12 Things To Do In Bucharest With Kids
When you think about Bucharest, Romania, the first thing that probably comes to mind is Count Dracula's castle, and that is not necessarily a place you want to take your children. But rest assured that Dracula doesn't exist... well not anymore. Believe it or not, Bucharest is one of the best cities in Eastern Europe for family fun.
So where should you take your kids for the best fun in the city? Here is a list of some entertaining things to do. But you will need your hands free for all the fun, so drop your backpacks and bags at one of our convenient Bucharest luggage storage locations, and then get started!
Go to the Park
Although Bucharest might seem like a concrete jungle, there are plenty of green spaces to enjoy. And if you are looking for a great place to relax and have little adventures, the city's parks are the perfect spots for you.
Herăstrău Park
This is a huge park located on the north side of the city; it is not just the largest in Bucharest but in all of Europe too. It is by far the most popular destination for locals on a sunny weekend, but it is so big it won't seem that busy. You can walk through the beautiful and tranquil Japanese Garden, sail or hydro-bicycle on the lake, and check out the Sky Tower or the Village Museum.
There are age-designated adventure trails to explore, and you can even make your own game of finding statues of famous people like William Shakespeare, Prince Charming, and Michael Jackson.
Cismigiu Park
Officially it is not a park, but at nearly 42 acres, it is the largest and oldest garden in the city center. This park has many large children's playgrounds and an artificial lake for boating in the summer and skating in the winter. Cismigiu Park (Garden) is by far the most beautiful area in Bucharest to walk through with exotic tropical plants imported from other countries.
Throughout the year, you will find traditional fairs that families will enjoy. It gets jam-packed on weekends, but it is still worth going.
Make a Splash
Are you looking for someplace to cool down during the summer, or maybe a place to get warm in the winter? Three are a couple of extraordinary indoor and outdoor water parks for your kids to splash around and zip down slides in.
Therme
Therme is a great destination not just for the kids but for the entire family too. Therme Bucharest is the largest wellness center in Europe where the parents can let themselves be pampered while the kids are having fun splashing around. Combining the outdoor, indoor, and virtual reality, there are 19 different waterslides to choose from.
And it doesn't matter the age or adventure level of your kids, there is something for everyone. And while the kids are having an adrenaline rush, you can be relaxing in one of the outdoor pools or head inside to the mineral pools, steam rooms, one of 28 themed saunas, or get a massage. If you have older kids and want to get some pampering in the spas, just remember Europeans go "Au natural".
Crangasi Aqua Parc
If you are looking for a beach in the city, you have found it. Crangasi is such a great place for fun for kids of all ages and their parents too. With swimming pools for young children and adults, crazy and gentle water slides, a wave pool, sports areas, entertainment stages, and a sandy beach with lounge chairs, what more do you need? You can sit at the barbeque area with pizza ovens or sit on the terrace of the restaurant.
On a hot day in Bucharest, this is a fantastic and fun place to hang out.
Divertiland Water Park
This is the largest water park in Romania, and it is pretty impressive. If you have kids that are thrill-seekers, this is the place to come. With its steep drop slide, your kids will scream with delight.
Younger children will have a great time in the rainforest, with the inflatable games and running through the elephant springs. Cruise down the lazy river, play in the waves of the wave pool or relax on the sunbeds. There is no doubt this place is one of the best for families visiting Bucharest.
Adventure Theme Parks
Adventure parks are always a good choice when looking for some family fun, and Bucharest has its fair share to choose from. All offer rides that will make your kids (and you) scream in terror and delight. But you will also find food stands with cotton candy and other treats. But there are some that have something a little extra special.
Oraselul Copiilor
The translation in English means "Children's Town", and it is. If you have younger kids, they will go absolutely crazy here. Located in Tineretului Park, the adventure park is free to enter, and you only pay for the attractions your kids ride.
They have a miniature train that goes around the park, bumper cars, boat rides, modular structures, a pirates' ship, and so much more. There are even tiny houses that make it look like a fairy town. And even though it is called "Children's Town", your teenagers will have a blast too.
With rides called the Xtreme Spinner, a big Ferris wheel, and a rollercoaster that will make your heart stop, this place is undoubtedly fun for the entire family.
Great Edenland Park
Just outside of the capital to the north is where you will find this fantastic array of outdoor activities. Treetop rope courses, horseback riding, mini-golf, and a petting zoo are all things you will discover at this green oasis. Younger kids can run around in the playgrounds while the older ones can have a round of paintball action or hit the rock climbing wall.
Bikes can be rented to explore through the forest, and if you love your outdoor adventure, you can spend the night in one of their treehouses.
Adventure Parc Comana
Romania is one of the most beautiful countries in the world, so why not see it from the trees? At Comana, you can do just that. This is the largest adventure park in Romania, and it offers a plethora of activities for kids of all ages to enjoy.
Ziplines, tree walks, playgrounds, arcade rooms, a rock-climbing wall, and a lot more can be found at this outdoor adventure area. It is a perfect place to be active and get some fresh air or just relax in nature. In addition, you can rent bikes, ride a train, or row across Lake Comana and see the entire park. Remember the kids will be hungry after this one.!
Wander the Museums
Museums can be such great places for kids to visit. They stimulate the brain while entertaining the heart. Of course, not all museums are for kids, but the ones below are definitely the best museums for children in Bucharest.
Dimitrie Gusti National Village Museum
So many fairytales are actually based on Romanian stories, and when you visit the Village Museum in Herăstrău Park you can see why. The open-air museum has more than 60 houses and 50,000 other objects on display, all built between the 17th and 20th centuries. They have been collected from around the country and placed with care in this amazingly unique experience.
Museum of Senses
A museum in a mall? That is exactly what this is. At AFI Cotroceni Mall (which has a lot of fun places for Kids), is where you will get to have this cool, out-of-the-world experience. Kids will have super fun playing in the 40 different areas of the museum, like the Infinity Room and the ball pit. Your kids will have all their minds (and senses) blown as they have fun and learn at the same time.
The National Museum of Art of Romania
This impressive building in the Revolution Square is the Royal Palace and was once home to the Kings and Queens of Romania until 1947. Now it houses the largest collection of Romanian art and treasures plus a huge collection of Europen artwork. They provide a kids program that stimulates learning while being entertained, with workshops and tours for ages 4 to 12.
Note: Most programs are in Romanian.
Antipa National Museum of Natural History
Kids will have a blast at this museum which showcases the wildlife of Romania. They will get to see all the animals in their natural habitats, dinosaur skeletons and exhibits, a complete Humped-back whale skeleton, and an awesome butterfly collection. The museum has interactive workshops and displays with videos, games, and some really cool optical illusions. This is one museum that has put in a lot of effort to attract younger kids.
Fun things to do in Bucharest with kids
Everybody wants to be doing something fun, and Bucharest has plenty to offer. But how about doing something a little off the beaten path, something that will really excite both the adults and the children? Here are a couple of suggestions that are must-dos while on your trip to Romania.
House of Experiments - A fun and interactive way for kids to discover science through hands-on experiments is the goal of this program, and it works. Located in the Romanian Science Center, the program is something that not only the children will love but the whole family will have fun too. The program is run in Romanian and English. Make sure to book it ahead of time as it is a popular attraction in Bucharest.
Bran Castle & Peles Castle - To get to this place you will have to travel out of Bucharest. It is just over 83 miles away from the capital to "Dracula's Castle", which will take between 2.5 and 5 hours depending on if you drive or not. But on the way, you can stop at Peles Castle, the lavish and stunning summer residence of the Royal Family.
Bran Castle was the home of Vlad the Impaler and the start of the Dracula myth. Today it is a fascinating place to visit with some very cool updates like the Time Tunnel. Going to "Dracula's" home is a definite must if you are visiting Bucharest.
Free things to do in Bucharest with kids
Finding things to do with your kids while on any vacation can be expensive, and you don't really need to spend money to have fun, you just need to know where to go. So what are the best and most fun things to do for free in Bucharest? Herastrau Park, Cismigui Garden, and Old Town are great places to start. Walking through these areas, you will get to see some of the beauty of Bucharest.
Visit Tineretului Park and wander through Oraselul Copiilor. Although the rides cost, the entry is free. There are also a few free museums to check out. If you are lucky enough to be in Bucharest on the first Wednesday of the month, you can visit the National Museum of Art for no charge.
What are the best family activities in Bucharest?
In Romania family is extremely important, and you might notice that a lot of these great activities on the list provide something for everyone in the family. But the one that encompasses everyone's needs is Therme. With its water slides, restaurants, themed saunas, massages - where else can you spend the entire day having fun and being so tranquil at the same time?
Adventure Parks and More
So if you thought that in the land of Dracula, your children wouldn't have much to do, you now know how wrong you were. Bucharest is a city teeming with fun activities, both outdoor and indoor. Make sure to check them all out!