Summer in the city: children’s recreation in Minsk

The Belarusian capital welcomes even the smallest travellers and is always ready to offer them a rich entertainment programme

Kakadu park 

An aviary has recently opened half-hour drive from Minsk. Or, more simply, a parrot park. One of the largest in the CIS! Exotic birds impress with their bright colours, and the smartest individuals are ready to repeat their words after the visitors incessantly.
They say that here you can find the double of the feathered actor from the Pirates of the Caribbean movie or a parrot, very similar to the cartoon Kesha. Note: here you can feed, stroke and photograph the birds. Everything is safe for children and in the joy of the inhabitants.
Where: the urban settlement of Radoshkovichi, 3rd Lipenya Street, 32.

Belarusian State Circus

It is located in the centre of the capital, right on the central avenue. Therefore, you will find it without problems. At one time, such artists as Scipione Ciniselli, Anatoly Durov, Ivan Poddubny performed at the Minsk arena.
And even today, the public does not hide their enthusiasm — fearless tightrope walkers and gymnasts under the very dome, funny clowns and incendiary acrobats, bears on bicycles, monkeys in balloons and incredible white tigers. And as part of group tours, you can get behind the scenes and meet face to face with real magic! It is not surprising that about 340,000 small spectators visit the Belarusian State Circus every year.
Where: Nezavisimosti Avenue, 32.

Lebyazhy aquapark

There is the largest water amusement park in Belarus on the banks of the picturesque Drozdy water reservoir. Among the silence and tranquillity of the protected area there are steep slides, unusual rides, hydromassage guns, jacuzzies, geysers, fountains, a surf simulator.
While the parents are energised at the spa, the little ones can be cared for in special children’s centres. Several restaurants and cafes are constantly working on the territory of the water park. So, you can safely buy tickets for the whole day — no one will go hungry.
Where: Pobediteley Avenue, 120.

Chelyuskintsev Park

A favourite place for Minsk families. Once these lands belonged to the Radziwill magnates, then to the Vankovich family. And in the thirties, a park of culture and recreation named after Chelyuskintsev was opened here, which still holds the mark in terms of entertainment.
On the western side is the ever-blooming and fragrant botanical garden. And in the heart one can find a cafe with delicious treats and playgrounds. But everyone comes here for the rides. There are many of them, and all are different — family, children’s and extreme. Traditionally, the queue for the legendary Super-8 slides, which went down in history thanks to the song of the Leprikonsy. Yes, Hully Gully is about Chelyuskintsev Park.
Where: Minsk, Park Chelyuskintsev metro station.

Children’s railway

The driver, the head of the station, dispatchers, conductors and controllers — everything is run by children. And everything is real! There is a spacious train station with a ticket office and a waiting room, and the Zaslonovo – Sosnovy Bor express train rides everyone on a piece of iron along picturesque places from May to October. By the way, adults are also allowed, but only as passengers.
Interestingly, for the Minsk children, the Children’s railway is not just entertainment, but a step towards adulthood. In the training centre, they comprehend the basics of future professions and prepare for admission to railway colleges and universities.
Where: Nezavisimosti Avenue, 86.


By Sofia Arsenyeva
Photos by belta, Vitaly Pivovarchik, Aleksei Vyazmitinov, pixabay