Traveling is a great opportunity for children to grow and discover different cultures and landscapes. Slovenia is the perfect country to go with kids because of its diverse sceneries, and many possible activities.
With children in Slovenia, you should definitely visit the different parks, go for walks, try water sports, visit fun museums, or go for a swim. There are so many possibilities in Slovenia, you can find fun activities for families everywhere.
To help you decide what activities to do to have the best possible trip in Slovenia with your family, here are the 22 best activities to enjoy with your children.
1. Tivoli Park (and Ljubljana Zoo)
Tivoli Park is located less than ten minutes from the city center of the Slovenian capital Ljubljana. The park is incredible and is definitely a must-see for all tourists in Slovenia, especially if you have children.
If you are coming in summer, you will enjoy the green park and the shaded areas. If you are a winter tourist, do not forget Tivoli Park, snow gives a fairy-tale-like atmosphere you will not forget.
Tivoli Park is great for children, besides walks in the park, there are many activities for them. Paradiso dei bambini for example (Children’s paradise) is a kids park created in 1941 by the architect Boris Kobe. It will entertain children and teens with the numerous games, and the zip-line.
In the middle of the park’s forest, you will encounter Slovenia’s national zoo, in the protected area of Rožnik. A visit to the Ljubljana Zoo is a must-do for tourists with kids in the city. Take a walk inside the zoo to discover more than 500 animals of around 100 different species coming from all continents. There are also animals you will only find in Slovenia.
In the Ljubljana Zoo, you will get the chance to see the famous wild bears of Slovenia. You will also be able to be in direct contact with animals. A ticket for the zoo is relatively cheap: 5€ for children and 7€ for adults only.
Created in 1948 and entirely renovated between 2008 and 2016, the Ljubljana Zoo is the ideal place to visit the city with children as they wonder at mountain animals, monkeys, or red pandas.
Terme Čatež Spa
In Slovenia, there are numerous thermal baths. Many of them are reserved for adults. However, if you are looking to enjoy a swim and want to bring your children with you, there are some thermal baths for both children and adults that will be perfect for you.
One of these is the Terme Čatež Spa. It is the ideal place to blend entertainment and relaxation. Parents will have the chance to get some rest while children are playing in the water.
Located near the capital of Croatia, at the frontier, the 12,000 square meters of pools (both indoors and outdoors) are open all year. Terme Čatež Spa offers many activities including children’s attractions, jacuzzi, and saunas (with 11 thermal water spring where the water temperature is between 26 and 36°C).
If you want to see and try everything at this water park, we advise you to stay for the night. Children will absolutely love the Pirate Village on the lake or one of the Indian village’s tepees.
Postojna and Skocjan Caves
One of the best activities for families is visiting one of the numerous tourist accessible caves of Slovenia. The country has many karsts all over its territory, and some of them are open for guided tours.
Two of the best caves are the Postojna and the Skocjan Caves. These subterraneous treasures are absolutely beautiful. In Postojna, you will have the possibility to go for a train ride on the first subterraneous railway in the world.
These caves are also two of the only caves where you will be able to see what Slovenians call “baby dragons”. They are aquatic translucid salamanders called olms. These little creatures are believed to be baby dragons because of the several legends surrounding dragons in the country.
Karsts are also the best place to see immense stalagmites and stalactites. Children will be amazed by the scenery and will keep this memory for as long as live.
Triglav National Park
The Triglav National Park is the largest park in Slovenia. This park contains a great part of the Julian Alps. It is also where is located the highest mountain in Slovenia: the Triglav mount. The mountain is 2,864 meters high (3,132 yards high).
This national park is ideal for families, and it is by far the most beautiful park in Slovenia for hikes, ballads, kayaking in the rivers, swimming in the lakes, and biking. In the park, you will also find incredible fauna and flora.
There are many natural surprises for you all over the region such as the great gorge of the river Soča, the Kozjak, and Peričnik waterfalls, or the Pokljuca Plateau. The entire family will be amazed when visiting the park.
A Swim in Piran
In summer, children will love going for a swim. The best place for bathing in Slovenia is definitely the Adriatic Sea, right between the Italian and Croatian coasts. It is also the place where the temperature is the warmest in Slovenia during summer.
On the coast, the temperatures get above 77°F (25°C) for sure every day. The average high temperature is 84°F (28,8°C), and the average low is 63°F (17°C) in August. The water temperature in Summer is, on average, between 68°F (20°C) and 81°F (27,5°F).
There are several cities on the Adriatic coast where you can go for a swim with your children like Koper, Izola, Portoroz, or Strunjan, but the most beautiful one stays Piran. If you want to take a trip along the Adriatic Coast, we advise you to end the trip with Piran, otherwise, the other towns will seem less wonderful.
MiniCity Ljubljana
MiniCity Ljubljana is located in the biggest shopping center in Europe: BTC City. MiniCity is almost like a town on its own but made for children. The place has an area of 1,000 square meters reserved for children between three and 12 years old. For parents looking for a bit of quiet time or wishing to shop in the mall in peace, Minicity is the perfect place to leave your kids.
In MiniCity you can leave your kids for an entire day. They will be looked after and entertained by professionals.
MiniCity Ljubljana’s aim is to recreate a city but at a child’s size. You will find a small bakery, a small store, a small bank with a small ATM, a small radio station, a small TV studio, a small car shop, and 27 other small places to discover.
Children will have the chance to play with hundreds of gadgets and toys. They will participate in educational games and become little florists, firemen, bakers, journalists, nurses, salesmen, mechanicals, or even painters.
Children speaking all languages are welcome. Even children aged less than 2 years old can be taken care of in the Toddler Corner, leaving time for parents to get some rest. Parents can also join their children in MiniCity and enjoy nurseries, the cafe, and the store where they can stay while children play.
MiniCity is open from 10 am to 8 pm from Monday to Saturday, and between 10 am and 6 pm on Sunday. During summer (July and August), you can drop your children from 9 am to 4 pm only between Monday and Saturday.
An entrance ticket for a child older than 2 years old and a parent is 12€. However, you can also buy an hourly ticket for a child and an adult for only 4,90€.
Soča River
The Soča River is a wonderful place to visit as a family. It is part of the Triglav National Park but deserves particular attention. The clear emerald-green river is magnificent and will amaze children and adults. It is one of the most beautiful rivers in Europe.
Apart from the river, who will also see waterfalls, streams, canyons, and water rapids. If you and your children are water sports aficionados, the Soča River is made for you.
The Soča River is ideal for kayaking, canoeing, rafting, canyoning, and swimming (even though the water is a bit cold). Many people also come to the Soča River for a fishing trip. It is a fun and calm activity to try with your kids.
Besides all the activities, just walking and hiking along the river is extremely impressive. It is a wonderful place to go with children for them to be amazed.
Railway Museum Ljubljana
The Railway Museum in Ljubljana is the best museum to visit with your children if you are a tourist in the capital. A visit to this museum will help you and your kids understand the history of the Slovenian railway, but children will also be able to climb up old trains and see huge machines.
In this museum, you will see old apparatuses, tools, steam locomotives, and other items of technical heritage. The museum is located in an old locomotive depot, near the Metelkova museums.
The museum is open between 10 am and 6 pm from Tuesday to Sunday. Here are the prices to visit the museum:
- Adults: 8 €
- Children, school children, students, elderly people: 4 €
- Adults (group of min. 10 persons): 4 €
- Children, school children, students, elderly people (group of min. 10 persons): 3 €
- Family ticket (2 adults + 2 children): 20 €
- Pre-school children, disabled, unemployed, and museum card (SMD, ICOM) holders: Free entrance
Lake Bled and Bled Castle
Bled is the perfect destination for families. Located only one hour and a half from Ljubljana, you will discover a magnificent lake with the only island of Slovenia in the middle. Bled Lake attracts millions of tourists every year and is known for being one of the most breathtaking places in the country.
In the town of Bled, you will find a beautiful castle to visit with your children. You can also enjoy a swim in the lake or go kayaking, paddling, or canoeing on the water. Water sports are a great activity for children.
After unwinding, go to a cafe or a pastry to taste the famous Bled Cake, called Kremsnita or also Kremna Rezina. This cake with vanilla cream and whipped cream costs about 4,70€ and will convince children right away, and even those who are not necessarily huge pastry fans.
Tourist Farms
In Slovenia, many tourists, and especially families, are enjoying staying in tourist farms more and more. This new way of traveling and camping is very interesting. It is a way for children to know more about farms while being close to nature and animals.
Staying in a tourist farm does not mean you will be sleeping in the mud. Rooms and apartments are generally well-equipped and almost feel like hotels, except for the fact that right outside the door children can run in the grass, pet farm animals, and play in the fields.
Going for a tourist farm adventure is also a way to discover Slovenia’s countryside. These areas are usually less known and visited, even though they really deserve a chance. The Slovenian countryside is absolutely beautiful, and it is a great way to take a deep breathe far from the bigger cities.
WOOP Trampoline Park Ljubljana
WOOP is a trampoline park located in BTC City in Ljubljana, the biggest shopping mall in Europe. It is a perfect activity for children. They will absolutely love jumping on the hundreds of trampolines. Parents can also play.
Jumping up and down will necessarily put you in a good mood. You will also have the possibility to learn new acrobatic figures for a half-hour to the two hours of fun offered with a basic ticket (from 7,50€ to 24,00€ depending on how much time you decide to go).
There is also a 15% discount for families. If you have children under five years old, you can still come to WOOP. There is a special park meant for toddlers called mini WOOP.
Velika Planina
One of the most beautiful places in Slovenia is Velika Planina, a shepherd’s village where you can take a walk in the lands. With its 140 cottages, Velika Planina is one of the largest shepherd villages in Europe.
If you have a cyclist soul, you can visit Velika Planina with a mountain bike. Children will definitely enjoy running around in the immense areas and observe the scenery with amazement. Little foodies will also love tasting all the local dairy products and Velika Planina specialties like the žganci (flour balls with curd).
Some of the cottages are reserved for tourists, do not hesitate to stay overnight in one of them. It will be a great experience for your children.
Ice creams in Ljubljana
During the summer, one of the best things is to get a huge ice cream cone to eat on the beach. In Ljubljana, there is no beach, however, there are many ice creams places to delight families and children wanting some sweets for an afternoon snack.
Between the numerous ice cream places, we advise you to taste cones from Fetiche Patisserie, Vigo, and Cacao, but there are still several others for you to discover. Each ice cream place has its own specialty and taste.
Ljubljana Castle and The Escape Game
The Ljubljana Castle is a must-see if you are staying in Ljubljana, especially with children. Children will love taking the funicular to go up the castle. Once you get there, you will see that the monument is located in an immense park you can go for a walk inside.
The Castle is nice to get a good viewpoint of the capital. The best thing to try there with children is the escape game called “Escape Castle”. The game lasts about one hour, you will have to try and evade the castle. The escape game is very educational about this medieval stronghold, a perfect occasion to learn everything about the place.
In this historical castle, you will not be able to get bored considering how many activities are offered. After the escape game, you can watch a movie in the outdoor cinema during the summer, you can taste traditional Slovene food in the restaurant, and dozens of other activities.
Carnival Kurentovanje
The Carnival Kurentovanje organized every year in Ptuj is a great place to discover Slovenia’s folklore culture. The carnival is about the myth of Kurent, a demon supposed to bring sunshine, happiness, and abundance during Spring.
During the carnival, people get dressed as kurents and run around between houses. It is a carnival surrounded by superstitions.
The whole family will most certainly enjoy the thousands of colors on the kurent masks, folk music, and the multiple shows all around Ptuj on this special day.
Take advantage of this trip to see the carnival to discover Ptuj and the area. The Ptuj castle is beautiful, a great activity for kids and their parents.
Boat Trip On The Ljubljanica
If you are a tourist in Slovenia and you want to visit the country, you will definitely come by Ljubljana. The beautiful capital is crossed by the River Ljubljanica. After walking along the river and discovering the dolce vita ambiance, you might want to take a break.
With children, a great idea to discover the city center and the Ljubljana Marshes is to jump onto one of the boats offering tours of the river. For 10€ on average for adults and 5€ for children, you will discover the city like you have never seen it before.
The ballad is between 45 minutes and two hours. It is more than enough time for you and your children to enjoy the fresh air, the landscape, and the refreshments on the boats.
Cycling Across Slovenia
Slovenia is a great country to cycle everywhere. It is also a perfect activity to spend your children’s energy and entertain them for a couple of hours.
If you are staying in Ljubljana, you should definitely think about renting a bike for the day. Ljubljana is a relatively small capital where you can cycle without being worried by the cars.
The local weather is ideal for bicycle ballads for families. It is a fun, sporty, and ecological activity for adults and children.
In Slovenia, there are 32 cycling roads connecting 17 different cities on 1,448 kilometers. You will not have time to be bored!
If you are a bike fan and your children too, you should definitely head to Kamnik. Over there, you will find several terrains to experiment with your biking abilities, but also cycling trails for children, and challenging recreational cycling trails.
Adrenaline Park in The Kolpa Park
Kolpa Park is an amazing park where you will see one of the cleanest rivers of Slovenia: the River Kolpa. It is also the warmest river in the summer.
This park is perfect for families with children of all ages, thanks to the great number of activities offered. You can go canoeing, paddleboarding, rafting, or kayaking. You could also take a hike across the park and stop for a swim in the river.
One of the best thing in the Kolpa Park for children is the adrenaline park. You will have the possibility to ride a BMX bike between the trees, jump with a Tarzan, try canoeing in the air, zip-line, and many other activities worth going to this park. It is suitable for everyone over four years old.
Children’s Festival
Slovenia is a great country for festivals. Any time of the year you will find a festival to participate in. The best festivals to see for a family are the Children’s festivals. There are many in Slovenia.
In the Pika Festival, Pippi Longstocking will visit children with her red-hair braids and mischievous habits.
In Ljubljana, head to the Mini Summer International festival with your kids to see puppet shows and music performances in the Ljubljana Castle. The other puppet festival is in Maribor in August. You will see Slovenian and foreign puppet shows, workshops, exhibitions, installations. These festivals are great for children but could entertain “big children” as well.
The fourth festival is the Bo Fejst festival in Bohinj. This one happens during all seasons, whether it is snowing, raining, or shining. Are organized playful workshops, performances, and a varied program by the Fejstka Cow: a promise for good fun!
Skiing With Children
If you are a tourist in Slovenia during Winter, you probably will want to take a ski trip. Slovenia is often covered in snow during the coldest season. With the numerous mountains, it is the perfect place to go skiing.
Most ski resorts in Slovenia are relatively small, making them family and beginners-friendly. With a Ski-Pass, you will be able to go skiing at all of the ski resorts in the country. It is a great opportunity if your children are huge fans of the snow.
In most of the ski resorts, there are also ski schools and ski teachers for children (and adults) just beginning to ski.
Go for an amazing ski adventure in Kranjska Gora, Krvavec, Rogla, Cerkno, Pohorje, Vogel, Kanin, Golte, or Kope, and discover beautiful snowy Slovenia.
Mala Ulica Family Center
The Mala Ulica Family Center, or Little Street in English, is an adorable center for parents with babies, toddlers, and preschoolers located in Ljubljana.
It is a playground where small children, including mobility-impaired children, are welcome. In the playroom, you will find small replicas of Ljubljana’s famous buildings. There is also a slide, a labyrinth, a large blackboard, and a small café.
The place is made especially for the younger children, so you will find rooms intended for breastfeeding and baby changing.
You can also leave your children in child care while going to the next door cinema Kinodvor during afternoon screening hours.
On weekdays, Little Street is open from 10 am to 7 pm. On weekends and public holidays, it is open from 10 am to 6 pm.
The House Of Illusions
The House of Illusions is located in the capital. It is a tourist-favorite museum and a perfect one to visit with kids.
This museum will make you doubt everything you see and discover exceptional illusions. There are more than 40 exhibits in the House of Illusions for you and your children to explore.
Among the illusions, you can have your friends eat your head for lunch, take pictures defying gravity, walk through the Vortex Tunnel, and many other illusions to make your head go crazy.
After your trip to this House of Illusions, your kids will be full of wonder and delight.
Fun for Everyone!
Children with the possibility to travel can discover the world. However, traveling with young kids can be difficult because all the activities are not always accessible to them. The previous activities will help you prepare a great trip without any problems to entertain your children.
