The best things to do in Moscow with kids

We fell in love with Moscow on our trip to Russia with our children. It’s one of the friendliest cities we’ve been to and we found it a great place to visit as a family. We’ve rounded up the best things to do in Moscow with kids. If you’re looking for what to do in Moscow Russia then read on as we have the absolute best things to do in the city for all ages and we have Rainy day activities too.

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1. Hang out in Gorky Park

We adore this beautiful park in the centre of Moscow.

We visited in Summer when there were great little ice cream carts dotted all around. Grab one of the huge bean bags and hang out for a while in the shade.

There are also fountains to watch and fun traditional playground rides to enjoy. And we loved the colourful installations to run through.

Don’t miss the homemade lemonade stand.

2. Throw a coin over your shoulder in the centre of Moscow

Just outside of Red Square is the centre of Moscow. Here it is traditionally thought good luck to throw a coin over your shoulder.

Our children loved this. Being in the centre of the city and also the centre of attention as everyone clapped when they threw their coins.

It’s a really fun thing to do if you’re wandering near Red Square.

3. Admire the beauty of St Basil’s Cathedral – one of the best things to do in Moscow with kids

The colourful tops of St Basil’s Cathedral are like something made of sugar. Bright and beautiful they really capture children’s imaginations and stick in their memories.

Listening to the bells ring out was also magical.

4. Visit the Museum of Cosmonautics

This is a great museum for space-loving kids with a life-size model of a space station. 

There are displays on how astronauts survive in space, the materials spacecraft are made from and lots of interesting facts about everything including the first dogs in space.

Find out more here

Rainy day activity

5. Kolomenskoe Park – one of the things to do in Moscow with kids

Kolomenskow is a gorgeous old Royal estate and great for a visit year-round.

There are numerous festivals bringing traditional Russian folk celebrations to the public and with plenty of activities for children.

There is also the Museum of Wooden Buildings and some beautiful buildings to explore.

There’s a fantastic wooden funfair with traditional Russian games. And you can also have a go at horse riding or take a boat ride down the Moskva River here.

6. Things to do in Moscow with kids: Poklonnaya Gora Amusement Park

This small amusement park within Victory Park has a few fairground rides. These include carousels and dodgems and there is also an open-air museum with tanks and other war vehicles.

Construction is also underway for Europe’s biggest aquarium to be built here.

7. Try Georgian food

We loved trying Georgian food in Moscow which is perfect for kids.

The main staple of the small restaurant chain ‘Khachapuri’ is the bread which the restaurant is named after. It’s pizza-like and loaded with cheese, we couldn’t get enough of it.

We really liked all the sharing platters and trying all the different tastes, with big jugs of homemade lemonade.

We ate in the Khachapuri restaurant on Ukrainsky Boulevard which has a playground outside so perfect for kids to play while you wait for the food.

Rainy day activity

8. Moscow Planetarium – best things to do in Moscow with kids

This is a fun place to visit with kids. Although English is limited there is an information sheet when you buy tickets.

You can also pick up headphones to listen to the planetarium show in English too.

The Lunarium on the ground floor is really interactive and great for children.

Find out more here

Rainy day activity

9. Take in some theatre

Russian theatre is some of the best in the world and there is everything from ballet to circuses (although we don’t recommend the latter as they generally use animals).

The Moscow Fairytale Theatre for Children has to be one of the loveliest puppet shows in town. It’s well worth seeking out and the Volshebnaya Lampa (Magic Lamp) is a great family show based on both Russian and non-Russian books.

Rainy day activity

10. Kva Kva Waterpark – things to do in Moscow with kids

Just outside of Moscow is this huge waterpark complete with slides, Russian saunas, a wave machine and lots of fun.

The pool is warm (set at 32ºc) and there’s a restaurant too.

It’s a really fun morning or afternoon out.

Find out more here

Rainy day activity

11. Museum of Soviet Arcade Machines

This is a really fun, retro place to visit.

Arcade machines have been lovingly restored from a number of different Soviet countries. Today you can watch them a whirl and flash and have a go at playing on them.

Find out more here.

Rainy day activity

Have you been to Moscow? What are some of your favourite things to do? Don’t forget to check out our review of a trip to Russia with kids for lots more of what we did in this beautiful country.

An overnight train journey between Moscow and St Petersburg with kids

A review of the Lotte Hotel Moscow