Family Activities in Almaty

Families in Almaty get a good mix of rides, animals, parks and mountain air, and most of it sits close to the centre. Child tickets are cheap, with several free age bands. Prices are in tenge (KZT), at roughly 470 to 490 to the US dollar in 2026, and several sites are easier with a little cash in hand.

Kok-Tobe hill park

Kok-Tobe is the main family outing, reached by a cable car of about 6 minutes (see koktobe.com ). Children aged 6 to 12 pay about 5,000 KZT round trip or 3,000 KZT one way, and children under 5 ride free. Entry to the park costs nothing. On top you will find a Fast Coaster at about 4,000 KZT for a child, a Ferris wheel at about 2,500 KZT for a child, a mini-zoo at about 3,000 KZT, a steam train at about 1,000 KZT, a climbing wall and a rope park. Rides add up fast, so set a budget before you reach the top. Cable car hours stretch late into the evening, but confirm them on the day.

Almaty Zoo

The zoo is at Esenberlin Street 166, beside Central Park, and has run since 1937. An adult ticket is 1,427 KZT. Children aged 7 to 12 pay 562 KZT, and under 7s enter free. Opening hours vary, so look them up on almatyzoo.kz before you set out.

Central Park

Central Park, also called Gorky Park, has a lake with boat hire and a small narrow-gauge railway for children that has run since 2006. It is a relaxed place to burn off energy after the zoo next door. Check prices and hours at the gate.

Shymbulak in summer

A gondola ride up to Shymbulak suits families who like mountains. Children aged 6 to 14 pay 4,000 KZT round trip, and under 6s ride free, against 12,000 KZT for an adult. The station sits at about 2,260 m and the highest ropeway reaches about 3,200 m, so expect cold air and possible altitude headaches. Pack warm layers even on a hot day in the city, and check lift status before you leave. Lifts close for maintenance in spring and before the winter season.

Gentle nature outings

Ayusai waterfalls. The route passes three waterfalls and runs roughly 8 to 10 km return, so allow 2 to 3 hours and bring snacks and water. The visitor centre is about 30 minutes from the centre, and the eco-post fee was 506 KZT in a 2025 listing.

Turgen Gorge. About 70 km east of the city, Turgen has waterfalls and trout farms near its visitor centre, which opens from 09:00 to 18:00 on weekdays and until 20:00 at weekends.

A rainy-day museum

The Central State Museum of Kazakhstan lets preschool children in free, and a schoolchild ticket is 300 KZT. It is open from 09:00 to 18:00 and closed on Tuesday. Foreign visitors pay 5,000 KZT without a guide.

Family tips

  • Keep to marked trails on mountain outings, and stay clear of rivers, which run fast and cold in steep concrete channels.
  • Winter pavements are icy and icicles fall, so choose shoes with grip.
  • The Medeu ice rink is closed for reconstruction, so do not plan a skating day there.
  • Winter smog from November to February can be heavy, and the slopes at Shymbulak sit above it.

Read more: attraction tours in Almaty and group activities in Almaty . Family tours can be compared on GetYourGuide .