Berlin With Kids: 21 Family Activities in Berlin

If you’re traveling to Berlin with kids, there are plenty of kid friendly activities in Berlin for your family to enjoy. Many people ask whether Berlin is a family friendly city, and the answer is yes, definitely. Sure, the city is famous for clubs and parties, but there’s also lots of things to do in Berlin for families.

On this list, I have lots of activities that are fun for younger kids, but if you’re traveling to Berlin with teenagers, there are quite a few attractions for them too. You know your children best, so you can decide what works best for them.

Activities in Berlin for kids and families

You’ll find plenty of things to do with kids in Berlin, including educational and historical, and attractions that are simply fun for the whole family.

German Museum of Technology

If you’re looking for fun things to do with kids in Berlin, the German Museum of Technology is a great attraction to visit. It’s a modern museum where you can learn about the history of science. Kids will enjoy the immersive and entertaining way in which the tours and lectures are held.

At this museum, you are allowed, and even encouraged, to build stuff and watch/learn how other unique things are being made and learn all about old and new technology and the history of civilization. You should also check out the new sailing and aeronautics building.

Opening hours: Tuesday to Friday 9am – 5:30pm, Saturday and Sunday 10am to 6pm, closed Monday
Location: Trebbiner Str. 9, 10963 Berlin
Cost: 8 euros per adult, kids under 18 years old are free

DDR Museum

Located near the Berlin Cathedral, the DDR museum is one of the most interactive and kid friendly museums in Berlin. It provides guests with a unique, immersive experience that is sure to leave a lasting mark on their minds.

At this museums, you and your kids get to experience what life was like in former East Germany. You’ll also learn about the Stasi, the Berlin Wall and other historical facts. The DDR Museum holds regular exhibitions where guests are encouraged to feel, touch and interact with historical artifacts.

The family-friendly museum offers several interactive exhibits for kids, like the Kindergarten installation. This immersive exhibit takes kids into the past world of East Germany and shows them what life would have been like for them in East Germany.

Opening hours: daily 9am to 9pm
Location: Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 1, 10178 Berlin
Cost: 13.50 euros, buy tickets here

Berlin Zoological Garden

Berlin Zoological Garden—or simply Berlin Zoo—is the oldest and most famous zoo in Germany. Situated within Tiergarten, it was inaugurated in 1844 and spans more than 35 hectares. Berlin Zoo is home to more than 20,000 animals, and even boasts its very own aquarium, though a separate ticket is required for the aquarium.

With all this going on, it’s not hard to see why this is the most popular zoo in Europe. This is definitely a fun activity for Berlin with kids.

Opening hours: late March to late September, daily 9am to 6:30pm; hours are shorter at other times of the year
Location: Hardenbergpl. 8, 10787 Berlin
Cost: starting at 9 euros for kids, 19 euros for adults

Tierpark

Did you know Berlin actually has two zoos? When Berlin was split into East and West, the West already had a zoo, and authorities in the East decided they should have one there too.

Tierpark is Europe’s largest animal park. It’s a little less flashy than the Berlin Zoo, and it’s a bit farther from the center of the city, on the grounds of the former Friedrichsfelde Palace.

The zoo cares for 7,250 animals from 840 species around the world, which means a visit here offers a chance to get up close and personal with some incredible creatures—including flamingos, red pandas, tigers, and a whole host of reptiles. It’s a great option for a family day out in Berlin.

Opening hours: late March to late September, daily 9am to 6:30pm; hours are shorter at other times of the year
Location: Am Tierpark 125, 10319 Berlin
Cost: starting at 8.50 euros for kids, 17.50 euros for adults

Victory Column

Berlin’s Victory Column, or Siegessäule in German, is one of the more recognizable monuments in the city. The 67 meter (about 220 foot) column sits at a roundabout in the middle of Tiergarten Park. It was initially constructed as a monument to Prussia’s victory over Napoleon in the Franco-German war.

However, it was originally located in front of the Reichstag building. In the late 30s, Hitler was trying to accomplish his vision of the Third Reich, and in 1938 he had the Victory Column moved to its current location.

Today this is a popular tourist attraction, and climbing it is definitely one of the fun things to do in Berlin with kids. Especially if you feel like your kids need to burn some energy, because there’s no elevator at this attraction.

Pay a small fee and climb the 285 stairs to reach the viewing platform, where you and your family will be rewarded with excellent views of the surrounding park and the city of Berlin. Just don’t try to cross the street to get there! Reach the Victory Column using the underground passage.

If you’re anything like me, that number of stairs might sound intimidating, but I promise, it’s one of my favorite places for views of Berlin.

Opening hours: April to October: Mon-Fri 9:30am to 6:30pm, Sat & Sun 9:30am to 7pm; November to March: Mon-Sun 9:30am to 5:30pm
Location: Großer Stern 1, 10557 Berlin
Cost: 4 euros, cash only

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Have questions about planning your trip to Berlin?

Join the Facebook group here to chat with Ali (she runs this site) and other people who have been to Berlin for tips.

Holocaust Memorial

The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, often referred to as the Holocaust Memorial, honors the large number of Jewish people who died at the hands of the Nazis. It’s one of the most important World War II sites in Berlin.

The memorial consists of 2,710 concrete blocks of varying heights, and the ground they sit on is an uneven slope similar to a wave. The information center showcases letters, diaries, photographs, and biographies of the victims to help personalize the experience.

This is a good place to teach your kids about this important history. It might be especially good for kids who are too young for visiting a concentration camp.

Entrance is free. Photography is allowed (no flash inside) but please be respectful. Do not sit on or climb on the cement slabs or take selfies. This is a place to reflect and remember those who were murdered.

Opening hours: Outdoor memorial: 24/7 (Indoor museum: Tuesday – Sunday 10am – 6pm; closed Monday)
Location: Cora-Berliner-Straße 1, 10117 Berlin
Cost: Free

Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp

If you’re traveling to Berlin with teenagers, a visit to Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp could be another good option for teaching them about Germany’s dark past and how it affects all of us. This somber attraction is located north of the city and is one of the more popular day trips from Berlin.

Ritter Sport Chocolate Shop

Ritter Sport is one of the most popular chocolate bars in Germany, and you can find them in just about any grocery store in the country. But at the Ritter Sport chocolate shop in Berlin, kids can create their own chocolate bar. It’s centrally located, and definitely a fun kid activity in Berlin.

Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 10am to 6:30pm, closed Sunday
Location: Französische Str. 24, 10117 Berlin
Cost: varies

Rausch Chocolate Shop

What kid says no to more chocolate, right? This chocolate shop has a wide variety of chocolates, and it’s not far from Ritter Sport. They have giant chocolate replicas of major sights, like Brandenburger Tor and the Reichstag Building, which is pretty cool to see.

Plus they have a cafe upstairs, so it’s a good place to take a break from sightseeing and have some cake and coffee or hot chocolate. This is an especially nice option during the cold winter in Berlin.

Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 10am to 8pm, Sunday 12 noon to 8pm; cafe opens daily 1pm to 7pm
Location: Charlottenstraße 60, 10117 Berlin
Cost: varies

Tempelhof

One of Berlin’s favorite parks is Tempelhofer Feld, a former airport that has been turned into a park. In 1948-1949, this airport was the hub of the Berlin Airlift, which kept West Berlin supplied with goods during the Berlin Blockade.

Even after the Berlin Wall came down and East and West Germany reunited, Tempelhof Airport continued to operate. It wasn’t until 2008 that the airport closed.

In 2010, it reopened as a public park, and the runways and airport building remain. Today you and your kids can enjoy walking, running, roller blading, cycling, kite surfing, and more all on a former airport runway.

Opening hours: The park is open roughly dawn to dusk
Location: Platz d. Luftbrücke 5, 12101 Berlin (airport building)
Cost: Free

Spy Museum

Since Berlin is the world’s capital of spies, it is not surprising that there’s a modern, unique spy museum here. Built in 2015 by Franz-Michael Gunther, the Berlin Spy Museum is a private museum that focuses on showcasing spies and espionage history.

Using current multi-media based technology, visitors will gain an in-depth insight into the history of espionage through the ages. The fun and immersive experience will show your kids how to detect the sneakiest tricks used by secret services and agents.

Opening hours: daily 10am to 8pm
Location: Leipziger Pl. 9, 10117 Berlin
Cost: varies depending on exact day and age of ticket holder, buy tickets here

ANOHA in connection with the Jewish Museum

The Jewish Museum is a popular attraction in Berlin, and ANOHA was created across the street in connection with this museum. ANOHA is the Jewish Museum’s Children’s World, and it’s a place for kids who are 3 years old or older and their parents or chaperones. Children can play, explore, and learn.

Even though it’s free to visit ANOHA, it’s a popular museum for children, so it’s highly recommended that you book time slot tickets ahead of time. Even a few weeks out, they can often be booked up. Find more info on their site.

Opening hours: Tuesday to Friday 9am to 4pm, last admission 2:45pm; Saturday and Sunday 10am to 5pm, last admission 3:45pm
Location: Fromet-und-Moses-Mendelssohn-Platz, 10969 Berlin
Cost: Free but book ahead

Reichstag Free Audio Tour

The Reichstag Building is the seat of the German government, and you can actually take a free tour with an audio guide. This can be a good attraction in Berlin for kids to get a little history without overdoing it since it’s only 20 minutes long. You have to register ahead though, so plan on doing that at least a few weeks to a month ahead of time. Read more about how to book the Reichstag free tour.

Opening hours: varies, see registration site for more info
Location: Platz der Republik 1, 11011 Berlin
Cost: Free but book ahead

Legoland Discovery Center

Legoland can be a good option for an activity in Berlin with younger kids. They can play with over 5 million Legos here. There’s a Lego ninja area, a dinosaur area, a dragon ride into an enchanted castle, a miniature Berlin built out of Legos, and much more.

Opening hours: daily 10am to 7pm, last entry 5pm
Location: Potsdamer Str. 4, 10785 Berlin
Cost: starting at 21 euros, buy tickets here

Futurium

The Futurium is a free Berlin museum that focuses on what the future might look like and how all possible outcomes are the result of our decisions and actions. One section focuses on different possibilities for the future, and another section encourages discussion about various topics relating to the future. The third section is where visitors can play around with things like future tech and their own inventions.

Opening hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday – Sunday 10am – 6pm; Thursday 10am – 8pm; closed Tuesdays
Location: Alexanderufer 2, 10117 Berlin
Cost: Free

Bernauer Strasse Wall Memorial

If you’re interested in teaching your children about the Berlin Wall while you’re exploring Berlin, check out the Berlin Wall Memorial at Bernauer Strasse. This is a good outdoor memorial where they can learn about the history of the Wall and its effects on the people who lived here. There are info panels and different sections to show you where tunnels were dug, where apartments stood, and more.

It’s well worth going into the Visitors Center to watch the 2 short films about the Wall. They’re shown in English on the half hour and German on the hour, and the two films are 30 minutes total. Halfway down the street is the documentation center where you can go up a few floors to a viewing platform and see over the Wall and into the former death strip.

The Bernauer Strasse Wall Memorial is one of the best places for learning about the Berlin Wall and its impact, and it’s one of my favorite Cold War sites in Berlin.

Opening hours, visitors center and documentation center: Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 6pm
Opening hours, outdoor memorial: technically daily 8am to 10pm, but there are no gates
Location: Bernauer Str. 119, 13355 Berlin (visitors center)
Cost: Free

East Side Gallery

If you think your kids are a bit too young to appreciate the Bernauer Strasse Wall Memorial, it might be worth taking them to the East Side Gallery. This is the longest section of the Berlin Wall that still stands. Shortly after the Wall fell, artists from around the world came to paint murals on it, and though some have changed, many are the same paintings (though touched up) from more than 30 years ago.

This is a good place to show your kids how a wall divided the city. Check out my full guide to visiting the East Side Gallery.

Opening hours: 24 hours a day
Location: Mühlenstraße 3-100, 10243 Berlin
Cost: Free

Computerspielemuseum

Berlin’s computer game museum is one for all the video game lovers out there, whether your generation was Pokemon or Pac-Man. It aims to collect, preserve and protect the legacy and physical artifacts of gaming through the decades from its earliest origins to the present day.

The Computerspielemuseum actually has the largest collection of consoles, games, and gaming magazines in Europe. With more than 300 items, your game-loving kids will certainly enjoy a visit here.

Opening hours: daily 10am to 8pm
Location: Karl-Marx-Allee 93A, 10243 Berlin
Cost: Adults 11 euros, 6-17 year old kids 7 euros

Tropical Islands

If you’re looking for more family friendly activities in Berlin, consider a day trip to Tropical Islands Water Park. This huge water park is located in an old zeppelin hangar a little more than an hour south of Berlin. The air temperature is kept at approximately 26C/78.8F so it’s warm all year round.

There are pools and water slides for your kids to enjoy. And if you can get some time to yourself, you can go enjoy the spa area for a massage, sauna, and more. Tropical Islands has several restaurants, so you can spend the whole day here if you want.

Opening hours: daily 8:00am to 11:30pm (some sections are accessible 24/7 for overnight guests)
Location: Tropical-Islands-Allee 1, 15910 Krausnick-Groß Wasserburg
Cost: Adults starting at 47.90 euros, kids ages 4-11 starting at 37.90 euros (more expensive for weekdays and holidays, and to include the spa/sauna area)

Berlin Travel Resources

I want you to have the best trip to Berlin, and hopefully list of things to do in Berlin for families and kids is helpful. But there are lots more tips on the site!