What animals live in Czechia?

Czechia has some great wildlife roaming its forests and rivers! You can find red deer, wild boar, and red foxes living in the thick woods. Brown bears and lynx are rarer, but they do show up near the borders with Slovakia and Poland. The rivers and ponds are full of life too — otters, beavers, and many kinds of fish like pike and carp. Carp is actually a big deal in Czech culture — families traditionally eat it for Christmas dinner! White storks nest in Czech villages every summer, and golden eagles soar over the mountain regions. God packed a lot of variety into this small country.

What do kids eat in Czechia?

Kids in Czechia often sit down to a warm lunch of svíčková — that's tender beef in a creamy sauce, served over bread dumplings called knedlíky. The dumplings are soft and spongy, almost like sliced bread loaves, and they soak up the sauce perfectly. It is the kind of meal that fills you up on a cold Central European afternoon. For a snack, Czech kids might grab a párek v rohlíku — a hot dog tucked inside a hollowed-out roll, sold from little street stands. And when there is something to celebrate, families often bake koláče, which are round pastries filled with sweet poppy seeds, plum jam, or creamy tvaroh cheese. Food in Czechia is hearty and homemade, and sharing a meal is a big part of family life there.

How do people say hello in Czechia?

In Czechia, the most common way to say hello is 'Ahoj' (say it like 'ah-hoy') — and yes, it sounds just like what a sailor might shout! For a more formal greeting, like when meeting an adult or a stranger, people say 'Dobrý den' (dob-ree den), which means 'Good day.' Czech is a Slavic language, which means it is related to Polish, Slovak, and Russian. It has some sounds that are tricky for English speakers — like the name of the famous composer Dvořák, which Czech speakers say with a rolled 'r' sound. When missionaries learn Czech to share the gospel there, mastering those sounds is one of their first big challenges!

What sports or games do kids play in Czechia?

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! Kids in Czechia are huge fans of ice hockey — it is practically a national passion, and Czech players have won big on the world stage. Football, which Americans call soccer, is also everywhere, with children kicking balls around in parks and school yards across the country. Rusty wants to add that floorball — a fast indoor game played with a light plastic ball and sticks — is wildly popular in Czech schools and gyms. Kids also enjoy tennis, and Czechia has produced some of the world's top tennis players over the years. So whether it is on ice, grass, or a gym floor, Czech kids stay pretty busy!

What's the weather like in Czechia?

Czechia sits right in the heart of Europe, so it gets all four seasons pretty clearly. Winters can be cold and snowy, especially in the mountains, while summers are warm enough for swimming in the rivers and hiking through the forests. Spring and autumn are probably the most beautiful times there — the countryside turns gold and red, and the old stone cities like Prague look like something out of a storybook. People dress in layers a lot, because the weather can change quickly from one day to the next!

Tell me a fun fact about Czechia.

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! Did you know that Czechia has more castles per square mile than almost any other country in the world? There are over 2,000 castles and castle ruins scattered across the countryside — some perched on rocky hilltops, others hidden in deep forests. Rusty loves this next part: the city of Prague has a famous clock tower called the Orloj, built way back in 1410. Every hour, little wooden figures of the twelve apostles parade past a tiny window in the clock. It has been ticking and turning for over 600 years, and crowds still gather on the cobblestones below just to watch it chime.

What is school like for kids in Czechia?

School in Czechia is taken very seriously! Czech children start school at age six and study nine years of basic school before they can choose a higher path. Subjects like math, Czech language, history, and science are all required, and students often learn English and another foreign language too. One interesting thing is that Czech schools have long valued art, music, and literature — the country has a rich tradition of storytelling and classical music. School days tend to be shorter than in some countries, often ending by early afternoon, which leaves time for clubs and hobbies. Rusty always says that a curious mind is a gift from God, and Czech kids definitely get a chance to use theirs!

Who are the unreached people in Czechia?

Great question! Czechia (also called the Czech Republic) is one of the least religious countries in all of Europe. Most people there do not follow any religion at all — they call themselves atheists or simply say they believe in nothing. That means millions of people in Czechia have never really heard or understood the good news about Jesus. There are also smaller groups that are hard to reach with the gospel, like the Roma people — a distinct ethnic group with their own culture and language who have often been pushed to the edges of society. Many Roma have heard very little of the Bible's truth in a way that connects with their lives. On top of that, there are growing communities of Vietnamese and Ukrainian immigrants in Czech cities who may have almost no contact with Christians who can share the gospel with them in their own language.

How can I pray for the people of Czechia?

Czechia is one of the least religious countries in Europe — most people there do not believe in God at all, and only a small number have ever heard the good news about Jesus. That makes prayer for this place really important. You can ask God to open hearts that feel closed, because nothing is too hard for Him. Here are some specific things to bring to God: Pray that Czech people would hear about Jesus and trust Him as their Savior. Ask God to make the small churches there grow strong and bold. Pray for missionaries serving in Czechia — that they would have courage and open doors to share the gospel. And ask God to raise up Czech Christian leaders who will reach their own neighbors and families with the truth about Jesus.

What is a holiday or celebration in Czechia?

One of the most important holidays in Czechia is Christmas, which Czechs celebrate on December 24th — Christmas Eve. That evening, families gather for a special meal, often including fried carp and potato salad, and then exchange gifts. Many Czech families also put up a Christmas tree and go to church to remember the birth of Jesus. There is also a day called Saints Cyril and Methodius Day, celebrated on July 5th. Cyril and Methodius were two brothers who lived over a thousand years ago and brought the Christian faith to the Czech lands. They even created a whole new alphabet so they could translate the Bible into the language of the people there. Czech Christians still remember them because getting God's Word into people's own language is a very big deal — it is how so many people first heard about Jesus.

What language do people speak in Czechia?

People in Czechia speak Czech, which is a Slavic language — the same family as Polish, Slovak, and Russian. It uses the Latin alphabet like English does, but it adds little marks above some letters, like the háček, which looks like a tiny check mark and changes how a letter sounds. Czech has some wonderfully tricky sounds that English tongues have to work hard to make. One famous Czech word is 'strč prst skrz krk,' which means 'stick a finger through your throat' — and it has almost no vowels at all! The Bible has been translated into Czech for hundreds of years, which is a real gift, because people can read about Jesus in their own heart language.

What's a famous place to visit in Czechia?

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! One of the most famous places in Czechia is Prague Castle — it sits on a hill above the city of Prague and is one of the largest ancient castle complexes in the whole world. From up there you can see red-roofed buildings stretching out across the city like a storybook come to life. Rusty loves this part — right inside the castle grounds stands St. Vitus Cathedral, a massive Gothic church with stained-glass windows that fill the inside with colored light. Czechia has a long history with Christianity, and buildings like this are reminders of that history. Today, though, many Czech people don't follow Jesus, which is why missionaries and local believers are working hard to share the good news there.

Czechia — Kids Missions Explorer

White Stork

Every spring, white storks return to Czech villages and build enormous nests on rooftops and chimneys, and local families often watch the same nest for generations.

European Roe Deer

Roe deer are so common in Czech forests and farmland edges that farmers regularly spot them grazing at dawn just beyond their fields.

Fire Salamander

With bold yellow spots on jet-black skin, the fire salamander lives in the damp forests of Bohemia and Moravia and was once believed by villagers to be born from flames.

Svíčková

This beloved Czech dish is tender beef sirloin served with a creamy root-vegetable sauce, bread dumplings, and a spoonful of cranberry jam on top.

Trdelník

A spiral of sweet dough wrapped around a wooden spit, grilled over coals, and rolled in cinnamon sugar — it is a warm, chewy street food you will smell before you see it.

Bramboráky

These crispy potato pancakes are seasoned with garlic and marjoram, fried until golden, and eaten as a simple, satisfying everyday meal.

Czechia

Things you should know about Czechia

Wildlife you might meet

What’s on the table

Did you know?

Life in Czechia

Missions in Czechia

Pray for Czechia