This article was written to help families plan a walk through Krakow's most important places — primarily the Royal Route — and to visit Schindler's Factory without stress and with a narrative that engages children. I describe the route, what’s worth seeing at specific spots, which parts of the Schindler's Factory exhibition are most accessible for younger visitors, and practical preparation — from visit length to ideas for activities that will keep the little ones interested.
I focus on practical tips I’ve tested while leading tours for families and school groups. If you’d like me to guide your group, I briefly explain my approach and what I offer during a visit.
I use simple, friendly language so parents can quickly plan the day and children feel that Krakow is a city full of adventures. All suggestions are based on guiding experience and practical solutions proven on trips with kids.
My name is Małgorzata Kasprowicz. I have been a licensed Krakow guide since 2012. I have led thousands of tours in the city and design routes tailored to families, schools and international groups. I hold permissions to guide on Wawel Hill, in the Market Underground and in Schindler's Factory, which lets me combine city walks with museum visits smoothly and without hassle.
For larger groups I use headset audio-guide sets — they make a big difference when the city is crowded. With smaller groups I focus on an engaging narrative, riddles and anecdotes that help children stay attentive. I also offer gift vouchers for tours — a nice idea for a family present.
My recommended routes include: Wawel and the Royal Route, a walk through Kazimierz, the “Trail of Legends” designed for the youngest, and a route covering the former ghetto area with a visit to Schindler's Factory. I tailor each tour to the age and expectations of the group.
I work with school and family groups and have experience keeping children focused, combining historical content with simple tasks, and planning breaks and activities so the day is enjoyable for everyone.
The Royal Route is a classic — it starts at Wawel, passes through the Main Market Square and continues to Florian Gate and the Barbican. The route is full of Krakow’s most important monuments and many spots children remember: the royal castle with legends, the market with the Cloth Hall, churches full of stories and sections of medieval defensive walls.
How to break the route down with children - a practical plan: - Morning: start at Wawel — short stories about dragons and castle mysteries act like a magnet for the youngest. - Break: a short snack on a bench or a picnic on Błonia if the weather is good. - Main Market Square: the Cloth Hall and legends — propose a simple game for kids to find details (sculptures, coats of arms, towers). - Florian Gate and the Barbican: finish the route with a talk about everyday life in a medieval city.
Pace and length: for families with small children shorter stretches and frequent breaks work best — instead of a single 4-hour walk it’s better to plan 2–3 hours with pauses and the option to return for rest. Children lose interest faster when walking continuously, so include short tasks and interactive elements.
Ways to engage children: tell stories about dragons and kings, simple quizzes with small prizes (e.g., stickers), and counting tasks that ask children to spot certain architectural details. That turns the walk into an adventure rather than a history lesson.
Schindler's Factory is a place that makes a strong impression — it tells the difficult story of Krakow during World War II. For families it is important to prepare younger children for the seriousness of the material and to choose exhibition sections appropriate for their age.
Practical tips before entering: - Briefly explain to children what the factory was and who Oskar Schindler was using simple language — avoid dramatizing. - Decide which rooms of the exhibition you will see — with younger children pick the most illustrative and visual parts. - Plan a break after the visit — many younger visitors need time to process what they saw.
How to talk to children about difficult topics: use simple metaphors — talk about the importance of helping others, differences between right and wrong, and avoid graphic descriptions of violence. Ask questions and listen — children often ask meaningful questions if given space to speak.
Timing and reservations: the museum can be popular, so book tickets in advance and arrive on time. For school groups or larger parties coordinate entry times to avoid long waiting — this is a practical solution I use often in educational visits.
For families I prepare special routes and solutions: - “Trail of Legends” — ideal for children, with stories, tasks and breaks. - A combination of a walk through Kazimierz with a visit to Schindler's Factory — planned so the pace is comfortable for little participants. - School trips with educational elements — shorter exhibition blocks and outdoor breaks adjusted to the class age.
What I provide during these tours: - age-adjusted narration — more anecdotes and questions for the youngest, more context and sources for older students; - support materials — simple task cards for children; - access to headset audio-guide sets that improve audibility in larger groups.
Experience with school groups: I know how to plan the day to fit limited time and give children an interesting but not exhausting dose of knowledge. I often suggest visiting the museum first and then walking — this works well in hot weather and on rainy days.
If you want to book a route for a family or class I can help design the program and adjust length and pace to the group's needs. Vouchers for tours are also available as gifts.
Tickets: book in advance, especially if you plan to visit Schindler's Factory on a weekend or during high season. For school groups it’s best to reserve dates several days ahead. For larger groups consult the entry time to avoid long queues.
Visit length: a short walk along the Royal Route can be planned for 2–3 hours with breaks — in practice I often suggest 2 hours of active sightseeing plus pauses. A visit to Schindler's Factory usually takes about 1–1.5 hours depending on the group’s pace and interest.
What to bring: - Comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothing. - A small snack and a bottle of water for children. - Stickers or small rewards for tasks during the walk — they work as motivators. - An umbrella or raincoat — October weather can be changeable. - For school trips: an attendance list, supervisors and a backup plan in case of weather changes.
Breaks and toilets: plan stops every 30–45 minutes with small children. Along the Royal Route and near museums there are places to rest and toilets — it’s worth checking in advance where the nearest facilities are.
We want children to remember the walk as an adventure — here are a few simple games that work well: - Treasure hunters — a checklist of things to find in the Market Square (e.g., a dragon, a coat of arms, a sculpture). - Mini-quiz with prizes — five short questions at the end of each stop. - A drawing souvenir — a short break during which children draw their favorite view from the route.
At Schindler's Factory you can suggest more reflective tasks, adapted to age: for example, draw an object from the exhibition that stayed with you, or write a short sentence about what “help” means and why it matters.
These activities make the walk active rather than passive — children engage and parents get moments of calm and the satisfaction of seeing their kids learn.
If you wish, I can prepare simple task cards for your family before the trip — just tell me the number of children and their ages and I will tailor activities to be attractive and appropriate.
Pricing and promotions: I offer various time packages for families and small groups. For individual bookings standard options include guided tours of 2, 3 or 4 hours — group prices may vary depending on size and route length. I also provide audio-guide headset sets that ease touring with larger groups.
Bookings: I recommend booking in advance, especially in the tourist season and on weekends. If you plan a visit with a school class or a large family, contact me ahead of time — I will help choose the route, reserve museum entries and plan breaks.
Contact and vouchers: gift vouchers for guided walks are available — a practical present for many occasions. When booking I’m happy to set the program so it includes key points and elements designed especially for children.
Flexibility: I can adapt the route for time and pace — if you want to shorten the tour or add more interactive elements for children, let me know in advance and I will prepare a tailor-made plan.
A walk along the Royal Route combined with a visit to Schindler's Factory is an experience full of contrasts — from legends and castle stories to serious lessons from 20th-century history. A well-planned tour can be both instructive and enjoyable for the whole family.
The key is adjusting pace and content to participants’ ages, booking tickets in advance, and adding simple activities that engage children. If you’d like, I will help prepare a program so you return home feeling the day was well spent and with new stories for your family album.
I invite you to get in touch — I will gladly guide you around Krakow and show that history can be a fascinating adventure for both the youngest and the adults.
Thank you for your trust — see you on the route! Małgorzata Kasprowicz - ZwiedzanieKrakowa.com
