When we plan family holidays, we often look for nearby destinations. We want places that do not require hours in a car or on a plane. We also want children to start enjoying adventures from day one. Therefore, Latvia often becomes a natural choice. It attracts families not only because of the short distance and easy travel, but also because of the wide range of family-friendly places. Here you can find some of the best museums in Latvia, amusement parks, adventure parks, educational centers, and beautiful nature spots. These places appeal to both children and adults. So, if you are thinking about a weekend trip or short holidays with kids, Latvia offers many top places for family holidays.
Latvia with kids: TOP places for family holidays – visit these places and we guarantee that a trip to Latvia with children will be much more exciting than usual.
Latvia with kids: TOP places for family holidays
AB park
AB park is the largest amusement park in the Baltic States. It is located only about one hour from Riga. The park covers a huge 28-hectare area. There is entertainment for the whole family, from carousels and small trains for toddlers to larger rides, trampolines, and even virtual reality attractions for older children and adults.
What impressed us most is that all attractions are included in the ticket price. As a result, there is no need to count rides or limit fun. For younger children, there is a whole play town inspired by the animated series Avarijas Brigade. Meanwhile, older kids can spend hours jumping on trampolines, sliding down slides, playing mini golf, riding roller coasters, and enjoying many other activities.
Another major advantage is the water attractions. There are so many that on a hot summer day you can easily plan to spend the entire day here. The children’s water zone is located next to the main attractions and includes slides and water games. A bit further away, you will find a true family favorite – the ERGO water world. This is a huge inflatable water park on a pond, with climbing elements, slides, and obstacles. Most importantly, there is no time limit. One completely unique attraction is a trampoline designed even for the youngest children, where parents can jump together with their toddlers. Here, our whole family had fun, including our youngest, who was only 2.5 years old.
In fact, the park is so large that we discovered some attractions only this year, even though it was already our third visit. You can read more about our full experience in a separate article.
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Tērvete nature park
When visiting Latvia with kids, make sure to visit this place – one of the top places for family holidays! Tērvete nature park is one of the most popular places in Latvia for families with children. It is perfect when you want to escape city noise and spend time in nature. Here, you can walk among fairy-tale characters, wooden sculptures, dwarf villages, towers, paths, and small surprises designed especially for young visitors. A small train also runs through the park.
The large park area is well adapted for families. There are benches, shelters, toilets, and paths suitable even for strollers. The park also has a small butterfly house. This tropical space allows colorful butterflies to fly freely around visitors and sometimes land directly on your hand.
Make sure to wear comfortable shoes, bring snacks, and plan extra time. You will definitely want to stay longer.
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Līvu water park
If you are traveling to Latvia mainly for water activities, this place can easily become number one on your list. It is one of the largest water parks in the Baltic States and operates all year round. During summer, an outdoor area with pools and a terrace by the river also opens.
There are so many slides that it can be hard to choose where to start. Some slides are designed for older children and adventurous adults. They are fast, twisting, and even include a loop. For younger children, there are separate areas with gentle currents, small slides, and warm water.
Līvu water park also has a spa area with saunas, a salt room, and whirlpools. After active water fun, parents will likely want a few minutes of relaxation. Of course, this works best if children are with another adult or already older.
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Riga zoo
And what would Latvia with kids be without a zoo, which is truly one of the top places for family holidays? Riga zoo is one of the oldest zoos in the region. It has operated since 1912 and is located in the green Mežaparks district near Lake Ķīšezers. Here you can see more than 4,000 animals. These include lions, giraffes, hippos, crocodiles, meerkats, lemurs, flamingos, seals, and northern species such as snowy owls and Arctic foxes.
The zoo includes a tropical animal pavilion, an aquarium, bird exhibits, a children’s zoo with domestic animals, and educational areas. Near the entrance, flamingos and seals welcome visitors. Further inside, you will find the lemur terrace, giraffe house, and other special exhibits. Paths are stroller-friendly, and there are rest areas, a café, and playgrounds.
The zoo is open all year round. In summer, you can spend the whole day outdoors. In winter, indoor exhibits featuring cold-loving animals are available.
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Sigulda bobsleigh track
The Sigulda bobsleigh track is one of the few professional bobsleigh tracks in Europe open to visitors. It is located in the scenic Gauja valley, about 50 kilometers from Riga. The track functions both as a sports facility and a tourist attraction.
Built during the Soviet era, the track is still used for professional training and competitions. Latvian bobsleigh and skeleton athletes train here regularly. However, the most exciting part is that visitors can also try rides, even without sports experience.
In warm seasons, a summer ride is available using a special wheeled bobsleigh. It follows almost the entire track but at a calmer pace. It is not extreme, yet very exciting. Children from about six years old can join when riding with parents. In winter, when the track is frozen, visitors can try the “Vučko” bobsleigh. This rubber sled with a driver goes down the icy track almost like professional rides, just a bit slower. Speeds can reach up to 80 km/h, so excitement is guaranteed. For those seeking even more adrenaline, there is the “Vares” attraction. Riders go head-first on their stomachs, similar to skeleton athletes. This activity is recommended from age 16 and leaves a strong impression.
Those who prefer not to ride can walk around the track, climb the observation tower, or watch others. Entrance costs less than one euro, while rides are paid separately.
This is a truly unique place in Latvia. It stands out because of both its location and the chance to experience an Olympic-level track. If you travel with teenagers or want some adrenaline, this will be one of the highlights of your trip.
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Ventspils water park
In Ventspils, water fun is not limited to summer. This park operates all year round, which makes it ideal even for winter family weekends.
Inside, the air temperature stays around 28 °C. In the children’s pool and whirlpools, the water reaches about 36 °C. The wave pool stays at around 26 °C. There is a separate children’s area with colorful figures such as a snake, a bird, and a mushroom. Two slides from a 6-meter height, measuring 53 and 56 meters, suit older children. The park also features a mountain river, wave pool, massage jets, waterfall, water cascade, and underwater currents.
There is also a spa zone with whirlpools, massage showers, steam room, Turkish bath, and aroma sauna. After the saunas, you can cool down in a cold-water pool, use an ice bucket, or try artificial ice flakes, all located in the same spa area.
Visits start from two hours, but longer stays are also available. The park is compact, which makes moving around with children easy. At the same time, there is enough entertainment for the whole family.
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Ventspils adventure park
If you still have energy after water fun, land adventures await nearby. Ventspils adventure park is a large outdoor activity area with options for both children and adults. Here you can ride the all-season sled track, climb “Lemberga Hūte” hill, try rope courses in the trees, or jump on trampolines.
The choice of activities is very wide. Options range from bumper cars, inflatable attractions, and a children’s playhouse to a catapult, laser games, and even disc golf. There is also a driving school that children can try.
Among the available attractions are the all-season sled track, bumper cars, bumper boats, trampoline boats, rope courses in trees, paintball, laser tag, an airsoft shooting range with military equipment, a wake park, a catapult, trampoline complexes, vacuum tube tracks, a spinning rotor, a playhouse, inflatable attractions, a children’s driving school, disc golf, and football and frisbee fields.
Between activities, it is easy to take a break. Nearby picnic areas allow families to sit down, have snacks, and rest before the next round of fun.
In winter, an artificial ski hill also operates. It includes sled tracks, lifts, trampolines, and illuminated ski slopes. With good weather, you can plan an active family weekend even during the cold season.
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Tarzan adventure park
If you have visited Tarzanija near Alytus, you already know what a day full of adrenaline and outdoor movement feels like. In Latvia, the Tarzan adventure park in Sigulda offers even more. It is larger, more diverse, and located in the scenic Gauja valley.
This is the largest outdoor adventure park in the Baltic States. Activities suit toddlers, teenagers, and adults alike. The park is famous for its impressive rope courses in trees, featuring around 100 different obstacles. One of the most exciting attractions is the longest zipline in Latvia. It allows you to glide across the entire Gauja valley and enjoy stunning views from above.
Younger children can try lower-level courses, jump on trampolines, ride sled tracks, or enjoy giant swings. There are also climbing walls, spider nets, a catapult, mini go-karts, and even virtual reality attractions. There is no shortage of activities.
When you finally need a break, the park offers a cozy café. Nearby, there is also a picnic area with views of the Gauja river valley.
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Cēsis space education center
Among active attractions in Latvia, there are also places that inspire curiosity and learning. For space enthusiasts of all ages, a stop in Cēsis is worth it. Here you will find one of the most interesting educational centers in Latvia. It presents science, technology, and the universe in an interactive way, without boring displays or dry facts.
The building has three bright floors full of surprises. You can explore a kinetic floor that reacts to each step and explains how energy can be generated. There is also a Mars exploration zone where children solve tasks and learn how to survive on another planet. A replica of the International Space Station leaves a strong impression, as visitors can explore it from the inside. On the third floor, there is an active zone with astronaut training, a solar system gallery, and a play area for younger visitors.
The center focuses on families and school groups. Therefore, all exhibitions suit different ages. Children do not just listen. Instead, they press buttons, jump, solve tasks, and learn through play.
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Fantasy land “Neonija”
In Valmiera, there is a very unusual family attraction called Fantasy land “Neonija”. It feels like stepping into another world filled with lights, gentle water sounds, bird calls, and glowing wall drawings.
This space covers about 250 square meters and combines light and sound installations. Visitors walk slowly and observe light effects, sounds, and visuals. One of the most interesting areas is the Neonija cave. Here, an old love story is told through symbols and drawings on the walls. Throughout the space, you hear nature sounds, see light reflections, glowing waterfalls, and feel vibrating sounds that enhance the experience.
“Neonija” suits children who can stay calm for a while. It is recommended from around 4 to 5 years old, although older visitors also find it impressive. A visit usually takes about 30 minutes.\
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Cinevilla film town
Sometimes the most memorable family trips come from discovering something truly different. Cinevilla, located near Tukums about an hour from Riga, is one such place. It is an open-air film town, similar to a miniature old Riga. It was built specifically for movies but is open to visitors who want to step into another era.
Here you can walk through old town streets, see a tram, church models, bridges, and military equipment. Everything looks so real that children immediately start playing “like in a movie”. This is no coincidence, as many Latvian films were actually shot here.
For even more fun, you can try on historical costumes, use a green screen, and create your own film scenes. There is also a café on site. Visitors who want to stay longer can even spend the night, as the town includes a hotel.
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Līču Ganības
Between the forests of Tērvete and Jelgava lies a place that feels like a true childhood paradise. Līču Ganības is not an amusement park, but a cozy family-friendly area. Here, children can run freely, while parents relax with a cup of coffee.
What can children do here? A lot. There are more than 20 different activities. These include slides, jumping hills, swings, pedal karts, a fun “train”, mini golf, disc golf, trampolines, and even a velochopter. Activities suit children from 2 to 12 years old. Therefore, families with children of different ages will all find something suitable.
Parents are also considered. There are shelters and tables nearby. You can bring snacks, rest in the shade, or simply watch children play. The park is not huge, so children stay within sight. At the same time, there is enough space to avoid constant running between attractions.
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Turaida castle
Turaida castle stands on a hill near Sigulda, within Gauja national park. It was built in 1214 and is now restored. Visitors can walk through the courtyard, enter the tower, and explore the interior. The castle complex includes museum exhibitions about Livonian history, archaeological finds, and daily life in the Middle Ages.
Nearby, you will find Dainu hill with sculptures dedicated to Latvian folk songs. It is also worth visiting the Turaida church, built in 1750, and Gutman cave, a natural cave linked to the legend of the Rose of Turaida. The entire area is spacious and well maintained. Marked paths, information boards, and rest areas are available.
Tickets are required, but one ticket allows access to the entire complex. The site suits families with children. Paths are clear, and many areas are accessible with strollers.
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Rundāle palace
If you are looking for a calmer yet impressive stop during a family trip in Latvia, Rundāle palace is an excellent choice. It is one of the most beautiful Baroque and Rococo palaces in the Baltic States. The palace is located near Bauska, about an hour from Riga.
Inside, visitors can see restored duke apartments, the Gold and White halls, antique furniture, ceiling paintings, and even a historic kitchen. This is not only a museum. It is also a chance to show children how nobles lived in the past. For those interested, educational programs and special family routes are available.
Behind the palace lies a large French-style park with a rose garden, fountains, and walking paths. The park is very well maintained. There is plenty of space to rest, sit in the shade, or enjoy a picnic. Nearby, you will also find a café, toilets, and a convenient parking area. Everything is adapted for families with small children.
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Ķemeri national park
Ķemeri national park is one of the most beautiful natural areas in Latvia. It is suitable even for families with small children. The park offers many clearly marked routes. You can walk them on foot, use a scooter, or in some areas even a stroller.
The main attraction is the Great Ķemeri bog boardwalk. You can choose a shorter route of about 1.4 km or a longer one of about 3.4 km. Along the way, you can climb an observation tower and enjoy views from above. The landscape is very similar to the Aukštumala boardwalk in Lithuania. If you have visited it, this place will feel familiar. If not, it is worth planning such a walk.
Near the park, you can also find the Kaņieris lake observation tower, bird-watching spots, and various rest areas. The park is rich in mineral springs and sulfur water sources. Because of them, resorts began developing here already in the 19th century.
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Venta rapid (the widest waterfall in Europe)
In the town of Kuldīga, right next to the old town, there is a place you should not miss when visiting Latvia. Venta rapid, also known as Ventas rumba, is the widest natural waterfall in Europe. It is about 249 meters wide and only a few meters high. Therefore, you can approach it very closely. Children usually enjoy watching the river flow widely over the rocks. In spring or autumn, you might even see fish jumping.
On the other side, there is an old brick bridge offering a great view of the waterfall. The surrounding area suits calm walks and picnics. There are benches, paths, and well-kept surroundings. Distances are short, so visiting with small children is easy.
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Daugavpils fortress
Daugavpils fortress is a unique architectural and cultural heritage site of national importance. It covers more than 150 hectares. It is also the last bastion-type fortress in the world. From above, the fortress resembles shapes such as a sun, star, turtle, or even a bat. Today, it is one of the most visited places in Daugavpils. Here you will find the Mark Rothko art center, a weapons museum, craft workshops, and seasonal excursions and events. There is also a modern children’s playground and a large outdoor skating rink.
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Vējiņi underground lakes
Vējiņi underground lakes are a surprising but worthwhile place to visit in Latvia. They are located near the Brasla river. These are the only natural underground lakes in the country. They formed from springs that carved caves in the rock.
The guided tour is short, lasting about 15 minutes. During the tour, the guide shows the caves and explains their formation and underground water paths. The cave itself is about 40 meters long. It is interesting but requires going down and sometimes bending, as the ceiling can be low, in some places only about 90 cm. For children, this can feel like a small adventure, as underground exploration is rare.
Comfortable shoes that can handle moisture are important, as the ground can be slippery.
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Safari park“More”
Near Sigulda, in the town of More, there is a safari park that appeals to families seeking nature-based experiences. Across 170 hectares, more than 500 deer roam freely. These include red deer, fallow deer, and white deer. Visitors can see them along a 1.5 km educational trail. The walk takes about an hour. Deer often come very close, allowing feeding and close observation.
The park has shelters and tables. You can bring snacks and relax while watching animals. Visits require advance registration by phone, as visitor numbers are limited. You can explore independently or with a guide. Guided tours allow children to learn more about deer life and see an antler collection.
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Ventspils international radio astronomy center
The Ventspils international radio astronomy center (VIRAC) is one of the most unexpected places in Latvia. It suits families looking for something different from playgrounds or parks. Located in the former Soviet military area of Irbene, about an hour from Ventspils, the center now operates as a modern research facility. Here, scientists conduct studies in astronomy, space, and radio waves.
What will you see there? A huge parabolic telescope with a diameter of 32 meters, as well as a smaller one nearby. With a guide, you can enter the buildings, walk around the complex, and hear stories about the former secret Soviet military base. The excursion suits older children, especially those interested in technology or space.
The area is large, so comfortable shoes are recommended. Visits must be booked in advance, as the site is not freely accessible.
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