Every parent knows that dragging your kids along with you on a short city break can be tiring and stressful. Luckily, Warsaw’s fondness for good, old-fashioned family fun means that there are plenty of places to keep the little ones entertained, leaving you to relax and enjoy your holiday. You may even be tempted to join in with the fun once in a while.
Dinosaurs, Puppets and Sports at the Palace of Culture and Science
At a first glance, this imposing 1950s Stalinist monolith doesn’t look like a place you would want to take your children. However, Warsaw’s Palace of Culture and Science has plenty to keep both big and little kids entertained. Zip up to the viewing terrace on the thirtieth floor for dizzying views of Warsaw’s city centre. Next sate your inner Darwinist at the Museum of Evolution, where you can rejoice in the shadow of large-scale dinosaur skeletons and marvel at a number of fossils recovered from the Gobi desert.
The ‘Youth Palace’ is a special treat for active kids. Its swimming pool often hosts youth sports tournaments while the basketball courts by the entrance turn into an ice rink in the winter. Don’t miss out on checking in at the box office for information on Teatr Lalka’s repertoire, Warsaw’s charming puppet theatre.
Wildlife, Boats and Rickshaws at Royal Lazienki Park
A stroll in Warsaw’s serene Royal Lazienki Park on a sunny day is enough to keep even the most impatient tots from grumbling. European red squirrels are the park’s most ubiquitous residents and people of all ages have great fun watching them creep up to take a nut directly from their hands. Peacocks can often be spotted showing off their colourful plumes, while deer, ducks and swans also inhabit the park. When your little ones get tired of walking, you can relax with a boat ride on the lake or by catching a rickshaw for a spin around the park. Don’t forget to stop by the lakeside cafe to cool off in the shade with delicious ice creams and milkshakes.
Warsaw’s Favourite Sweets and Chocolate at Wedel Cafe
Choco-holics whet their appetites at Wedel Cafe, where Warsaw’s favourite confectionary is sold. Located on Szpitalna Street, this pre-war ‘chocolate salon' caters to Warsaw residents’ sweet tooth with a tempting selection of desserts, hot chocolates and sweets. Established since 1851, the Wedel brand is responsible for a range of kid-friendly chocolate bars (or batony) such as Pierrot, Bajeczny and Pawelky - household names in Poland. Ptasie Melczko are fluffy vanilla or chocolate mallows coated in plain chocolate and are popular with both children and adults.
Antiques at the Museum of Fire Fighting, Railway Museum and Museum of Motor Vehicles
This trio will easily convince your kids that museums in Warsaw are anything but boring. Little boys will love exploring the 150-year-old depot where the Museum of Fire Fighting stores its gleaming fire engines, helmets and fire-fighting equipment. The Railway Museum houses a wide collection of engines, models and train sets while the disused rail tracks outside are the resting place for a number of steam engines - even an armoured train from WWII. Meanwhile, the Museum of Motor Vehicles is located in Otrebusy, just outside of Warsaw and is the home of around 300 antique machines, including a US tractor from 1895 and several Syrenas, Warsaw’s iconic Communist-era car.
Join the Conversation