You can paint pottery, explore interactive installations, discover animals or see a show. Bucharest offers plenty of options for a rainy day during the school holidays when you want to spend time together, with activities suited to different ages and budgets.

We have selected five indoor venues and checked the practical information on their official websites. You can organise the games suggested below yourselves; they do not require joining a workshop led by an activity leader or guide.

1. Made by You: paint your own pottery

At Made by You, you choose an unfinished ceramic item and decorate it using the studio’s paints and tools. You can each work on your own piece or choose a shared theme: animals, a holiday memory or a gift for one another. It is an activity that gives parents something to do alongside their children.

The studio recommends allowing approximately one hour per item, or two to three hours for more elaborate designs. The pottery stays at the studio for firing and, according to the published information, can be collected after 3–5 days. Allow for a return visit to pick up your finished pieces.

• Address: 57 Strada Silvestru, Sector 2.

• Opening hours: Wednesday–Friday, 14:00–20:00; Saturday–Sunday, 11:00–20:00; closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

• Cost: you pay for the item you choose; paints, tools, basic guidance and firing are included. Examples listed on the website include items priced at 49, 55, 64 and 86 lei. The final price depends on the piece available at the studio.

• Reservations: recommended at weekends, during holiday periods and for groups; telephone 0748 036 688.

• Official website: Made by You, with sample prices.

2. MINA Kids: interactive play with a parent

At MINA – Museum of Immersive New Art, MINA Kids features interactive installations for children aged 3–9. It is an option for children who enjoy exploring and taking an active part. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Let your child choose the first installation, then work out together how it works. When booking, check exactly which ticket you are selecting: a MINA Kids ticket does not automatically include admission to the museum’s other exhibition spaces. It covers the children’s area and the temporary exhibition in the lobby.

• Address: 2–4 Strada George Constantinescu.

• Getting there: near Pipera metro station.

• Published general opening hours for MINA Bucharest: Wednesday–Friday, 12:00–20:30; Saturday–Sunday, 10:00–21:10. For MINA Kids, choose an available time slot in the ticket calendar.

• Standard MINA Kids prices: 70 lei per child, 30 lei per adult; children under 3 enter free. One adult and one paying child therefore pay 100 lei, before any applicable discounts.

• Contact: 0753 885 500.

• Official website and bookings: MINA and MINA Kids tickets.

READ ALSO: Autumn school holiday in Bucharest: six museums where children discover more than just exhibits

3. Antipa Museum: turn your visit into an observation game

At the Grigore Antipa National Museum of Natural History, you can plan your visit around the animals that interest your child. There is no need to explore every room. Choose a few exhibits and compare how the animals move, hide or adapt to their surroundings.

Try a simple challenge: take turns choosing an animal and giving the other person three clues to identify it. Families visiting during the school holidays also have a budget advantage: the official website lists children up to the age of 18 during school holidays among those eligible for free admission. Special activities may require separate registration and fees.

• Address: 1 Șoseaua Kiseleff, Sector 1.

• Getting there: Piața Victoriei metro station, on lines M1 and M2.

• Until 31 October: Tuesday–Sunday, 10:00–20:00; last admission at 19:00.

• From 1 November: Tuesday–Friday, 10:00–18:00, last admission at 17:00; Saturday–Sunday, 10:00–19:00, last admission at 18:00. Closed on Mondays, except when special opening arrangements are announced.

• Admission: adults, 32 lei; schoolchildren and university students, 8 lei unless eligible for free admission; preschool children enter free.

• Official website: Antipa – opening hours, prices and free admission.

4. Țăndărică Theatre: a story you can continue at home

A performance at Țăndărică Theatre can be the starting point for an entire afternoon together. Afterwards, you could invent a different ending or draw your favourite character. A conversation can begin naturally with a scene that made you laugh or a decision one of the characters made.

Choose according to the recommended age and running time, as well as the title. For example, in the repertoire presented on the website, “Albă ca Zăpada” (Snow White) is recommended for ages 4 and above and lasts 55 minutes, while “Aventurile unui prieten imaginar” (The Adventures of an Imaginary Friend) is recommended for ages 5 and above and lasts 60 minutes. Being part of the repertoire does not mean a show runs every day: check the calendar for your chosen date.

• Address: Lahovari auditorium, 24 Strada General Eremia Grigorescu.

• Schedule: varies by performance; check the date and time before purchasing tickets.

• Published standard prices: 35, 40 or 45 lei per person, depending on the seat. For one parent and one child, allow 70–90 lei, excluding online booking fees.

• Admission requirement: every audience member needs a ticket, including children of all ages.

• Box office: 021 315 23 77.

• Official website: Țăndărică Theatre – programme and ticket prices.

5. The Museum of Maps: discover countries, ships and old worlds together

At the National Museum of Maps and Old Books, you can plan a little exploration for children interested in travel, geography or stories. Look for places you have read about together and notice the differences between old maps and those we use today.

To continue the activity at home, draw a map of your neighbourhood or an imaginary island. Your child can decide on the route, the symbols and where to hide some treasure. This is a family game you can adapt to your child’s age, without depending on a scheduled museum workshop.

• Address: 39 Strada Londra, Sector 1.

• Regular opening hours: Wednesday–Sunday, 10:00–18:00; closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

• Prices listed in the contact section: 20 lei for adults, 5 lei for schoolchildren and university students, 10 lei for seniors. Temporary exhibitions may have separate admission charges.

• Free admission: schoolchildren enter free during school holidays; the museum also announces free admission on the last Wednesday of each month.

• Contact: 0740 220 202.

• Official website: Museum of Maps – visitor information and admission prices.

READ ALSO: An autumn day out with your child in Bucharest for under 100 lei: 5 affordable weekend ideas

Opening hours and prices reflect the information displayed on the official websites consulted at the time of publication. Check for any changes and confirm availability before setting off!