Woodcarving Workshop with Jan Merhaut

Come and try working with wood at a workshop that welcomes both children and their grown-ups.

At the start, you'll get to choose from a variety of wooden blanks – from farm animals like horses, hens and cats, to wild creatures such as foxes, wolves, bears, unicorns and dragons. Under the guidance of woodcarver Jan Merhaut, you'll use carving knives, chisels, files and paints to shape your chosen figure according to your imagination and skills. Every child leaves the workshop not only with a toy, but also with a sense of pride and joy from their own creation.

Working with wood by hand supports concentration, fine motor skills, patience and creativity. And because wood is a warm, living material, children naturally form a bond with it – learning respect for natural resources and the value of human work.

The whole process takes place in a safe and friendly environment, where performance isn't what matters – the joy of creating is. As a parent, you can join in too – help younger children, or try carving your own creature and share a moment of quiet focus together in the middle of a busy day.

Duration: ongoing throughout the afternoon, no registration required The workshop is suitable for children from around three years old (with parental help) up to older schoolkids and their parents.

Come and create with your kids, discover the texture of wood, and return for a moment to the roots of childhood joy – the joy of things made with your own hands.

Workshop led by Jan Merhaut – has been making wooden toys since 2010, when the Waldorf kindergarten in Prague-Petřiny approached him to prepare toy blanks and run a woodcarving workshop. The event was a success and grew into a long-term collaboration. Today, Jan Merhaut supplies his animals to many schools and kindergartens inspired by Waldorf pedagogy, as well as to other associations and institutions. Above all, he supplies parents who want quality wooden toys for their children – both finished pieces and blanks that families can complete together.

Admission – depending on the size of the toy, usually around 100 CZK

Accessibility – suitable for children and teens, dog-friendly, wheelchair accessible

Vibe check – intimate event (up to around 30 people), quiet event (no loud music, shouting etc.), seating available, outdoor space

Organised by – Hračky-Merhaut Experienced woodcarver Jan Merhaut makes wooden toys, mainly animals. He runs woodcarving workshops at public events such as fairs and festivals, as well as for schools and various interest groups.