center and within walking distance of the O2 Arena, the multi-purpose hall of the Czech capital. To get here, you can opt for the metro. The nearest stop is Českomoravská (yellow line). Alternatively, you can take a streetcar. Lines 3 and 8 will take you right in front of the shopping center.

If I told you that you should take your little ones to a restaurant in the most touristy square in Prague, you probably wouldn't do it. In principle you would be right, but this is not a place like all the others. Vytopna is a restaurant specializing in meat and its particularity lies in the way the food is served.

Indeed, it is not the waiters who bring the dishes to your table but a miniature train that runs through the entire restaurant. The convoy passes through tunnels, crosses drawbridges, goes through forests and stops at stations: exactly like a real train! This feature often excites the little ones (and not only them).

Vytopna's menu offers international and Czech food with simple dishes that are well suited to children: spaghetti, hamburgers, chicken wings, pork chops, etc. Another plus is the huge window overlooking Wenceslas Square. From the second floor, the panorama is very nice but, if you are looking for even better views I recommend reading this post about the best views of Prague.

The history of the Prague Zoo dates back to the end of the 19th century. The prime mover was Count Sweerts-Sporck who in 1891 sent a letter to the newspapers asking for the creation of a zoological garden. Despite the intentions of a member of the nobility, the genesis of the zoo was not quick and the citizens of Prague had to wait until 1931 to see the first animals. Fortunately, the wait was not in vain: today, the Prague Zoo is considered one of the most beautiful zoos in the world.

This attraction is located on the outskirts of the Czech capital and is home to 144 species of endangered animals. Its huge area is divided into different environments that guarantee an ideal environment for its guests. In the list below you find the ones that, in my opinion, are the most interesting:

• Indonesian jungle, an area of 2 hectares where about 1,500 animals live, Komodo dragon included.
• Elephant Valley, a green space that has become the home of eight Indian elephants.
• Home of the giant salamander, a specimen from the Museum of Natural History in Karlsruhe, which, to date, is the largest of its species.
• Lemur Island, a small piece of Madagascar in the heart of Europe.
• Northern Forests, an area that recreates the great forests of Eurasia and North America. Here live wolves, leopards and the famous Siberian tiger.

The zoo is located in the Troja district (U Trojského zámku 120/3) and is easily accessible by public transport. The easiest option is the bus, you will just need to take line 112 from the metro station Nádraží Holešovice (line C). If you travel to the Czech capital between March and October, there is a very scenic alternative: a steamboat. The boat departs from Rašín Dam or Čech Bridge and arrives at its destination in 55/75 minutes. If you are interested in boat trips, you can check out the article The best dinner cruises you can take in Prague.

The capital of the Czech Republic is dotted with unique figures. In the old town and in the surrounding neighborhoods you will find dozens of sculptures that will awaken the imagination of the little ones. We have prepared an itinerary that starts from the Žižkov district - just enter the addresses in Google Maps and start the tour!

• The first stage is the Žižkov TV Tower, an example of high-tech architecture. When you are at its feet, you will see that on its columns there are ten giant babies advancing little by little. This creation was the brainchild of David Černý, a Czech sculptor known for his provocative and challenging works.
• Statue of Franz Kafka. In this monument, the Czech novelist straddles an empty suit. The creation bears the signature of Jaroslav Róna and is inspired by Kafka's short story "Description of a Struggle". (Dušní Street 110).
• Il Commendatore, a work by Anna Chromý commemorating Mozart's "Don Giovanni". The work was first performed on October 29, 1787 at the State Theater (Stavovské divadlo).
• Czech musicians (Čeští muzikanti), four bronze figures immortalized while dancing near a fountain. They represent the four great rivers of the world: the Amazon, the Danube, the Mississippi and the Ganges (Senovážné Square).
• Statue of King Wenceslas riding a dead horse upside down, an ironic reference to the equestrian statues of the monarch. It hangs from the ceiling of the Lucerne Palace, an art nouveau jewel (Pasáž Lucerna).
• The hanging man, a figure holding on to a beam with one hand while putting the other in his pocket. For some, this unique monument represents Freud (Husova Street 110).
• The Charles Bridge is richly decorated, yet there is a rather odd little stone scene. On the western bank of the Vltava River is a small cell with three figures above it: St. John of Mata, St. Felix of Valois and St. Ivan. Behind the bars you can see three people shouting: they are Christian slaves being freed.
• Right next to the Kampa Museum you will find three giant crawling babies. Their particularity is the bar codes covering their faces. They also bear the signature of David Černý.
• Piss, two metal male figures urinating in a pond in the shape of the Czech Republic. Beware, the statues move...

This list gathers the most famous works but they are not the only ones. If you have time, you can also admire Meet Factory (two red cars hanging from metal spikes - Ke Sklárně 3213), The iron knight (the statue of Jáchym Berka, a medieval knight resembling Darth Vader - Mariánské Namestí) or the rotating head of Franz Kafka (Charvátova 110).

In Prague, some treasures are hidden beneath the surface. Beneath the historic center lies another city: the old town. When the walls and fortifications were built in the 13th century, the "original" streets were buried using debris from the construction site. The works were carried out for two reasons: to build a defensive system and to protect Prague from the flooding of the Vltava. Earth and rubble cover a labyrinth of cellars, rooms and corridors.

If your kids like ghost stories, this is the ideal tour. Walking in the belly of the earth you will hear chilling anecdotes. Not for nothing does Prague hold a record: it is the city with the highest number of spirits per square kilometer.

Among its most famous creatures is the Turk, a figure that appears on full moon nights in the courtyard of the Týn Church. According to legend, he carries in his hand the severed head of an old love. Most tours depart from the old town and last about an hour. If you want to deepen your knowledge of the Czech capital, you can consult the article 10 tips for your visit to Prague.

If you are going to spend Christmas in Prague, you can't miss the Christmas markets in the Old Town. The most important one is located in Old Town Square and is an irresistible attraction for children. Its colorful merchandise is a delight for the eyes and to make them happy you can buy some puppets. Unlike the others, these are hand-carved and are the star product of local craftsmanship.

While you walk through the stalls, your children can try trdelnik, a typical Slovak sweet that has adapted very well in Bohemia.

If you are traveling in early December, keep in mind that December 6 is St. Nicholas Day. On this date, the saint arrives at the Old Town Square accompanied by an angel and a devil and gives sweets to well-behaved children. For the best activities at this time of the year, I recommend the post about Christmas in Prague.

During the vacations, rain can ruin plans. Luckily, every cloud has a silver lining and a stormy morning can turn into the best experience for your kids. Toboga Fantasy is a playground with many attractions for young and old.

It covers more than 6,000 m2 and has climbing structures, bouncy castles, fountains with foam balls, giant slides and much more. If your trip coincides with your little one's birthday, you can organize their party here! Just book online and the staff will take care of everything else.

Toboga Fantasy is located in the Prague 13 district, just a few meters from an IKEA and a Tesco supermarket. To get here, you can take the yellow metro line from Anděl and get off at the Stodůlky stop. The playground is open from 14:00 to 19:00 (Monday - Wednesday) and from 10:00 to 19:00 (Thursday-Sunday and public holidays). If you want to get more ideas about some plans for the cold months, I advise you the post 10 things to see and do in Prague in winter.

The last tip is of a general nature. Depending on the season, you should prepare a suitcase that meets the needs of your children. If you have booked winter tickets, be sure to pack hats, scarves and woolen gloves.

The Czech capital has a classic continental climate and snowfall is frequent, especially between November and February. To avoid getting your feet wet, favor waterproof footwear. Fortunately, the capital of the Czech Republic is not as cold as other northern cities. With the right protection, no one will get cold.

On the other hand, if you plan to travel in summer, you should beware of heat spikes. Generally, Prague is not as warm as our cities but, in recent years, it has reached unprecedented heights. Occasionally, the thermometer reaches 35 degrees Celsius and if we add humidity, the thermal sensation is even worse.

If this happens, try to do outdoor activities in the central hours of the day and always carry some sunscreen. For more ideas, I recommend you to read the post about the 10 things you can do in Prague in summer