Family Attractions in Torun: 7 places you can't miss
June 11, 2025
Toruń, the city of Copernicus and gingerbread, is a real treasure trove of attractions for families with children. Medieval architecture, fascinating museums and interactive educational spaces mean that a weekend spent in this city will remain long in the memory of both the little ones and their parents. Gothic walls, mysterious legends and the sweet smell of gingerbread create a unique atmosphere that encourages family discovery. Here are seven unique places that are a must-visit during a family trip to Toruń - each offering a unique experience combining fun with science and history.
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Sweet Heritage and Space Travel
The Living Gingerbread Museum is a place that takes visitors on a fascinating journey through the history of Toruń's delicacy. Unlike traditional museums, here history comes to life through interactive workshops led by the Gingerbread Master and the Root Witch. These colorful characters, dressed in period costumes, introduce children to the secrets of gingerbread baking according to a recipe dating back to the 14th century. During the 90-minute workshop, the little explorers knead the dough with their own hands, mold it in wooden molds depicting traditional motifs, and then bake their creations. Interestingly, each mold has its own symbolism - a heart meant love, and a lion meant strength and courage. The oldest surviving gingerbread molds in Torun date back to the 16th century and can be admired in the museum's exhibition.
The museum is located in a historic building, where you can feel the atmosphere of an old gingerbread house. Workshops are held in small groups, which ensures that each child receives individual attention. At the end of the visit, children receive a certificate of gingerbread journeyman and handmade gingerbread. Price-wise, the attraction ranks in the middle category, but the impressions are priceless - children not only have fun, but also learn the history of crafts and traditions of the city.
From earthly sweets we move into space. The W. Dziewulski Planetarium is a place that awakens imagination and fascination with the universe. It is located in a historic neo-Gothic building of the former city gasworks from 1859, which is an architectural curiosity in itself. Under the 8-meter dome, spectacular astronomical shows are displayed, tailored to different age groups. The youngest can attend special screenings such as 'Astromaluch' and 'Miracle Journey,' which tell the story of stars, planets and cosmic phenomena in an accessible way.
The planetarium has a state-of-the-art digital projector that can show three-dimensional images and animations. This allows children to take a virtual trip through the solar system, see the surface of Mars up close or fly through the rings of Saturn. After the screening, take a look at the interactive exhibition 'Geodium', where there are exhibits related to Earth as a planet. There, children can induce an earthquake, tsunami or volcanic eruption on their own, which perfectly complements the knowledge gained during the screening. The planetarium also offers astronomy workshops, where children can build model rockets or observe the sky through a telescope. The price of tickets is affordable, making this attraction accessible to most families.
World of Toys, legends and science
The Museum of Toys and Fairy Tales is a real sentimental journey for parents and grandparents and a fascinating adventure for the youngest. It is located in a historic building in the Old Town, where an impressive collection of toys from different eras is gathered on three levels. The oldest exhibits date back to the beginning of the 20th century, making it possible to trace the evolution of children's entertainment. Particularly valuable is the collection of porcelain dolls, wooden rocking horses and mechanical toys from the communist period, which evoke nostalgic memories in older visitors.
The museum is distinguished by its interactive approach - many of the toys can be touched, run or tried out. Children can play old board games, play with blocks from different eras or run an electric train. There are periodic workshops where the youngest can make traditional toys, such as rag dolls or wooden folk toys. An interesting feature is the collection of fairy tales on vinyl records, which can be listened to on site. Pricing-wise, the museum is accessible, offering family tickets at an attractive price.
Nearby is the House of Torun Legends, a place where history mixes with fantasy. Interactive performances based on local legends await in the medieval cellars of a building on Szeroka Street. Guides dressed as historical figures guide groups, engaging the audience in the stories. Children can learn about the legend of the creation of the crooked tower, the story of the raftsman who saved the city from a plague of frogs, or the tale of Toruń's gingerbread, which had magical powers.
The performances are full of humor, special effects and surprises, which ensures that even the youngest will not be bored during the tour. After the show, children can take part in themed workshops, such as treasure hunts and solving riddles related to the legends. The House of Legends also offers special night tours with flashlights, which adds extra excitement. Tickets are in the middle price range, but the experience makes up for the cost.
The Mill of Knowledge Modernity Center is a modern science center housed in a revitalized building of former grain mills. The six floors house more than 200 interactive exhibits in various fields of science. Children can experiment with the laws of physics, learn the secrets of the human body, discover the principles of optics or acoustics. All this by performing experiments and experiences on their own.
The most popular attractions are Foucault's pendulum, which demonstrates the rotation of the Earth, and 'The River,' a 16-meter-long model showing phenomena occurring in the river current. Children can also enter a giant soap bubble, test the operation of a lever or see how a tornado is formed. The center organizes regular thematic workshops, scientific demonstrations and competitions. An interesting feature is the 'On Revolutions' exhibition, dedicated to Nicolaus Copernicus and his revolutionary heliocentric theory. Tickets are in the middle price range, but take advantage of family tickets, which offer favorable discounts. The center is accessible to people with disabilities, making it an accessible attraction for all families.
Fun outdoors
The Gingerbread Town is a unique playground located near the Old Town Square, which delights with its themed arrangement alluding to Toronto's gingerbread. The place was established in 2014 as part of the revitalization of the Vistula River boulevards and quickly became a favorite spot for families with children. The entire space has been designed to reference the city's sweet tradition - you'll find gingerbread-shaped swings, slides stylized as iced baked goods and sandpits in the form of gingerbread molds.
The centerpiece is an impressive gingerbread castle with towers and bridges, which encourages climbing and playing knights. On hot days, children can enjoy fountains with a wading pool to keep them cool. For parents, there are comfortable benches in the shade of trees, from where they can watch their kids playing. Importantly, the playground is fenced, which increases the safety of the little ones. Admission to the Gingerbread Town is completely free, making it an ideal option for families looking for budget entertainment.
An interesting fact is that the elements of the playground are made of environmentally friendly materials, and the design takes into account the needs of children with disabilities. The place is particularly charming in the evening, when special lighting is turned on, giving the gingerbread kingdom a fairy-tale feel. Local guides tell us that the Gingerbread Town was built on the site where, according to legend, lived the gingerbread maker who was the first to add honey and spices to the dough, creating the recipe for Toruń's famous gingerbread.
The Zoobotanical Garden in Toruń is a place where nature meets education. This small but charming zoo combined with a botanical garden occupies an area of about 3.5 hectares and is located in the historic City Park in the Bydgoski Przedmieście district. The history of the garden dates back to 1797, making it one of the oldest facilities of its kind in Poland. Initially it was a private botanical garden, which over time expanded to include animals.
Today the garden is home to more than 100 species of animals, mainly birds, small mammals and reptiles. Children can see exotic parrots, monkeys, suricates, lemurs or kangaroos up close. A special attraction is the mini-zoo, where the youngest can pet and feed tame goats, sheep and rabbits. The garden organizes regular animal feeding shows, during which the keepers tell interesting facts about the charges.
The botanical part of the garden delights with a variety of plants - from native species to exotic specimens. In spring and summer you can admire blooming rhododendrons, magnolias and azaleas, and visit the palm house with tropical plants. For the youngest, there are educational paths with information boards adapted to their age and nature quizzes with prizes.
The Zoobotanical Garden offers tickets at affordable prices, with additional discounts for families. It's worth knowing that on certain days of the year, such as Children's Day or during the Days of Toruń, admission is free. The garden has a small playground and refreshment facilities, where you can take a break during your visit. Local legend has it that the garden is home to the spirit of an ancient gardener, who takes care of the plants at night, so that they are always beautiful and healthy.
When comparing all seven attractions, it is worth noting that each offers a different experience. For families with young children, the best choice will be the Gingerbread Town and Zoobotanical Garden, where toddlers can play freely outdoors. Older children will appreciate the interactive exhibitions at the Mill of Knowledge Modernity Center and the shows at the Planetarium. The Live Gingerbread Museum and the House of Legends of Torun are attractions that combine education with entertainment and are suitable for children of all ages. The Museum of Toys and Fairy Tales, on the other hand, offers a nostalgic trip that both children and parents will enjoy. In terms of price, the cheapest option is the free Gingerbread Town, while the other attractions offer tickets in the middle price range, often with favorable family options.
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