Astana Family Activity Guide
A family guide to Astana
Travelling to Astana with children is easy once you plan around the weather. Summers are warm and sunny, and winters are severe, so a good family trip leans on indoor attractions when it is cold. This guide lists what is available, what to skip and what to double-check. Costs are in tenge (KZT), and any figure marked as unconfirmed comes from secondary sources.
Best for a freezing day: Sky Beach Club
Inside the Khan Shatyr tent on Turan Avenue, Sky Beach reopened on 1 May 2026. The air is kept near +30C. Tickets are 20,000 KZT for adults and 12,000 KZT for children, and children under three enter free. The price does not change at weekends. Towels and robes are extra. Opening hours are not confirmed, so ask before you set off.
The oceanarium at Ailand
The Ailand complex on the Korgalzhyn Highway has an oceanarium with a 70 m tunnel. In summer 2026 it appeared to be open, but prices, hours and show times are unconfirmed. The aquapark closed on 1 September 2025 for a rebuild, so do not promise children any waterslides. A Ferris wheel of 65 m and a dinosaur Jungle park were announced by Ailand, and their current status is unknown.
Animals
There is no large city zoo. Small private options include the Noah’s Ark mini-zoo in the Park Astana mall and contact zoos inside shopping centres. They suit toddlers and small children, and visits are short.
Mega Silk Way
This large mall on Kabanbay Batyr Avenue is reported to have an ice rink, a cinema and the Happylon play park for children. Check which of these are open and what they cost before going.
Parks and playgrounds
Central Park has playgrounds in summer, and winter brings seasonal ice slides. Locations and prices change annually. Keep children away from the frozen river unless you are on a municipal rink.
City tour for the whole family
The RedBus double-decker takes 1.5 to 2 hours, with departures at 11:00, 14:00 and 17:00. The adult fare is 6,000 KZT, while a child pays 3,000 KZT. A spring 2026 promotion for free child places has ended. The upper deck is exposed, so winter rides need heavy clothing. See visitastana.kz for the booking line.
Dressing children for the cold
From about November to March, wind and temperatures as low as -30C or worse can cause frostbite on bare skin in a short time. Use thermal base layers, a padded coat, snow boots, hats, mittens and a scarf over the face. Limit outdoor time to roughly 20 minutes at a stretch, keep spare mittens and warm drinks, and move between indoor venues by taxi or the light rail.
Getting around
Light rail (Tarlan Astana) started on 16 May 2026 and charges 200 KZT, running about 06:00 to 23:00. Buses are 110 KZT with a card or QR and 220 KZT cash until 30 November 2026. The Astana Times reported the line details at this article . Look for family tours and tickets on Viator .
A word on history sites
Memorials about Soviet-era repression near Astana are sombre and not suitable for young children. Plan a separate adult visit, with the details in the sightseeing guide.
Read more: All Astana activities and animal outings .