St Petersburg Russia With Kids
Going Out With your children is Easy, Entertaining, and Fun!


Welcome to St Petersburg Essential Guide - Your Best Travel Guide to Russia

Wondering what things to do in St Petersburg Russia with kids? See our recommendations on this page.

Frankly speaking, you are bringing your children to one of the most beautiful cities in the world. A Russian city often referred to as the Venice of the North, which offers a great balance of old traditions, cultural activities, interesting museums and monuments, beautiful parks and gardens that will fascinate visitors young and old.

At first glance, you might think that St Petersburg Russia is not a very child-friendly city, but this isn't true. You may also think that our city is only for culturally savvy adults and is too expensive for families. Wrong again!

Despite any misgivings you may have about Russia, especially nowadays with all this negative Russian propaganda, St. Petersburg is a family-friendly place with plenty of things to see and do, some for free and some not, all year round. It is safe, easy to get around, and affordable.

Almost every Russian restaurant, cafe, museum, or park is well equipped for entertaining kids of any age. And, if you come during the summer, there is always something going on, such as festivals, cultural events, musical shows or amazing fireworks to enjoy.

The cultural capital of Russia offers a great opportunity to introduce your children to the beautiful world of art and history in an engaging and fun way that will make them curious for more. If you travel to St Petersburg Russia with kids we can assure you that your children will have the chance to see museums with exhibits they will not see anywhere else in the world. 

ST PETERSBURG RUSSIA WITH KIDS - choose where to go!


There are so many things to do in St Petersburg Russia with kids. Our amazing city - steeped in history, compact, and easy to navigate offers a wealth of opportunities for the family. Below we've made a list of family-friendly things travelers can do during their Russian vacation. To get started just click on the links.

THE LENINGRAD ZOO


"We've been here many times, and each time was fun. Come, see, and touch!"

Founded in 1865, the Leningrad Zoo is the second largest zoo in Russia, after Moscow. As you walk around you can admire 2000 animals from 401 different species, such as tigers, polar bears, deer, giraffes, monkeys, snakes, orangutans, anteaters, African elephants ,and many more. Once you're inside the zoo, both you and your kids will be immersed in the animal kingdom, and will see animals you have not seen before, have fun, and enjoy a great day out. And, if you wish to do more, you could also learn how to ride a pony or a horse, as the Zoo has its own stable - plus you can even feed some animals. This is the first place we recommend going if you travel to St Petersburg Russia with kids.

 DETAILS


  • Address: 1, Aleksandrovsky Park (Petrograd Side)
  • Metro: Gorkovskaya or Sportivnaya
  • Telephone: +7 (812) 232-82-60
  • Schedule: On weekdays from 10:00 am to 5 pm; On weekends and holidays from 10:00 to 6 pm; If you visit the Children's Zoo: Daily from 10 am to 3:45 pm.
  • Website: www.spbzoo.ru
  • Admission: 500Rubles for Adults; 300Rubles for Students; 200Rubles for Children (50Rubles for children from 4 to 7 years old) - Free of charge for children under four. Only cash payment is accepted.
  • Photo & Video: Free of charge
  • Tip: People typically spend up to 1.5 hours here. The ticket office of the Exotarium pavilion is open from 11:00 am. Ticket offices close an hour earlier. See the website for more information!
  • Hotels Nearby: Tradition Hotel; Apart Hotel Kronvert; Hotel Petersburg at Dobrolyubova.
  • Restaurants Nearby: Tbiliso; Pemeniya on Kronverkskiy; RoseMary Restaurant.
  • Attractions Nearby: Military Historical Artillery; Mini-City; Zodchie Sculpture.

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ST PETERSBURG DOLPHINARIUM


"A very entertaining show and worth the money, very good for kids".

Open all year round the St Petersburg Dolphinarium is a small marine park that provides people with an educational, enjoyable, and above all hands-on experience, enabling connection with several friendly marine animals. Here your children can have fun while watching dolphins, beluga whales and sea lions jump out and into the water, spin, dance and even draw. And, if you want more, after the enchanting show, you could take pictures and buy some souvenirs, for an extra fee. You can even swim with dolphins but you should organize this activity in advance.

 DETAILS


  • Address: 19, Konstantinovsky Prospekt (Krestovskiy Island)
  • Metro: Krestovsky Ostrov metro station
  • Telephone: +7 (812) 610-55-15
  • Schedule: Daily, the show runs from 10 am to 6 pm every hour - The duration of the presentation is about 45 minutes.
  • Website: www.dolphinarium.spb.ru
  • Admission: Adults and Students: from 400Rubles to 900Rubles (Weekdays); from 500Rubles to 1100Rubles (Weekend and holidays); Children (3-10 years old): from 200Rubles to 600Rubles (Working days) and from 300Rubles to 800Rubles (Weekend and holidays); (Price is based on where you seat).
  • Photo & Video: Free during presentation - Not Free with dolphins on platforms.
  • Tip: People typically spend up to 2 hours here. Tickets are sold at the box office of the dolphinarium and the box office of the city. You can also buy tickets on-line through their website. See the website for more information.
  • Hotels Nearby: Staybridge Suites St. Petersburg or Holiday Inn St. Petersburg Moskovskie Vorota.
  • Restaurants Nearby: Restaurant Kukumber; Chili Restaurant; McDonald's; Antuan; Tokyo-City.
  • Attractions Nearby: Museum-Library Books of Leningrad's Siege; LabirintUm; Raduga; Yablonevy Sad.

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ST PETERSBURG DOLLS MUSEUM


"We've been here once and it was really fun. Here forgotten fairy tales come to life".

Founded in 1998, the St Petersburg Dolls Museum displays a rich collection of hand made dolls, fairies, and soldiers, representing history and characters from various ages and nations. From traditional folk toys to the latest designer dolls, this unique museum is a child fantasy place that every kid will love to visit. The place may look small and weird from outside, but once you enter it is like a fairy tale. Suitable for older kids and the young at heart! As a guest, you can independently tour the exposition or book an excursion, add leisure time with a master class or enjoy a performance, visit a gift shop, order a doll, drink coffee and tea, or take a walk in the garden. This is really a cool place to go if you are in St Petersburg Russia with kids.

 DETAILS


  • Address: 8, Kamskaya ul. (Vasilievsky Side)
  • Metro: Vasileostrovskaya or Primorskaya or Sportivnaya
  • Telephone: +7 (812) 327-72-24
  • Schedule: Daily, from 10 am to 6 pm
  • Website: www.museumdolls.ru
  • Admission: 400Rubles for Adults; 250Rubles for Students and Children. Large families 200Rubles per person. Disabled people of groups 1 and 2 and their attendants 100Rubles per person.
  • Photo & Video: Free of charge
  • Tip: People typically spend up to 1.5 hours here. You can buy tickets online. See the website for more information!
  • Restaurants Nearby: Mulan; Pirogof: Tyoplye Kraya Cook.
  • Attractions Nearby: Chapel of St. Xenia of St Petersburg; Artmuza; Smolensky Cemetery.

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THE BOLSHOI ST PETERSBURG STATE CIRCUS


"The famous Togni Circus in the arena of the Circus on the Fontanka is a place not to miss".

The Bolshoi St Petersburg State Circus is a great place if you want to keep your child occupied and happy for more than an hour. Located on the Fontanka River Embankment, this world-famous Russian circus has been performing and attracting people since 1877. During the show, your kids will be fascinated by the performance of gymnasts, tight rope walkers, and trapeze acts. Also, they will enjoy seeing animal shows, jugglers, and hilarious clowns. We've been here a couple of times and it was very entertaining and worth the money. Definitely a place to keep in mind if you're in St Petersburg Russia with kids.

 DETAILS

  • Address: 3, Fontanka Embankment (Admiraltesky Side)
  • Metro: Nevsky Prospekt or Gostiny Dvor
  • Telephone: +7 (812) 570-51-98 or +7(812) 570-54-11
  • Schedule: Performances start at 1 pm or 3 pm and at 5 pm or 7 pm and run on a daily basis. The duration of the show is about 2hrs.
  • Website: www.circus.spb.ru/en/
  • Admission: From 500Rubles to 7000Rubles for Adults; Students and Children (Price is based on where you seat) - Free of charge for children under 5 years old.
  • Photo & Video: Yes! You can take photos and make video.
  • Tip: People typically spend up to 2 hours here. You can buy tickets on-line through their website. See the website for more information!
  • Restaurants Nearby: Tsar; Farsh & Bochka; Cafe Botanika.
  • Attractions Nearby: The Anna Akhmatova Museum; Faberge Museum.

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ST PETERSBURG PLANETARIUM OBSERVATORY


"Definitely a place to bring your children if you want them to experience a spectacular journey across the universe".

The St Petersburg Planetarium is located next to the Baltic House and Music Hall theaters. It is the ideal place to take your kids if you would like them to gain an understanding of complex concepts in a fun and effective way. As you walk inside the building you will be able to admire the sun, all planets of our solar system, star clusters, comets, and much more. Through performances and interactive games, your children (and you too) will feel closer to the world of science, have fun and learn intriguing things about our planet. Being very popular among Russian pupils, this is certainly a fun place to go if you're in St Petersburg Russia with kids.

 DETAILS


  • Address: 4, Aleksandrovsky Park (Petrograd Side)
  • Metro: Gorkovskaya or Sportivnaya
  • Schedule: Presentations and performances are operated on schedule and run on a daily basis.
  • Telephone: +7 (812) 233-26-53 or +7 (812) 233-49-56
  • Website: www.planetary-spb.ru
  • Admission: 350Rubles for Adults; 250Rubles for Student and Children (From 4 to 17 years old). Tickets can only be purchased on the day of the program.
  • Photo & Video: Free of charge
  • Tip: People typically spend up to 2 hours here. Tickets are for 1 session of one hall (Star Hall, Observatory, LZO, Horizon) Planetarium. See the website for more information!
  • Hotels Nearby: Tradition Hotel; Apart Hotel Kronvert; Hotel Petersburg at Dobrolyubova.
  • Restaurants Nearby: Tbiliso; Pemeniya on Kronverkskiy; RoseMary Restaurant.
  • Attractions Nearby: Military Historical Artillery; Mini-City; Zodchie Sculpture.

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THE GRAND MAKET OF RUSSIA


"A masterpiece of 21st-century art where anyone can easily spend two hours".

Children from all over St. Petersburg love the Grand Maket of Russia (Maket means layout in Russian), as it depicts the landscape of Russia in miniature scale models. Here kids can watch mini Russian cities, roads, trains, and ships, as well as thousands of human figures, hundreds of moving en-route cars, and scenes of life. This is definitely a nice place to spend a few hours with your children while discovering hidden and unusual parts of Russia scaled down. If you plan a visit here, you and your kids will be pretty impressed and well entertained. We've been here once and we had a lot of fun, so if you choose to come to St Petersburg Russia with kids give it a try.

 DETAILS


  • Address: 16, Tzvetochnaya Ul. (Admiralty side)
  • Metro: Moskovskie Vorota or Elektrosila
  • Schedule: Daily, from 10 am to 8 pm (Ticket office is open from 10 am till 7:15 pm).
  • Telephone: +7 (812) 495-54-65
  • Website: www.grandmaket.ru/en/
  • Admission: 540Rubles for Adults; 320Rubles for Children of 3-13 years old (10% Family fare discount up to 3 children).
  • Photo & Video: Free of charge
  • Tip: People typically spend up to 2 hours here. You can buy tickets on-line through their website. Apart from the museum there is also a buffet restaurant inside where you can eat and relax. See the website for more information.
  • Hotels Nearby: Holiday Inn St. Petersburg Moskovskie Vorota; Staybridge Suites St. Petersburg.
  • Restaurants Nearby: Korovabar; Grill Station; Lindfors.
  • Attractions Nearby: Museum Illusium; Route 148; Sangalskiy.

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ST PETERSBURG OCEANARIUM


"Cozy aquarium inside Shopping mall with marine tunnel and various marine factions, good for families with children".

Opened in 2006, the St Petersburg Oceanarium has become one of the best family attractions in St. Petersburg. With over 45 000 fishes, aquatic invertebrates, and sea mammals from over 150 species, as well as aquariums with sharks, piranhas, and seals, this place is worth a visit. If you visit the Oceanarium, which is also known as the Planet Neptune Aquarium, you won't only be touched by the magic underwater atmosphere, but you'll also experience breathtaking shows with sharks and seals that will amaze your kids, and of course you too. This is an incredible place to go when you come to St Petersburg Russia with kids.

 DETAILS


  • Address: 86, Marata Ulitsa (Admiralty side)
  • Metro: Pushkinskaya, Zvenigorodskaya
  • Telephone: +7 (812) 448-00-77
  • Schedule: Daily, from 10 am to 8 pm (Ticket office closes at 7:15 pm).
  • Website: www.planeta-neptun.ru
  • Admission: 700Rubles (From September 1 to May 31) and 750Rubles (From 01.06 to 31.08) for Adults; 500Rubles (From September 1 to May 31) and 550Rubles (From 01.06 to 31.08) for Students and Children from 7 years old; Free of charge for children up to 4 years old.
  • Photo & Video: Free of charge
  • Tip: People typically spend up to 2 hours here. You can buy tickets on-line through their website. See the website for more information.
  • Hotels Nearby: Neptun Hotel; The Brothers Karamazov Hotel;
  • Restaurants Nearby: Khachapuri I Vino; Kwakinn; Paprika.
  • Attractions Nearby: Metro Station Zvenigorodskaya; Monument to the Soldiers of WWI; Tkachi Exhibition Center of Creative Space.

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THE PETERHOF FOUNTAINS


"A magnificent place where you and your kids can spend the whole day & have a lot of fun".

Often referred to as the Russian Versailles, the Fountains of Peterhof are one of Russia's most famous tourist attractions. Drawing millions of visitors every year, especially from late May to October, when the 147 fountains are turned on, this place is perfect for a day out with the whole family. When walking through the amazing park and gardens, playing with the trick fountains, viewing the statues, and the grand palace, your kids will have so much fun that they surely will ask you to come back again. This is a must-see place if you come to St Petersburg Russia with kids.

 DETAILS


  • Location: Peterhof
  • Metro: No metro nearby! You can reach Peterhof by bus, car or hydrofoil.
  • Telephone: +7 (812) 450-52-87
  • Schedule: Upper Garden: Daily, 9 am to 8 pm; Lower Park:     Daily, 9 am to 8 pm. Last admission at 7:30 pm. Fountains operate from 10 am to 6 pm (Saturday and Sunday till 7 pm).
  • Website: www.peterhofmuseum.ru
  • Admission: Upper Garden is free of charge to enter; Lower Park with Fountains: 500Rubles for Adults; 250Rubles for Students and Children.
  • Photo & Video: Free
  • Tip: People typically spend up to 2.5 hours here. You can buy tickets on-line through their website. See the website for more information.
  • Restaurants Nearby: Gastropub Duck & Drake; Brynza & Kebab; Alex House.
  • Attractions Nearby: Park and Gardens of Peterhof; Fountain "Samson Tearing the Lion's Jaws"; Museum Bathhouse; Grand Palace.

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THE AQUAPARK PITERLAND


"A little oasis in the cold where you and your kids can try Russian sauna, swim and relax". 

Located inside a new shopping center near the Gulf of Finland, the Aquapark Piterland is one of the biggest water parks in Russia and by far the most popular spot among locals for chilling out. Here your kids can climb, jump, slide, and splash all day long, while you can just sit and relax. With an area of 25 000 squares meters, which includes 5 large slides, several swimming pools and jacuzzis, 13 different saunas and steam baths, a Spa area, and a few bars, Piterland offers plenty of entertainment for adults and kids all year round. This is our favorite place to go to leave the bustle and hustle of the city. We highly recommend paying a visit to Piterland if you come to St Petersburg Russia with kids.

 DETAILS


  • Address: 72, Primorsky Prospekt
  • Metro: Staraya Derevnya or Chiornaya Rechka (From the metro you must take a bus); Begovaya (Reachable on foot).
  • Telephone: +7 (812) 777-15-55
  • Schedule: Tuesday - Sunday from 10 am to 22:30 pm; Monday from 3 pm to 22:30 pm; Shopping Mall open from Monday to Sunday from 10 am to 10 pm.
  • Website: www.piterland.ru
  • Admission: 1500Rubles for 5 hours and 1700Rubles for the whole day for Adults; 900Rubles for Children (From 5 to 13 years old). Price ranges according to the day and time you go.
  • Photo & Video: Not allowed.
  • Tip: People typically spend up to 3 hours here. You can buy tickets on-line through their website. The best way to get there is by taxi or marshrutka or by bus. Bring with you your towels and slippers. There is a nice beach and a park nearby where you can walk. See the website for more information.
  • Hotels Nearby: Lahta Plaza Hotel; Piterland Hotel.
  • Restaurants Nearby: Alta Marea; Gastropub Koza Dereza.
  • Attractions Nearby: Park 300-Letiya Sankt-Peterburga; Lakhta Center; View of Guld of Finland.

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KRASIN ICEBREAKER


"Walk around the boat, hear about it's history, see the rooms".

Moored off the southern bank of Vasilyevsky Island, the old Icebreaker Krasin has now become a floating museum. In the past, this icebreaker took part in many Arctic expeditions and rescue operations, and also brought strategic supplies, arms and ammunition to the Soviet Union during WWII. Once inside you can walk around the vessel, feel the history, and get acquainted with the life and work of arctic heroes while exploring the engine room and other rooms. As a new addition to St Petersburg's museum scene, this site can be a great alternative idea if you're in St Petersburg Russia with kids.

 DETAILS


  • Address: 22, Lieutenant Schmidt embankment, 23rd line of Vasilievsky Island
  • Metro: Vasileostrovskaya
  • Telephone: +7 (812) 325-35-47
  • Schedule: Wednesday to Sunday, from 11 am to 5 pm (Ticket office closes at 5 pm).
  • Website: www.krassin.ru/en/
  • Admission: 700Rubles for Adults; 350Rubles for Students and Children; Free of charge for children under 5 years old. Discount for Russian citizens.
  • Photo & Video: Free of charge
  • Tip: People typically spend up to 1.5 hours here. Organized groups and game programs are accepted ONLY by prior request! See the website for more information.
  • Hotels Nearby: Happy Pushkin; Leningrad Hotel.
  • Restaurants Nearby: Erarta Museum; New Holland Island;
  • Attractions Nearby: Erarta Restaurant; Sakartvelo;

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CENTRAL RAILWAY MUSEUM


"Even if you're not into trains this is a great modern museum to visit. If you go your kids won't feel bored".

The Central Railway Museum in St. Petersburg is definitely the country's best museum representing the complete development of railways in Russia and the former USSR. As you tour inside, you'll see train models from the very first Russian steam locomotive to the modern railways and engines of today. Children of all ages love to participate in the development, operating, and running of the model trains, as they depict the operations of real railroads; so if you're out of options, why not bring your kids here? You and your youngsters will learn about the history of the Russian railway and its trains and have a lot of fun. We've been here once and it was really good, so add this place to your sightseeing list if you come to St Petersburg Russia with kids.

 DETAILS


  • Address: 50, Sadovaya Ulitsa (Admiralty side)
  • Metro: Sennaya Ploschad; Sadovaya; Gostiny Dvor
  • Telephone: +7 (812) 457-80-05
  • Schedule: Sunday to Thursday, 11 am to 5 pm. Closed on Friday, Saturday and the last Thursday of the month.
  • Website: museum.ru/museum/railway/
  • Admission: 150Rubles for Adults; 50Rubles for Students and Children.
  • Photo & Video: Yes! But you have to pay a fee of 200Rubles
  • Tip: People typically spend up to 2 hours here. The Railway Museum also owns a collection of old locomotives and cars, which is displayed at a separate location, just outside St. Petersburg (from the Vitebsk Railway Station take a local train to Parovozny Muzei). See the website for more information.
  • Hotels Nearby: Ambassador Hotel; Columb Hotel; Gogol Hotel.
  • Restaurants Nearby: Denisov and Nikolayev; Diana.
  • Attractions Nearby: The Anna Akhmatova Museum; Faberge Museum.

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other TOURS FOR KIDS


In addition to visiting some of the places listed above, there are also other fun tours and activities that may entertain all your family during your visit to the city of St Petersburg.

For example, you could join a Bike Tour or take a  Walking Tour led by an experienced guide for a fascinating morning or afternoon experiencing St Petersburg's gorgeous historic neighborhoods and parks. Or you could take a City Bus Tour by jumping onboard a Double-Decker Bus and hop on and hop off anytime at major attractions, or even better, you could rent a private car or minivan with a driver. Also, you could consider taking a Night Boat Tour along the Neva River to see some of the famous drawbridges open and close to allow ship access to the Baltic Sea. 

So, if you are on a trip to St Petersburg Russia with kids, no worries! You can find plenty of things to do and see so that you and your family can enjoy the unique charms of our cultural Russian city.

Davide & Anastasia founders of St Petersburg Essential Guide Travel Website

Hello! We are Davide & Anastasia the founders of st-petersburg-essentialguide.com.

We would like to let you know that apart from writing unique content for our travel website we can also help with the arrangement of your Airport Transfer, Private City Tour, and Russian Visa Support, or anything else you may need during your stay or the planning of your trip to St Petersburg Russia. Just get in touch with us today for more info!


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