Krakow's Błonia are one of the most accessible and safest green spaces in the city centre — a huge grassy meadow with no car traffic, ideal for a family picnic, flying kites, playing hide-and-seek or first lessons on a balance bike. For a preschooler it's a place that offers room to move and freedom to explore; for the caregiver it means visibility and predictability of the terrain.
There are also spots on the Błonia that often interest children: the stone commemorating Pope John Paul II’s visit and a stone linked to a tribute to Józef Piłsudski. Nearby is Park Jordana (Jordan Park) with several playgrounds, so you can combine the meadow visit with a playground without long transfers.
Around the Błonia you'll find sports centres and children's activities, and in season there are family events — check the local events calendar before you go, because during concerts or large events parts of the meadow may be closed.
When planning a private visit with preschoolers, the key is a slow pace and breaks. Plan a maximum of 2-3 short activities during a morning or afternoon outing: a walk, play on the grass, a snack, and possibly a short visit to the playground.
In your backpack bring: a small blanket or towel, a spare outfit (especially if you plan grass play), sunscreen, a hat, water and easy-to-eat snacks. Bubble soap, a small ball or a few compact toys are useful — something that quickly occupies the child and eases waits at the tram stop or in a café line.
If you plan to bring a stroller, check in advance whether the route to the stop and the paths around the Błonia are stroller-friendly. Some sidewalks and alleys are accessible, but the meadow terrain may be uneven. For a little one, also pack a small hygiene kit — wet wipes and rubbish bags.
Krakow's public transport offers various ticket types that make sightseeing with children easier. For visitors the most convenient are time-based tickets (24-, 48-, 72-hour) and 7-day passes — they allow unlimited travel during their validity and simplify logistics when you're out with a preschooler.
A family weekend ticket can be an attractive option — valid on Saturday and Sunday and enabling travel for a group of adult(s) + children (rules specify the number of guardians and children). There are also short time tickets (20-, 60-, 90-minute) and single-group tickets useful for short trips with a supervising adult.
Remember entitlements and discounts: in recent years the city has introduced municipal and family programmes that grant rights or discounts to certain groups. For example, from 28 July 2025 primary school pupils from Krakow and municipalities of the Krakow Metropolitan Area can use public transport free of charge upon presenting a valid school ID — if you plan a longer stay with school-age children, check current rules and required documents.
The easiest way to buy tickets is via a smartphone app (official or third-party electronic ticket apps), at ticket machines at stops or in kiosks. When travelling with children it saves time to buy tickets in advance and to choose a time ticket that avoids frequent validations.
When boarding or alighting with a stroller or small child look for low-floor trams and doors with dedicated space. Low-floor vehicles make transfers and boarding with a stroller much easier.
If you travel outside rush hour there will be more space for a stroller and a safer environment for the child. During morning and afternoon peak hours trams and buses can be crowded — in that case it's better to plan stronger physical activity (Błonia) and return to the city outside peak times.
Children may enjoy a visit to an MPK depot or meeting the mascot Trambuś — MPK organises educational visits for school and preschool groups, which can be an interesting complement to the topic of public transport. Check availability of such events in advance.
The Błonia are well connected to the centre — a walk from the Main Market Square usually takes a dozen or so minutes, but if you choose public transport many tram and bus lines stop nearby. The nearest transfer points are the stops along the avenue that runs next to the Błonia and the tram-bus loop “Cichy Kącik”.
If you come by car, you can find parking spaces along al. 3 Maja, but on a sunny weekend spaces may run out. For families public transport is often more convenient and faster — it saves time looking for parking and avoids carrying a stroller through busy streets.
When planning your route use journey planner apps or city maps — they will suggest the shortest connections including transfers and any disruptions.
Plan a simple scenario: come in the morning or late afternoon, spread a blanket, organise a snack and suggest active games: running, jumping over an imaginary 'stream', flying a kite or blowing bubbles. Short, dynamic games keep a child’s attention and help expend excess energy.
After playing on the meadow, walk to nearby Park Jordana where there are well-rated playgrounds for different age groups. It's a great complement to the trip — heading to the playground after a picnic is a tried-and-true way to end the day calmly.
Around the Błonia you'll also find eateries and cafés with good reviews; choose family-friendly places with kids' menus and quick service when possible.
There are several family-friendly places near the Błonia — look for venues with easy access, baby-changing facilities or simply space where a child can run briefly. Outdoor cafés and places with garden seating work especially well on warm days.
When choosing a restaurant, rely on other families' reviews — places with fast service and a children's menu significantly shorten waiting time and reduce parents' stress. If you'd like a specific recommendation, contact the guide — I will gladly suggest tried-and-true addresses matched to your child's age and preferences.
Trying to cover too long a route in one go — it's better to plan shorter stages with breaks. Little ones tire quickly and need moments to play or snack.
Not planning for toilets and nappy changes — check availability of sanitary facilities nearby or choose a venue with amenities. With a child this simple detail can save the outing.
Overloading the plan with too many attractions — wanting to see everything can turn the trip into constant transfers and queues. Leave room for spontaneous discoveries and time to play.
Do I have to validate tickets on the tram? Yes — if you have a single paper ticket or a time ticket that requires validation, remember to validate it before starting your ride. If you buy a ticket in an app, check that it is activated before boarding.
Do children travel for free? Entitlements depend on age and documents. Check current rules before travel — for example, from 28 July 2025 primary school pupils from Krakow and municipalities of the Krakow Metropolitan Area are entitled to free rides upon presenting a school ID. Younger children often travel with discounts, but rules may vary.
What if part of the Błonia is closed due to an event? Check the city events calendar before your planned visit. If a concert or large event is taking place, it's better to choose another day for a walk or to head to nearby Park Jordana.
Over the centuries the Błonia have served many functions — from hunting grounds to places for drills and picnics. It's one of the largest urban meadows in Europe, so a walk here is an unusual experience in the heart of a historic city.
MPK is active in educating the youngest — besides daily transport services, they organise depot visits where children can see trams 'behind the scenes' and learn safe travel rules. It's a great way to familiarize children with public transport.
A private visit to the Błonia with preschoolers is an easy plan: short travel, lots of space, a picnic and a playground nearby. Prepare for the weather, choose a time ticket if you plan to use public transport for several hours and bring simple games that will engage your child.
If you'd like, I can help plan a private, age-tailored sightseeing of Krakow — including a trip to the Błonia and safe play spots. On the guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz's site you'll find details of the offer and contact information — feel free to message me, I'll gladly help adapt the route to your family.
If you found the article helpful, share it with friends or on social media — let more families know how pleasant and easy sightseeing Krakow with small children can be.
