What to do in Prague with Children

Hailed as a must-visit destination for adults, Prague also has an impressive amount to delight young travellers too. From puppet shows and a steamboat on the Vltava to an art gallery devoted specifically to children, the city has a wealth of attractions that have been created with younger visitors in mind. Here’s our pick of the best things to do in Prague with children.

A Steamboat to Prague Zoo

A trip to the zoo is guaranteed to thrill younger visitors and, thanks to its riverside location, there’s plenty of scope to combine your visit with an enjoyable trip on a traditional steamboat trip along the Vltava. Once at the zoo, which sprawls across a massive 60 hectares, little ones can clap with the seals, feed the camels and giraffes, and pay a visit to Tom and Berta, the popular polar bears. The star of the show, however, is the zoo’s herd of eight Indian elephants, including Prague’s first native born calf.

Children’s Island

As its name suggests, Children’s Island is an entire moated universe dedicated to entertaining the city’s younger residents and visitors. Found in the historical Smíchov neighbourhood, this easily accessible park has impressively large playgrounds, well-kitted out with climbing nets, slides, wooden houses, swings and sandpits. Budding engineers will be fascinated by the boats passing through the lock and there’s an on-site restaurant for snacks and refreshments.

Puppet Show at the Spejbl & Hurvínek Theatre

A highly regarded traditional puppet theatre, the Spejbl & Hurvínek has delighted audiences since it was launched by Josef Skupa as the first professional puppet show in the country in 1930. Its performances centre around the main characters of Spejbl and Hurvínek, a father and son team, and while the shows are performed in Czech, the series of fantastic tales and slapstick comedy will certainly still be appreciated by everyone, regardless of their mother tongue.

Art Gallery for Children

An original and inspired way to encourage budding artists to express their creativity, Prague’s Art Gallery for Children offers an interactive experience that allows gallery goers to play with–and even alter–the exhibits on show. As well as instilling artistic appreciation in younger audiences, the gallery is committed to allowing children to experience artwork through touch and play, and to try their hand at making their own creations and participate in hands-on workshops.

A Trip on the Petřín Hill Funicular

A must for both adults and children, Prague’s famous funicular provides stunning citywide views and there’s plenty of fun to be had once you reach the top too. The hilltop park contains its very own Eiffel Tower, albeit a miniature replica, which visitors are welcome to climb up, as well as a hall of mirrors–what looks like an ornate castle from the outside is an elaborate kaleidoscopic maze of weird and wonderful reflections.