Top 10 attractions for children in Berlin
These are the top attractions that every child must simply see in Berlin
In Berlin, new excursion destinations await you and your loved ones every day, whether you want to discover the city in a relaxed way, enjoy cultural highlights, learn more about Berlin's history or take a trip into the surrounding area - you're guaranteed never to get bored in the capital.
However, with so many things to do with children in Berlin, it can be difficult to decide: With our ranking, we therefore provide a little order in the colourful pile of children's activities.
1. Zoo and Tierpark Berlin
Attention all animal lovers! Whether big or small - Berlin has a lot to offer when it comes to animals of all kinds! Untypically for a big city, you can take a trip around the world right in the centre of it all. This is possible, for example, at Tierpark Berlin, where you can marvel at over 10,000 animals and a total of over 650 animal species on an area of 160 hectares. Since April 2023, you can even travel back to the time of the dinosaurs and get up close and personal with the prehistoric giants. Daily feedings, seasonal flight shows with birds of prey, themed adventure playgrounds and extensive camel meadows will not only make children's eyes light up. More centrally located is the Zoo Berlin at the Zoologischer Garten transport hub. The zoo already shows its uniqueness at the main entrance: the gate is formed by two reclining elephants made of Elbe sandstone, on which two heavy pillars are erected, above which is a curved roof decorated with imaginative carvings and golden, East Asian paintings. Through the impressive gate, you then enter the diverse world of animals and experience a great day out with the whole family.
Tickets for the Zoo and Tierpark Berlin
2. Germany Museum
Surf through almost 2000 years of history in a single hour? That is possible! At the Deutschlandmuseum on Leipziger Platz. In this complex adventure museum, you can experience twelve eras of German history with all your senses. The history is combined with high-quality and imaginatively designed room architectures, just like those found in theme parks. There is a lot to discover here for both adults and children - even without any previous knowledge of history. It won't be dry or boring: everything is accompanied by sound effects from a total of 100 loudspeakers. So come along, try everything out and familiarise yourself with Germany's past. A visit is only possible with time slot tickets, which are available online and at the ticket office on site.
Tickets and more information about the Deutschlandmuseum
3. Museum of Natural History
You can also walk on animal paths at this Berlin attraction for children: more precisely, you can walk on the ancient paths of monster lizards and other prehistoric finds at the Museum für Naturkunde. The huge skeleton of the Giraffatitan brancai (formerly Brachiosaurus brancai), which at a height of 13.27 metres is the largest mounted dinosaur skeleton in the world, and the gigantic bones of other dinosaurs on display are particularly impressive right in the entrance hall. Tristan, the North American Tyrannosaurus Rex, which went on a journey in 2020, can now also be marvelled at again. You will also gain many spectacular and enlightening insights into the flora and fauna of our planet.
Tickets for the Museum of Natural History
DeJa Vu Museum Berlin
A unique experience with wow moments awaits you at the Museum of Optical Illusions at Alexanderplatz.
Celebrate a feast for the senses, take cool photos and marvel at amazing effects.
4. Computer Games Museum
More than 60 years of computer games! A lot has come together. Experience the current virtual world at the Computer Games Museum. From the first games to the latest innovations, from functional classics to rarities and 3D simulators, you can immerse yourself in the interactive cultural history of games. What's particularly nice is how much you can try out for yourself - including rare originals and milestones of the genre such as Oculus Rift.
Tickets for the Computer Games Museum
MAGICUM, Berlin Magic Museum - unique, interactive, magical!
Gods, angels, magicians, alchemists, sorcery and illusions - the mysterious world of the inexplicable. Make water dance, discover magical thinking, play the game of illusions, leave logic at our doorstep, come in and delve into the world of magic and fascinating alternate realities. On weekends and during the Berlin vacations additional magic shows and tarot readings.
5. DDR Museum
In the DDR Museum History comes alive. Immerse yourself with your children in the everyday life of the former state and learn more about this part of German history. Take a seat in an original GDR living room, rummage through drawers and take a test drive in a Trabi.
A few streets away, you can also visit the asisi Panorama of Divided Berlin - DIE MAUER . The panorama takes you back to the 1980s. The large-scale 360-degree image panorama conveys a vivid impression of what life must have looked and felt like on both sides of the Berlin Wall.
6. German Museum of Technology
According to the motto "touching allowed" you will find the 26.500 m² area of a former factory and railway station, you will find aeroplanes, sensory illusions, rotating houses and exciting experiments. Many of them are child-friendly, easy to understand and highly educational. All vehicle enthusiasts will have real fun here: In addition to the Douglas C-47B Skytrain sultana bomber, which hangs directly above the museum portal, there is a saloon car from Kaiser Wilhelm II, the Auntie Ju airliner, an extremely rare Rumpler Tropfenwagen and even a ship simulator for aspiring captains. In two old engine sheds, you can discover historic steam locomotives and everything to do with train travel. Right next door, the Science Centre Spectrum awaits you with fascinating experiments involving electricity, magnets and bizarre light effects.
Tickets for the German Museum of Technology
The amusement park in the north of Berlin
Holland Park, located north of Berlin directly on the A10, offers exciting attractions for the whole family. Adventure playgrounds, an indoor play area, rides, mini-golf, and an ice rink provide endless fun, while various dining options complete the experience.
7. Samurai Museum Berlin
As Europe's first museum for samurai art, the Samurai Museum Berlin displays over 1000 original masterpieces of Japanese armoury. This is the largest collection outside of Japan. Walk through the ornate portal from an old samurai residence, specially imported from Japan, and embark on an extraordinary journey through time into the history and culture of the Japanese warrior caste. In the exhibition, you can view around 1000 exhibits - including armour, swords and masks. Visitors are also introduced to the role of women in samurai society, religion, rituals and theatre. A 3D model showing valuable details of Japanese history and a 360-degree presentation of the exhibits will make young visitors' eyes light up. Pay a visit to the Samurai Museum Berlin and immerse yourself in the magic of the Japanese world.
8. Anne Frank Centre
With the help of interactive stations, you can learn all about the life story of Anne Frank, her family and her friends. Frequently asked questions are answered right at the entrance to the exhibition. The museum sees itself as a place of learning about the sinister period of National Socialism. There is also a section of the exhibition that establishes a link between Anne Frank's life story and the present day. After all, studying Anne Frank's biography is a way of coming to terms with the Holocaust, understanding the present and thinking about the future. Visitors can help shape this section of the exhibition: There are numerous panels with exciting detailed information.
Tickets for the Anne Frank Centre
9. ANOHA - The Children's World of the Jewish Museum Berlin
Playing, having fun, learning and thinking - that's what the new ANOHA has to offer its young guests. It is about the respectful coexistence of people, animals and nature. The children take centre stage: they decide what is done and it was they who were involved from the outset with their ideas and wishes. The result is a creative space that knows no boundaries and is constantly evolving. At the centre is a large wooden ark, which is filled with - of course - illustrious animals. Included are giant snakes, predatory and cuddly animals as well as mammoths, unicorns, owls and cockroaches: large and small creatures, pretty and less pretty animals from today and also from the Stone Age or the world of legends. The children also have the opportunity to build their own little ark and try it out in a water ride.
In addition to the children's world of the Jewish Museum Berlin, the Jewish Museum Berlin itself is also fascinating. Experience, perceive and reflect - the Jewish Museum Berlin tells you the history of Jewish citizens in Germany and provides insights into their culture. The museum building itself is already unusual: the architect Daniel Libeskind designed the museum building in a zigzag shape, giving it the appearance of a lightning bolt or a broken Star of David. There are special workshops for children that convey sensitive topics in a child-friendly way.
10. German Spy Museum
The German Spy Museum at Leipziger Platz is the only museum of its kind in Germany. State-of-the-art demonstration technology takes you on a multimedia journey through the history of espionage - from the first ciphers from antiquity to the present day. Top agents also have their say. You will gain insights into sophisticated spying techniques, legendary espionage cases and spectacular secret operations. The collection comprises over 1,000 exhibits. Around 300 of these can be viewed in numerous themed areas. At the same time, interactive installations invite you to join in and be amazed.
A few more tips...
- Audio walk city in your ear - Children often find a walk on its own simply boring. But when the exploration tour is paired with adventure, even the little ones are all ears. Discover Berlin with the audio plays from Stadt im Ohr, which combine history and stories in a way that is understandable and exciting for children. Discover the neighbourhood around Helmholtzplatz together with Socks the cat. On a tour around the Berlin Oberbaumbrücke you go on an adventurous journey through time. You will follow mysterious shadows and get to know the dragon Dschali, who inhabits the towers of the bridge. The tours are particularly suitable for 9 to 13-year-olds. Find more audio walks here.
- The Gardens of the world are one of the absolute favourite excursion destinations for families in Berlin thanks to their hedge maze and diverse play options. In addition to ten international gardens on an area the size of 60 football pitches, the cherry blossom festival and tea ceremonies in the middle of a sea of flowers, you will find a wonderful viewpoint, a cable car that takes you across the grounds and a bobsleigh run that is in operation almost all year round.
- For all those who want to aim high: At Waldhochseilgarten Jungfernheide, anyone and everyone can climb or learn to climb: Three children's courses and nine adult courses with different levels of difficulty provide climbing fun for beginners and professionals alike. The courses are installed in the trees at heights of between 3 and 17 metres.
- Excursions into Berlin's surrounding area - Berlin is surrounded by lots of nature surrounds Berlin - and numerous excursion destinations can be reached surprisingly quickly and easily from the city. Take the opportunity to treat yourself to a little rest and relaxation. There is a lot to discover and plenty of space for the kids to play and run around. We have put together a careful selection of special excursion destinations in Berlin and Brandenburg here: Look forward to extensive hikes in the countryside, breathtaking viewpoints, fairytale castles and monasteries and plenty of fresh air.
- Out of competition, by the way, is a double-decker bus ride. My favourite with the 100 bus and past the Victory Column, Bundestag, Museum Island and other top sights of the city.
Find even more attractions and family tips on our family page.
