20 best things to do in Kazan for kids – photo, description, map
Kazan, the capital of Tatarstan, is a metropolis with an abundance of ancient and modern sights that arouse interest among guests and residents of the city. Among them is a bright palette of entertainment and educational complexes and venues that invite you into the world of exciting leisure. They provide an opportunity to interestingly organize entertainment in Kazan for children of all ages and parents, regardless of the time of year.
Amusement park “Kyrlay”
In the central amusement park “Kyrlay”, located on the bank of the Kazanka river opposite the Kazan Kremlin, from May to the end of October, 30 modern attractions create a wonderful mood for visitors.
The youngest visitors will have a lot of fun in the children's area from a ride in a fabulous train, jumping on a trampoline, viewing the park on a children's Ferris wheel and fun games with clowns. Unforgettable moments of overwhelming emotions will be experienced by children with their parents, seeing the whole city from a 55-meter Ferris wheel, from the autodrome, chain carousel and other attractions.
Teenagers will be able to get a boost of vivacity and adrenaline in the extreme zone on the breathtaking Flying Saucer, Tropicana and Five Stars.
Attraction opening hours:
Waterpark Riviera
The Riviera Water Park delights children with exciting leisure activities all year round in a grandiose indoor building and outdoor areas in the summer. The head is spinning from more than 50 types of water rides and a variety of fun. Toddlers and older kids love the play areas, safe water slides, and the Pirate Fleet with ladders and water cannons.
Teenagers are captivated by extreme water slides from 83 to 211 meters long, overcoming rapids and dead loops on rafts, circles and without water. You can test your board surfing skills on steep waves on the Flow Rider attraction, and then have a nice swim in the wave pool that imitates the sea.
All year round “Riviera” is open to visitors:
City of professions “KidSpace”
It seems possible to interest children in mastering unknown knowledge and skills during the game in the city of professions “Kid Space”.
More than 20 areas for creativity are provided for children from 4 to 14 years old, where, under the guidance of mentors, they learn the many-sided world of professions, mastering skills in various specialties. By acquiring a new skill, they accumulate “experiences” that serve as play money.
Here, children will be able to learn about the profession of a dentist by filling a tooth with an animal mannequin, to be an architect by folding a building from a constructor, to bake a pie, to perform the work of a car mechanic, to gain knowledge and skills in various areas of life. Children from 4 to 7 years old are accompanied by a personal Cosmonanny to all areas and help with learning.
“KidSpace” works:
Dolphinarium
A lot of positive emotions are guaranteed for children of any age from visiting the dolphinarium. An exciting show lasting up to 50 minutes will surprise you with the extraordinary abilities of dolphins to jump through a hoop, follow the coach's commands, dance and show a variety of tricks.
In addition to dolphins, other marine animals with artistic talents, demonstrating intelligence and ingenuity to the audience, also perform in the show. Those wishing to swim in the pool with dolphins can enjoy this pleasure for an additional fee.
You can visit the dolphinarium daily. Show hours: 10:30, 14:00.
Oceanarum Discovery Ocean
After dolphins, continue your acquaintance with the inhabitants of the seas and oceans in Kazan in the oceanarium. Its interior design impresses with decorations imitating the vegetation and landscape of the underwater world with reefs, caves and grottoes. Entering the aquarium through the mouth of a giant sea monster, visitors will be able to travel across the ocean floor.
They will see live penguins located on the islands, sharks and turtles living in tunnel rooms, more than 3 thousand fish and moray eels swimming in the depths of sea waters. Traveling through the aquarium, you will meet crocodiles dozing in the terrarium, lizards, otters and a fur seal. At the exit from the aquarium, you will be escorted by a large octopus guard.
Oceanarium Discovery Ocean is open for visits: Tuesday-Sunday from 10.00 to 21.00.
zoobotanical garden
The picturesque territory of the Kazan zoobotanical garden, the oldest in Russia, serves as a natural decoration of the shore of Lake Kaban. It is interesting for children with the opportunity to see in one place how diverse the animal and plant world is. The zoo is fascinating to observe the behavior of wild animals and pets.
Little children will enjoy riding a pony. The Botanical Garden is represented by a collection of plants of more than 1000 species from different parts of the world.
Visitors enjoy the view of unique heat-loving flowering and fruit bushes, flowers and trees in the greenhouse. Those who wish can arrange a photo session against the backdrop of huge palm trees and amazing flowers.
The zoobotanical garden opens for visits from 8.30 and works:
Barioniks Water Park
The Baryonyx water park is inferior in size to the Riviera water park, but has its own zest that attracts children – dinosaurs. This is a great place for exciting leisure activities for the whole family. The structure of the water park is represented by a variety of pools for children and adults, water fitness classes, a games room with trampolines and various types of water slides: from children's to extreme ones.
On the slides “multiside” and the turbo tunnel, children descend into a shallow pool. Kids will have fun on the Octopus slide and two-meter safe slides. Teenagers over 150 cm are captured by extreme slides such as the Serpentine pipe with acceleration up to 20 km per hour, Tsunami, with a cone-shaped descent Anaconda, curving like a snake and the steepest – Free Fall.
Baryonyx works:
Butterfly park and petting zoo
A unique corner of wildlife – a butterfly park and a petting zoo enliven the 4th floor of the Suvar Plaza shopping center with the sounds of wildlife.
In addition to more than two dozen bright varieties of African, Asian and American butterflies flying around and landing on visitors, various representatives of the animal world live here. In terrariums it is interesting to observe the habits of lizards, iguanas, snakes and giant insects.
The world of birds is represented by a bright peacock, ducklings and various roosters. Children like to come into contact with the raccoon, see the beaver and the Japanese macaque, touch the guinea pigs and rabbits, admire the black and brown fox, feed the squirrels and other animals.
On the tour, children are told about the life and behavior of animals. After the zoo, children can spend time in the playgrounds.
The park is open to guests from 10.00 to 21.00.
Theater of the Young Spectator
The Kazan Theater for Young Spectators has in its repertoire several dozen performances by Russian and foreign classics of dramaturgy for children and youth. They allow you to mentally travel to other eras and make it possible to comprehend the events of our time.
The actors of the Theater of the Young Spectator, with their talented performances in performances of modern themes, are trying to convey to young viewers the moral and moral values of our era, prompting them to think about the meaning of life, the complexity of human relationships, love for the motherland and nature.
Among the unique projects that should be visited with a child are the performances “War through the Eyes of Children” and “The Little Prince”, based on the fairy tale by Antoine de Saint-Exupery. Of considerable interest are other works of the Youth Theater presented in its poster.
Theater performances begin:
The cash desk is open from 9.00 to 19.00.
Family center “Galaktika ZAR”
It will be possible to spend an unforgettable educational leisure time with the whole family on eight interactive sites-planets of the Galaxy ZAR family center. It is interesting here to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of space and fantasy, to be an archaeologist in the ancient world, to do robotics, applied and theatrical art, to penetrate the secrets of science and detective work.
On the planet – ZARIUM there is a central circle in the form of the sun, which is a stage for master classes and a racing velomobile track. On the planet PHEOZAR, they get acquainted with dinosaurs and extinct animals. The combination of space with virtual reality surprises the planet INOZAR, where the galactic man is grown. Here, each child can choose a topic of interest, take part in quests and competitions.
A visit to each planet with a mentor lasts up to 40 minutes. The center is equipped with modern equipment that makes it possible to bring the fantasy world as close to reality as possible, to make teaching children an exciting process.
The center is open daily from 10.00 to 22.00.
Hippodrome
In the equestrian sports complex “Kazan” – the largest hippodrome in Russia, you will become a spectator of horse races and horse races. The center of the hippodrome is used for show jumping and dressage, which are a pleasure to look at on tours of the hippodrome.
In addition to watching sports spectacles, you can have an exciting time learning horse or pony riding under the guidance of an experienced instructor, ride in a real carriage or in winter in a sleigh pulled by a frisky troika.
On New Year's holidays, the hospitable “Khan's Yard” opens at the hippodrome with exciting national performances. A visit to the hippodrome will be remembered by him with exciting competitions, lively communication with horses and will respond with love for our smaller brothers.
The hippodrome is open daily from 8.00 to 17.00, lunch break from 12.00 to 13.00.
Tatar village “Tugan Avylym”
“Tugan Avylym” in translation from the Tatar language means “native village”. Being an open-air museum of ethnography, the Tatar village serves as a cultural and entertainment center.
Log houses of different classes, yards with log wells, an apiary full of colorful beehives, a mill stand out with national color. It is interesting for children to play on the playground resembling a teremok surrounded by sculptural characters from Tatar fairy tales and animals.
Signposts will lead to an archery range, a rope park and a petting zoo. In craft workshops, children will be shown how iron was forged in the old days, fabrics were woven, dishes were made from clay, grain was ground, and they will be taught crafts at master classes.
Here it is interesting to visit the “Tatar Tent” at a fun fair, and from May to the end of September, become a spectator and participant in the programs “Tatar Fun” and “Tatar Kolyapush”.
The village “Tugan Avylym” welcomes guests free of charge all week from 11.00 to 01.00.
Kysh-Babai residence
The winter wizard of Tatarstan Kysh Babai, the national Father Frost, is happy to welcome guests in winter in his fabulous residence, surrounded by a spruce forest near the village of Kyrlay, 80 km from the city.
After passing the forest customs, guarded by a cheerful devil – Shaitan, then, accompanied by him, head to the possessions of Kysh Babai. Walking along a tangled forest path, meeting with trials and riddles, near the hut you will see the mischievous Baba Yaga – Ubyrly Karchyk.
Near the residence you will be met by the winter wizard himself with his daughter Kar Kyzy and a retinue of 14 characters of the Tatar epic. They will invite you to a fairy-tale house and lead you through a magical wish-fulfilling staircase to the second floor, where you will visit Kysh Babai's room.
In the winter wizard's estate, children will have fun outdoor games, sleigh rides, a puppet show about the life of Kysh Babai, participation in master classes of New Year's crafts, gifts from Santa Claus and a festive dinner.
Kysh-Babay welcomes guests from December 1 to January 27. Puppet shows start at 11.00 and 13.00. Departure takes place on the Kysh-Babay transport at 9.00 and 11.00 from the Tatarstan Hotel.
House of entertaining science and technology
All the secrets and wonders of science – physics – are kept under the roof of the House of Entertaining Technology. Entertaining expositions introduce children to new discoveries and information about the world, the physical laws on which the world around us and the natural phenomena occurring in it are based.
Here they encourage children to experiment, they are allowed to touch the exhibits and even sit on some of them. Thanks to interactive technologies, they learn with interest the effects caused by magnetism, the basics of mechanics and electricity, the secrets of optical illusions, and master skills that will always come in handy in life.
The House of Cognitive Science and Technology is open seven days a week from 10.00 to 19.00, on Saturday – until 20.00
Planetarium KFU
The planetarium of the Kazan Federal University, operating at the observatory at an altitude of 92 meters above sea level, is one of the best in the country in terms of equipment. An excursion to the planetarium arouses children's interest in astronautics, astronomy, science and high technology. In the hall, sitting in a comfortable chair, you begin to travel among the planets in 3D format around the solar system.
Fly around the moon, get acquainted with its dark side, admire the rings of Saturn and enjoy the beauty of the Milky Way. Children are impressed by the fantastic intertwining of thousands of galaxies, the birth of stars, accompanied by the Big Bang and a walk on the rover.
The museum is interesting to get acquainted with models of different telescopes. The oldest of them, the refractor telescope, the largest of similar telescopes in Russia, is over 100 years old.
The planetarium is open every day except Tuesday.
Puppet theater “Ekiyat”
Puppet theater “Ekiyat” in the Tatar language means – “Fairy Tale”. The building, surrounded by a picturesque park with fountains, looks like a fairy-tale castle with towers, columns and facades, inviting the heroes of fairy tales to come inside.
At the entrance to the theatrical foyer, one gets the feeling of being in a fairy-tale palace, striking in the form of crystal chandeliers, pretentiousness of columns that look like chess pieces and chairs in the form of royal thrones.
In the auditorium, a real fairy-tale action takes place, created by actors with a variety of puppets – classical and modern. The theater's repertoire includes more than 50 performances based on the fairy tales of the peoples of the world and the works of children's writers.
The box office is open: Monday-Friday from 9.00 to 19.00.
Performances: Thursday-Sunday. The beginning of the morning at 11.00 and 13.00, evening – at 18.00.
Circus
Kazan residents call their circus cultural and architectural pride. Its appearance resembles a huge space flying saucer that has descended on the city square. For more than 50 years, the circus has been delighting citizens and guests with performances taking place in its arena.
Every month new programs presented by circuses of the country and abroad appear in the circus poster, delighting the audience with the performance of famous trainers with predatory and exotic animals, circus gymnasts, jugglers and clowns.
In total, there are 2312 spectator seats in the circus, divided into several sectors, each of which has 19 rows from 5 to 20 seats. The ticket price depends on the location of the seat. The central cash desk is open from 9.00 to 18.30.
Rise of the Machines Museum
An idea of a futuristic future that turns fantasy into reality is interesting to get at the Rise of the Machines Museum.
Here, in 5 thematic halls, the future of the planet comes to life, where the world and all life processes are controlled by artificial intelligence with intelligent mechanisms. The work of the museum is based on the transformation of scrap metal, chains and old objects to be recycled into art objects.
Here, unique figures made from car parts resemble the heroes of blockbusters and cartoons beloved by children. The children are glad that they are allowed to touch and sit on all the exhibits, but the show of transformers causes indescribable delight.
The museum is open to visitors all week from 10.00 to 21.00.
Chuck-Chuck Museum
Chak-chak is the oldest national delicacy prepared according to old recipes from flour and honey, which is the national treasure of Tatarstan.
The museum is housed in a house dating back to the early 19th century, which belonged to a local merchant, Vafa Bigaev. From the entrance, guests are surrounded by the atmosphere of a hospitable Tatar dwelling with antique furnishings with objects and furniture of past centuries. Here you are allowed to touch each exhibit and even test some in work.
The guests will be told about the main Tatar sweet, closely connected with the history of the people and their cultural traditions. The tour ends with a tea ceremony with chak-chak and other local delicacies. On the lower floor of the museum, a pastry shop sells several varieties of chak-chak, cooked at home according to the original recipe.
The museum receives visitors from 10.00 to 20.00.
Island-city of Sviyazhsk
The island-city of Sviyazhsk, built by Tsar Ivan the Terrible in 1550 on the Round Mountain, washed on both sides by the Sviyaga and Pike rivers for the base of Russian troops, as an outpost for the capture of Kazan. Today it evokes in us associations with the fabulous Buyan Island from Russian folklore, impressing with the architecture of the 16-19th centuries, surrounded by the picturesque Volga nature.
Having made an educational trip on a motor boat, children will learn about the history of the city of Sviyazhsk, the capture of the Kazan Khanate and its current life.
You will visit the unusual Temple of All Religions, Assumption and Bogoroditsky monasteries, a craft settlement where children learn about traditional Russian crafts and take part in master classes. The time spent in the center of historical reconstruction – Lazy Torzhok will be remembered. You can order an excursion from Kazan.