Germany might not be the first place that comes to mind for a fun- filled family break- but it should be. There are so many things to do with kids in Germany, and many of them are budget friendly or completely FREE!
From fairytale castles to chocolate museums and with playgrounds everywhere you go, Germany is a dream destination for curious, active kids and their accompanying grown-ups.
Whether your planning a weekend break, a road trip or a countryside escape, there’s no shortage of things to do with kids in Germany that the adults will enjoy too.
Here are some of my favourite things to do as a family in Germany. Tried, tested and guaranteed to make happy family travel memories
All of the experiences listed are available across the whole of Germany, but where I have a favourite location or have posted about a specific place, I’ve linked the details.
8 Things to do with Kids in Germany
Explore a Real-Life Fairy-Tale Castle
Nothing sparks a child’s imagination like stepping into a story book style castle, and in Germany you’ll be spoilt for choice. There are about 20,000 castles and fortresses to choose from.
Explore cobbled courtyards, banquet halls, winding towers and let the imagination run wild. Many German castles have children’s trails and activities to enjoy. And there is almost always a nice cafe for kaffe und kuchen afterwards.
Our Pick: Wewelsburg Castle in Büren-Wewelsburg: a great mix of hands on exhibits for younger visitors alongside fascinating historical exhibitions that older visitors will appreciate. Being Germany’s only triangular castle, it ticks the fairytale box and has a lovely terrace cafe.
Get back to Nature, Barefoot.
Abandon socks and shoes and get your feet back on the ground, barefoot trails- or Barfußpark– are a key part of German family fun and wellness. You’ll find them dotted all over Germany, offering sensory adventure trails where kids and grown ups can walk barefoot through streams, mud and across bark and stones.
It’s fun, it’s good for you and it’s usually free or very inexpensive. Many bare foot trails are located in parks with a picnic area and playground too. When it comes it things to do with kids in Germany, this is a win!
Our Pick: Barefoot Walk Bad Wünnenberg is a free barefoot trail in a country park with a petting farm, walking trails, playground and cafe. A firm family favourite of ours!
Discover Barefoot Walking in Germany: Bad Wünnenberg’s Barefoot Park (2025)
Indulge in Discovering German Chocolate
If your family is like mine, the sure fire way to win over the kids is with a sweet treat. And in Germany, that means chocolate.
For the ultimate chocolate museum experience, visit the Schokoladenmuseum in Cologne. Located on the banks of the Rhine, it takes families on a chocolate journey from cocoa bean to chocolate bar. And at the end, you can taste from the famous chocolate fountain.
If you’re exploring Berlin and are looking for a chocolate themed break, drop into the Ritter Schokowelt. The iconic German chocolate shop has a small museum, chocolate themed cafe and if you want to embrace your inner Willy Wonka, you can create your own chocolate bar.
Visit The Ritter Schokowelt Chocolate Experience in Berlin
Go Swimming, German Style
Swimming in Germany is designed to be an experience. Think hot tubs , free form pools, flumes, play areas, poolside catering and lush vegetation. Oh, and there’s usually a lane swim pool, in case you actually want to just swim.
In summer, visit the outdoor pool or ‘freibad’. Generally a basic pool/slide/diving board set up offering a full days admission for under €10. A fun way to spend a summer day!
For the ultimate German swimming experience, visit Tropical Islands. Swim in an indoor rainforest complete with its own village, wildlife and hot air balloon rides. All housed in an old airship hangar within day trip distance of Berlin.
Find the Stories on the Fairy Tale Trail
You’re never too young or too old- to enjoy a fairy tale and Germany is home to plenty. In fact, it even has a dedivated Fairy Tale Trail, known as the Deutsche Marchen Strasse
Visit any town on the scenic Fairy Tale Trail or Deutsche Marchen Strasse and you’ll find the settings that inspired the stories; half-timbered houses, winding streets in medieval towns, imposing castles and mystical woodlands.
Our Pick: Hamelin is famously the town where the Pied Piper led away the children but is now a fabulously family friendly destination where you can follow the rat trail, meet the Pied Piper himself and enjoy town and river walks. Head to the town square at 1:05, 3:35 and 5:35pm daily when the Pied Piper Clock plays out scenes from the famous Pied Piper tale.
Read About the Pied Piper Chimes Here.
Treat Yourselves at the Bakery
One of the simple joys of family life in Germany is a visit to the bakery. Every town has at least one Bäckerei, often with seating inside. The perfect place for a German breakfast spread, tasty snack or that loveliest of German traditions: afternoon coffee and cake.
The local bakery is also the place to find seasonal treats including Christmas spiced biscuits and the famous St Nickolaus bread- a doughy, early December treat.
Most bakeries also have free wifi and free toilet/baby change facilities (not always easy to find in Germany, expect to pay around 50c-€1 to spend a penny).
My local bakery has also started selling small bottles of Prosecco and whilst this isn’t directly for the children, I think its wonderful. Happy parents, happy kids, right?
Treat Yourselves at the Eis Cafe
Something else you’ll find everywhere in Germany, the Eis cafe. Don’t look for plain old vanilla ice cream here, expect generous scoops of gelato style ice cream and seasonal flavours alongside classics like spaghetti eis (ice cream designed to look like a plate of pasta!)
Order the Kinderbecher for younger guests; a kid size sundae with colourful toppings and, usually, a little toy or extra treat. As things to do with kids in Germany goes, this is one of the sweetest.
Meet the Animals at a Tierpark
Right across Germany, you’ll find animal parks known as tierparks. A Relaxed and affordable alternative to the big zoos, tierparks tend to focus on smaller animals and opportunites to get up close with petting farms and feeding stations. Many do have wilder animals such as bears and wolves.
Most Tierparks are free to enter, those that do charge usually have a great value family ticket. Many have petting farms, play grounds alongside a cafe and picnic area, making for a great day trip.
Our Picks: Tierpark Edersee ( small admission charge) or Tierpark Bielefeld ( free entry) both have a great mix of animals and experiences, as well as lots to do in the local area.
Play the German Way: Visit A Playground.
Germany excels at playparks. Every community has at least one and the play spaces are imaginative, beautifully built and often feature sand and water play areas. Even the smallest towns have play areas designed to make kid’s eyes light up.
To make a day of it, look for garden show venues near your destination. Garden shows are designed to create park and recreation areas on sites that need regeneration, and the results are often spectacular, creating family friendly days out in Germany that are very budget friendly.
Our Pick: The Maximilianpark in Hamm. Created on the site of a former coal mine, this garden show park includes lakes, play parks, a butterfly house and a 53-metre-long, 35-metre-high and 18-metre-wide walk-in sculpture of a glass elephant. Details here.
Things to do with Kids in Germany: Family Friendly Hotels
Germany is an amazing country to explore as a family- welcoming, family friendly and packed with things to see and do. Finding family friendly- especially big family-friendly- accommodation can be a little trickier. Here’s a few options I’ve found helpful when booking for our family of 6:
Meininger Hotels: Family friendly hotels across Germany and Europe featuring multi bed-en suite rooms, guest kitchen, laundry facilities and pet friendly rooms.
Novotel Suites: Our go to stay in Berlin and Hannover, Novotel Suites offers modern rooms with a flexible layout and in room kettle, fridge and microwave. Great option for travelling with teens!
Apartment Central, Leipzig: A beautiful apart-hotel in the heart of Leipzig, just minutes from Leipzig Zoo and within walking distance of the main station. Self catering apartments with a cosy communal lobby and lounge and laundry facilities. Highly recommended.
Full Review of Apartment Central in Leipzig Here.
Have you explored in Germany with your family? I’d love to hear your tips and must-visit destinations. Let’s chat in the comments, and don’t forget to save this post for your next family adventure!
Helen x
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