Top 5 places to go with children in Russia - Elena Rybintseva

Often we want to please not only ourselves but also the children when we travel, so today we're going to give you an overview of places to go if you're travelling with a child.

"Dream Island" Amusement Park

This park is located in Moscow. It has a roof, making it an all-season park. Although it's under a roof, Dream Island (Ostrov Mechty) is vast, with large number of cool rides that cater to children of all ages. Here you can find attractions for very young children aged 1.5-3 years, for older kids, and even quite extreme attractions for adults.

There are several themed areas in the park - Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Smurfs, Hello Kitty, Dinosaurs, Hotel Transylvania. The most extreme zone is the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles zone, rides for kids can be found in the Smurf Valley and the Dinosaur area. The park is European in style, but it is favourably distinguished by the fact that you can spend time here all year round.

Kudykina Gora (Kudykina mountain) 

Located in the Lipetsk region. Literally 10-15 minutes from an exit off the M4 and you're there. This fire-breathing Zmey Gorynych is an absolute must-show for children. There is also a very cool quest for children organised on the grounds behind the fortress walls. 

The dragon breathes fire only on weekends and holidays, something to keep in mind when planning a trip. Check the show times before travelling; they vary depending on the season. 

There are lodges on site to stay in, but you need to book in advance, as demand is very high. There's also a contact zoo, a huge outdoor children's complex and a delicious dining restaurant.

Ded Moroz Votchina estate in Veliki Ustyug

It's a fairytale place that all children dream of visiting. After all, this is where Ded Moroz (Father Frost) lives. There are quests, workshops and various winter activities organised on the Votchina grounds. Most importantly, dress warmly as temperatures here can reach -40ºC in winter! But you immediately feel like you're in a real winter fairytale.

SOCHI-park

It is located outside Adler, in the Olympic Park area. It is open during the warm season, but usually also opens for the New Year holiday period. 

The park is designed in Russian fairy tale style - there are bogatyr heroes, a Zmey-Gorynych, a water kingdom... the downside for summer visits is the almost total lack of shade. Therefore, a spring or autumn visit will be more comfortable. 

Pricing also depends on the visiting season, so check it out on the park's website right before visiting. The park has a lot of attractions and activities for the little ones, there is a dolphinarium. If you go to the park in summer, be prepared to stand in rather long queues for the rides. The wait is sometimes up to an hour, but the children's joy is worth it!  

Loga Park

This park is located in the Rostov region. It is also made in the style of Russian fairy tales. Entrance to the park is absolutely free, which makes it incredibly attractive for tourists. A stop here is very convenient on the way from Moscow to the sea or vice versa. It is located near the M4 motorway, in Staraya Stanitsa. 

The park has a very colourful zoo, a Distorting mirror area, a Ferris wheel, fish ponds and a restaurant. You can also reserve a barbecue area to cook it by yourself. This place is very popular so it's best to do it in advance.

Elena Rybentseva, travel blogger.

Photo: From Elena Rybentseva's personal archive