Munich for kids

1. Sea Life
Take the little ones on a voyage beneath the waves at the Sea Life München museum, which opened in 2006. Over 10,000 creatures of the deep reside in over 30 large tanks.
Visitors explore the popular "Tropical Ocean" tank from an underwater glass-topped tunnel. It’s in Munich’s Olympic Park. (Website here)

2. Fairytale fun park
What kid hasn’t already heard of classic German fairytales like Snow White, Hänsel and Gretel or Little Red Riding Hood?
At the Freizeitpark Märchenwald (Fairytale Forest) over 20 fairytales on display which the little ones can bring to life with the press of a button.
Great for younger kids. (Website here)

3. Watch the surfing
Take them to see the surfers cutting the standing breaker in the Englischer Garten park. (More info: Surfing Munich)

4. Circus
Munich is home to Europe’s biggest circus, the Zirkus Krone. You could attend a show with acrobats, clowns and animals, or go along to the petting zoo where kids can get to know said animals.

5. Toyshop
Your kids could find seventh heaven in Munich’s Obletter Spielwaren.
It’s probably the city’s most famous toy store and spreads out over several levels at the Karlsplatz-Stachus central square.

6. Zoo – The Munich Zoo (Tierpark Hellabrunn) is one of Germany’s biggest with over 450 species of animals. They’re grouped continentally into Africa, Europe, America, Asia, Australia and even Antarctica. It's a highlight of Munich for kids of any age.
There is a petting zoo, pony and camel rides for children (website here).

MORE: Munich Zoo information and photo gallery of some of its cutest animals

7. Church towers
Why not take the kids up to one of Munich’s church tower lookouts at the Frauenkirche or the Alte Peter?
The views are great and the climb up the hundreds of wooden stairs might wear them out enough for you to catch your breath!

8. Beer gardens – Munich beer gardens are designed to be family friendly and many have playgrounds to keep the kids happy while the grown-ups are enjoying a drink.
The Hirschgarten even has a petting zoo with little bambis running around and the Chinesischer Turm (Chinese Tower) has a magnificent old-fashioned carousel.

9. Boating
Just near another beer garden, the Seehaus in the Englischer Garten, is a lake where you can rent out paddle boats and go for a spin around a trio of mini-islands.

Museums in Munich for kids

Take off: Boys will love
the Deutsches Museum's
aircraft displays.
Pic: © Deutsches Museum

These seven Munich museums appeal to young and old as they have children’s areas or themes of interest to kids.

1. Deutsches Museum – The world’s biggest science and technology museum has hundreds of interactive displays and 'Children’s Kingdom' for the little ones.

2. Nature – Kids can explore the natural world at the Museum of Humankind and Nature (Museum Mensch und Natur) which has displays stuffed with animals, dinosaurs and fauna.
It's in Nymphenburg Palace.