Things to Do in Berlin With Kids: 8 Attractions for All Ages

Germany's largest city may be renowned as a hub for adults in search of culture and entertainment, but what is interesting about Berlin for kids? Just about everything, actually. A city for all seasons, Berlin offers abundant parks and two world-class zoos for romping about in the summer. On wet weather days, a host of unique museums awaits, catering to all ages and interests (from Jewish history to the evolution of computer games). Planning a Berlin family holiday with teens? A thriving subculture of street art, alternative music and theatre is sure to impress even the coolest travelling companions.

These museums located on adjacent streets in central Kreuzberg are among the best things to do in Berlin with kids. At the Technikmuseum, discover interactive exhibits on everything from rail transport and aviation to computers and photography; then head over to Science Center Spectrum to check out more than 150 hands-on experiments. While some family attractions close on Sunday, these museums open all weekend and are free for under 18s.

Essential Info

• Location: Trebbiner Straße 9 and Möckernstraße 26
• Hours: 9am - 5:30pm (Tuesday to Friday), 10am - 6pm (weekends)
• Accessibility: The museum features barrier-free access to most of its exhibitions and provides wheelchairs for visitors to borrow. However, due to the historic nature of some buildings, not all areas may be fully accessible. For the most current and detailed information, it's best to check directly with the Deutsches Technikmuseum at gaube@technikmuseum.berlin.
• Getting There: Möckernbrücke, Gleisdreieck (U-Bahn), Anhalter Bahnhof (S-Bahn)

Located a short stroll from Potsdamer Platz at an address once divided by the Berlin Wall, the German Spy Museum pays homage to the city’s reputation as the Capital of Spies. Kids can play at deciphering codes, hacking websites, detecting listening devices and navigating a laser maze, all while learning about the history of espionage from Biblical times to the Cold War and beyond. This attraction is best for ages 8+. 

Essential Info

• Location: Leipziger Platz 9
• Hours: 10am - 8pm (Daily)
• Accessibility: Not published
• Getting There: Potsdamer Platz (S-Bahn, U-Bahn)

As the largest animal park in Europe, leafy Tierpark Berlin is a great place to visit with kids of all ages. Roughly 10,000 animals from tigers to polar bears live here in spacious enclosures designed to mimic their natural habitat, while other top attractions include an adventure playground, a petting zoo and a summer water park. Visiting Berlin with a toddler? Save little legs with a ride on the park’s electric train. 

Essential Info

• Location: Am Tierpark 
• Hours: Daily from 9am (closing times here)
• Accessibility: Tierpark Berlin ensures accessibility with predominantly flat pathways and suitable facilities. For the most accurate and current details, consider reaching out directly to Tierpark Berlin at info@tierpark-berlin.de.
• Getting There: Tierpark (U-Bahn)

Looking for cool things to do in Berlin with kids in their teens? It’s hard to beat the Alternative Berlin Street Art Tour, which starts in trendy Friedrichshain and finishes three hours later in Kreuzberg having explored the city’s most prolific urban art areas along the way. From murals to paste-ups, guides are experts of the scene and many are artists themselves. English-speaking tours run four times a week and are recommended for ages 12+.

Essential Info                                                                                                                    

• Location: REWE, Revaler Straße 2
• Hours: 2pm (Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday)
• Accessibility: Not accessible 
• Getting There: Warschauer Straße (U-Bahn, S-Bahn)

Even if you don’t speak German, there’s nothing to stop you and your family from enjoying Berlin’s rich arts scene. GRIPS is the most famous children and young adults’ theatre in the country and puts on five or six different productions every year. Most tackle contemporary social and political issues, have a musical focus and English subtitles.

Essential Info

• Location: Altonaer Straße 22
• Hours: Various
• Price: Event dependent (discounts available for kids)
• Accessibility: Full info here
• Getting There: Hansaplatz (U-Bahn), Bellevue (S-Bahn)

Fliegendes Theater, or the Flying Theatre, is another top choice for cultural things to do in Berlin with kids. This Kreuzberg playhouse has been producing multimedia plays for children and adults since 1978, most of them inspired by the art of puppetry. Depending on the age of your kids, you can choose matinée childrens’ performances or evening shows for teens and adults. Plays for little ones are always discounted and some are suitable for as young as 2 years old. 

Essential Info

• Location: Urbanstrasse 100
• Hours: Various
• Accessibility: Barrier-free rooms
• Getting There: Hermannplatz (U-Bahn)

Located to the east of the city centre in Marzahn, the themed Gardens of the World hosts some of the best family activities in Berlin each spring and summer, starting with the Cherry Blossom Festival in April. Other events to look out for include the annual Scottish Highland Games, a laser show that’s part of the city-wide Festival of Lights, and everything from concerts to sports matches in the 5,000-capacity open-air amphitheatre. 

Essential Info

• Location: Blumberger Damm
• Hours: 9am - dark (Daily)
• Accessibility: Gärten der Welt are barrier-free and accessible with weelchairs and pushchairs
• Getting There: Blumberger Damm/Gärten der Welt (bus)

Usually held from mid-November until early January, Winter World (or Winterwelt) is one of the best things to do in Berlin with kids over the festive period. This seasonal event sees historic Potsdamer Platz transformed into a bustling Christmas market complete with live music, craft stalls and stands selling bratwurst and glühwein. The highlight for many is the 12-metre-high toboggan run with views from the top of Brandenburg Gate. 

Essential Info

• Location: Potsdamer Platz
• Hours: TBC
• Price: Free
• Accessibility: Not published
• Getting There: Potsdamer Platz (S-Bahn, U-Bahn)

If exploring all of the best things to do in Berlin with kids has you feeling in need of an energy boost, head to these family favourites for a little refreshment. 

1. Luise Dahlem: Located on the edge of the Grunewald Forest, this Berlin institution has something for everyone: a beer garden for grown-ups, pizza and deli food for the whole family, and a leafy open-air setting perfect for little ones who like to run around and play in between courses. You can visit them at Königin-Luise-Straße 40-42, 14195 Berlin, Germany.
   
   
2. Café Kiezkind: Located in Helmholtzplatz, a neighbourhood park with a great playground, Café Kiezkind is probably the most child-friendly coffee spot in the city. While you browse the menu of sweet and savoury treats, kids can play in the indoor sand box, paint and play board games. Find them at Auf dem Helmholtzpl. 1, 10437 Berlin, Germany.
   
   
3. Burger Turm: With two locations in the capital (Turmstrasse and The Playce), Burger Turm is the hottest restaurant in Berlin for teens. Insta-worthy decor and build-your-own burger towers are the main attractions, with meat, fish and veggie/vegan options to suit all tastes. The address is Turmstraße 49, 10551 Berlin, Germany.

Now you have some ideas for your itinerary, it’s time to choose where to stay on your family trip to Berlin. Mitte is a popular option, as the historic centre and home of many of the best things to do in Berlin with kids, including Potsdamer Platz, Tiergarten and the Berlin Zoo. Novotel Berlin Mitte makes a great base in this area with a playground, family rooms and a child-friendly Mediterranean restaurant.

If you prefer to stay somewhere a little quieter, Charlottenburg is another great choice. It's one of the safest and most family-oriented areas of Berlin, with convenient access to Mitte and the open green spaces of Grunewald Forest. For accommodation in this neighborhood, we recommend Aparthotel Adagio Berlin Kurfürstendamm with its spacious four-person apartments equipped with everything you need to self cater.