ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s capital is home to approximately 866,000 residents and last year was visited by 642,100 tourists. Since each figure includes a fair number of children, the question becomes, “what entertainment programmes does the city offer for them?”
Photo credit: Khan Shatyr. Dinosaurs Park
Stolichniy (Capital) Park is an ideal place to walk and relax with a child while simultaneously boosting his or her overall health. It is surrounded by beautiful architecture and has fascinating natural beauty. Have fun on amusements such as roller coasters, merry-go-rounds, little trains and other entertainments.
Photo credit: Voxpopulli. Presidential Park
Roam Presidential Park, situated close to the Palace of Peace and Harmony, which does not have rides but is perfect for walking and bike riding. Rent bikes for all members of your family and see the beautiful water canal with its flowers, bushes and trees. Many paths are made of natural stone and can lead you to amazing places and views of the left bank of the Yessil River.
Mimioriya Family Art and Development Centre at the Saryarka Mall is a wonderful place to help your child develop while having fun. It is unique, as there are no similar projects in the city. The centre, designed specially to develop children, is divided into three parts according to age. Amusements Tree is for youngsters of three to six and has huge low branches with natural fruits which they can easily reach. The area is also filled with a variety of toys. Parents can either join their kids or relax, because professional and experienced babysitters are on hand. Sea Adventure, designated for those 6-12, has a huge sailing ship and octopus. Craftsmen’s Village is excellent for tapping into creative skills. Children can choose among seven houses to sculpt, bend, cook and draw.
Saryarka Mall and Khan Shatyr Mall are famous for their entertainment. Visit the scary Ghost Busting Panic Room; enjoy Dinosaur Park, travelling millions of years to the Jurassic period; watch movies in an up-to-date cinema or relax in a real tropical water world with sand from the Maldives Islands. After enjoying the sights, have a lunch in the special children’s café and fun in the amusement park.
Photo credit: Khan Shatyr. Sky Beach
Maxim Gorky State Russian Academic Drama Theatre has excellent plays for the younger set. Kids shouldn’t miss them: children’s plays are part of the culture in Kazakhstan.
Capital Circus has gained a fine reputation for its fascinating and entertaining shows. Clowns, trapeze artists, tumblers – the circus has it all. Showtimes and dates are posted on notices throughout the city.
Schoolchildren’s Palace, a unique place in Central Asia, was specially designed for the development of children and young people. The beautiful building is equipped with the most up-to-date facilities offered not only by traditional clubs, but high-tech ones as well. In the Diplomatic Body Club, children can study six languages. In Craftsmen City, kids can choose any of 30 types of athletic training and 20 groups to play musical instruments, draw, engineer and construct, sculpt, dance, sing and try ballet, architecture and design, theatrical art, public speaking, programming, robotic science, model car construction and ship modelling, web design and carting.
