St. Petersburg is the most beautiful metropolis of Russia, known for its palaces, bridges, fountains and other monuments of history and architecture. Provides a cultural capital and many opportunities for families. What to see in St. Petersburg with a child will be suggested by our review.
Museum "Grand Layout Russia"
The exposition of the museum is the only exhibit located at 800 m2 layout, second in size only to the analogue in Hamburg. The unusual project is not a miniature copy of Russia, it is intended to show the most interesting places in the country.
It represents cities with attractions, villages with fields and farms, forests and seas with inhabitants. The project revives the intensive traffic of trains, cars and cable car cabins. The model tells about professions, hobbies, everything that a person does.
The scenes presented on it are not static, you can start the movement of the figures by pressing the special control buttons. There are woodcutters chopping trees, firefighters extinguishing the fire, and even pecking hens. In addition to real-life characters, the project presents the heroes of Shurik from "Operation Y" familiar from the films, homeless people from "Our Russia", an alien saucer, etc.
The layout clearly shows the change of day and night, seasons and climatic zones. An audio guide can tell about the project and places on it, but an experienced guide will do it better.
We recommend reading what to see in St. Petersburg:
Amusement park "Divo-Ostrov"
In the shade of the trees of Krestovsky Island, there is the territory of childhood and fun - one of the largest amusement parks "Divo-Ostrov". For convenience, the park is divided into 3 zones: children's, family and extreme. Children's room is designed for ages from 3 to 8 years old.
It is a mini-town with trampolines, slides and attractions that will not cause dizziness and nausea even in toddlers. Family involves spending time together. This is riding on catamarans, a Ferris wheel, an autodrome and a swing.
Visitors are offered, having risen 4 m above the ground, to take a trip on a unique mobile, become a pirate or visit a sinister house. Not everyone will dare to try the rides of the extreme zone.
One of them shoots to a height of 75 m, the second carries it inside the storm, the third raises to the heavens 80 m. On the territory of the amusement park, decorated with fairy-tale figures, there are stage platforms and several cafes.
Water park "Piterland-2"
One of the 3 water parks in St. Petersburg - Piterland-2, despite its relatively small size of 14 thousand m2, is the most popular. It is located on Vasilievsky Island near the Pribaltiyskaya Hotel.
A lazy river with a slow flow, equipped with small drops, flows throughout the territory. In the center of the water park is the Brother Thiel Lighthouse, where most of the adult attractions begin: the fast-paced "Turmoil", the unpredictable "Chatterbox" and the extreme "Whirlpool".
Several more pipes lead from Brother Vilya's grotto - the winding Serpentinka and the merry Pokatushka. A separate island is equipped for children with 2 slides "Fat" and "Petelka", a labyrinth, water cannons, fountains and a shallow pool.
The entertainment complex is complemented by pools with waves, bubbles and a climbing wall. There is a special diving pool with a glass bottom, through which you can see tropical fish. A spa area is provided for visitors.
Petersburg Oceanarium
There is a 3-tiered oceanarium in the Planet Neptune shopping and entertainment complex in the very center of St. Petersburg. It contains 48 aquariums, the largest of which is designed for 750 thousand liters, and the smallest for only 300 liters.
The exposition presents about 4.5 thousand inhabitants of different zones. Visitors will be able to see fish from Russia, Africa, Southeast Asia and the Amazon. Coral reef dwellers and mammals are represented.
The attraction of the aquarium is a 35-meter tunnel inside the main aquarium, equipped with a moving walkway. Visitors will see dangerous predators of sharks, moray eels and giant perches behind the 8-centimeter glass.
There is a daily shark feeding show. In the aquarium, you can also watch the feeding of piranhas, rays and starfish. Another available entertainment is the performances of trained animals in the sealarium.
Open observation deck "Roof"
An excellent panorama of the city with the perspective of Ligovsky Prospekt and its surroundings opens from the rooftop observation deck. She complemented the modern loft project "Etazhi", which accommodated on the territory of the former bakery a creative zone with editorial offices, workshops, exhibition halls, shops, salons and cafes - a kind of island of creativity in modern Europe. Presentations, concerts, art parties and festivals are often held here. The roof has become a local attraction for those who like to look at the city from a bird's eye view.
The second after St. Isaac's Cathedral (it is located at a height of 27 m), it is a covered area of 1200 m2... It has safety fences along the edges, and in the center there is a round wooden dais with soft pillow mattresses.
Telescopes are installed to observe the stars. Despite the paid entrance, the observation deck is popular, because offers an alternative view of the city and is a wonderful photo zone.
Museum-model "Petrovskaya Aquatoria"
"Petrovskaya Aquatoria" - a model of St. Petersburg and its suburbs in the middle of the 18th century. on a scale of 1:87. The unique project covers an area of 500 m2... The exposition presents architectural and landscape objects of that period, both existing and lost.
The center of the layout is the water surface, around which the sights and suburbs are located. Visitors will see Nemetskaya Sloboda, Peter and Paul Fortress, Kronstadt, Oranienbaum, Petershtadt, Peterhof, Vasilievsky Island, the Admiralty and New Holland.
Neither chronological nor spatial relationships were observed, the goal of the project was to show the beauty of the Petrovsky city. To create an interactive project, 20 tons of water, about 60 thousand LEDs, 25 thousand characters, more than 1,000 buildings, about 1,000 vehicles, over 300 m of roads, more than 100 ships were used. The layout is equipped with 60 interactive buttons that let the scenes come to life.
City of professions for children "KidBurg"
KidBurg is a big game, during which children are adapted to the conditions of adult life. In other words, this is an adult game. Kidburg is a city where children - visitors from 1.5 to 14 years old live and work.
Here they receive documents, undergo training, do work and receive a salary that can be spent on training, entertainment or souvenirs. There are more than 60 professions in the city that children can master. Some of them are intended for older children - from 4-7 years old.
These are postmen, police officers, hairdressers, firefighters, astronauts, doctors, archaeologists, auto mechanics, bankers, TV presenters, etc. Others can be done by a 1.5-year-old baby who, working on a farm, will sort vegetables and fruits, take care of animals.
Only adults accompanying children are allowed into the city. Here they will be able to take pictures of their children playing, visit a cafe or take part in a master class.
Interactive Museum-Theater "Tale House"
Museum-theater "Skazkin Dom" is a creative association of contact theater, expositions of the fairy-tale world, entertainment and development center. The museum is intended for children from 1 to 12 years old."Fairy Tale House" consists of several zones: Russian, where children get acquainted with the characters and life of national fairy tales and the Fairytale castle, whose inhabitants came from European fairy tales. The royal chambers, Morozko's house, Baba Yaga's hut, the cave of the gnomes, the alchemist's office and much more await children.
For kids from one to four years old, there is a play area where you can jump on a jelly trampoline, dive into an ink pool, or just go up a slide along a rainbow ladder. Theatrical performances are also magical, they are interactive. Children, together with the actors, hide from the Gray Wolf, bake a cake with rabbits, play with fairy-tale characters or complete tasks.
Dolphinarium
A visit to the Dolphinarium is a great way to spend time and relax. At the performances, visitors will be able to see bottlenose dolphins (Black Sea dolphins), sea lions and seals, Pacific walruses and beluga whales.
Guests will find a 40-50-minute program in which animals will show acrobatic and entertaining performances. They jump out of the water, perform somersaults in the air, throw up heaps of spray upon landing, sing and draw.
By the way, the art of sea animals can then be bought. Video recording is allowed during the performance. At the request of visitors, after the show, it is possible to arrange a photo session with dolphins or swim with them.
In addition to the show at the dolphinarium, additional services are offered. This is communication with dolphins, swimming with them and training. For healthy people and for people with different diseases, therapy sessions are held.
Zoo museum
The Zoological Museum of the Academy of Sciences is considered unique in its kind, its collection numbers about 15 million exhibits, of which only about 30 thousand are exhibited. The museum, founded in 1832, incorporated the expositions of the Kunstkamera, which became its predecessor.
The most famous exhibits inherited by the museum are Peter the Great's pets: a horse and 2 dogs. The exposition occupied 2 floors. On the ground floor, it is located in 3 rooms. Hall 1 was occupied by pinnipeds and cetaceans. In Hall 2 you can see representatives of the classes of fish, birds, reptiles and amphibians. Hall 3 is intended for mammals.
Visitors will see the skeleton of a 27-meter whale, a Steller's cow, a stuffed giant anaconda and almost 3-meter sea feathers found near the station at the North Pole. In addition, the museum has one of the finest collections of mammoths.
The collection of insects, which is located on the 2nd floor, is no less interesting. Despite the multispecies representation, butterflies are most remembered, which amaze with bright colors and sizes.
Petersburg Museum of Puppets
The non-state museum of dolls was created on the basis of private collections by enthusiastic teachers and graduates of the Herzen Pedagogical University in 1998. At the time of opening, the exposition was represented by about 1,000 dolls.
Now the museum fund has more than 40 thousand exhibits, including not only dolls, but masks, collages, decorations, clothes, etc. 12 exhibition halls cater to everyone's interests. Here you can see the interior, theatrical and folklore puppets, there are the halls "Forest Kingdom", "Petersburg Perspective", "Pride and Glory of the Fatherland", a hall of frivolous dolls, etc.
Children adore the fairy tale hall, where they meet the Swan Princess, Drakodil, Kikimora, Leshy. Interactive classes, performances and master classes are held for children. In the workshops located in the museum building, visitors will be able to observe the process of making dolls, which are sold in a souvenir shop.
The museum is often chosen for birthday celebrations. The list of services provided also includes offsite events.
Museum of entertaining science "LabyrinthUm"
Entertainment center and planet of discovery with an area of 700 m2 designed to brighten up the leisure of both adults and children. More than 100 exhibits of a wide variety of subjects will open to visitors the laws of chemistry, physics, biology and other sciences.
"LabyrinthUm" is divided into 5 thematic zones: "World of Physical Experiments", "Black Room", "Man in Numbers", "Water World" and "Mirror World". The interactive museum is distinguished by the opportunity to touch everything, evaluate and experiment on your own.
Guests are invited to create a tornado, photograph a shadow and learn magic, decreasing and increasing right in front of observers, find a way out of the mirror maze and solve puzzles. For visitors, shows are arranged that are designed for a specific age category.
A unique project is suitable for an interesting pastime, celebrating a children's birthday, themed party or corporate party.
Museum complex "Universe of Water"
The "Universe of Water" complex, which appeared in 2003, became a real discovery for Petersburgers and guests of the city. Formed on the site of the once existing museum, it consists of 3 parts. The first part of "The World of St. Petersburg Water" occupied the water tower.
From the expositions presented here, visitors will learn how the extraction, treatment and delivery of water to consumers has changed. Antique plumbing, sanitary facilities of the Middle Ages, pots, basins and even an old Russian well and much more await tourists in the tower. There is an observation deck on the roof of the building.
The multimedia exhibition "The Underground World of St. Petersburg" has occupied the extension of the Water Tower, where visitors will see exactly how water enters the apartment. Visitors will have to go all the way from the water intake at the bottom of the Neva to the highways and an ordinary basement.
The last part of the "Universe of Water" complex is occupied by a former reservoir next to the tower. The exposition will present all existing knowledge about water, theories of its possibilities and properties. In addition to the exposition, the project offers interactive programs for children and adolescents, outdoor events.
Museum of microminiature "Russian Lefty"
"Russian Lefty" is a project of the International Guild of Craftsmen, which combines the old traditions of blacksmithing and innovative achievements of our time. Opened in 2006, the museum was founded by master Vladimir Aniskin, whose works became the basis of the exhibition.
The fund of the project, created from a private collection, at the time of opening was about 20 microminiatures. For comparison, now their number has increased to 75, each of which took from 3 to 24 weeks to manufacture.
A microscope is located above each piece to view the exposition. Visitors can expect both classic exhibits: a shod flea, a camel caravan on a hair cut, a book spread on a grain of rice, and cartoon characters: Gena the crocodile with golden teeth, Crochet at the end of his hair, Snowman with fingers on his hands, Winnie the Pooh, etc.
As an exhibition site for MGM, the museum acquaints visitors with works of decorative and applied art.
Chocolate Museum
The Chocolate Museum is a chain of stores where you can view artwork - handcrafted chocolate - and buy the exhibits on display or order what you need. Opened in 2003, the museum quickly gained popularity and expanded its offices to 6 in St. Petersburg.
The catalog contains about 500 items, including products made from white, black and milk chocolate, for vegetarians - with palm oil and soy milk, stuffed with nuts, pralines, jams and other sweets.
The museum sells about 20 tons of chocolate per year. These are sweets, and chocolate figurines of various themes, and anniversary figurines, and coats of arms, etc. On request, any request of the visitor can be fulfilled here. The exhibits of this museum are found at celebrations, weddings, birthdays and celebrations, where they serve as an ornament and a welcome gift.
Railway Museum
We recommend to visit the lovers of the railways, the measured sound of wheels on the rails and reliable trains. The history of the complex goes back to 1809, when the Corps of Engineers was created by order of Emperor Alexander I.
One of the oldest transport museums for 200 years of existence has collected a fund of 65 thousand exhibits. 11 halls of the exposition will tell about the history of the creation of the railway, the evolution of the appearance of locomotives and cars, communications, automated systems and special vehicles.
Visitors will be introduced to different types of trains, both outside and inside. There are reconstruction of the carriages of the royal family, politicians.
Children will be interested in the operating models of the marshalling yard and the railway, where trains can be started with the remote control. In addition to the main building, the museum has 2 branches. One will talk about bridge building, from simple wooden to metal, the collection of the second includes about 50 cars and locomotives.
Military History Museum
Founded by Peter I in 1703, it is one of the largest in the world and has an amazing exhibition. Area 17 thousand m2, which housed 13 complete unique exhibits hall. Visitors will see historical weapons, archives, uniforms, banners, awards and works of famous painters and sculptors. The pride of the museum is considered to be the XIV-XVI century pishchal, made by the master Yakov of the 15th century tools. and the only extant kettledrum chariot.
The collection of edged weapons, among which 25 units belonged to princes and emperors, is of constant interest. On 2 hectares of the courtyard, there are about 250 pieces of weapons: artillery pieces, anti-aircraft guns, engineering equipment and communications.
The exposition includes both ancient tools, which are more than several centuries old, and modern specimens. A must-see point for visiting the museum is a photo for memory near the exhibits.
Planetarium
The planetarium is one of the three largest in Russia. Existing for more than 50 years, it only becomes more popular every year. The planetarium consists of 7 rooms. The most common is the Star Hall, where visitors can see the diurnal changes in the starry sky, observe shooting stars, the Milky Way and nebulae.
4 halls apply for the title of children's favorite. The Space Travel Hall is a venue for interactive shows, whose participants must save the Earth, explore black holes and complete other equally interesting tasks.
The Planet Hall invites you to go on a fascinating journey across the planet Earth, exploring it. 2 more halls with self-explanatory names are also popular with visitors - the Laboratory of Entertaining Experiments and the Hall of Illusions. The Horizon Hall is used for conferences and training programs.
Tourists can visually check the information received in the Observatory. In addition, the Planetarium has the RazioArt gallery, which hosts master classes, exhibitions and meetings, and the Mobile Planetarium.
Cruiser Aurora"
A participant in the Tsushima battle, a witness to the bloody events of 1918, the cruiser Aurora managed to be both a battleship and a training base for a little over a century, until it became a museum, which it is now. The hallmark of the Northern capital, the armored cruiser was built according to the type of the most modern vessel at that time, the Talbot, for 6.4 million rubles, and launched in 1900. In 35 years that passed from its commissioning to wear and tear, the Aurora participated in all significant events. Her weapons were installed and updated until they were removed.
Since 1956, the legendary cruiser has become a museum, which is now moored on Petrovskaya embankment, where anyone can view it. The radio station, engine room and boiler room are open for visiting. An exposition is arranged in the former cockpits, where visitors will see archival documents and personal belongings of the crew members. The main attraction is the cannon from which the landmark shot was fired.
Bolshoi Puppet Theater
The Bolshoi Puppet Theater is one of the oldest theaters in Russia. It was founded in 1931 by 5 enthusiasts: a musician, 3 actors and a composer. The theater has changed several times. With Shapiro, he became professional, thanks to the repertoire and the cast of M.Korolev, he won international awards.
Polukhina revived the children's repertoire of the theater, Sudarushkin returned the classics to the stage. They started talking about the theater again when Kudashov became the director. Experimental performances, the style of which ranges from rock to classical, appealed to both the older generation and the young.
The repertoire of the theater consists of 44 performances designed for different audiences, including musical, plastic, synthetic and puppet shows. For several years now, BTK has been running a social project "Theatrical Emergency", which allows children in orphanages, hospitals, rehabilitation centers and orphanages to get a positive charge.
In addition, the Internet project "Theater of Actual Puppets of Russia" was launched, where you can learn about all puppet theaters and productions, and BTK-Lab, which opens new directors.
Excursions for children
You can show the city to children on your own. But only a professional can do it brightly, cheerfully, informatively and inexpensively, so we advise you to use the “children's excursions” service from the leader in this field: Tripster. For 5 years of work, the service has established itself as one of the best organizers of individual excursions. It offers walks in nearly 400 cities around the world. You can choose an excursion and a guide on the website after reading the valid reviews of travelers.
