Kazakhstan Family Travel Guide 2025
Everything families need to know for a successful trip to Kazakhstan with kids.
Kazakhstan, the world's largest landlocked country, offers a captivating blend of ancient Silk Road heritage, Soviet-era architecture, and stunning natural landscapes from the Altai Mountains to the Caspian Sea. Experience nomadic traditions in Central Asia's economic powerhouse, where futuristic capital Astana meets historic Almaty at the foothills of the Tian Shan mountains.
Top Family Activities
The best experiences for families in Kazakhstan.
Kok-Tobe Hill Cable Car and Amusement Park
Take the cable car from central Almaty up to Kok-Tobe Hill for panoramic city and mountain views. The hilltop features a small amusement park, zoo with exotic animals, Beatles monument, and cafes — endlessly entertaining for all ages.
Medeu Ice Skating Rink
Skate at the world's highest outdoor ice rink at 1,691m altitude above Almaty. The giant rink set against mountain scenery is magical in winter and autumn. Skate rental available on site for all sizes.
Khan Shatyr Indoor Beach (Astana)
Kazakhstan's most extraordinary family attraction — a real beach with imported sand, wave pools, waterslides, and tropical temperature inside Norman Foster's futuristic tent structure in Astana. An unmissable Kazakhstan experience for families.
Almaty Zoo
A well-maintained zoo housing over 4,000 animals including snow leopards, Amur tigers, Bactrian camels, and Central Asian wildlife. The pony ride section and petting area delight younger children.
Shymbulak Gondola Ride
Ride the modern gondola system from Medeu to Shymbulak ski resort at 2,200m for stunning alpine scenery year-round. In summer, hiking trails and mountain restaurants await; in winter, beginner ski lessons available.
Charyn Canyon Valley of Castles Walk
A memorable family adventure through Kazakhstan's answer to the Grand Canyon. The Valley of Castles trail (2km loop) is manageable for older children and the dramatic orange rock formations create lifelong memories.
Atameken Ethno-Memorial Complex (Astana)
An outdoor scale-model park displaying miniature versions of Kazakhstan's most important monuments and landmarks across all regions. An educational and visually engaging way to understand Kazakhstan's geography and heritage.
Activities by Age Group
Find activities suited to your children's ages.
👶 Toddlers (0-3)
- Parks with shaded play areas
- Short, stroller-friendly walks
- Swimming pools at family hotels
- Animal encounters
🧒 Young Kids (4-7)
- Interactive museums
- Easy outdoor adventures
- Cultural shows and performances
- Market explorations
🧑 Older Kids (8-12)
- Historical site tours
- Adventure activities
- Cooking classes for kids
- Nature excursions
👦 Teens (13+)
- Adventure sports
- Photography walks
- Cultural immersion experiences
- Food tours
Complete Family Travel Guide
Family itineraries, packing checklists, and activity planning tips.
Family-Friendly Accommodations
Where to stay with kids.
Rixos Almaty Hotel
The best all-around family hotel in Kazakhstan with an excellent kids club, large indoor pool, family rooms, multiple dining venues, and cinema — everything a family needs under one roof.
Swissotel Wellness Resort Alatau Almaty
A mountain resort outside Almaty with outdoor space, nature access, pools, and ski shuttle in winter. Ideal for active families wanting mountain air and outdoor activities alongside quality accommodation.
InterContinental Almaty
A centrally located luxury hotel offering spacious family rooms, babysitting on request, concierge with local family activities knowledge, and an indoor pool. The central location minimizes transit time to attractions.
Hilton Astana
Astana's most reliable family hotel with connecting rooms, indoor pool, multiple dining options, and central location near Khan Shatyr and Bayterek Tower. Staff are experienced with international families.
What to Look For
- Family rooms or connecting rooms
- Swimming pool (supervised)
- Restaurant with kids' menu
- Babysitting/kids' club services
- Safe, enclosed outdoor spaces
- Proximity to attractions
Kid-Friendly Dining
Where to eat with children.
Most Kazakh restaurants welcome children warmly — Kazakh culture is very child-friendly
Del Papa (Italian) and food courts in MEGA Mall are reliable options for picky eaters
Ask for high chairs (stulchik dlya rebyonka) — available at most mid-range restaurants
Children's portions are not standard in Kazakhstan — share adult dishes or order half-portions
Baursak (fried dough balls) are universally loved by children and available everywhere
Carry snacks and water bottles on mountain and canyon day trips — facilities are limited
Family Travel Tips
Make traveling with kids easier.
Kazakhstan is very safe for families with extremely low violent crime in tourist areas
Pack altitude sickness medication for mountain visits above 2,500m — children can be affected
Tap water is not safe to drink — buy bottled water for children throughout the trip
Download offline maps before mountain day trips as mobile signal is absent in many areas
Children under 7 typically receive free or heavily discounted admission at most attractions
Health & Safety
- Check recommended vaccinations for children
- Pack enough prescription medications
- Bring sun protection and stay hydrated
- Research nearest hospitals/clinics
- Get travel insurance covering the whole family
Plan Your Family Adventure
Get our complete family travel guide with kid-friendly itineraries, packing lists, and activity recommendations.
Download Family Guide