Does New Year's Eve with children have to mean standing in the cold for hours and getting home late? Absolutely not. More and more families choose a quieter, creative way to welcome the new year — a day full of play and workshops, an evening at their own pace, and a symbolic countdown earlier in the night. The Ethnographic Museum in Kraków (the former Kazimierz Town Hall, pl. Wolnica 1) often proves to be a great starting point for this plan: exhibitions, family workshops and the atmosphere of Kazimierz create a warm, safe frame for New Year's Eve with kids.
The museum runs regular educational and workshop programs for families and preschools — from hands-on craft sessions to music and animation activities. In the winter season the museum offers programs dedicated to seasonal traditions, children’s games of the past, and themes connected to the four seasons, which fit perfectly with family celebrations.
Address and contact details are practical when planning: the Ethnographic Museum in Kraków is located at pl. Wolnica 1 (the former Kazimierz Town Hall). It’s worth booking group and preschool visits in advance — the museum provides contacts for reservations, which makes planning easier.
The museum offers active forms of visiting: family workshops, cycles for preschools and themed school classes. Winter programs often include workshops on Christmas traditions, games played by children in earlier times, and activities tied to the “four seasons.” These make for a shorter but very memorable visit with little ones.
The museum sometimes runs special series of events: for example, creative family sessions under titles like “Etno? Logicznie!” or stop-motion animation workshops for children. Some events require tickets (family workshops can be priced in the range of a few dozen zloty), so it’s a good idea to check availability and buy tickets in advance.
For very young children the museum prepares age-adjusted educational offers — separate programs list recommended age groups and caregiver instructions, and reserved sessions are held on specific dates.
Morning: a calm arrival at the Ethnographic Museum — explore the exhibitions and the educational corner. Family workshops are a great option for a creative start to the day that can last a few hours. Kids get involved in practical activities while parents enjoy the museum’s stories.
Afternoon: a short walk around Kazimierz, with a stop for coffee and cake at one of the cozy cafés. This is a good time to rest before the evening — many cafés and restaurants in this part of the city offer child-friendly menus and a snug atmosphere.
Evening: a family dinner at a recommended, well-reviewed place (choose a kid-friendly venue — reserve a table in advance). After dinner you can return to your accommodation or join a local, child-friendly New Year’s event if one is happening. For little ones, a symbolic countdown before 9:00 PM and a quiet sleep after a short celebration often works best.
In Kazimierz and the nearby area you’ll find family-friendly spots — from small bistros to spacious restaurants with play corners. Examples of places with good reputations that are suitable for a family meal include Plac Nowy 1 (large, roomy venue with a varied menu), Talerz (family-friendly, seasonal menu, near Zabłocie), and family-oriented options on the Podgórze side if you want a day with more play facilities.
When booking, ask about: space for a stroller, a high chair for a child, a changing table in the restroom, and whether there’s a children’s menu. Booking for New Year’s Eve is key — many places have limited availability and special menus at that time.
If you’re looking for a sweet stop after workshops: choose cafés with good coffee and homemade pastries. Small, tucked-away cafés on the side streets of Kazimierz are often more comfortable for families than the crowded market square.
Book ahead — family and group workshops are often limited in capacity. The Ethnographic Museum accepts bookings for group and preschool sessions, and dates are set individually; the reservation phone number is one of the useful details when planning a visit.
Don’t assume the museum will follow normal opening hours on December 31 — many cultural institutions have special hours or closures at this time. Call or check the museum’s official site before you go.
Avoid overloading the day: children tire quickly, especially in cold weather. It’s better to plan one main experience (a workshop) and leave time to rest, than to try to fit too many attractions into a single day.
Art workshops inspired by traditional decorations, music workshops with ethnographic instruments, and stop-motion animation sessions are examples of activities the museum runs throughout the year. Stop-motion workshops allow children to create short films with their own characters — a wonderful keepsake from a New Year’s Day.
Programs like “Etno? Logicznie!” or similar editions at the museum combine handicraft with educational elements — an option that works well for both younger and older children. For the very young, shorter and simpler sessions are recommended.
If you plan private sessions for a larger group of families (for example friends), ask the museum about booking exclusive workshops or designing a program tailored to the participants’ ages.
Is the Ethnographic Museum open on New Year’s Eve? Opening hours on holidays and New Year’s Eve can vary — it’s best to check current information on the museum’s official website or call before your visit.
Which age groups do the workshops serve? The museum runs programs for different age groups — from preschool classes, through family workshops (for example ages 6–10), up to activities for teenagers. Descriptions of specific workshops usually include a recommended age range.
Do you need to buy an exhibition ticket if you’re only attending a workshop? It depends on the event — some workshops have separate tickets, others are included in the admission price. Check the details when you make a reservation.
The Ethnographic Museum is not just old furniture and costumes — its collections also include a rich photographic archive documenting life in Małopolska at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, and objects that connect history with everyday life. It’s a great place to show children what childhood used to be like and how things have changed.
The museum regularly develops programs that combine traditional techniques with modern education — animation, building with simple materials, and craft-related experiments. These activities often create a “wow” effect even for teenagers.
That’s why it’s worth seeing the museum not only as a place “just to look around,” but as an active educational center — ideal for planning a calm, creative New Year’s Eve.
Check ticket availability and reservation conditions — especially if you plan to come with a preschool group or a class. The museum has dedicated reservation rules for groups; dates are often arranged in advance.
Dress in layers — even a short walk around Kazimierz in December can be chilly. Bring a small emergency warm kit (for example a hot water bottle or an extra blanket) if you plan an evening stroll.
When planning your return home late in the evening, check public transport timetables and possible disruptions on New Year’s Eve. If you want to avoid night travel, consider organizing an early dinner and a countdown at your hotel or apartment.
If you dream of a quieter, more creative New Year’s Eve with children, the Ethnographic Museum in Kraków offers many possibilities — from workshops to exhibitions you can visit at your own pace. Advance planning, reservations and choosing a family-friendly place to eat will help you spend the day without unnecessary rush and stress.
If you liked this guide, share it with friends or post your plan on social media — someone else may be looking for inspiration for a calm New Year’s Eve with children. And if you’d like this day to be especially well organized, you are invited to use the services of private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz — contact details and more information are available on zwiedzaniekrakowa.com.
Good luck with your planning and happy, peaceful preparations for the New Year with your family!
