Kyiv, the multifaceted capital of Ukraine, offers a wide array of activities and locations for an unforgettable weekend. Despite challenging times, there are plenty of opportunities for both adults and children to relax and enjoy themselves. Taking the time to unwind and savor bright moments is essential to counterbalance constant stress. Here is a guide to the most interesting and unusual activities and places to visit in Kyiv over the weekend.
VDNG (Expocenter of Ukraine)
VDNG is a vast location with numerous attractions for both children and adults:
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Amusement rides
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Exhibitions
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Greenhouses
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Cycling
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Rope park
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Paintball
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Playgrounds
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Petting zoo
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BBQ and picnic areas
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Cafes and hookah lounges
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Photo sessions
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Skate park
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Seasonal water park with outdoor pools
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Concerts and other events
A weekend at VDNG promises joy and excitement. There's something for everyone, whether you prefer a peaceful nature retreat or active leisure activities.
📍 Address: Akademika Hlushkova Avenue, 1 (near Vystavkovyi Tsentr metro station).
Natalka Park and Obolon Embankment
Another attractive location for a weekend stroll is Natalka Park, which seamlessly transitions into a picturesque embankment. This well-maintained green area features a rock garden, rope park, children's and sports playgrounds, cafes, and coffee shops with panoramic views of the Dnipro River, along with street musicians creating a cozy atmosphere for family or friends' outings.
📍 Address: Natalka Park starts from the North Bridge along Volodymyra Ivasiuka Avenue and ends at Obolon Embankment, spanning over two kilometers. The nearest metro station is Minska.
Muromets Park
For those who love outdoor recreation, we recommend spending a day at Muromets Park. Located in the Desnianskyi district, it occupies the space between the right and left banks of the Dnipro River and is a large complex of green areas with several zones: memorial (a circular parterre garden with 15 sectors), children's, water sports, and beach areas.
📍 Address: Accessible by various public transport options from Troieshchyna towards Pochaina metro station, the center, and Obolon: buses 101, 114, trolleybuses 30, 31, 47. From Obolon: trolleybus 47. From the center: bus 114. Stop "Muromets Park".
Ethno Complex Pirohovo
Close to Kyiv is the National Museum of Folk Architecture and Life of Ukraine, commonly known as Pirohovo. This large open-air complex features a vast collection of traditional Ukrainian houses, churches, and other ancient buildings. Architectural monuments were gathered from all over Ukraine to preserve them in one place, allowing visitors to experience the life and customs of their ancestors.
📍 Address: From Lybidska metro station, take trolleybus ¹11, from Bessarabka take route taxi ¹156, from Leningrad Square or Druzhby Narodiv metro station take bus ¹172, from Akademmistechko metro station take route taxi ¹576, or from Lukianivska metro station take route taxi ¹496.
Children's Entertainment Centers
Spend a fun weekend with your family, making your child happy and relaxing yourself at one of Kyiv's entertainment centers. For example, visit "Fly Park," "Fly Kids," "Kraina Mrii," or "IgroLand." These are areas of entertainment for both young and older children, and rest zones for the entire family. Kids can enjoy trampolines and slides while parents relax and dine in one of the complex's restaurants.
Another excellent place for children is "City of Professions," where kids can try out different professions. With over 30 specialties to choose from, kids can earn and spend money, invest in the bank, and simply have fun.
Museums, Exhibitions, Performances
Visiting a museum doesn't have to be boring. Kyiv offers numerous interesting and unusual exhibitions worth visiting, which will diversify your leisure time with children and appeal to the whole family.
Places to Visit:
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"Formation of the Ukrainian Nation" – A modern interactive museum dedicated to the history of Ukraine. It's a contemporary way to foster a love for history in children while learning new things yourself.
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"Miniland.UA" – A huge and detailed railway model depicting Ukraine's railway network in miniature with numerous details and LED lighting.
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"Guitar Museum" – The first interactive museum in Ukraine featuring musical instruments from famous global brands from the early 20th century to the present. Here, you can feel like a real musician, play various instruments, and perhaps find a new hobby.
For theater lovers, spend your weekend in Kyiv enjoying one of the performances or shows. Keep an eye on the theater listings for exciting offerings such as "Magic of Soap Bubbles," "Neon Magic," and more.
Go-Karting
Enjoy racing alone or compete with your child on a go-kart track. This activity is especially memorable for boys who are passionate about racing and cool cars. Visit "SkyMall Karting Kiev" for an adrenaline rush and a fun time.
Horseback Riding
Another excellent way to add a special mood and adventurous note to your weekend is to arrange a horseback ride. Several stables in Kyiv offer horse riding and even beautiful photo sessions to capture happy moments in both memory and a photo album.
Bowling
A classic option for large or small groups, children, and adults is bowling. Regardless of the weather, it's always a great pastime. During the game, you can socialize and compete in friendly battles.
Quad Biking
For an adrenaline-filled weekend full of excitement and speed, gather a group of friends and take the wheel of a quad bike. After a briefing, even beginners can enjoy this thrilling activity. Children are allowed to drive independently from the age of 10 (accompanied by parents), and as passengers with adults from the age of 2.
Escape Rooms
Visiting an escape room won't leave anyone indifferent – it's an exciting and intellectual entertainment that bad weather cannot hinder. In just an hour, you'll enjoy adventures and spend quality time with friends.
Laser Tag
For an unusual activity, visit a laser tag arena with your children. This is an excellent idea for a birthday party, especially when you need to entertain a large and active group. Laser tag offers adrenaline, activity, and excitement – everything kids and teenagers need.
Remote-Controlled Off-Road Vehicle Games
Give your children an exhilarating experience by letting them play with remote-controlled off-road vehicles. They can tackle extreme tracks, sands, suspension bridges, and rocks, feeling like real racers.
Petting Zoos
Everyone loves zoos, especially those where you can interact with the animals. At "Zviropolis," you can meet over 20 species of animals, pet and feed them, and observe their games and habits up close.
Ice Skating
A great option for active weekends with a child, partner, or friends is ice skating. Indoor ice rinks provide safe and enjoyable conditions regardless of the weather.
Romantic Rooftop Date
An incredibly beautiful and original idea for a weekend together is a romantic rooftop date. Imagine the evening lights of Kyiv, champagne, fruits, soft music, candles, a cozy blanket, and just the two of you.
Kyiv's Parks and Squares
Kyiv might not be as green as it was many years ago, but cozy nature spots like parks, alleys, and squares can still be found in various parts of the city. Here are some of the best places for walks, romantic dates, and photo sessions:
Urban Park VDNG A popular place for walks and family leisure, hosting interesting events year-round. In winter, it features a winter village with an open-air ice rink and Christmas market. In summer, it offers trampolines, a summer pool, segway and drift car rentals, music concerts, movie screenings, children's quests, festivals, and exhibitions.
Muromets Park (Friendship of Peoples Park) Part of the large Dnipro park area, where "X-park" is located – a park for water and extreme activities: wakeboarding, SUP, kayaking, cycling competitions, and a cold water swimming club, among other activities.
Victory Park A green oasis in the Dnipro district of Kyiv with a lake, rides, children's and sports playgrounds, boat and catamaran rentals, a recreation area, and many benches.
Partisan Glory Park The largest park on Kyiv's left bank, with paved paths, fountains, stages for performances, children's playgrounds, a rope park, and bike rentals.
Natalka Park and Obolon Embankment A blooming park with benches, sculptures, a bike path, outdoor fitness area, children's playgrounds, and picturesque terraces for relaxation and dining.
Rusanivska Embankment A beautiful embankment on Rusanivka with cafes, playgrounds, and a fantastic view of the water.
Ivan Bahrianyi Park A cozy park near Shuliavska metro station with playgrounds and a rope park.
KPI Park A popular place for walks near the buildings of Kyiv Polytechnic Institute, featuring landscaped paths and historic buildings.
Vinogradar Park The only coniferous park in Kyiv with playgrounds, rides, and picnic areas.
Syretsky Park A park with a children's railway, active play areas, photo sessions, and a rope park.
Holosiivskyi Park Named After M. Rylsky A large park with lakes, paths, bike rentals, kayaks, picnics, playgrounds, tubing hills, and the "GoloseevSkiy Park" ski complex.
Taras Shevchenko Park A park in the center of Kyiv with blooming flower beds, benches, sculptures, playgrounds, dance lessons, and workshops.
Mariinsky Park A blooming park with viewing platforms, benches, fountains, playgrounds, and cafes.
Park of Eternal Glory A park with an obelisk, an alley of fallen heroes, and picturesque city panoramas.
Hydropark A large recreation area with beaches, rides, sports towns, paintball clubs, and the "Kyiv in Miniature" museum.
Volodymyrska Hill A park-monument above the Dnipro River with viewing platforms, romantic paths, playgrounds, and fountains.
Nyvky Park A park with rides, boats, a shooting range, playgrounds, bike rentals, and play areas.
Vidradnyi Park A park with a large playground, rope town, drinking water fountain, barbecue area, and picturesque lake.
Kyoto Park A long park along Brovarskyi Avenue with a sakura alley, Chinese corner, sports areas, and children's attractions.
UNIT City Innovation Park A green area in UNIT City with art exhibitions, relaxation zones, and a cafe.
The Best Places for Walks Outside Kyiv
Park Kyivan Rus 40 km from Kyiv, you can immerse yourself in the atmosphere of ancient Kyiv with wooden fortresses, defensive structures, horseback riding, archery, and traditional dishes.
Dobropark Dobropark features lavender fields, a lake, a summer pool, glamping, bike rentals, a Ferris wheel, and other attractions, making it an ideal place for photo sessions and family recreation.
Feofaniya Park Beautiful and well-maintained, Feofaniya is wonderful year-round with paths, fountains, flower beds, and gazebos.
Mezhyhirya A national park near Kyiv with picturesque landscapes, a zoo, a retro car museum, restaurants, playgrounds, and a dog training center.
Sakura Island A park in the village of Volodarka near Bila Tserkva, styled in Japanese fashion, with gazebos, Torii gates, a waterfall, a playground, and a zoo.
Kyiv and its surroundings offer plenty of activities and attractions for an unforgettable weekend. Explore, relax, and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of the Ukrainian capital!
