Winter activities for families and worldschoolers in Prague and around

The summer is long and the shift to cold weather is fast in the Czech Republic. The weather is pleasant until mid-November. You can swim outside until the end of September and go out with just a sweater for most of October. Then the leaves fall, the sky can be cloudy for several days, the temperature stays a few degrees above zero c and it doesnt feel as easy to go outside with the littles . You can find indoor things these days, which there are plenty of fun and constructive opportunities or dress well and get out into nature. Winter is snowy in the mountains and sometimes the snow comes to town. I have seen people skating on the same ponds in the park that we swam in the summer.

But the nicest winter activities are outside of town. If you dont have snow in the city you will find snow there. Here are our favorite family tips on what to do during the winter months in Prague and the Czech Republic.

Go ice-skating! 

In December, the out-of-town ice skating places opens. There are many places as its quite popular here. The quality of the ice varies but overall it is good, and cheap! I think every place are renting out skates but not all rent out helmets. Some have "learning tools" like seals, whales and penguins that you can push or sit on, or just simple aids for the little ones. The cost is free or very cheap. We have tried these places:

Letna park has free ice skating. There are views over Prague Castle, close to playground and more views. There is a "beer tent" with sunbeds right next door. Sometimes it can be a lot of people and then the ice is not good so it is best to go when others go to school or work.

If you want to go in the old town can go iceskating at Na Františku. It is a bit more expensive but it is centrally located and there is a playground and area to run around at. Good for toddlers and good hot dogs

Kasarna Karlin is a hidden large artsy hipster courtyard near the messy long-distance bus stop at Florenc. There are fun art and among other things, a unicorn statue. This is also good for toddlers as there is a lot of space to run at, quiet, and there are "whales" to push and sit on and good toilets.

Arkády Pankrác is a shopping centre in Prag 4. The iceskating rink is outside the entrance. There are fun penguins and seals to go with.

You can see a list with other icerinks in Prague on this link.

Go skiing and snowboarding in the mountains

We have tested various ski resorts in the Czech Republic. Most are within 1-2 hours drive of Prague. Because of the proximity you can make day trips if you don't want to spend money on accommodation in the mountains, which can be economical if you live in town! Otherwise, accommodation is cheap if you dont go when others go. There are many ski resorts, mostly on the mountain ranges that surrounds the country. Here are some favourites that are good for toddlers and beginners:

Bozi Dar is located near the German border. When we were there there were meter-high piles of snow along the roads. The slopes are very good for beginners with button lifts. In the vicinity are steeper ski slopes.

Bozi Dar

Lipno is close to the beautiful fairy tale town Cesky Krumlov near the Austrian border. The ski resort is very child-friendly. There are play rooms and a water park as well as ice skating on the lake and comfortable accommodation. Read about our stay in Lipno here.

Severak is located in the Jizera Mountains about 80 minutes north of Prague. It is very child-friendly with beginner's slopes with button lifts, a playroom for babies and a great toboggan slope.

The toboggan slope in Severak

The ski resort Jested is close to the city of Liberec, with motorway almost all the way a little over an hour from Prague. Its quick to get there so we have gone on day trips. At the top there is a needle-shaped strange hotel reminiscent of a villain's nest in a James bond film. The slopes are quite steep for beginners but there is an area for children and one can jump off the t-lift that is visible in picture before it gets too steep.

Picture from Czech tourism

Another tip is the unschoolers two winter camps that are held this winter. There is a ski resort in Poland just 15 minutes or so from there.

Climbing

The Czechs like to climb. There are many places for indoor climbing and cool mountains with natural "bouldering". Climbing is perfect for bad weather. It is possible to get private lessons cheap and climbing equipment is affordable as well. On average, it usually costs 80 kc in entry. Some favorite places are;

Smichoff

Smichoff is the largest climbing center we know of. Its old, tall factory buildings. There are different variations of walls and a room for bouldering and a playroom for toddlers. It is located near Smichov in Prague 5.

Big wall is our most favorite place. Here the boys get private lessons in climbing in English for not much money. It's big and fresh. It is located in Prague 9.

Boulder bar is a child-friendly bouldering place near Stromovka Park. It is easy to get there and easy to bring a 1 year old so we go there regularly. There are childrens walls with slides and many more or less advanced walls for the larger people. It feels like there is a need for renovation, but it's okay!

On Boulder bar with our friend Pontus that is an expert climber.

Lokalblok is a restaurant with bouldering and a play area in Prague 5 which we havent visited yet but would like to try as it looks like there is a good playroom for toddlers and a nice outdoor beer garden restaurant.

Cold and rainy weather is perfect for creative and educational indoor activities

During those days that you dont want to stay out for a long time you can do more of the things you might not have done if it was warm and sunny. Then you can, for example:

It feels extra good that the soup is not only tasty but bought with sound money as well.

Meet friends in cozy cafes where you can do some activity or socialize with the family. Some favorite places are the bitcoin café Paralelni Polis where we sometimes have a coffee break, eat some crypto lunch, play chess or go to a lecture, film or event. We have had minecraft and programming meetings there for the worldschoolers. You can only pay with decentralized crypto currencies, such as bitcoin. If you dont have bitcoin you can quickly learn how it works as the staff is happy to help and you can buy bitcoin in the ATM there.

Kids playing chess with friends Pontus and Ulrika at Maze.

Another favorite cafe is A maze in Tchaiovna, run by the enthusiastic Englishman Andy, who is happy to organize activities for the community and homeschoolers. There are various workshops to go on, discussion meetings, stand up comedy, lots of board games and books as well as a very cozy atmosphere. It's a maze and they take bitcoin and cash. There is a play are for toddlers as well. And of course the city's best chai tea.

Learn from an expert. One of the best things about home schooling is that you take responsibility for the children's learning in a way that suits them and you can design the learning entirely yourself with the kids and bring in knowledge from others when you think it is needed. You need to have a proactive mind I think for home schooling to be ultimately successful but you also need to take it in the childs pace and at the childs terms. You can always ask if there is someone who is an expert on something the kids are interesting in and if they want to teach your kids. It may be better than being bound to a group course for some kids. I think it's a good way to get inspiration from others and try  different things. Here at a private arts lesson with an artist from Costa Rica at the Maze café.

If you dont want to hire one on one tutors perhaps the kids would like to go on a course or workshop with others. We can recommend these places: Brainobrain for mathematics with abacus. Kiddum-lego and robotics school, Drawplanet arts school.

In Prague there are so many museums and courses and activities for things that you thought of and didnt think of For example, the modern art museum Narodni Galerie has nice cheap workshops for small children. The Christian library arranges story telling and creative workshops for homeschoolers.

Aqua parks and indoor swimming

A favorite activity here a shiveringly cold rainy day is swimming. It is important for safety to learn to swim so we encourage the children to both play and exercise swimming techniques. The best thing is to go to swimming pools with both a swimming exercise pool and fun things. The easiest place to go with several children, and especially a 1 year old that runs off all the time, is Letnany Lagoon. It is quite small but there is a 25-meter exercise swimming pool, a large slow slide, a baby pool and two jacuzzis. You get an overview over the whole place which is good when the children go in different directions.

Bild från Letnany Lagoon.

A favorite swimming place that is near us and that we go to without the 1-year-old (staying at home with an adult) is Aquapark Šutka because its quite big and there are more advanced slides than Letnany Lagoon, there is a river, a 50 meter pool, jacuzzis, and a warm learning swimming pool. However, it is quite difficult to get an overview if you are there with many children because of the layout.

A good swimming pool that is only for exercise swim in is located at Vystaviste Holesovice. It's cheap, fresh and it's quiet there.

We have also been to a huge water park called Aqua Palace which is one of the largest in central Europe. Its located in southern Prague. It's expensive but it's the dream for people that love water slides.

Visit a science center

We think it's great fun to go to a science center. I know of 3 places in the Czech Republic and we have visited all of course. The favorite is VIDA Science centrum in Brno, which is a little over 2 hours away by train from Prague. There is a lot to do and you need 2 days I think. Chemistry workshops and activities for children are also held there.

The closest science centers are in Liberec (IQLANDIA) and in Plzen (TECHMANIA), which is about an hours drive from Prague. The former has several floors of experiments and an outdoor area for water experiments. The latter has a planetarium connected to it.

En short film about our 2-day visit at Vida science centrum

Prague worldschooling

I arrange activities and meet ups through Prague worldschooling on a regular basis. Larger meetings and planned events are advertised on the facebook page and the blog otherwise we spontaneously hang out. Anyone who wants to know more about our worldschooling group is welcome to read the blog or the facebook page. We welcome new worldschoolers and initiative initiatives.

A czech unschooling farm and lots of snow!

Även på svenska HÄR

Generally speaking, I think people here in the Czech Republic are quite proactive. It's life and movement amongst the people. They do things so things happen. The unschooling movement is active and visible in the media. The czech unschoolers even bought a farm far out at the countryside where they arrange camps and activities for them. The farm Svobodum is located in the village Jindřichovice pod Smrkem. It is far away from the hustle and bustle of the city. A long time ago, after World War II, 90% of the people who were Germans were forced to move from the country to Germany. Many communities were emptied and new people moved in. Or the houses were left to their decay. Those who moved in are therefore mostly newcomers. Many alternative people go there to get away and to get more freedom. In Jindřichovice pod Smrkem you can live off-grid and outside of the system without the state meddling with your life so much. There are not so many municipal workers in the municipality. If I remember correctly it was only 5!

On the way there we went via Jizerské hory, which is a mountain area near Liberec. We wanted to check out a ski resort called Severák that should be really child-friendly. There was a great tobogganing hill and a cozy pub there.

The childrens slope in Severák. Notice the unusual christian cross!

Edward in a baby toboggan for the first time. There were really cute wooden houses in the villages here. Stripey in two colours. They reminded me of traditional Swedish houses.

Finally snow!

Henry found the longest icicle. And a dug down pineapple. That he dug down once again later in Jindřichovice pod Smrkem.

The big toboggan slope.

We moved on to the unschooling farm. There were icy roads through something that felt as far far away in the Czech Republic - as far as one could get. Far away from modern civilization and the long claws of the state.

The Svobodum-farm is 100% private and belongs to the unschooling-organisation Svoboda Uceni.

We were welcomed by the friendly unschooling Kandler-family who were looking after the community-house. They showed us around there and in the village. We walked to a farm to buy raw milk. And pulled our sledges on the icy roads between the stone houses. The father, Michal, told about the other alternative families living in the village. There was a democratic school, which is officially a kind of association, where the children went 3 days a week. At regular intervals, camps are organized, especially for unschooling beginners, who can take the opportunity to get questions answered and meet like-minded people there. Everyone is welcome. There were several families who were unschooled or home schooled in the village and around. There were families who built their own houses of adobe clay and natural materials so workshops were sometimes held on natural construction on the camps as well.

A walk in the village Jindřichovice pod Smrkem with the Kandler family to buy milk.

They told us that an 80-year-old lady lived alone in this cute mushroom-like house built in "Adobe" clay.

On the way back to the farm.

The village is right next to the Polish border where there are high mountains. We went to Świeradów-Zdrój which has a ski slope and cable car. Unfortunately, the slope was closed but the children took the opportunity to go tobogganing. Then our family took the cable car to the top to see what was there. It was clear weather in the morning but when we got to the top we also came into a cloud world. It was quite white. The branches of the spruce trees were snowy and there was no wind. I pulled Henry on the toboggan to the highest point where there was a mobile mast. We got no view but I left a message on the fence then Henry went down the hill to the cable car.

View from the cable car on the way to the top.

Edward had a blast at the cable car.

There was so much snow and so cold that it was only me and Henry who dared to go exploring

Can you see what I've written on the fence?

Henry in the winter landscape. When it is not cloudy you can see many miles away.

The trees could barely hold up the snow!

The Svobodum farm is run by the unschooling organization Svoboda Učení. Their manifesto can be read here. In summary, their view is based on the respect and trust in the child, to follow the non-aggression principle, and that the state should be separate from education.

This summer, a worldschooling camp is held in English on the same farm. I will post more information about the camp which will be held 12th to 21st July 2019.

We started building at 1 pm but we didntt know that it would be an advanced building session then. The plan was to make a snowman and continue the journey. But the balls were too big so we put them in a ring instead. And continued to build after lunch.

Hejnice-church and the monastery.

Fantastic paintings inside the Hejnice-church.

Hejnice was incredibly beautiful even though it was cloudy. The mountains looked much bigger in reality. The river had clear water. It was quiet and peaceful.

Me and Edward warmed up at the pastry shop. Edward had a kind of crispy roll and I ordered a dick-shaped cake called "špička". It wasn't good. Maybe because it tasted too sweet and a white-yellow liquid dripped out from the top! 

It was not just a snow castle but it was adorned too!

Finally, the castle was completed. We had to finish building because it was too dark and cold.

A short film with pictures and videos!

Christmas and Mikuláš activities this week

Its that dark cosy time of the year again when the city lights up and you can enjoy lots of xmassy activities. There is also this strange tradition called Mikuláš with angels and devils. If you have been nice you will get gifts and if you have been bad you will get coal. I have never tried it before so it will be interesting. We bought the chocolate figures they sell everywhere with a devil and angel (and ate them straight away.)

I have made a list of some activities that seems fun for worldschoolers. You can do crafts, iceskate, visit the devil and angel thing amongst other things:

- Join worldschoolers ice skating in Letna on Wednesday 5th. We will meet at 1030. Entrance is free and you can rent iceskates or bring your own. For more info click HERE for the event and HERE for the adress details. If its raining heavily we will go to Maze in Tchaiovna instead and play board games. If you want to join us please send us a message.

Iceskating on Letna in the sunset

- The xmas market in Old town is a must if you are in Prague. There is beautiful decorations, a tree and lots of traditional food and stuff to have a look at.

- Join an electronics workshop in Maze in Tchaiovna on the 3rd dec.

- You can join a Mikulas activity on Herna Lumpik on the 4h dec. For info click HERE.

- Visit the national museum that opened again for free. Its been renovated for ages and now its looks so pretty from the outside. Wonder how it is on the inside! For info click HERE.

- Listen to a Christmas concert on the 3rd dec in old town. For info click HERE.

On the 5th of december you have many Mikuláš activities for kids, here are some and most needs reservations:

Andělská nadílka na nám. Brumlova has a full day programme with different things - click HERE

Mikuláš v Karlínském Spektru - different xmas activities in Karlin - click HERE

Mikuláš at YMCA family center - click here 

Mikuláš at the farm Toulcův dvůr - info here 

Mikuláš at Territorium 7 - small workshop with paper and stamps and Mikuláš of course - more info here

Mikuláš in the evening - see here

So there is plenty to do this week. I feel exhausted just looking on this!