Let's begin our journey with one of the most famous places on the region's map - the Nicolaus Copernicus Museum in Frombork. Located in the cathedral complex, where the great astronomer spent much of his life, the museum offers an extraordinary journey through the life and discoveries of this outstanding scientist. Children will be delighted by the interactive stations, where they can conduct astronomical experiments on their own and understand how Copernicus came to his revolutionary conclusions. A special attraction is the planetarium, where the youngest can feel like real space explorers. An interesting fact is that in 2010 scientists found and identified the remains of Copernicus right in frombork cathedral, which adds an extra emotional dimension to a visit to the museum.

Moving from heaven to earth, visit the Borderland Museum in Działdów, which offers one of the most modern interactive exhibitions devoted to the state of the Teutonic Order. The museum is housed in the restored town hall and presents the fascinating history of the Polish-Teutonic borderlands. The youngest visitors can try on replicas of knightly armor, take part in medieval craft workshops or learn about the secrets of everyday life in the Teutonic castle. The exhibition uses modern technology - touch screens, holograms and sound effects that transport visitors into the middle of the medieval world. Local legend has it that monastic treasures were hidden in the basement of the town hall, which are still waiting to be discovered.

The next point on our route is the Museum of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, housed in the Gothic castle of the Warmian chapter. It is here, on one of the walls of the cloister, that you can admire a unique astronomical plaque made by Nicolaus Copernicus with his own hands. The museum offers a rich educational program for children, including workshops in ancient crafts, lessons in Gothic calligraphy or demonstrations of knightly combat in the castle courtyard. Of particular interest is the archaeological exhibition presenting finds from the Prussian period, including mysterious artifacts related to the pagan beliefs of the ancient inhabitants of these lands. Children can take part in an 'archaeological adventure' where they discover replicas of historical objects hidden in the sand under the guidance of specialists.

Completing our journey through the medieval history of the region is the Warmia Museum in Lidzbark Warmiński. The castle of the bishops of Warmia, which houses the museum, is a true gem of Gothic architecture. Here history comes alive with reconstructions of the bishop's chambers, the audience hall or the castle chapel. The museum is famous for its collection of portraits of the bishops of Warmia and unique Flemish tapestries. A special tour 'In the Footsteps of Warmian Ghosts' has been prepared for the youngest, during which they will learn mysterious stories and legends related to the castle. One of them is the story of the White Lady - the ghost of Princess Barbara Radziwill, who, according to legends, appears in the castle chambers during a full moon. Interestingly, the castle is connected to the summer palace of the bishops by an underground tunnel, which, according to legends, led all the way to Frombork, allowing the bishops to escape quickly in case of danger.

An unusual trip back in time is offered by the Folk Architecture Museum - Ethnographic Park in Olsztynek, one of the largest open-air museums in Poland. In an area of over 90 hectares, dozens of wooden architecture objects from Warmia, Mazury, Powiśle and Little Lithuania have been collected. Walking among the historic cottages, windmills, church or inn, you can feel the atmosphere of the old countryside. Especially fascinating for children are the workshops of old crafts - you can make your own clay pot, bake bread in a traditional oven or learn how to weave wicker baskets. It is worth knowing that the open-air museum in Olsztynek has an unusual history - it was founded in 1909 in Königsberg (now Kaliningrad), and after World War II moved to Olsztynek. Some of the buildings are more than 300 years old and hide fascinating stories of the families who inhabited them. Local guides tell of mysterious signs carved on the ceiling beams, which were supposed to protect the householders from evil forces.

Continuing your journey through the region's folk traditions, visit the Museum of Folk Culture in Węgorzewo. Housed in a historic train station complex, this institution presents the cultural wealth of the Polish-Lithuanian-Belarusian borderland. Particularly valuable is a collection of folk sculpture and an exhibition devoted to traditional professions - blacksmithing, pottery or weaving. Children can take part in workshops on glass painting, making spiders from straw or folk cut-outs. An unusual attraction is the Folk Art Gallery, where the works of contemporary folk artists, who continue the traditions of their ancestors, are presented. An interesting feature is the 'Garden of Stones' - a lapidarium displaying millstones, gravestones and border stones that tell the story of the multicultural borderland. According to local legends, some of these stones have magical properties and grant wishes to those who touch them.

The Masurian Museum in Szczytno, located in the neo-Gothic building of the former town hall, is the next stop on our route. The exhibition presents the history and culture of Masuria, with a focus on crafts, folk art and the daily life of the former inhabitants. Children will be delighted with the collection of old folk toys, made of wood, straw or clay. The museum organizes workshops on the creation of traditional Mazurian musical instruments, such as the 'devil's fiddle' and the burczybas. A unique exhibit is a reconstruction of a Masurian chamber from the turn of the 20th century, where one can see what the daily life of a Masurian family looked like. Of particular interest is the history of Masurian tales and legends, which the guides tell during the tour. One of them concerns Old Kiejkut, the legendary chief of the Prussian Galind tribe, who, according to legends, still guards the treasures hidden in the surrounding lakes.

Completing our journey through the folk traditions of the region is the Elblag Museum of Archaeology and History, located in the historic St. Spirit post-hospital complex. The museum presents the fascinating history of the city, from its founding by the Teutonic Knights in 1237, through its heyday as a Hanseatic city, to the present day. Of particular interest is the archaeological exhibition presenting finds from excavations carried out in the Old City after the destruction of the war. Children can take part in archaeological workshops where, under the guidance of specialists, they discover replicas of historical objects hidden in specially prepared stands. An unusual attraction is the exhibition 'Truso - the lost city', dedicated to the legendary Viking port that existed in the vicinity of Elblag in the early Middle Ages. According to recent research, Truso was one of the most important trade centers in the Baltic Sea basin, and its inhabitants maintained contacts with distant lands, as evidenced by Arabic coins and Scandinavian ornaments found there.

Warmia and Masuria are not only rich in history and folk traditions, but also fascinating nature. The Museum of Nature in Olsztyn, a branch of the Museum of Warmia and Mazury, offers an extraordinary journey through the region's ecosystems. The interactive exhibition 'Nature of Warmia and Mazury' presents the richness of the flora and fauna, with particular emphasis on endemic and relict species. Children will be delighted with dioramas depicting natural environments - from peat bogs and lakes, to primeval forests and meadows. A special attraction is the nature workshops, during which the youngest can learn the secrets of the work of an ornithologist, entomologist or botanist. The museum has a unique collection of butterflies, including rare specimens from around the world. An interesting feature is an exhibition devoted to the European beaver - an animal that is almost extinct in Poland, but thanks to protection programs is again inhabiting Mazurian rivers and lakes in large numbers. According to local guides, some beavers build dams more than 100 meters long, thus changing the landscape of entire river valleys.

For lovers of military history, a visit to the Museum of Military Equipment in Mragowo will be a real treat. This private facility, founded by a military enthusiast, displays an impressive collection of military vehicles, uniforms and equipment from World War II and the communist era. Children can go inside a T-34 tank, try on a soldier's helmet or see how military radios work. Particularly interesting is the exhibition dedicated to the Mazurian Artillery Brigade, which was stationed in Mragowo from 1949 to 1998. The museum organizes reconstruction shows, during which you can see military vehicles in action. An interesting feature is the collection of everyday items from the communist period, which accompanied soldiers in the barracks - from the characteristic aluminum menaeas to the now iconic 'Snezka' radios.

To conclude our museum journey, it is worth mentioning two places that combine traditional museology with modern forms of presentation. The first is the Archaeological and Historical Museum in Elblag, which, in addition to the archaeological exhibitions already mentioned, offers a multimedia exhibition "Elblag - new from the beginning. Using modern technologies - 3D projections, touch screens and augmented reality - the museum tells the fascinating story of a city that had to be born again after the destruction of war. Of particular interest is a virtual reconstruction of medieval Elblag, allowing visitors to travel back in time and see what the city looked like during its heyday.

The second site is the Warmia Museum in Lidzbark Warmiński, which has undergone extensive modernization in recent years. The modern exhibition 'Between East and West' presents the complex history of the region, which for centuries was at the crossroads of different cultures and political influences. Using multimedia and interactive installations, the museum shows how the identity of Warmia - a land that was part of the Teutonic state, later a bishop's duchy, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, Prussia and finally Poland - was shaped over the centuries. Of particular interest is an exhibition devoted to Ignacy Krasicki - poet, fabulist and bishop of Warmia, who resided in Lidzbark castle in the 18th century. Children can take part in literary workshops inspired by the works of the 'prince of poets'.

Warmian-Masurian museums offer much more than expositions behind glass cases. They are places where history comes alive, where you can touch it, smell and taste it. They are spaces of dialogue between past and present, between adults and children. Each of the museums described has its own unique atmosphere and character, but they all have one thing in common - a passion for telling history in an engaging and inspiring way. When planning a family weekend in Warmia and Mazury, it is worth including in the program a visit to these fascinating places that not only teach and entertain, but also build intergenerational bridges and strengthen family ties.