The Christmas pause is no reason to sit on the sofa in front of the screen – for those with families, join us as we pick through the best holiday solutions for quality time…
The Christmas pause is no reason to sit on the sofa in front of the screen – for those with families, join us as we pick through the best holiday solutions for quality time…
Ongoing until mid-January, the Great Elf Factory (warszawa.wielkafabrykaelfow.pl) returns to the National Stadium, bringing with it the chance to solve puzzles and overcome educational tasks while under the watchful eye of a team of merry elves. The ensuing adventure isn’t short of bouncy attractions and games played out to a backdrop that evoke the spirit of Santa’s grotto.
Covering an area approaching 400 sq/km, take advantage of Warsaw’s proximity to Kampinos National Park to explore the Narnia-like scenery of this wooded reserve by sleigh. Bundled under thick blankets, horse-drawn carriages will take you through fairytale landscapes populated by elk, deer and lynx. Google ‘Kulig Kampinos’ and you’ll find several operators that will help realise this vision. Even better are the ones that conclude rides with an ognisko – a bonfire involving sausages on sticks.
The Old Town’s skating rink in the centre of the Rynek is Warsaw’s most famous – and scenic – plus has the added benefit of closing late and being ringed by stalls selling mulled wine for the grown-ups. Elsewhere though, the rink at Koneser also promises a pleasant backdrop and plenty of post-skating activities and, of course, there’s the rink in front of the Gotham-esque Palace of Culture. More will open of course, and we’ll be presenting them online.
On the first sign of snow out come the sleds. There’s nothing wrong with taking to the nearest slope, but those wanting something more should head to Górka Szczęśliwicka. Found in Park Szczęśliwicki, Warsaw’s highest hill (152-metres) has a 74.9 metre slope with chairlift and ski and snowboard rental. For details, see: fb.com/gorkaszczesliwicka
Just 45-minutes outside of Warsaw lies Suntago (parkofpoland.com), a family paradise where summer never ends. Europe’s largest water park features 18 pools in all, 32 slides with names like Neon Torpedo, Mad Crocodile and Green Mamba, and different zones themed around such things as Ancient Egypt and Valhalla. Even the palms have been imported from Florida and Malaysia!
For kids, museums are no longer a snorefest to be feared. Warsaw’s A-Class institutions have all been built with younger visitors in mind, and even ones that tackle tough subjects such as POLIN and the Rising Museum will appeal to children. Beyond these cultural celebrities, props go to the Doll House Museum (muzeumdomkow.pl) in the Old Town. Discover 150 doll houses, some of which date back 200-years. Intricate and often meticulously detailed, this miniature world has to be seen to be believed. Around the corner, don’t miss their temporary exhibition dedicated to the toys of the PRL era.
Set on the south-west fringes of the city, Fly Spot Warsaw (flyspot.com) have created what is reputed to be one of the modern wind tunnels in the world. Vertical in height, visitors enter a cylindrical object before high-powered ventilators blast them several meters into the air. Great for both kids and adults, the space age HQ adds to the thrills.
One of Norblin Factory’s biggest triumphs has been the way in which it has connected to all ages – at the lower end of the scale, credit for that goes to Smart Kids Planet, a 1,600 sq/m project with nine zones that aim to promote logical thinking, healthy eating, motor functions, perception and creative thinking. For more, see: smartkidsplanet.pl
