Cracow for Kids

Gibon Indoor Playground

2012-02-25T07:20:00.002-08:00

What | Gibon Indoor Playground [Centrum Zabaw DziecięcychGibon]

Where | 126 Dobrego Pasterza St. [ul. Dobrego Pasterza 126].Kraków. See map.

Parking | Free parking lot in front of the Aqua Park building. Gibonis located in the same building at level -1.

Busstop | Park Wodny. Buses: 125, 128, 129, 132, 138, 139, 142, 148,152, 169, 182. Click for bus schedule here. Scroll downthe page and click on a desired number under Linie autobusowe miejskie in the middle column.

Stroller, wheelchair access | Yes. Elevator available in thebuilding.

What to do | Indoor playground for kids up to 10. Designated play areaequipped specifically for small kids up to 4. Older children will enjoy thenearly 200 m2 two-story structure playgroup.

Hours | Everyday 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Price, discounts | 1hr Mo-Fri 12zł. Sat-Sun and holidays 14zł. 2 hrs: 16and 20zł, respectively. Unlimited: 20zł and 27zł. Discounts for siblings. Karta na Plus discounts (more infoabout the card). Frequent player pass available - includes 5 unlimitedentries for 90zł or 10 for 160zł. Credit cards accepted.

Restrooms | Yes. Changing table available.

English speaking | Yes.

Comments | Free Wi/Fi. Cafeteria, snacks. Birthday parties. Additionally, located in the building are large water park, pool, restaurant and gym. With all the activities and Gibon downstairs, I wish they offered hourly child care at Gibon for parents who want to go to the gym/do laps... No drop-off right now, but hopefully soon ;)

Website | Gibon

Manggha - Japanese Museum of Art and Technology [Muzeum Sztuki i Techniki Japońskiej Manggha]

2012-02-03T05:16:00.000-08:00

What | Japanese Museum of Art and Technology, Manggha [Muzeum Sztuki i Techniki Japońskiej Manggha]

Where | 26 Konopnickiej St. [ul. M. Konopnickiej 26] Kraków. See map.
Note: No left turn on Konopnickiej St. going southbound. U-turn on Grundwaldzkie round bound (Rondo Grunwaldzkie), turn into first street on the righ (Sandomierska St.) and again first right.

Parking | Free parking lot, more parking space on nearby streets.

Bus stop | Most Grunwaldzki. See map.

Stroller, wheelchair access | Limited stroller access, stairs from parking lot to entrance and in the building.

What to do | A cultural center and museum of Japanese (and other eastern) culture, arts and technology. Educational programs for children: oriental cinema, workshops, library, interactive playground, puzzles, paint, Japanese print classes, cooking classes, language school, etc. Catering facility with traditional Japanese cuisine.

Price, discounts | Some of the cyclic educational programs are free for kids with admission to the museum for parent/guardian. Art classes for children aged five to ten with elements of ceramics, calligraphy, reaping the paper and other arts of Japanese culture held on weekly basis for a semester cost 500 zł. ($170)

Restrooms | Yes. No changing table.

English speaking | Yes

Website | Manggha

Jordan's Park | Park Jordana

2012-01-31T02:58:00.000-08:00

What | Playgrounds at Jordan's Park [Park Jordana]

Where | Between Reymont St. [ul. Reymonta] and May 3rd Avenue [al. 3 Maja] Kraków. See map.

Parking | Free on near streets.

Bus stop | See map.

Stroller, wheelchair access | Yes.

What to do | Very popular place for walks and sports. There are two main playgrounds at the park; both have slides, sandpits, swings, climbing constructions, etc. Asphalt alleys of the park are a great place for roller-skating, biking or walking with a stroller. There are volleyball, basketball and football playfields, ramp skating, and a small pond. Catering facility in the park. Sledding hill.

Price | Free.

Restrooms | Yes

Truskawka Club

2012-01-18T14:22:00.000-08:00

What | Truskawka - Kids' Club [Truskawka Twórcze Warsztaty dla Dzieci]

Where | 14 Szwai St. [ul. Szwai 14], Kraków, Ruczaj district. Cracow South. See map.

Parking | Free on adjacent street.

Stroller, wheelchair access | Parking for strollers outside.

What to do | Wide variety of classes and workshops from pregnancy joga classes and baby-time for newborns, pre-school activities to dance classes and LEGO workshops for bigger kids.

Price, discounts | Varies for different activities. Average cost is 30 zł. ($8) per class. 10% discount for siblings.

Restrooms | Yes. Changing table available.

English speaking | Yes

Website | Truskawka

ŻyWa Atelier (ŻyWa Pracownia)

2012-01-12T10:57:00.000-08:00

Where | 1 Bartosza St. [ul. Bartosza 1], Kraków, Kazmierz district. Map.

Parking | ul. Szeroka, Kazimierz (Kraków) [cash needed, street meters do not accept credit cards or bills.] 5-minute walk from parking to ŻyWa Atelier.

Stroller, wheelchair access | Yes

What to do | Hands-on workshops and crafts - painting, decorating, cutting, clay crafts, basketwork.

Price, discounts | 25-30 zł. ($8-10) per class. Discounts available for siblings and groups.

Restrooms | Yes. No changing table.

English speaking | Yes

Website | ŻyWa Pracownia

Market Square [Rynek]

2012-01-11T03:12:00.000-08:00

Where | Downtown. Market Square or Main Square known in Polish as Rynek Glowny (map)

Parking | We usually park at Stary Kleparz (reasonable prices, easy to park & pay the assistant, free on Sundays. 10-minute walk from here to the Market Square with a stroller) or at Teatr Słowackiego (more expensive, but very close to Rynek, guarded).

Stroller, wheelchair access | Yes. Traffic in Rynek and some surrounding streets is restricted so kids can run free if it's not too crowded. Some sidewalks are narrow, be prepared if you have a wider stroller. Old, large cobblestones cover most areas of Rynek - large wheels work better on these.

What to do | Take a stroll, watch numerous performers or events taking place at Rynek, visit little markets and Sukiennice - the distinctive building in the center of Rynek with little shops that sell traditional Polish crafts. Kids will love chasing | feeding pigeons, you can grab a snack at any of numerous coffee shops or restaurants, take a carriage ride, shop, visit kids-friendly museums and galleries, old buildings and churches.

More about Market Square | cracow-life.com and in pictures at krakow4u.pl

Sztukolotnia | Art Classes at Cracow's Community Center

2012-01-10T09:43:00.000-08:00

What | Sztukolotnia - Art Classes

Where | 2 Mikołajska St. [ul. Mikołajska 2], Kraków. At Śródmiejski Ośrodek Kultury (Cultural Community Center). The building is located right next to the Market Square (Rynek).

Parking | Teatr Słowackiego or park on Kopernika Street (ul. Kopernika), or Zyblikiewicza Street (ul. Zyblikiewicza). Parking on the street in this area is allowed only if are in Zone C. Click here for more information about parking zones in Cracow.

Stroller, wheelchair access | No. You can leave stroller downstairs [in the entry], stairs up to second floor.

What to do | Art, film, music, photography classes for kids various ages. We take an art class for 2-4 year olds, 5-8 kids in class, 2 creative teachers, very hands on, kids love it.

Price, discounts | Very reasonable prices compared to similar classes at private venues. 5 zł ($1.5) if paid in advance, 7 zł. if paid per class.

Restrooms | Yes. No changing table.

English speaking | Yes, classes held partially in English if needed.

Website | Sztukolotnia