Where to stay in the Czech republic and Hungary

If you want to see the sights stay in Prague and Budapest. Where you want to stay depends on what you want to see.
Do a google search for "Prague sights" and read about what there is to see in that city. Do the same for Budapest or any other city.
Let your interests determine which cities you visit. Experienced travelers never visit a city without knowing why they go.

We will be traveling with our children, 6, 8 and 11 and want to stay somewhere kid friendly and not crowded. Is that possible in August? We have never been to the Czech republic so looking for some guidance where other families stayed and enjoyed.

hotel gellert

The Czech Republic has several very well-known tourist attractions, apart from Prague. To the north the Giant Mountains have a quiet recreational feel, whereas the Tatra Mts. are craggy, dramatic, and popular with skiers, climbers and hikers. You can get lots of info on Prague's charms on this site, so I guide you elsewhere.

Karlstejn Castle (west of Prague) is the best known of Bohemia's many castles. Having survived the two world wars with little damage, Bohemia's antiquities are better preserved than in the rest of Central Europe. Highly recommended is a trip down to Tabor (medieval city core), then to Ceske Budejovice/Budweis - a larger industrial city with a delightful large square. You will have already passed several medieval era castles, plus a new one (late 1800s) just miles from Budweis. Hluboka Castle is a white copy of Windsor and quite a sight. Going south you will eventually reach Cesky Krumlov/Krumau, a UN Heritage City. Also recommend towns in Moravia (Telc!)

With this recommendation I am considering your three children. I assume you are traveling by car. I suppose you will not want to miss Prague. With three young children and in August couple days will be probably enough. Then there is a small village Pavlov under Palava hills on the shore of a big lake (and warm in August). Nearby is a small historic town of Mikulov and chateau Lednice and Valtice. Distances are at most 15 to 20 minutes driving from Pavlov which I would recommend as your base. Nice hikes and views in Palava hills. A lot of swimming at the lake. If you would miss big city, Vienna is one hour away. More information about the area is in Rick Steves book: Prague & the Czech Republic in the chapter Mikulov wine region. Should you have some specific questions I'd be happy to answer them.

If you are considering Hungary, there are several attractions. Culturally quite different from other parts of Central Europe, this country is being discovered by American travelers as word spreads. Although mid-summer is not the best time to visit (it's hot in the Pannonian Plain), if you stay in the hill country, you will enjoy a trip. Visit Budapest - an equal to Prague and Vienna in most respects - when it's cooler. Europe's steppe country is the Hortobagy south of Miskolc (think American Western plains). To the north is Tokaj country. Eger has a mosque with minaret and lots of flavor. The Balaton lake area probably is over-run with tourists at this time but worth a stop (stay on the Tihany side). Hungarian food, music, dance all are highly recommended. If you don't have time to head into the country, travel 40 mi. southeast of Vienna to Burgenland's Neusiedler Lake and you get at least a whiff of that. Sopron is close by and worth a day trip.

Cesky Krumlov in the Czech Republic. We loved it. Do a Google search on it.