Welcome to Debrecen!

visitdebrecen

It’s Good to be a Child in Debrecen

It is good to be a child in Debrecen, not only on Children’s Day but all year round. On weekdays and weekends, in winter and summer, in sunshine and rain, there is always something to do with children, from a playground adventure to water experiences, to puppet shows. We will show you the top 10 child-friendly programs in Debrecen.

1. The Ötholdas Pagony playground is a real game world, it is a must-visit if visiting Debrecen. There are baby swings, mini and round slides, crossroads fields, wooden castles for princesses and princes, and the magical play town among the trees of the Great Forest.

2. Just a few meters away, you could also visit the Great Forest playground where children can climb into the stomach of a giant frog, step on the leaves of water lilies, try slides or run on the multi-level ship. If you get tired, you can relax in the shade of the ancient oak trees or refresh yourself in the buffet next to the playground or in the child-friendly Krúdy Restaurant. 

3. If you want to splash, you can do so in the Aquaticum Mediterranean Adventure Bath in winter and summer. The little ones have a chlorine-free baby pool, while older children can enjoy 12 slides and countless water games. While the children are playing, parents can try the wellness area with a range of sauna sessions available. Embrace the tropical vegetation, it is like being on an exotic vacation.

4.  The Amusement Park in Debrecen is a must-see for families. There is a duck train, a Ferris wheel, a horse-drawn carriage, a small railway, and many evergreen toys are waiting for children here. When the excitement is over, you can also walk through to the Zoo, where you can meet giraffes, kangaroo and tapir babies, and even special species like the collared lizard or the Vietnamese mossy frog.

5. If the weather gets bad, just visit Csemeteliget, the only baby-mother and children’s center in Eastern Hungary. In addition to the countless development sessions, you will also find children play areas and salt sandpit here.

6. For those interested in science, the Agora Science Centre is the place to go. Children can be a part of spectacular experiments, play interactive games, or learn the mysteries of robotics or just don’t get lost in the mirror maze! The botanical garden adjacent to the Agora is famous for its collection of cacti and succulents. You can also see a wide range of plant species in the approximately 15-hectare garden which will surely be an experience to tell in kindergarten or at the school.

7. Fairytale heroes brought to life, quirky puppets, magical sets… as if you were also in a fairy tale. One family-friendly destination in the city center is the Vojtina Puppet Theater. Choose your favorite from many wonderful puppet shows, you will not be disappointed.

8. When you walk downtown, visit the Pagony bookstore in Debrecen. This wonderful little book hub is located in the oldest pedestrian street in the city (Batthyány u. 11). You can read here the best writings of contemporary writers and poets accompanied by delicious coffee or craft cookies. A place where every child from the age of 0 to adolescence will find something to read or a creative developmental game. If you’re lucky, you could even attend a slideshow or craft classes.

9. Whether good or bad weather, the Manóvár Playhouse is an eternal hit. The playhouse located in the heart of the city is deservedly popular. A three-story hiding castle, a tube slide, a kamikaze slide, a giant dollhouse, a giant snake, and more await for the children in the 290 m2 area.

10. Around Debrecen, you can also gain an insight into the world of the Erdőspuszta by choosing to travel on the Zsuzsi Narrow-Gauge Railway. It is a great experience to travel between acacias, pine forests, and oaks and observe the rich flora and fauna. The terminus is Hármashegyalja, where a recreation center, Lake Hármashegyi, a playground, and an educational trail await you. If you make your way to Erdőspuszta, don’t miss the Kerekerdő Adventure Park. You can meet there talking trees, Stone Age pedal boats and many fairy-tale figures, or even test your skills on the cable car, bungee trampoline, and mesh adventure track. 

And that’s not all. Art pedagogy sessions in the Modem or the Déri Museum, cooking at the Séfakadémia, children’s concert with the Kodály Philharmonic or a little paddling in the fountains are all great experiences.

Newsletter