The May holiday is a perfect time to show children Krakow: the royal Wawel, modern museums and places where history meets play. Spring in the city means more family events, longer museum opening hours and pleasant walks along the Vistula. If you want to avoid rushing, plan your route with breaks for coffee, play and short workshops - then even the younger children will come home happy and not overtired.
Krakow offers great possibilities: Wawel as the "wow" point (with dragon legends), Thesaurus Cracoviensis as a place where museum objects "come to life", MOCAK with workshops for the youngest and Manggha with Japanese workshops and family quizzes. Combining these places creates a diverse day - a bit of history, a bit of art and plenty of practical stops to rest.
If you are coming by car or train - remember that during May holidays and long weekends city centres can be crowded. It's worth booking museum tickets in advance and allowing extra time to get between attractions.
Morning: Wawel - a family route with an educator or a self-guided visit to the courtyard, the Dragon's Den (if open) and a short telling of the legends. Children quickly get into the rhythm of stories about dragons, queens and knights, so it's worth starting with this "big" highlight.
Break for second breakfast or coffee nearby - the Wawel shop offers cafe options, and there are family-friendly cafés close by where you can comfortably settle with a stroller.
Noon: alternatively Thesaurus Cracoviensis (Księcia Józefa Street 337) - a modern museum 'storehouse' open to visitors; walk through glazed storage rooms and join short workshops or talks with a curator (check times and whether reservation is required).
Afternoon: MOCAK or Manggha - both museums often offer family workshops (MOCAK runs children's activities, workshop tickets usually cost a few dozen złoty or about 20 zł for the youngest; Manggha organises events related to Japanese culture, origami and special family attractions around May 5).
Evening: a walk along the Vistula boulevards or the Planty, a light dinner at a café with a child-friendly menu, time for ice cream and relaxation.
Wawel is a classic: the courtyard, the royal chambers, the Crown Treasury and the Dragon's Den. Special family routes with an educator are prepared for families - a great option if you want the story to be interactive and tailored to the children's age. The family route includes selected rooms and spaces, and children up to a certain age may enter free of charge - always check current rules when booking.
A few practical notes: bring a light backpack with snacks and water, have wipes and spare clothes for the little one. Expect limited playgrounds on the castle grounds, but there are green spots nearby ideal for resting. Strollers usually need to be left in a designated place within the castle area, so for very young children it's worth having a baby wrap or carrier.
If you plan to visit the Treasury, Castle Chambers and other exhibitions - book in advance, especially during long weekends. Visiting one larger route often takes several hours - split the visit into shorter stages and leave time for breaks.
Thesaurus Cracoviensis is a branch of the Museum of Krakow designed as an 'open storehouse' of collections - many items are displayed in glazed cabinets and visitors can see hundreds of thousands of artefacts from the city's long history. It's a place where you can spark children's curiosity with stories about who used certain objects and why they matter.
Address and organisation: the branch is located at Księcia Józefa Street; check current opening hours and opportunities for guided visits or special events (for example Museum Night or themed workshops).
Why bring children here: Thesaurus is different from a classic exhibition - the storehouse format can awaken interest in the museum's backstage, and workshops and short family tours are often organised. Tickets and events can be good value - combining the visit with an educational activity is a smart idea.
MOCAK (Museum of Contemporary Art) on Zabłocie is a must-stop for families who want to introduce children to contemporary art in a friendly way. The museum regularly offers programming for children and families: sensory activities, "Active Reading", music-making workshops and short artistic sessions. Children's workshops often have a symbolic fee (in many cases around 20 zł per child) and places should be reserved in advance.
MOCAK also has a café (Petite France or MOCAK Café) with a pleasant garden - a handy place to rest, have a quick lunch or a dessert after activities. The museum is spacious, offers family facilities and often provides discounts (Krakow Card, large family card, etc.) - check current rules when planning your visit.
Tip: workshops and classes run on a regular schedule (ticket sales usually start around 30 days before the event). If you want a specific May holiday date, watch MOCAK's events calendar and book early.
The Manggha Museum, known for exhibitions devoted to Japanese culture, is particularly family-friendly during the May holiday - around May 5 (the Japanese Kodomo no Hi, Children's Day) the museum organises family events: origami workshops, calligraphy, demonstrations and family quizzes. It's an excellent opportunity to introduce children to another culture through play and hands-on activities.
Café Manggha is a friendly spot for a break - it serves teas, light Asian-inspired dishes and home-baked desserts, and is popular with families visiting the museum. Book workshops in advance - group sizes are limited and registration is often required.
Idea: after Manggha workshops walk down to the Vistula and let the children run on the boulevards - a natural extension of a creative day.
Wawel Official Shop and Café - a convenient solution for a quick breakfast or snack near the castle; often praised for its accessibility and location.
Café Manggha - an ideal extension of a museum visit: tea, light dishes and desserts in a family-friendly atmosphere.
MOCAK Café (Petite France) - a good place for lunch after workshops: the garden is useful when a little one needs to run around or nap in a stroller.
Family-friendly cafés - when planning, use local guides to find cafés and restaurants that welcome strollers and children. Booking a table on weekends is often necessary, especially during the May holiday.
Planning too many stops in one day - two shorter goals are better than "ticking off" five attractions. Children tire quickly and need regular breaks.
Not booking tickets in advance - the May holiday is a busy tourist period; reserve routes, workshops and tickets online if possible.
Assuming all museums have the same family facilities - check in advance for changing tables, nursing spaces and stroller access. If a stroller is inconvenient (stairs, narrow passages), have a carrier or sling ready.
Not checking café and workshop opening hours - during long weekends some places change their schedule. Call or check the institution's website before you go.
Do children always enter for free? - Not always. Wawel has specific concessions and free entry for the youngest children up to certain ages (check current guidelines when booking). Other institutions (MOCAK, Manggha, Thesaurus) often offer discounts or special family prices.
Do I need to book children's workshops? - Yes, workshops at MOCAK and Manggha have limited places and usually require advance booking (ticket sales often start about 30 days before the event).
Are museums accessible with a stroller? - Most modern institutions have facilities, but in historic sites (parts of Wawel) you may need to leave the stroller in a designated area. A baby wrap or carrier can be more convenient for infants.
Where can I change or breastfeed my baby? - Major museums usually have toilets with changing tables and family-friendly spaces. For smaller events ask staff about the nearest facilities.
Thesaurus Cracoviensis is not a typical museum - it is the central storehouse of the Museum of Krakow opened to the public, so here you will see the museum's backstage rather than only selected exhibition pieces.
At MOCAK, workshops for the youngest are often inexpensive and short (often about 20 zł per child), which makes them a great way to diversify the day without a large budget.
Manggha organises annual events connected to the Japanese celebration of Children's Day (Kodomo no Hi) - if your trip falls in early May, check the programme as it is a particularly attractive day for families.
If you liked this plan, share it with friends or on social media - you'll help other families plan a successful May holiday in Krakow.
If you want to explore with a local guide and need a tailor-made route (pace for children, breaks, favourite themes) - consider booking a private guide, Małgorzata Kasprowicz. Contact and offer are visible on zwiedzaniekrakowa.com - we can help plan a stress-free, interesting and safe programme for the whole family.
Good luck planning your May holiday - Krakow awaits with legends, workshops and great coffee.
Book museum tickets and workshops in advance when possible.
Pack snacks, water, wipes, spare clothes and a small first-aid kit.
Bring a stroller and a baby carrier if you have a very young child.
Plan extra time for transfers and breaks between sites.
Check weather forecast and pick flexible outdoor stops (boulevards, Planty).
Try local ice cream shops near the Old Town and along the Vistula - kids usually love a break with ice cream after sightseeing.
If you need a longer rest, look for cafés with gardens (MOCAK, Manggha) where children can relax outdoors.
Consider combining a museum visit with a short river walk - it helps reset energy levels and keeps the day varied.
