Russia is the world's largest country, spanning eleven time zones from Europe to Asia. From the grandeur of Moscow's Red Square and St. Petersburg's palaces to the Trans-Siberian Railway and Lake Baikal, Russia offers unparalleled cultural heritage, dramatic landscapes, and unique experiences.
Family activities
Engaging experiences for travellers of every age.
Moscow Zoo
One of Europe's oldest zoos with over 8,000 animals including rare Amur tigers, snow leopards, and polar bears. The children's section has petting zoo and interactive feeding areas.
Duration: 3-4 hours
Moscow Planetarium
Russia's largest planetarium with interactive space science exhibits on the lower floors and stellar shows in the main dome. The hands-on science museum engages children of all ages.
Duration: 2-3 hours
Experimentanium Science Museum Moscow
Excellent hands-on science museum where children conduct real experiments, build circuits, and explore physics through interactive exhibits. Highly recommended for curious children.
Duration: 2-3 hours
Peterhof Fountain Gardens
Children love playing near the Grand Cascade's 150+ fountain jets in summer — they can get wet! The Samson Fountain and Lion Cascade create spectacular water shows on the hour.
Duration: 3-4 hours
Gorky Park Ice Rink (Winter)
Moscow's most famous outdoor ice rink in Gorky Park runs from December to March. Skate hire available; hot chocolate and blini stalls line the rink perimeter. Evening skating with music is magical.
Duration: 2 hours
Hermitage 'Treasure Hunt'
Create a self-guided treasure hunt through the Hermitage Museum for children — find the Egyptian mummies, Rembrandt's giant paintings, Scythian gold, and the famous Clock Peacock. The palace itself thrills children.
Duration: 2-3 hours
Izmailovsky Market and Kremlin
Colourful craft market at Izmailovo with matryoshka painting workshops where children paint their own dolls to take home. The decorative wooden Izmailovo Kremlin complex makes a fantastic photo backdrop.
Duration: Half day
Family-friendly hotels
Accommodation designed with families in mind.
Lotte Hotel St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg's most family-friendly luxury hotel with connecting rooms, excellent breakfast, central location near St. Isaac's Cathedral, and staff experienced with international families.
Family features: Connecting family suites, kids amenity kit, 24/7 room service, central location for walking to Hermitage
Radisson Hotels Moscow/St. Petersburg
Reliable international chain with family rooms, connecting room options, swimming pools at some locations, and consistent standards across multiple Moscow locations.
Family features: Family rooms available, cribs provided, swimming pool (some locations), reliable English-speaking staff
Azimut Hotels (multiple cities)
Russian chain with good value family rooms across Moscow, St. Petersburg, and other cities. Child-friendly staff and practical amenities at lower prices than international chains.
Family features: Family rooms available, cribs available, central locations, budget-friendly pricing
Four Seasons Hotel Moscow
For luxury family stays, the Four Seasons provides exceptional family service near Red Square with special children's programmes, dedicated family concierge, and the safest central location.
Family features: Children's amenity kits, babysitting service available, family concierge, connecting suites
Dining with kids
Eating out as a family.
Teremok blini chain is Russia's ideal family fast food — buckwheat pancakes with various fillings, clean, cheap ($4-6/person), and children love customising their own blini
Mu-Mu cafeteria chain lets children choose from a display of ready dishes — great for picky eaters who can see exactly what they're getting
Most Russian restaurants welcome children warmly — Russians adore children and staff will make extra effort; high chairs available at most family-oriented venues
Children's portions often unavailable at traditional restaurants — share adult dishes or order multiple starters instead of mains
Stolle pie shops are excellent for family snacking — individual pirogi (pies) are portable, filling, and available in sweet and savoury varieties
Family travel tips
Practical advice for stress-free family trips.
Moscow and St. Petersburg metros have many stairs — folding stroller recommended; most escalators are extremely long (and fast!) which children find exciting
Buy bottled water exclusively — tap water is not safe to drink; large 5-litre bottles from supermarkets are economical for families
Learn basic Cyrillic numbers to help children read prices and metro signs — turns navigation into a game
Russian winters require serious children's outerwear — buy children's thermal base layers and insulated boots before the trip