In Munich, there are a lot of family-friendly activities beyond beer gardens and pretzels. Check out our list of the best things to do! The mechanical theatre on Marienplatz and the children’s playgrounds in the English Garden are great places to entertain your kids. Both older children will find the Deutsches Science and Technology Museum and the Bavaria Film Studios equally fascinating.
Munich, the capital city of Bavaria, offers a variety of attractions that are enjoyable for both children and parents. From the zoological park to the numerous museums, there are many things to see and do.
Hellabrunn Zoo
Hellabrunn Zoo is one of Europe’s top zoological parks. It’s a great place to take your children for a fun day out. The zoo is located 5 km south of downtown Munich and covers an area of 40 hectares. It houses more than 18,000 animals from over 750 different species. Established in 1911, it pioneered the idea of Geo-zoo, where animals coexist in spacious, open-air environments that mimic their natural habitats. Hellabrunn Zoo has three restaurants, six ice cream kiosks, and one crepe kiosk. It’s a great place to spend the day.
Location: Tierparkstrasse 30, 81543 Munich, Germany
Open: Daily from 9 am to 6 pm (open till at 5 pm in winter)
Town Hall Glockenspiel
The Munich Town Hall Glockenspiel is a popular attraction on Marienplatz. The mechanical theatre was built in 1908. It has two levels and features 32 life-sized figures. Every day, it re-enacts events from the 16th century. The wedding of Duke Wilhelm V takes place in the upper part, while the Coopers’ dance is in the lower part. The daily show is only 12 minutes long and ends thrice after the rooster crows. You can watch the show from a café terrace in the square.
Location: Marienplatz 8, 80331 Munich, Germany
Open: Daily at 11 am and 5 pm (plus noon in the summer)
English Garden
The English Garden, also known as the Englischer Garten, is a public park near Munich’s center. It spans an area of 3.7 square kilometers. A 78 km network of paths winds through spacious lawns and wooded areas. It provides ample space for cyclists, joggers, and walkers to enjoy themselves. A big playground for kids is next to the Japanese Teahouse Kanshoan. If you like surfing, you can try riding the man-made wave at the southern end of the Eisbach stream. In addition, the park has restaurants, beer gardens, and ice cream kiosks.
Bavaria Film Studios
The Bavaria Film Studios is a large complex located 8 km south of Munich city center. It spans an area of 300,000 sq m. This film studio is one of the largest in Europe and is used for television and film production. Take a guided tour to explore various movie sets, such as Asterix & Obelix, The Neverending Story, and Das Boot. During this captivating tour, you’ll learn much about how movies are made with a green screen and 4D Motion Simulation Cinema.
Location: Bavariafilmplatz 7, 82031 Grunwald, Germany
Open: Daily from 9 am to 6 pm
Toy Museum
The Munich Toy Museum, also known as Spielzeugmuseum in German, is located in the old Town Hall on Marienplatz. Join a tour of a small exhibition that explores the history of toys. The museum has four floors showcasing the history of Teddy Bears and vintage toys like cars, animals, ships, and military figures. Be careful of the spiral staircase when you go to the ticket desk; it’s quite steep. But once you’re there, you can use the elevator to reach the other floors.
Location: Marienplatz 15, 80331 Munich, Germany
Open: Daily from 9.30 am to 5.30 pm
Deutsches Museum
If you and your children are into science and technology, the Deutsches Museum is the perfect place to visit. This museum is on an island in the River Isar, just a short walk from the city center. It offers a captivating journey through the history of humanity, showcasing its remarkable inventions. In this large, interactive museum, you will learn much about natural sciences, energy, mechanics, and physics. The Deutsches Museum is a great place to spend the whole day. Plus, they have an excellent cafeteria.
Location: Museumsinsel 1, 80538 Munich, Germany
Open: Daily from 9 am to 5 pm
BMW Museum
The BMW Museum showcases more than 100 models from the famous automobile company, including motorcycles, sports cars, and commercial vehicles. The museum has a futuristic design that looks like a big, shiny bowl. Its logo can be seen from any tall building in Munich. The museum is connected to the BMW Welt, a futuristic showroom with the latest vehicle models. You can take guided tours in English and German from 10:15am to 4:30pm.
Location: Am Olympiapark 1 & 2, 80809 Munich, Bavaria, Germany
Open: Tuesday–Sunday 10 am to 6 pm (closed on Mondays)
Phone: +49 (0)89 125 016 001
Palaeontological Museum Munich
The Palaeontological Museum in Munich is great for families with kids who love dinosaurs. This museum is conveniently located in the city center. It has three floors and displays a variety of prehistoric fossils. There are also exhibits about plants, animals, and human evolution to make the learning experience more diverse.
The museum is mainly for school-aged children. It offers easy-to-understand information in English. Good news for budget travelers! Entry is free, although a small donation is appreciated. A guided tour of the grounds is available, but it is only in German. It takes place on the first Sunday of every month.
Location: Richard-Wagner-Straße 10, 80333 Munich, Germany
Open: Monday–Thursday from 8 am to 4 pm, Friday from 8 am to 2 pm (closed on Saturdays and Sundays)
Phone: +49 (0)892 1806630
Museum of Man and Nature
The Museum of Man and Nature, also known as Museum Mensch und Natur, is located in the north wing of Munich’s famous Nymphenburg Palace. The museum has displays about nature and fun activities for families with children.
Children’s guided tours are typically on Fridays, and Sundays are reserved for earthquake simulators. One of the most popular displays at the museum is JJ1, a taxidermied brown bear. Children 18 and under get in free at the Museum of Man and Nature.
Location: Schloss Nymphenburg, 80638 Munich, Germany
Open: Tuesday–Friday from 9 am to 5 pm, Saturday–Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm (closed on Mondays)
Phone: +49 (0)89 1795890
Olympic Park
The 1972 Olympic Games occurred in Munich’s Olympic Park, also known as Olympiapark München. It is now a huge green area where you can walk, bike, play sports, and do many activities. The place is easy to reach because it has its metro station.
Join your friends at Olympic Park for a leisurely walk up the hill. You can witness a stunning sunrise or sunset overlooking the city from there. Enjoy stunning city views from the tower. Families can have a great time at the funfair with rides and games. Photographers will enjoy the large grounds, which are great for capturing unique shots. Sporty individuals can try zip-lining, indoor pools, ice skating, mini golf, and inline skating.
Location: Spiridon-Louis-Ring 21, 80809, Munich, Germany
Phone: +49 (0)89 30670
Freizeitpark Märchenwald
Freizeitpark Märchenwald is a fun park located in the town of Wolfratshausen in Bavaria. Experience the enchantment of a whimsical park where German folk tales come to life through animated figures, including talking trees. Your family will be captivated by the magical atmosphere. Young kids will love the wobbly houses, toy trains, and playgrounds. Big kids will enjoy the thrill of rollercoasters and tall slides.
Märchenwald amusement park has lots of parking and various food and drink choices. The design is well-organized, and the map helps with navigation. The fee allows you to go on all the rides in the park.
Location: Kräuterstraße 39, 82515 Wolfratshausen, Germany
Open: Daily from 9 am to 6 pm
Phone: +49 (0)8171 3855838
