6 November 2024
5 minutes
From toddlers to teenagers, there's something for children of all ages in the German capital.
6 November 2024
5 minutes
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.
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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+.
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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.
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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+.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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.
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