Brno, the capital of Moravia, may not seem like a tourist hotspot at first, but that’s part of its charm. It’s like a story that starts off slow, drawing you in with each chapter. After eight years here, I’ve come to love its safety, comfort, and international spirit—making it one of the most family-friendly cities in the Czech Republic.
With excellent public services, renovated parks, and generous parental leave of up to three years, Brno makes parenting easier. Free public transport for young children and caregivers adds to the convenience, while its growing multicultural community ensures that even non-Czech speakers feel welcome and supported.
Motherhood has given me a fresh perspective on this city, revealing endless family-friendly spaces and opportunities. Join me on my journey through parenting in Brno!
Baby Courses & workshops (0-3)
During my maternity journey, I quickly discovered the importance of having a daily routine of activities with my little one. We attended various baby courses, especially valuable during the winter months, when outdoor time was limited. For me, this experience was more than just a way to fill our days; it became a personal project of sorts—an exciting opportunity to learn about child psychology while connecting with other parents on similar paths.
These classes supported my baby’s development and created a wonderful sense of community among fellow parents. We laughed, shared stories, and cheered each other on through the ups and downs of new parenthood. However, every parent and baby is unique, and rigid schedules can be challenging.
Many of my friends that are mums have asked for recommendations on our favorite activities, so I decided to put together a list and share it here! There are so many classes across Brno, with new ones popping up all the time, but I’ll focus on our favorites—mainly those closer to the city center—along with a few flexible options that cater to different needs. Whether you’re looking for a structured class or a more relaxed experience, there’s something for every family!
Montessori
Before becoming a mum, I didn’t know much about Montessori. I once came across the phrase, “Help me to help myself,” and it inspired me to explore it further with my son. I began by reading The Montessori Baby by Simone Davies and Junnifa Uzodike and The Montessori Toddler by Simone Davies a fantastic resource for new parents. However, I wanted us to experience a Montessori class firsthand, to see a prepared environment for babies and gain inspiration for home.
Montessori is a philosophy that nurtures each child’s natural development to their fullest potential. Babies understand far more than we realise, so I felt it was important to start early. What we loved most about Montessori is that everything in the classroom is accessible, allowing children to choose activities at their own pace and according to their interests.
Montessori centrum (courses) ↗
We first attended the baby course 5-8 months in Montessori centrum. Montessori centrum was the ideal place for meeting other mums with babies, discussing parenting, and playing with many wooden toys in a “prepared environment”. The Montessori classroom is very big, with a meaningfully structured learning space where everything has a purpose and a place. Furniture is wooden, light, and child-sized; learning materials are made to fit in children’s hands, and everything is designed to be open and accessible.
We were a group of 4 mums, we learned and discussed natural education and the main principles of Montessori, how to approach a child, respect and understand the sensitive phases. Veronika Kucharská, an experienced teacher fluent in English, guided us through the sessions. For my surprise, the mothers in the group agreed to speak in English and this was really helpful for me.
Nase Deti – Montessori Kindergarten (open classes) ↗
Nase Deti is a Montessori kindergarten that also offers an external course for parents with children aged 1-3 years. There is an option to take an entire course or only a single class.
Through a sophisticated sequence of activities, children learn to extend their attention spans. Each session includes a presentation on a main topic (such as animals, vegetables, or means of transport), vocabulary development (especially helpful for non-Czech speakers), a group activity, independent work with tools to develop motor skills, an art moment, and finally, a poem and rest period.
While the room is quite small and sparsely furnished, limiting freedom of movement and choice of toys, the overall experience has been incredibly beneficial for my son and inspiring for me to create my own activities for my son at home.
Montessori hub (courses) ↗
The Montessori Hub is a beautiful, modern space with large windows that flood the room with natural light, complemented by lovely wooden toys. It’s the ideal playroom for us, almost like therapy!
We attended many workshops for toddlers (+15 months), led by Alina and Lucia, who prepare the environment by rotating toys. They observe the children, offer activity choices based on their interests, and are always ready to discuss and support. During the workshops, kids can prepare snacks and pour drinks, while parents enjoy a peaceful cup of coffee or tea.
I also appreciate that the Montessori Hub allows us to try out various toys to determine which ones are truly worth purchasing. Parents can even borrow toys for two weeks for 200 CZK.
Sensory games (open classes)
Sensory games are engaging activities designed to stimulate children’s senses—sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell—while promoting cognitive and motor skill development. For us, sensory play has been an inspiring and enriching experience. These activities have helped my son develop concentration, attention to detail, and imagination from a very young age.
We had the opportunity to visit two sensory play programs in Brno: Jaseli and Sensohrátky. Each week, children explored a new theme—from winter animals to means of transport, the human body, and professions—through seven to eight carefully designed sensory activities.
Sensohrátky: A Creative Sensory Experience
Founded by Jana in April 2023, Sensohrátky is a unique sensory play program influenced by Montessori, Waldorf, and Reggio Emilia pedagogy. Previously an English and art teacher in a secondary school, Jana brought her passion for hands-on, creative learning into this project. What made Sensohrátky special was its focus on handmade and upcycled materials, creating a wonderfully messy yet enriching experience.
Currently, the sessions are on pause as Jana welcomes a new baby. However, if you’d like to try sensory play at home, you can borrow from sersensory play aids and materials for a month—a great way to bring the experience into your own space!
Photo credit & activity design: Sensohrátky
Jaseli: Sensory Fun
Jaseli also provided a lovely sensory play experience, particularly suited for younger children. Beyond sensory games, Jaseli features an e-shop with a selection of Montessori toys, sensory play boxes, accessories, and playdough sets. They also offer themed birthday parties, allowing families to celebrate in a creative, engaging environment.
One of Jaseli’s standout programs is Logohřátky—a speech therapy prevention program that integrates sensory play with language development. Designed for children aged 4 to 7+, this group helps build communication skills, vocabulary, and essential school readiness abilities through playful, hands-on activities. We haven’t tried this one yet, but I found the concept really interesting!
Sports
During my postpartum journey, I realised it was the perfect time to start exercising with my baby. Incorporating physical activity not only aided my body’s recovery but also significantly boosted my mental well-being.
As my baby began to crawl, I felt it was the right moment to introduce yoga and exercises designed specifically for babies.It was incredibly rewarding and exciting to start doing something together.
Movement for Mums and Babies – Tess’s Classes & Mama camp
When Zephyros was a newborn, I was thrilled to discover that my amazing dance teacher Tess Nečas Lempartová, the creative mind behind Art Factory, had launched a “Mums & Kids” dance class and postpartum exercise sessions at Yoga ID. Her choreography and music choices are always spot-on, and her classes provide the perfect blend of gentle movement and meaningful connection. They’ve been such a wonderful way for me to bond with my baby while also taking care of myself.
Tess is planning to start new classes for mums and babies in Kuřim in 2025, offering even more opportunities for postnatal exercise and connection in a supportive, welcoming environment. I highly recommend giving them a try—it’s a fantastic way to nurture both your body and mind during this transformative phase of motherhood. You can check out Tess’s Instagram here.
Tess, together with Anna , has also created Mama Kemp, a weekend retreat group focused on healthy movement and dance for mothers and their children. I’m really looking forward to joining one of these retreats!
Yoga Brno: Exercise for mums &babies (open class) ↗
Brno is home to many yoga studios offering classes for mums with children, and one of our top recommendations is the Yoga Brno studio in Zábrdovice. I personally attended classes there during my pregnancy, postpartum recovery, and later for baby yoga. The teachers are exceptional, particularly Hana Lufferová, who specializes in exercises for babies and toddlers and Eva, who is fluent in English and leads postpartum classes.
The studio offers a warm, friendly, and cozy environment, making it easy to unwind with your little one. After class, you can enjoy their well-equipped kitchen, complete with highchairs, coffee, tea, and a microwave. There’s also a beautiful playroom, free for children to use, which makes the experience even more enjoyable.
Yoga Brno became a cherished part of our routine during my baby’s first year, providing not only physical activity but also a welcoming community for mums and kids.
Jogamatka: Yoga for three generations (courses) ↗
Jitka, a physiotherapist, founded Yoga Matka—a studio designed for three generations. The studio offers classes for pregnant women, postpartum recovery, and a variety of sessions for moms with babies and toddlers.
We had the chance to attend just one class at the studio, as we already had other sessions scheduled that day, but it was a truly relaxing and beautiful experience.
Sokol: Gymnastics for toddlers (course) ↗
Sokol is a traditional favorite among Czech parents as a place to take their children for physical activity. It’s a well-equipped gymnasium where kids can develop coordination, balance, and the basics of gymnastics, all while learning the importance of following rules. They have courses from 1 years old, but from my point of view, I would recommend Sokol for children older than 2 years old.
For younger children, I suggest starting with Yoga Brno. This environment is more suited for little ones and offers a gentle introduction to movement and body awareness, setting a strong foundation for future physical activities.
MikroAcro: Acrobatic exercises for toddlers ↗
The acrobatic duo Prokop Štěpánek and Veronika Ghisi started recently a playful exercise for parents and their children based on the principles of yoga, circus pedagogy, and circomotorics developed by Riky Taeymans. These simple acrobatic exercises support the child’s natural movement development and help them build inner strength, balance, and movement coordination. Children establish a strong trust with their parents thanks to the exercises. Exercise offers a new form of rapprochement between parent and child and brings playfulness and creativity into their relationship.
The exercises are designed to support the physical condition of an adult as well. They are so great for both postpartum moms looking to get back in shape and dads looking for a playful alternative to weights or the gym. We loved the energy and the music during the class. Prokop translates everything that is needed in English as well. Find more info here
MikroAcro made its first appearance at Mimi Fest and was a sold-out success—read more about it here.
Credit: MikroAcro
Climbing wall: Ondra Hangar Playground ↗
We haven’t tried this class yet, but it’s high on our list! It comes highly recommended by parents.
If you have a little one at home who’s full of energy and always climbing on everything, the Adam Ondra Hangar Playground is the perfect place to channel that adventurous spirit. As the home base for the Hangar Rockets climbing club, it offers a fantastic opportunity for kids to grow, build self-confidence, and have loads of fun, all while exploring their physical limits and strengthening bonds with their parents.
The Hangar Rockets club offers half-year climbing courses for children as young as 2 years old, which is led by Petra Hedbávná, a former sports gymnast with 24 years of experience, who brings her expertise and passion to every session.
Swimming Pools: A Splash of Fun and Development for Babies ↗
Swimming is such a fantastic activity for babies! It helps boost their motor skills, strength, and coordination, while also building confidence and deepening the bond between parent and child. From a health perspective, swimming promotes a healthy heart, improves sleep, stimulates appetite, and strengthens the immune system. For me, though, the biggest motivator to start swimming early was introducing Zephyros to essential water safety skills, along with the fun and unique sensory experience that comes with splashing around in the water.
Brno is home to plenty of indoor swimming pools that offer baby swimming courses from 6 months old, so there’s no shortage of options. Here are a few to consider: Plaváček, 4Comfort – Jundrov (ZŠ Jasanová), Fontána(Kohoutovice), Lužánky, Kraví Hora, Animáčci(Brno-Královo Pole), Rosnička(Lesná), Filia (Lesná), Hastrmánci (Modřice).
We took a course at Rosnička in Lesná with Denisa, and it was such a wonderful experience. The class lasted for 25 minutes, with an additional 5–10 minutes for the kids to play with water toys. What I loved most about this course was the confidence it gave me to dive underwater with my son! After each session, we’d head to the playroom, which also has a coffee shop—a perfect spot to unwind and enjoy a well-deserved treat.
In addition to these courses, there are indoor and outdoor swimming pools around Brno that are baby-friendly and open to the public: Kraví Hora (indoor & outdoor), Riviera (outdoor), Dobrák (indoor & outdoor), Wellness Orion (indoor), Biotop (outdoor)
Whether you’re looking for a structured course or just want to splash around for fun, Brno has plenty of options for every little swimmer!
Music
Babies are born with an innate awareness of music and rhythm. They have been listening to the rhythm of a heartbeat since they could first hear sounds in the womb. I believe that exposure to music at a young age is very important! Scientific research has shown very early musical training benefits children even before they can walk or talk.
Listening to music at home, singing and dancing with a baby, attending outdoor concerts, music festivals and baby music activities provide an environment for music exploration and can introduce babies to different types of music and musical transition. Music also supports the formation of important brain connections that are made in the first few years of life development.
Yamaha Music Classes: A Joyful Introduction to Music ↗
After Zephyro’s first birthday, we joined Yamaha. Music classes have been a fantastic way to introduce him to music in a small, nurturing group setting. Yamaha even offers trial classes, making it easy to see if it’s a good fit for your child. Finding the right teacher is key, and with multiple locations across Brno, it’s convenient to find a class close to home.
Our first teacher, Lenka Kratochvilová, made the sessions very nice with her charming white seal puppet and her beautiful voice. She sang classic German children’s songs translated into Czech and used rhythmic exercises, music-movement games, stories, and playful activities with props like balls to create a fun and engaging experience. Even though she didn’t speak English, her class was easy to follow, and I picked up simple Czech lyrics along the way.
The following year, we had the joy of attending classes with Lenka Langová, who quickly became Zephyro’s favorite teacher. Her positive energy, warmth, and engaging approach made every session special. Lenka’s friendly octopus puppet and creative themes like “travel” or “nature” brought music to life through songs, movement, and art.
What truly made her stand out was how she kept my little one happy, focused, engaged with the group, and excited about every activity. Music is such a powerful tool for helping children learn to cooperate and connect with others. Singing Czech songs together at home has also become a beautiful way for me to refresh my own Czech skills while creating meaningful bonding moments with him.
Brno Philharmonic: Discovering the World of Instruments (course) ↗
When Zephyros turned 18 months old, we joined the music classes at the Brno Philharmonic. Held at Besední dům, a beautiful venue with vibrant carpets and portraits of classical composers, the sessions were led by the talented musician Míša Kulísková. class began with the “music magician”—a delightful puppet—dramatically opening a violin case to start our adventure.
Míša played familiar classical melodies and Czech songs on her violin or piano, inviting us to sing along and even accompany her. Zephyros was captivated by the music and loved joining in, and singing together also supported his early language development.
What truly stood out was the opportunity to explore a variety of instruments.
Zephyros had a chance to play the piano and experiment with Orff instruments like xylophones, metallophones, and various percussion instruments, discovering their unique sound qualities. These hands-on experiences brought music to life, sparking his curiosity and creativity.
The classes are held in larger groups, so it can be challenging to form personal connections, but we enjoyed the energy a lot. Be sure to book early—registration opens in June, and spots fill up quickly!
Playrooms & Fun Parks
There is a famous saying ”Kdo si hraje nezlobí” which means – A person who plays does not have time to be naughty – I couldn’t agree more!
There are a few playrooms in Brno or coffee shops and restaurants with a kids’ corner, but I’m only going to mention our favorite ”playrooms”. We mainly prefer Montessori-prepared environments, the family points playrooms (read more here), Hlidka Playroom, the Public Library, the VIDA science centrum, and the Pražák’s Palace Playroom of Moravkse Gallery museum (read more here).
Hlídka Playroom: A Cozy and Creative Space for kids & Moms↗
Hlídka playroom has quickly become Zephyros’s favorite playroom in Brno! Ideal for kids ages 0-6, this charming playroom is packed with educational toys, a slide into a ball pit, rocking animals, mini cars, a cozy playhouse, and even a small library corner. The animal-themed decor adds a warm touch and a separate room with small animals is always a hit with the kids.
Parents love the ease of supervising little ones here, with the inviting layout making it simple to relax while they play. Open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (starting at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesdays), the playroom allows you to bring your own snacks, with facilities to warm food and enjoy a cup of herbal tea or Puro coffee from the machine—perfect for a cozy break. Read more about the courses in Hlidka on my article here
Jiří Mahen Library – Children’s Library & Musical Room ↗
There is a department of the Children’s and Youth Library on the 3rd floor. It is divided into four rooms according to the age of the readers and the genre of the books. The library offers a wide range of board games, didactic aids, and toys for loan, as well as an interactive touch table full of educational games, Internet access for children and youth, a place to study, a corner for parents with children, or several places to relax.
We often relax in the kid’s corner, where we read English books (they have few in the library) and recently we discovered a musical library. There are several comfortable places in the library premises where you can listen to music, read, study, or relax, where we also tried the electronic piano in the Music Library of the Central Library. The service is free and the duration of use is 2 hours with the possibility of extension if there are no other interested parties waiting for the service. The small theatre of music also organises musical lectures, expressive therapy, and cultural and educational programs.
VIDA! Children fun science park ↗
VIDA! is easily Zephyro’s favorite fun park in Brno, offering a perfect blend of entertainment and education. Whats really convenient for parents is that it’s one of the few indoor places for kids that’s open on Tuesday- Friday ( 9am-6pm) and weekends Saturday-Sunday (10am-6pm). The moment we approached the entrance shaped like a giant tortoise—he got super excited.
Spread over a massive 6,000 square meters, VIDA offers more than 180 interactive exhibits that help little visitors better understand the wonders of the world around them. The permanent exhibition is divided into six fantastic thematic zones: Planet, Civilization, Human Body, Microworld, and an outdoor area (open from May to September).
The zone six is a special Children’s Science Center just for kiddos aged 2 to 6! Zephyro’s eyes light up when he’s exploring the rocket playground, zooming down the popular toboggan, or splashing around with the water games and windmills. There’s even a ball track, an archaeological sandpit, and a giant piano that’s always a hit! Every visit feels like a new adventure, with so much to discover. One of our favorite areas is the Planet section—My little scientist loves unleashing a tornado, braving the earthquake simulator, and even making a balloon fly!
Pražák’s Palace Playroom: A Free Art-Inspired Play Space ↗
We discovered the artistic playroom in Pražák’s Palace while attending a music class at the Philharmonie, and it’s quickly become a favorite! This playroom is a vibrant space filled with imaginative setups for kids. The best part? It’s open on weekends! (Hours: Wednesday–Sunday: 10:00–18:00, Thursday: 10:00–19:00) with a fully barrier-free entrance from Besední Street, so strollers and little ones can move easily across all floors.
During our first visit, we found a “mammoth” theme with a sandpit for discovering fossils and a big cave perfect for hiding and exploring. Later, this transformed into a “socialist housing estate” theme, complete with kinetic sand for young architects and a climbing frame that’s been featured in previous exhibits. There’s also a train set, small cars, and art puzzles to keep little ones engaged.
This playroom also includes a children’s library, offering books from the Junior Moravian Gallery edition, with popular titles like How to Make a Gallery, How to Paint an Egg?, and How Design is. It also provides the perfect setting for birthday parties!
An unexpected highlight? A note inviting families to take any kids’ clothes they might find useful from the rack or boxes below with a voluntary contribution.
And yes, there’s even a slide in the same building!
The early years of parenthood are filled with discoveries, and Brno’s indoor activities provide more than just entertainment—they create opportunities for growth, bonding, and community. From music and movement to creative play and learning, these experiences nurture both your child’s development and your parenting journey.