The legend of the Lajkonik combines history, tradition and spectacle, making it a natural starting point for work with youth. The story of the rider in richly decorated costume lets you explore topics such as urban culture, local festivals, symbolism and the ways memory of the past works in a modern city.
A themed walk focused on the Lajkonik allows you to combine historical narration with educational tasks — quizzes, field assignments and art workshops. These formats help maintain young people's attention and encourage active learning.
For teachers and educators it is also a chance to work on soft skills: group cooperation, critical thinking, formulating questions and arguments. The walk can therefore be both an educational excursion and an element of a broader pedagogical program.
Remember that beyond the legend there is a practical side: museums and cultural institutions regularly offer walks and educational programs tailored to different age groups, and an experienced licensed guide (for example, Małgorzata Kasprowicz working with zwiedzaniekrakowa.com) can adapt the narrative to the expectations of young participants.
When organizing a Lajkonik walk, you can use ready-made educational offers from museums or book a route with the guide, who will prepare the program to match the group’s age and interests.
In Krakow, educational and themed walks are offered by museums and cultural centers, and can be led by licensed guides. Museums often prepare programs specifically for children and youth that combine guided tours with workshops.
A licensed guide — such as Małgorzata Kasprowicz from zwiedzaniekrakowa.com — will tailor the route and storytelling style to school groups: shortening explanations where needed, adding interactive tasks and paying attention to safety while moving through the city.
City event organizers and local cultural institutions regularly publish information about the Lajkonik procession, children’s contests and related initiatives, so it’s worth checking cultural calendars when planning the trip.
If the goal is to attend a public spectacle (for example, the Lajkonik parade), early group registration or notification to the event organizers may be required.
Working with a museum provides extra benefits: group tickets, workshop options and educational materials that you can use back in class.
The exact route of a themed Lajkonik walk depends on the guide’s concept, but it often includes parts of the Old Town and locations that help tell the legend and its cultural context. Common stops are the Main Market Square, the area around Wawel, narrow Old Town streets and places connected to local traditions.
During the walk the guide can discuss the origins of the legend, the symbolism of the costume and insignia, the way city celebrations are conducted and how folk rituals have transformed into urban events. For youth, it's useful to add analytical elements: why certain figures become city symbols, what roles parades and festivals play in society, and how historical memory shapes local identity.
The walk can be enriched with short practical activities: identifying parts of the Lajkonik costume from illustrations, a mini field game with tasks to complete at route points, a drawing challenge 'create your own Lajkonik' or a team quiz with scoring.
On days when the Lajkonik procession takes place, the route may be more of a spectacle: presentations in the Market Square, competitions for children and performances. On such days you should expect larger crowds and adjust logistics accordingly.
It’s also worth touching on civic order topics: who is responsible for organizing festivities today, how participant safety is ensured and how cultural institutions involve youth in creative activities.
Meeting point: a specified entrance to a museum or a clear spot on the Market Square — short briefing with the teacher, reminder of safety rules (5–10 minutes).
Part I - Introduction and the story of the Lajkonik: a short, engaging narrative illustrated with photos or props (15–20 minutes).
Part II - Walk with three stations: each station 15 minutes — a group task, a short talk by the guide and a brief discussion. Example stations: the legend and its sources, symbolism and costume, contemporary celebrations and children’s competitions.
Part III - Outdoor workshop task: a quick art exercise or field assignment (20–25 minutes).
Summary and reflection: brief discussion of task results, handing out educational materials or giving suggestions for classroom work (10 minutes).
This structure keeps the pace lively, allows active participation and helps students remember more than they would from a single long lecture.
Booking and reservation: it’s best to reserve a date in advance. Museums and guides have limited slots and school group schedules, especially in summer and on days with city events.
Costs: museum educational offers often charge symbolic fees for children and youth; guided tours with the guide may vary in price depending on program and group size. When booking for a group, ask about reduced tickets and options for accompanying adults.
Safety and supervision: keep an appropriate ratio of supervisors to students depending on age. Before leaving, discuss rules for moving through the city, remind students of the supervisor’s contact number and agree on a meeting point in case the group gets separated.
Weather and alternatives: prepare a backup plan for rain — short workshops in a museum room or an indoor museum tour. Appropriate clothing for the weather is a simple but important detail.
Transport and logistics: note places to store luggage, restroom access and possible meal breaks. For larger groups, coordinate public transport or a bus in advance.
Field games and quests - divide the group into teams and give them a task list for the route (photos, short notes, answers to questions). Playful competition increases engagement.
Drawing workshop 'My Lajkonik' - a quick art exercise to finish the walk. Such contests are popular and easy to organize with minimal materials.
Drama and improvisation elements - short scenes played by groups, inspired by the legend or contemporary urban situations; these exercises build empathy and public presentation skills.
Multimedia quiz - use phones (with parental and supervisor consent) to answer questions or scan short QR codes placed by the guide (containing tasks or short info).
Analytical assignments - ask students to find modern examples of urban traditions in their own environment and compare them with the legend discussed.
Programs for youth should consider different walking paces, sensory needs and cognitive abilities of participants. A licensed guide can prepare simplified versions or additional educational materials.
For groups with younger pupils, the pace must be slower and tasks shorter. Older groups can explore more complex topics, such as the role of symbols in building urban identity.
If the group includes people with limited mobility, plan the route in advance and choose accessible sections. Museums often offer stationary activities as an alternative.
Watch your language - for multicultural groups or students learning Polish, provide simple bilingual materials or short summaries of the information.
It’s good practice to inform the guide in advance about any special needs so they can prepare appropriate support and materials.
The tourist season and summer are when museum educational programs are most available and there are many outdoor events. If you want the walk to coincide with the city’s Lajkonik celebrations or accompanying events, plan ahead and check the city cultural calendar.
Parade and festival days are visually attractive but come with larger crowds and logistic challenges. On those days school groups often use closed museum programs or accompanying workshops.
Off-season offers easier scheduling with fewer crowds and a more intimate experience. In winter you can combine the walk with indoor museum activities to increase comfort for younger groups.
If you plan to enter art competitions or youth initiatives (for example, contests run by city institutions), follow cultural institution announcements and submit entries in advance.
When booking, confirm the number of participants, possible discounts for school groups and availability of educational materials.
- list of participants and supervisors' contact numbers.
- parental consent forms if required by school procedures.
- first aid kit and basic hygiene supplies.
- materials for planned activities: paper pads, crayons, pens, possible props.
- rain contingency plan: alternative workshop space in a museum or an educational hall.
- information about the meeting point in case the group gets separated.
Group project: prepare a short multimedia presentation about the Lajkonik — sources, symbols, contemporary celebrations. This develops teamwork and presentation skills.
Art assignment: design your own Lajkonik costume or a poster promoting local traditions. Display the works during a school culture day.
Critical discussion: what functions do urban rituals serve and should they be reinterpreted by new generations? This is a good topic for a school debate.
Media education: analyze media coverage of local festivals — how do the media portray tradition and which narratives appear?
All these activities help consolidate the knowledge gained on the walk and bring the field experience back into the classroom.
A themed Lajkonik walk combines tradition with an engaging form of teaching. With good preparation it runs dynamically, safely and with clear educational benefits for participants.
Key success factors are: working with an experienced guide or cultural institution, tailoring content to age, using interactive elements and solid pre-trip logistics.
When planning the walk, use local educational programs and contests for children and youth, and remember alternatives for bad weather or large city events.
A well-designed walk not only conveys knowledge about the legend but also sparks young people's curiosity to learn more about Krakow’s history and culture.
If you wish, I can prepare a personalized sample scenario for a specific class (age, group size, duration) — provide basic information and I will prepare a detailed plan and list of materials.
Booking and contact - to arrange a guided Lajkonik walk for a school group or youth organization, contact the guide in advance to confirm the date, time and group size. Reservations help secure preferred slots and any necessary equipment (for example, audio headsets for larger groups).
Recommended meeting points - popular and clear spots are the Main Market Square by the Town Hall Tower, the entrance to a chosen museum or a marked spot near Wawel. The guide will confirm a specific meeting place when you book.
Nearby eating options - after the walk you can use nearby places suitable for groups, such as Restauracja Wierzynek for a historic dining experience, Café Camelot for cakes and hot drinks, or one of the local milk bars for a budget-friendly meal. For larger school groups consider arranging a nearby canteen or organized picnic space.
Museum partner suggestions - museums that commonly host educational activities include the Historical Museum of the City of Krakow, the Wawel State Royal Castle and the Rynek Underground; your guide can recommend and reserve suitable options for workshops or indoor alternatives.
Accessibility and special needs - inform the guide about mobility, sensory or other special needs before the visit so the route and tasks can be adapted.
FAQ - How long does the walk last? Typical school programs run 90–120 minutes but longer formats are possible. - What is the group size? Programs can be adjusted for small and larger groups; ask about audio headsets for comfort in crowded areas. - Do you need parental consent? Follow your school’s procedures; some schools require written permission for off-site activities. - What if it rains? The guide can move some activities indoors to a museum or workshop space.
Guide and organizer - tours and educational walks are offered through zwiedzaniekrakowa.com with Małgorzata (Margaret) Kasprowicz, a licensed guide who prepares programs tailored to the age and needs of your group. If you’d like a personalized plan, provide basic details (age, number of students, duration) and the guide will prepare a detailed scenario and materials list.
