Germany with kids: a complete guide

Whether you’re looking to travel with babies, toddlers or teenagers, or fancy enjoying a multi-generational vacation to remember, Germany is a fantastic family-friendly destination, thanks to its rewardingly rich mix of history, culture, nature, and fun attractions for all ages. Like the sound of that? Keep reading for more on the subject of visiting Germany with kids. As a bonus, here we also share a suggested 7-day family-friendly Germany itinerary to kickstart your adventures.

Germany with kids: what to expect

Boasting safe cities, friendly villages, excellent infrastructure, and countless family-friendly attractions, Germany is a breeze to explore with children, and a breeze to get around.

With attractions ranging from castles that seem conjured from a fairy tale, fun interactive museums, and thrilling amusement parks, Germany is also loaded with stunning natural landscapes that are ripe for outdoor adventures, for all ages and abilities. 

Take your pick from easy walks in the family-friendly Black Forest, or enjoying more high-octane adventures in the Bavarian Alps, for just a couple of examples.

Also pretty affordable if you take the time to research accommodation, and arm yourself with travel cards, Germany’s hearty-style food is also likely to satisfy even the pickiest of eaters.

10 tips for traveling to Germany with kids 

From deciding when’s the best time to visit Germany with kids, to what to eat, and unique experiences to consider including in your itinerary, here are our top ten tips for traveling to Germany with kids 

1. Best time to visit Germany with kids 

The best time to visit Germany with kids is during late spring (May–June) and early fall (September). These periods offer pleasant weather, fewer crowds, and plenty of seasonal festivals and outdoor activities. 

While summer (July–August) is also lovely, and weather is never really too hot, theme parks can be crowded and hotels are more expensive.

Also note that December is a magical time for families — think Christmas markets, twinkling lights, and seasonal treats that delight kids and adults alike.

Conversely, the least favorable time to visit Germany with kids is January-March, when the weather is cold, grey, and many outdoor attractions are closed or less enjoyable. 

That said, winter sports destinations like the Bavarian Alps may appeal to skiing families.

While we still vote for spring or fall, the best time for you to visit Germany with kids depends on what, exactly, you most want to do!

2. How to get around Germany with kids 

Germany has an excellent transport system, which means getting around Germany with kids is easy, safe and very efficient.

Trains are one of the best ways to get around, with the Deutsche Bahn (DB) rail network connecting all major cities and many smaller towns.

Families can use high-speed ICE trains for long distances, or regional trains (RE, RB) for shorter trips. 

Children under 15 travel free with a parent on many routes, and there are family areas and quiet zones on board. 

Public transport in cities, including the U-Bahn (subway), S-Bahn (commuter rail), trams and buses, is safe, affordable, and largely stroller-friendly. 

Family day passes are available and offer great value.

For greater flexibility, especially if you plan to explore rural regions like Bavaria or the Black Forest, renting a car might make sense. Roads are well maintained, and rest stops are family-friendly, with clean facilities and play areas.

Cycling is also an option in many towns, with excellent bike paths, bike rental schemes and child-friendly trails.

3. Safety tips for traveling to Germany with kids

Germany is very safe, but here are a few practical tips to stay extra safe when traveling to (and around) Germany with kids.

While most German cities are clean and secure, keep a close eye on kids in crowded areas, and teach them to spot uniformed staff or police if they get separated.

Always use designated pedestrian crossings and teach kids not to step into cycle lanes.

On public transport, validate tickets as you board, and keep children seated or safely positioned.

When exploring Germany’s awe-inspiring outdoors, always stick to marked trails in forests and mountains, and be mindful of steep paths or cycling routes in hilly areas and near water.

While Germany is well-equipped for family travel, with a wide range of comfortable, safe, child-friendly accommodation across the country’s cities, towns and rural areas, be sure to check places have exactly what you need for the ages of your kids.

For example, you might want to look for spacious family rooms or suites with multiple beds or a separate sleeping area for kids. Or maybe you need a crib and high chair for very little kids, or you want an on-site play area to keep older kids happy. The key is to expect nothing, and check everything!

To make your trip to Germany with kids all the more memorable, we also suggest checking out special places to stay. 

For example, Germany’s Kinderhotels (specialized family resorts) offer playgrounds, kids’ clubs, pools and plenty of activities.

You could also look to stay in a real castle (e.g. Burg Colmberg or Schloss Hornberg) for a magical fairy-tale experience, with farm stays (Bauernhofurlaub) also having huge appeal for kids.

7. Try Kindergerichte (kids’ menus)

Most restaurants offer child-friendly dishes, often with the likes of mini schnitzel, sausages, or spätzle (a soft noodle kids tend to love). 

Pretzels are a great snack to stock up on, and German bakeries are loaded with treats to everyone happy!

8. Explore cool German Castles

Germany has over 20,000 castles, but some are especially fun for kids.

You could, for example, focus on the likes of Burg Eltz, Neuschwanstein, or the Playmobil FunPark’s castle replica.

9. Enjoy local festivals

if your kids are a little older, consider planning your trip around family-friendly festivals.

For example, Munich’s Oktoberfest is family-oriented in the daytime, Carnival (Karneval) is a fabulous extravaganza of parades and costumes, especially in Cologne, and Germany’s legendary Christmas markets are loaded with rides, festive fun and seasonal sweets!

10. Explore Germany’s fabulous fairy tale route

Inspired by the Brothers Grimm, this themed road trip links towns tied to fairy tales like Rapunzel and Sleeping Beauty, with storybook towns and interactive museums.

For more pre-trip advice, dive into our guide to how to plan a trip to Germany.

Things to do in Germany with kids 

Including some of the best things to do in Germany, here are some of the best things to do in Germany with kids on a vacation that mixes entertainment, outdoor fun, and cultural discovery.

Best theme parks

• Europa-Park, Rust: Germany’s biggest theme park boasts rides for all ages, with themed lands, and on-site family-oriented hotels.
• LEGOLAND Deutschland near Günzburg: a must-visit for LEGO fans, with themed rides, shows, and an enormous LEGO castle.
• Phantasialand, near Cologne: this place is packed with imaginative rides, fantasy zones, and family shows, and Cologne could also be Germany's coolest city!

Best places for nature and outdoor activities

• Black Forest: ideal for hiking, toboggan runs, and scenic walks through fairy-tale landscapes of forests and lakes.
• Bavarian Alps: think cool cable car rides, easy trails, and summer bobsledding in the likes of Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Berchtesgaden.
• Lake Constance/Bodensee: a pretty place for everyone to cycle and enjoy paddle boats.

Best museums and hands-on experiences for kids

• Deutsches Museum, Munich: science and technology come alive at this innovative space, thanks to stacks of interactive exhibits.
• German Museum of Technology, Berlin: alongside exhibits of steam trains and planes, this offers hands-on science experiences for all ages.
• Miniatur Wunderland, Hamburg: the world’s largest model railway, no less!
• Sweet-making: what’s not to love about making your own gummy bears at the HARIBO factory in Bonn, Westphalia, or taking a candy workshop in Berlin?!

Germany itinerary with kids

While the sky’s limit when it comes to configuring a family-friendly Germany itinerary, the following suggested 7-night option has a focus on Bavaria.

Combining city culture, castles, and nature, and featuring a mix of hands-on museums, open spaces, and fun activities for kids, we’ve kept travel times manageable (mostly 1–3 hours) across three bases — Munich, Nuremberg and the Black Forest.

Day 1: Arrive in Munich and explore magical Marienplatz

After arriving in Munich, settle into your family-friendly hotel — you might want to wise up on the best area to stay in Munich.

Rest up if you need to before heading out to stroll the magnificent Marienplatz. After watching the celebrated Glockenspiel do its fun, musical thing, grab ice cream and soak up the square’s lively vibe before heading to a traditional beer garden for dinner. Many have playgrounds for kids)

Day 2: Day trip to enchanting Neuschwanstein Castle

Day two will surely turn out to be a much-treasured highpoint of your trip, thanks to visiting the fairy-tale-esque Neuschwanstein Castle

We suggest you take the trai the Füssen (it takes around two hours) and then ride up to the castle in a horse-drawn carriage.

Take your time exploring the castle and its scenic surroundings — there are plenty of family-run, family-friendly places to eat around these pretty parts — before heading back to Munich in the late afternoon, allowing time to relax that evening.

Day 3: Check out Munich’s cool museums and parks 

Day three is devoted to doing a deeper dive into Munich’s museums and green spaces, starting out at the Deutsches Museum, which is packed with child-pleasing interactive science exhibits.

Given that you’ll have been cooped up indoors for a few hours, spend the afternoon in the English Garden. Pack a picnic, rent pedal boats, and watch the river surfers.

Alternatively, head to the BMW Museum, or spend a few hours in the Sea Life Aquarium.

Like the sound of Munich? Read up on how many days you need in Munich.

Day 4: Travel to Nuremberg for medieval magic

On day four, take an early one-hour train to Nuremberg — a family-friendly medieval town that conjures old-world magic, not least thanks to its charming Old Town and castle.

After visiting said castle, be sure to head to the Toy Museum, perhaps stopping for snacks at a bratwurst stand.

Day 5: Outdoor adventures fun in the Black Forest 

A shift in scenery and pace awaits on day five, when you’ll travel to the beautiful Black Forest region. 

We suggest basing yourself in Triberg or Titisee-Neustadt, both of which can be reached in around three hours from Nuremburg.

Here you can enjoy forest hikes, toboggan runs, and nature trails, visit Triberg Waterfalls, and see the world’s largest cuckoo clock!

This region is also rich in family-run guesthouses and farm stays.

Day 6: Explore Freiburg or Lake Titisee

Spend day six exploring Freiburg — a welcoming family-friendly town with canals and a great open-air market.

Alternatively, you could head to Lake Titisee, which boasts pedal boats, safe swimming zones, lakeside cafés and forest walks.

Day 7: Travel to Frankfurt ready to depart

Day 7 is departure day, so rise early to make your way to Frankfurt (2–3 hours) for your homeward flight.

If time allows, stop at charming Heidelberg en route.

If your flight is late in the day, you could take a take a short river cruise on the Main or visit the Senckenberg Natural History Museum before heading to the airport.

Keen to enjoy a vacation in Germany with your kids? Browse our Germany itineraries for more inspiration before taking the plunge and booking your vacation.

Alternatively, to forgo all the hassle of planning, have our local Germany travel experts curate your perfect family vacation for any duration.