14 Things To Do In Prague With Kids

The Czech capital of Prague is one of those European cities that feels almost like a time machine. The well-preserved medieval architecture of the Old Town Square, along with the impressive Gothic architecture of Prague Castle and Saint Vitus Cathedral, are part of what makes central Prague so popular with visitors. But if you visit Prague with kids, you may find that the palpable sense of history the city offers leaves them cold. And while older kids may get something out of the best museums in Prague, such as the National Museum, younger kids won't be nearly as interested.

Luckily for those visiting Prague on a family trip, this ancient city still has plenty to offer children. Check out some of these activities and attractions for the whole family to enjoy, and you'll be able to enjoy this beautiful city and keep the kids occupied at the same time.

Of course, traveling with the entire family often means bringing a lot of baggage. And in a city like Prague, you're guaranteed to do plenty of walking. The best way to make your trip to central Europe easier on yourself is to drop off your bags at a Bounce luggage storage in Prague. That way, you'll be able to enjoy the famous attractions and family-friendly activities without worrying about your stuff.

Prague Castle

Prague Castle is one of the top tourist attractions in the city for people of any age, but it's also one of the best things to do in Prague with kids. This is considered the largest castle in the world, and has been the center of Czech power for centuries. Even if kids aren't too interested in the long history of Prague Castle, they'll be impressed with the fairytale buildings. Also, the Golden Lane with its brightly painted medieval houses is worth a visit. To make the trip to the castle easier, you can take a tram to avoid the long uphill climb.

Prague Castle is also close to the Charles Bridge, another of Prague's most famous attractions. While the historical significance of the bridge may be lost on little ones, they'll enjoy the many street performers that line the bridge in the summer, offering entertainment for your family without spending much money. And if you're traveling on a budget, check out some of the other best free things to do in Prague.

Old Town Square

You can't really say you visited Prague without seeing the famous Old Town Square, even if only for a little while. The impressive medieval buildings here include the Old Town Hall and the world-famous astronomical clock at its base. The astronomical clock is the oldest in the world, and it's worth timing your visit to Old Town Square so you can see this clock strike the hour, when the elaborate statuettes emerge and come to life. Younger kids will be entertained by the spectacle of it all, and older kids may be more impressed if you tell them that the clock is allegedly cursed. Meanwhile, you'll get to enjoy the Old Town and its many restaurants serving traditional Czech food, so this is a part of the city that has something for everyone.

Vltava River

The Vltava runs right through central Prague and has shaped the city through the centuries. In the summer, the tranquil Vltava river is a great place to enjoy stunning views of the city and let the kids play. The river is home to lots of small islands that have fun little attractions to explore. Slovansky Ostrov has a miniature train kids can ride along with a large playground and rowboat rentals. There's also Kampa Island, located on the Castle end of the Charles Bridge, which also offers a play area for kids. You can let them climb all over the statues of crawling babies outside the museum on Kampa Island too.

Children's Island

On the subject of Vltava River islands, you can't miss Children's Island if you're looking for family-friendly ways to spend a day in Prague. This island has a great playground, along with rope swings, a soccer pitch, and a skateboard park. While the kids play, you can enjoy the incredible views of the Charles Bridge and the tranquility of the natural surroundings while you sip a coffee in the café.

Prague Zoo

Zoos always provide a great family-friendly place to visit, and Prague Zoo is no exception. Located in the north of the city, you can even make an adventure out of going to the zoo in the first place by catching a steamboat along the river. The zoo is home to nearly 700 different species of animals, and is often considered one of the best in the world. Plus, there are evening tours to let you learn more about the inner workings of the zoo and see the nocturnal animals become more active. The 5:30 PM tour is specifically geared towards children, so it's a great evening activity to do with the kids.

Prague Planetarium

For kids with an interest in science, the Prague Planetarium is a must-visit on any trip to the city. The planetarium uses video presentations and star shows that will take you and your family on a voyage through the cosmos to learn more about the wonders of space. An audio guide is offered in English that will explain what you're seeing and teach you all about the mysteries of the universe. Sitting back and watching the stars dance on the ceiling is an activity designed to fill not only the kids but you too with a renewed sense of wonder for the world we live in.

National Marionette Theatre

Take a stroll through Prague's Old Town, and before long you'll stumble across plenty of puppets. You'll see some impressive examples in the souvenir stores around town, but to see marionettes in action, visit the National Marionette Theater for a quirky thing to do in Prague with kids. Skilled puppeteers capture the magic of classical works such as Mozart's The Magic Flute and make them easily digestible for kids. Plus, you can take a backstage tour so that little ones can learn more about how the shows are produced and the skill it takes to handle these intriguing puppets. It's a great way to experience a facet of authentic Czech culture while still keeping the family entertained.

Petrin Park

When visiting Prague with kids, don't miss out on the many beautiful parks the city has to offer. Petrin Park is one of the best, thanks to the presence of its impressive lookout tower. Petrin Park occupies a 1000 foot hill that more active families can climb on foot, but there's also a funicular railway to the summit that kids will get a kick out of. From the top, the views of the city are magnificent. That's even more true if you ride the elevator to the top of the tower, a miniature replica of the Eiffel Tower. Plus, Petrin Park also offers a rose garden that the kids may not be too excited about, and a mirror maze that they definitely will. Plus, there are tons of walking trails winding their way through the wooded park, making this a fun way to spend an active day in Prague.

On the subject of parks, you'll find lots of green oases in the city that you can enjoy when visiting Prague with kids. Check out Stromovka Park, the largest in the city, which has excellent playground equipment and even a jungle gym.

Czech Repubrick

Few children's toys are more beloved than Lego. These colorful plastic bricks have been a big part of most childhoods, and they continue to appeal to kids today, even in this screen-based age. Check out Czech Repubrick for an impressive recreation of major Czech landmarks built entirely with Lego bricks. You'll see a miniature St. Vitus Cathedral, Prague Castle, and Karlštejn Castle, among other monuments. There's even a working Lego roller coaster that will put your own Lego building efforts to shame.

Prague Aquarium

Kids with a curiosity about the natural world will get a thrill at the Mořský Svět Aquarium. Here, they can interact with sea creatures in the touch pools and get a thrill by peering into the shark tanks to see ocean predators. They can even take a walk underwater through artificial caves to learn more about animals they might never see any other way. It's an informative and educational way to spend some time in the city that's also a lot of fun.

TV Tower

Prague's futuristic Zizkov TV Tower doesn't fit in with the historic buildings of the Old Town. In fact, it's generally considered one of the ugliest buildings in the world. However, the observation deck at a height of 93 m does provide a stunning view of the city, and the high-speed elevator ride to the top is almost worth the price of admission alone. Plus, kids will enjoy the suspended chairs at the top, and the park the tower is in also has an ice-skating rink in the winter for them to burn off some energy.

Underground tunnels

Prague is a city that has undergone some major changes in its long life. As part of a renovation of the city, many of the medieval streets of the city center were buried. However, these old streets still exist, and you can visit them on a guided tour to learn more about the history of Prague in a fun and exciting way to kids will enjoy. A lively walking tour through the tunnels is a great way to enjoy Prague with kids, and older children will love to hear the bloodcurdling stories of murders and ghost sightings that make the tunnels so unique. If your kids love these kinds of spooky tales, you could also consider taking one of Prague's many ghost tours to explore the cobblestone streets by night and learn about history in the most exciting way.

Art Gallery for Children

Prague is home to some impressive museums and art galleries, but if you're visiting Prague with kids, one of the best to explore is the well-named Art Gallery for Children. Here, kids get to make their own art, and there are creative workshops for children from 5 to 12 years old. It's a fantastic way for kids to not only learn more about art but also explore their own creative side while on vacation.

Lego Museum

If your kids can't get enough of Lego, a trip to Prague's Lego Museum is one of the best things to do in the city. This is Europe's largest private collection of Lego models, and there's a play area at the end so that your children can try their hand at creating their own Lego masterpieces. Who knows? You may even rediscover your own love for these engaging plastic bricks.

What are the best family activities in Prague?

Prague may be best known for historic sites like the Charles Bridge and the Old Town Hall, but if you look below the surface, you'll find plenty to do when you visit Prague with kids. Attractions like Prague Castle are great for the whole family, because you'll be able to see one of the most iconic historic sites in the city without the kids getting bored. The Art Gallery for Children is also a great place for creative kids, and the many islands of the Vltava River offer a great way to stay active and keep young kids entertained during your vacation.

However you choose to enjoy the city, you won't be short of things to do. Just make sure you remember to drop off your bags at a Bounce luggage storage before you start exploring. Nothing ruins a trip quicker than carrying more than you need to.