What are the most popular things to do in Budapest with kids?

Budapest Zoo

One of the oldest in the world, Budapest’s Zoo dates back to 1866. It’s both educational, and entertaining, for kids, hosting also several local species, and plants. The art nouveau architecture of its structures makes it interesting for adults too.

 

Budapest Zoo
Budapest Zoo. Photo: wikipedia.org

City Park

City Park (Városliget) is among the first public parks created in Europe. Part of the undergoing redevelopment of the area, the recently built playgrounds are rich in creative interactive equipment, for kids of every age.

 

The park includes several amenities, including a Medieval-looking Castle (Vajdahunyad Castle), and a lake with boats for rent, that partially turns into an ice skate rink in the wintertime.

 

City park Budapest
City Park (Városliget). Photo: panadea.com

Castle District

Looking pretty much like scenery from a fairy tale, the Fisherman’s Bastions usually grab the attention of the little ones too. For the bravest ones, the castle offers a Labyrinth, with elements inspired by the Middle Age.

 

There is also a museum entirely dedicated to Houdini, the famous escapist, who was born in Budapest. A piece of cake at Ruszwurm, the oldest confectionery in Buda, should be a must to recover from all these emotions.

 

Castle District Budapest
Castle District. Photo: wikipedia.org

Margaret Island

Easy to reach from both of the riversides, thanks to Margaret Bridge, Margaret island can be considered a big park in the Danube, with plenty of alternatives for leisure. There’s a mini zoo, rentable pedal cars, and self-peddle carts, a strand with a water park, and even a music fountain that changes colors.

 

Margaret island
Margaret Island

Aeropark Budapest

A less conventional idea to have fun with kids in an educational way is to visit the museum created outside Budapest’s airport. The Aeropark gathers the aircraft’s models of former Hungarian airline Malév, and has a flight simulator to add that extra kick to the experience.

 

Aeropark Budapest
Aeropark Budapest. Photo: aeropark.hu

Palatinus Strand

Located in Margaret Island, Palatinus was the first bath in Budapest featuring a “beach”. Although it no longer has the thermal parts, Palatinus is a complex with a wide choice of pools, and slides, including a wave pool, and a kids-only one. The indoor part is open in wintertime too.

 

Palatinus Strand Budapest
Palatinus open-air baths. Photo: budapeststrand.hu