Hunglish.orgHere are a few ideas on what to do with children in Budapest, from restaurants to try to activities and schools, find out where to go and what to do while you are in town.
Written by Natalie Jaro
For those adults involved in the lives of children, we all know that keeping them entertained as well as getting all their needs met takes a great deal of research and planning. This article will provide adults with ideas concerning activities to do with children in and around Budapest, schools to look into, family-friendly restaurants and other helpful information. In Budapest there are definitely a few must do’s with children—first you may want to purchase a book called, Benjamin in Budapest, it is a book especially designed with two audiences in mind, the child and the adult. The book can be used as a reference and a guide for adults as well as a story to read with your child. It includes a story, maps and pictures.
All in all, probably the most frequented seven wonders of Budapest for children are: the Budapest Zoo, Vidámpark Amusement Park, the Great Circus or the ‘Nagycirkusz’, The Puppet Theatre (Bábszínház); The Palace of Miracles (Csodák Palotája); the Museum of Natural Sciences (Természettudományi Múzeum) and the Transport Museum (Közlekedési). These activities are centrally located in City Park near the Széchenyi baths which are also another possible destination with a lazy river and shallow pools. Vidámpark which has the longest wooden rollercoaster in Europe also has a hundred-year-old merry-go-round and an old Ferris wheel plus a toddler park inside called Kis Vidám Park. The Great Circus is a traditional circus with clowns, animals, acrobats, jugglers and the like. The Puppet Theatre is only in Hungarian but provides much of the same standard shows such as
Along with the must do’s come the ‘have to do’s’ and this includes finding the right schools. Below is a short list of but only a few of the choices available for schools for English-speaking children. The American International School of Budapest (AISB) is located in Buda and provides a rich academic curriculum for students; the Greater Grace International School (GGIS) is a Christian school also in the hills of Buda; the International Christian School of Budapest (ICSB) offers a supportive and challenging learning environment for grades 1-12. The Britannica International School is a well established English secondary school and the British International School of Budapest offers a pre-nursery and is one of many distinguished schools in Budapest. This list is a good place to get started.
Other activities for children in Budapest include various parks and pools in the area. In Görzenál there is a skate and leisure park and it is a skaters’ paradise where BMX riding is allowed as well as wall-climbing and trampoline jumping. There is an Aqua park outside of Budapest and the Buda Hills contain a great network of hiking trails and horseback riding facilities. Margaret Island is a great place to spend the day to stroll and walk, there is a small zoo on the island and there are bicycles to rent, pedal cars to drive and pools to swim in. Cruises are also offered along the Danube and families can enjoy a great buffet of food and scenery while aboard.
As for restaurants in Budapest that are family friendly, try Bagolyvár (Owl’s Castle) in City Park; the world famous Gundel, the Biarritz Café & Restaurant, or Náncsi Néni Vendéglője (Aunt Náncisi’s Restaurant). Try any of these English-speaking places for Sunday brunch: the Grand Hotel Royal, Kempinski Hotel Corvinus or Gerbeaud Restaurant.