We have driven to a lot of places that looked promising online and turned out to be disappointing with small children. Too many stairs, no changing facilities, nothing for a two-year-old to actually do. These are the places that genuinely worked for us.
What Makes a Place Work With Small Children
Before listing specific destinations, it helps to know what we look for. After a dozen trips with a toddler and a baby, we have learned that the following matter more than anything else:
- A changing table or at least a clean, accessible bathroom
- Flat or gently sloped terrain for strollers
- Something for the child to do that is not just looking at things
- A place to eat that does not require a reservation
- Parking close to the main attraction
Castles and historic sites often fail on several of these points. We have been to beautiful places that were essentially inaccessible with a stroller. We have also been to places that looked unremarkable but turned out to be excellent because they were designed with families in mind.
Kokorin Nature Reserve
About an hour north of Prague, Kokorin is a protected landscape area with sandstone rock formations, forests, and a small castle. What makes it work for families is the variety of walking routes. There are short, flat paths suitable for strollers, and longer hikes for when the children are older.
We visited in autumn when the crowds were smaller. The village of Kokorin itself has a few restaurants and a car park close to the trailheads. The castle is modest but interesting enough to hold a toddler's attention for twenty minutes.
The official Kokorin-Maceska website has trail maps and information about accessibility. We found the stroller-friendly routes clearly marked.
💡 Tip: Go on a weekday if possible. Kokorin is popular with Prague families on weekends and the car parks fill up by mid-morning in summer.
Krivoklat Castle
One of the best-preserved Gothic castles in Bohemia, Krivoklat is about an hour west of Prague. What surprised us was how family-friendly the guided tours were. The guide we had on our visit spoke clearly and kept the explanations short enough for children to stay engaged.
The castle grounds have open areas where children can run around. There is a small exhibition specifically designed for younger visitors. The town below the castle has a playground and several cafes.
The main limitation is that the castle interior involves stairs and is not accessible with a stroller. We left ours in the car and carried our younger child in a carrier. This worked fine for a two-hour visit.
Cesky Raj (Bohemian Paradise)
The Bohemian Paradise geopark is about ninety minutes northeast of Prague and offers some of the most distinctive landscapes in the country. Rock formations, forests, ponds, and several castle ruins spread across a large area.
The key with Bohemian Paradise is choosing the right section. Some areas involve steep climbs that are genuinely difficult with children. The area around Prachov Rocks has well-marked paths at various difficulty levels, including some that are manageable with older toddlers.
We stayed overnight at a family pension near Jicin on one trip, which made it possible to see more without rushing. For a day trip, focus on one area rather than trying to cover too much.
Pruhonice Park Near Prague
For a shorter outing, Pruhonice Park is only twenty minutes from central Prague and offers a large English-style landscape park with a castle, ponds, and extensive walking paths. Much of the park is flat and stroller-friendly.
This is our most-visited destination because it requires almost no planning. We have gone in all seasons. The park is beautiful in spring when the rhododendrons flower, and the autumn colours are excellent. Entry fees are reasonable and the park is large enough that it never feels crowded.
The castle itself is not open for tours, but the exterior and grounds are worth seeing. There is a small cafe near the entrance and a larger restaurant in the village.
What We Skip
We have stopped visiting places that require long queues, have limited toilet facilities, or are primarily designed for adults. Prague Castle is spectacular but exhausting with small children. Many wine regions in South Bohemia are beautiful but offer little for toddlers.
This is not a criticism of those places. They are worth visiting when the children are older. For now, we prioritize places where everyone can actually enjoy themselves.