The Slavic Village Museum in Kluki is a unique place on the map of Pomerania, where you can learn about the culture and traditions of the Slavs - an ethnic group that inhabited the area until the middle of the 20th century. The open-air museum is located on the edge of the Slovinski National Park, which adds to its special charm. The historic thatched cottages host handicraft workshops, where you can learn how to weave wicker, weave on traditional looms or make beeswax candles. A fascinating element is the opportunity to participate in a demonstration of smoking fish according to traditional Slovenian recipes. Children are delighted to be able to form the dough for bread themselves, which is then baked in an original bread oven.

Legend has it that the Slovinians possessed supernatural abilities, and some of them could cast charms. To this day, stories circulate in the area about Slovinian quacks who knew the secrets of herbalism and could cast spells. During herbal workshops at the open-air museum, you can learn some of these ancient recipes and prepare herbal mixtures yourself.

Moving to the south of Poland, we find ourselves in Zagroda Wsi Pszczyńska, which is a gem of Silesian wooden architecture. This small but extremely atmospheric open-air museum offers pottery workshops, which are very popular among families with children. Under the guidance of experienced artisans, you can create your own earthenware, which, once fired, becomes a keepsake for years to come. An interesting fact is that the homestead has an original 19th-century bread oven, in which bread is regularly baked according to a recipe passed down from generation to generation.

Few people know that the homestead also has a secret herb garden, where plants formerly used in folk medicine and Silesian cuisine are grown. During the culinary workshops, you can learn how to prepare traditional Silesian dishes, such as 'Silesian sour soup' or 'Silesian noodles'. These workshops are especially appreciated by families who want to pass on knowledge of regional culinary traditions to their children.

The Prof. R. Reinfuss Foothills Village Open-Air Museum in Szymbark is another fascinating place, this time showcasing the culture and architecture of the Foothills and Lemkos. There are more than 20 objects here, including a unique Lemko homestead, a blacksmith shop, an oil mill and a watermill. The biggest attraction for families is the blacksmith workshop, where you can observe the work of a blacksmith and even try your own hand at the craft. Children are fascinated when they see how, under the influence of fire and the power of human hands, a piece of metal is transformed into a horseshoe or a decorative piece.

An interesting story related to the open-air museum is the tale of a Lemko herbalist who had the gift of healing people and animals. His knowledge of the properties of herbs was so extensive that sick people from distant places came to him. During herbal workshops at the open-air museum, you can learn some of his recipes and find out how various ailments were treated in the past with the help of natural ingredients.

The open-air museum of the Lowicz Land in Maurzyce is a real treasure trove of knowledge about Lowicz culture, famous for its colorful costumes and cut-outs. This picturesque open-air museum, located on the Bzura River, offers an extraordinary journey back in time to the 19th-century Łowicz village. One of the most characteristic buildings is the manor house from Zlakow Borowy, which is an example of typical noble architecture of the region. The cut-out workshops are the main attraction for families - under the guidance of masters of this craft, you can create your own colorful cut-outs of Lowicz, which are a symbol of the region.

A little-known fact: the open-air museum has a unique skate bridge from 1829, which is the only one of its kind in Poland and one of the few in Europe. The structure of the bridge is based on the principle of an arch, which was an innovative engineering solution at the time. During the carpentry workshop, you can learn more about ancient construction techniques and learn the secrets of traditional wooden construction.

In turn, the Vistula River Settlement Open-Air Museum in Wi±czemin Polski is a place that tells the fascinating story of the Olêder settlers who came to this area in the 16th century. The Hollanders were masters at developing floodplains, and their land reclamation techniques are still used today. At the open-air museum you can see typical Olêder homesteads, as well as take part in a braiding workshop to learn how to weave wicker baskets - a skill highly valued among the Vistula settlers.

An interesting fact is that the Hollanders introduced basket willow cultivation to the area, which is still characteristic of the Vistula landscape. During the workshop you can learn how different species of willow were used in the past to make not only baskets, but also furniture, fences or even structural elements of buildings. Children are delighted to create their own small baskets to take home as souvenirs.

Skansen - The Mazovian Village Museum in Sierpc is one of the largest and most beautiful open-air museums in Poland, depicting life in the Mazovian countryside at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. More than 80 objects of wooden architecture have been collected on an area of over 60 hectares, creating a complex that captures the atmosphere of the old countryside. Of particular interest are the baking workshops, where you can learn how to bake traditional sourdough bread, and the pottery workshops, where clay vessels are created under the guidance of experienced craftsmen.

Few visitors know that the open-air museum also houses a collection of ancient folk toys, which can not only be viewed, but also learned how to make them during special workshops. Wooden rocking horses, rag dolls or clay whistles - all of these toys can be made with your own hands, which is an unforgettable experience for both children and adults.

Local legend tells of a 'miller's ghost' who is said to still look after the water mill located on the grounds of the open-air museum. According to the story, the miller was so attached to his mill that he refused to leave it even after his death. Some say that on quiet nights the sound of the turning querns can be heard, even though the mill is not running. This story is often told to children during milling workshops, which adds to the mysterious atmosphere.

The Kujawsko-Dobrzyn Ethnographic Park in Klóbka is a place where you can learn about the culture and traditions of Kujawy and Dobrzyn lands. The open-air museum is located in the picturesque valley of the Lubienka River, which creates a unique atmosphere of the place. One of the most valuable buildings is the manor house where Maria Wodzinska - Frederic Chopin's muse and addressee of his proposals - lived. This romantic story gives the place a special charm and is often recalled during music workshops held at the open-air museum.

Weaving workshops are one of the main attractions for families. Under the guidance of experienced weavers, you can learn the basics of the craft and create your own small kilim. An interesting fact is that the open-air museum has a collection of original Kuyavian striped fabrics - distinctive fabrics with colorful stripes, which were used for sewing folk costumes and as home furnishings.

A little-known fact: more than 200 species of medicinal and useful plants grow on the grounds of the open-air museum, which were traditionally used in cooking and folk medicine. During herbal workshops, you can learn to identify these plants and prepare infusions, ointments or spices from them. This is an especially valuable experience for families who want to pass on knowledge of natural healing methods and healthy lifestyles to their children.

Comparing the workshop offerings of all seven open-air museums, there are some similarities and differences. All open-air museums offer handicraft workshops, but each specializes in a slightly different field, specific to the region. The Slavic Village Museum in Kluki is famous for its weaving and herbal workshops, the Pszczyna Village Homestead for pottery and cooking workshops, and the Lowicz Land Open-Air Museum for cutout workshops.

In terms of affordability, the cheapest workshops are offered by the Skansen Osadnictwa Nadwiślańskie in Wiączemin Polski (prices in the 'cheap' category), while workshops at the Skansen - Museum of the Mazovian Countryside in Sierpc are slightly more expensive (the 'medium' category). The most expensive, but also the most extensive workshop programs can be found at the Kujawsko-Dobrzyn Ethnographic Park in Klóbka (the 'expensive' category).

In terms of the variety of workshop offerings, the Skansen - Museum of the Mazovian Countryside in Sierpc definitely stands out, offering more than 20 different types of workshops, from traditional crafts to cooking and music classes. On the other hand, the Prof. R. Reinfuss Foothills Village Open Air Museum in Szymbark, although it has a smaller number of workshops, offers unique blacksmithing classes that cannot be found in other places.

It is also worth noting the seasonality of the offer - some workshops, especially those related to the cycle of agricultural work (harvest, digging, haying), are only available at certain times of the year. The most comprehensive year-round offer is provided by the open-air museum - the Museum of the Mazovian Village in Sierpc, which, thanks to having many buildings with heating capabilities, can hold classes all year round.

In terms of infrastructure for families with children, the best performers are the Open Air Museum - Museum of the Mazovian Village in Sierpc and the Kujawsko-Dobrzyn Ethnographic Park in Klóbka, both of which offer rest areas, playgrounds and refreshment facilities. The Museum of the Slavic Village in Kluki, on the other hand, while having a more modest infrastructure, impresses with its authenticity and intimate atmosphere.

Regardless of the open-air museum you choose, family workshops are a great opportunity to spend time together, learn new skills and explore history in an interactive and engaging way. It's an investment not only in knowledge, but also in family memories that will remain long in the minds of children and adults alike.