Family trip to Baghdad with children. Ideas on where to go with your child

Although Baghdad can hardly be called a popular holiday destination for tourists with children, it still has some attractive places to offer families. Tours of historical sites and most museums can only be of interest to adults, while the picturesque Baghdad Zoo is perfect for kids. It was almost completely destroyed during the war so most of the animals died in the zoo. Specialists began to restore the zoo in the post-war period, and more than a thousand animals live here today.

Over the years, Baghdad Zoo has become the largest and most comfortable in the Middle East, visited by hundreds of people every day. Here, animals from all over the world are kept in spacious enclosures. You will have a chance to see tigers, lions, antelopes, and birds. The territory of the zoo is planted with many beautiful trees and ornamental plants. Artificial ponds are formed in many pavilions. It's a pleasure to explore the zoo even on a hot day. Colorful playgrounds and attractions are equipped for children here.

Baghdad has a unique amusement park, which is also one of the largest and most famous in the region - Zawraa Park. Its visitors are invited to enjoy dozens of rides for every taste, including one of the main decorations of the park - a huge Ferris wheel. All kinds of carousels and swings, extreme attractions for thrill-seekers, and playgrounds for the smallest ones are also available in the park. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

The area of the park is also planted with many trees, in the shade of which visitors can find benches. The amusement park features a very beautiful landscape design. Florists form incredibly colorful flower carpets on the ground. It'd be interesting to visit the park even in the evening when its attractions are decorated with spectacular illumination. With small children, it'd be a good idea to visit the city's shopping and entertainment centers. Almost all of them have children's rides installed inside. Comfortable shopping centers are a great option for those who do not like spending time outside on a hot day.

With older children, head to the Baghdadi Museum, the city's main museum offering many interesting entertainments in addition to regular tours. You'll be offered to arrange an original photo shoot in an oriental style, try on old national outfits, and hold authentic historic artifacts in your hands. Many thematic expositions are formed in the main museum. Kids will definitely like taking pictures sitting on a life-sized camel statue. This museum is one of the most attractive for visiting with school children.

If you like spending family time in the fresh air, be sure to take a walk in the picturesque Al-Sijood Park. It is located on the banks of the Tigris River near the palace of the same name, which has been the seat of government for years. Today, the well-maintained park is striking with its scale and beauty, being one of the favorite recreation spots for both locals and tourists. Besides majestic trees and ornamental plants, the park is decorated with gorgeous fountains and pools, so it is nice to spend time here even in hot weather. The park has many comfortable walking paths, as well as comfortable recreation zones with benches equipped at the fountains. There are always a lot of tourists with children in this picturesque place.

Al Mansur Mall has many interesting entertainments for young families. Besides dozens of shops, some great cafes serve customers here. Be sure to try popular types of ice cream and other desserts with your kids. Small children will love original rides and playgrounds, next to which there are recreation areas for parents. Well-equipped recreation areas and restaurants with open-air terraces are also available on the adjacent territory near the center.

With older children, you can go on exciting tours of the city’s outskirts. Take a jeep ride through amazingly beautiful desert areas and observe wild animals in their natural habitat. Even though Baghdad is a large modern city, some authentic settlements can be visited as part of sightseeing tours in its vicinity. Much of the city's infrastructure was destroyed during the war, but Baghdad is actively recovering to offer its guests more and more interesting activities with each passing year.