10 Things to Do in Prague for Children

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

Travelling with children is an enriching experience. You get them used to different cultures and awaken their desire to explore the world. However, any activity becomes a little more complicated as you have to organise everything down to the smallest detail. A good way to see Prague's main sights without tiring them out too much is with a boat trip. There are dozens of excursions along the Vltava River, each with its own peculiarities. 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 trip, but there are different options that include a buffet dinner or a wine tasting. The boats usually depart from the quay near the Čech Bridge. On the way, you can admire the following buildings:

• Rudolfinum, a magnificent neo-Renaissance building which houses a concert hall.
• Mánes Bridge.
• Kampa Island, a tiny strip of land just a few metres from the Charles Bridge.
• Prague Castle, one of the largest in the world.
• Dancing House (Tančící dům), an original building 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 the perfect place for you and your children to spend a fun afternoon. It's an interactive museum where you can lose track of space thanks to its rooms full of magic tricks and optical illusions - they'll think they're in a dream! You can also buy your tickets in advance.

But the Museum of the Senses in Prague will also make the imagination of the youngest members of the family soar. This room has many exhibits where science and visual effects are combined for an unforgettable time with your children.

Another option linked to the river will allow you and your children to sail on a quiet stretch of the river. If you've been to Prague before in 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 youngest members of the public. 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 means of transport inspired by the steam locomotives of the last century. And after the trip, they can play on the playground, going down the slides or enjoying the air in their faces on the swings. Here are some useful tips on 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 has a different theme and the one in Prague is dedicated to the Mesozoic Era. 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 palaeontological park are the best witnesses. The attraction is open in spring (from 9:00 to 21:00) and children up to 3 years old are free of charge.

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

If I told you that you should take your kids to a restaurant on Prague's most touristy square, you probably wouldn't do it. In principle you would be right, but this is not a place like any other. Vytopna is a restaurant specialising in meat and its speciality 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 restaurant. The convoy passes through tunnels, across drawbridges, through forests and stops at stations - just 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 for children: spaghetti, burgers, chicken wings, pork chops, etc. Another plus is the huge window overlooking Wenceslas Square. From the first floor, the view is very nice but, if you are looking for even better views, I recommend you to read this post about the best views of Prague.

The history of the Prague Zoo dates back to the end of the 19th century. The main initiator was Count Sweerts-Sporck, who in 1891 sent a letter to the newspapers asking for the establishment of a zoological garden. Despite the intentions of a member of the nobility, the genesis of the zoo was not rapid and the citizens of Prague had to wait until 1931 to see the first animals. Fortunately, the wait was not in vain: today, 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 will 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, to date 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 by bus, taking the 112 bus from the Nádraží Holešovice metro station (line C). If you are travelling to the Czech capital between March and October, there is a very scenic alternative: a steamboat. The boat departs from the Rašín Dam or the 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 the surrounding neighbourhoods you'll find dozens of sculptures that will spark the imagination of the little ones. We have prepared an itinerary that starts in the Žižkov district - enter the addresses in Google Maps and start the tour!

• The first stop is the Žižkov TV Tower, an example of high-tech architecture. When you stand at the foot of the tower, you'll see ten giant babies on its columns, slowly making their way upwards. 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. It was created by Jaroslav Róna and is inspired by Kafka's short story "Description of a Struggle". (110 Dušní Street).
• Il Commendatore, a work by Anna Chromý commemorating Mozart's "Don Giovanni". The work was first performed on 29 October 1787 at the State Theatre (Stavovské divadlo).
• Czech musicians (Čeští muzikanti), four bronze figures immortalised 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. Hanging from the ceiling of the Lucerne Palace, an Art Nouveau jewel (Pasáž Lucerna).
• The hanging man, a figure holding onto a beam with one hand while putting the other in his pocket. For some, this unique monument represents Freud (110 Husova Street).
• The Charles Bridge is richly decorated, yet there is a strange little stone scene. On the western bank of the Vltava River there 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 special feature is the barcodes covering their faces. They also bear the signature of David Černý.
• Piss, two male metal figures urinating in a pond in the shape of the Czech Republic. Beware, the statues move...

This list includes 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 centre lies another city: the old town. When the walls and fortifications were built in the 13th century, the "original" streets were buried using construction waste. The works were carried out for two reasons: to build a defensive system and to protect Prague from the floods of the Vltava. Earth and rubble cover a labyrinth of cellars, rooms and corridors.

If your children like ghost stories, this is the ideal tour. Strolling 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 kilometre.

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 the severed head of an old love in his hand. Most tours depart from the Old Town and last about an hour. If you would like to learn more about the Czech capital, you can read our article 10 tips for your visit to Prague.

If you're spending 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 the little ones. Its colourful 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.

As you stroll around the stalls, your children can try trdelnik, a typical Slovak sweet that has adapted very well in Bohemia.

If you are travelling at the beginning of December, keep in mind that 6 December 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 year, I recommend the post about Christmas in Prague.

During the holidays, rain can ruin plans. Luckily, every cloud has a silver lining and a stormy morning can turn into the best experience for your children. 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 organise their party here! Just book online and the staff will take care of the rest.

Toboga Fantasy is located in the Prague 13 district, just a few metres from an IKEA and a Tesco supermarket. To get here, 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). For more ideas on what to do in the cold months, see the post 10 things to see and do in Prague in winter.

The last tip is a general one. Depending on the season, you should pack a suitcase that meets your children's needs. If you've booked winter tickets, make sure you pack hats, scarves and woollen gloves.

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

However, if you plan to travel in summer, you should be wary 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 you add humidity to this, the wind chill is even worse.

If this happens, try to do outdoor activities in the central hours of the day and always take some sun cream with you. For more ideas, I recommend reading our post on 10 things to do in Prague in summer.