Top 10 attractions for children in Berlin
These are the top attractions that every child must simply see in Berlin
Every day, new places to visit await you and your loved ones in Berlin. Whether you want to explore the city at a leisurely pace, enjoy cultural highlights for children, learn more about Berlin’s history or take a trip to the surrounding countryside – you’re guaranteed never to get bored in the capital.
With so many things to do with children in Berlin, it can sometimes be hard to decide: that’s why our ranking helps bring a bit of order to the colourful array of children’s activities. And if the weather isn’t on your side, you’ll also find tips here for things to do in Berlin with children when it’s raining.
1. Berlin Zoo and Wildlife Park
Attention all animal lovers! Whether young or old, Berlin has plenty to offer when it comes to animals of all kinds! Unusually for a big city, you can take a journey around the world right in the heart of it. You can do just that at Berlin Zoo, for example, where, across an area of 160 hectares, there are over 10,000 animals and a total of more than 650 species to marvel at. Since April 2023, you’ve even been able to travel back to the age of the dinosaurs and get up close to these prehistoric giants. Daily feedings, seasonal flight displays featuring birds of prey, themed adventure playgrounds and spacious camel pastures are sure to make not just children’s eyes light up.
More centrally located is Berlin Zoo at the Zoologischer Garten. The zoo’s uniqueness is evident right from the main entrance: the gateway is formed by two reclining elephants carved from Elbe sandstone, atop which stand two massive columns, surmounted by a curved roof adorned with imaginative carvings and golden East Asian paintings. Passing through the impressive gate, you then enter the diverse world of animals and enjoy a wonderful day out with the whole family.
Tickets for Berlin Zoo and Tierpark
At MAGICUM, visitors of all ages immerse themselves into the mysterious world of the inexplicable. Make water dance, discover your magical powers and play the game of illusions.
2. Germany Museum
Want to take a journey through nearly 2,000 years of history in just one hour? You can! And you can do so at the Deutschlandmuseum on Leipziger Platz. In this complex interactive museum, you can experience twelve eras of German history with all your senses. The presentation of history is combined with high-quality, imaginatively designed interior spaces, similar to those found in theme parks.
There’s plenty to discover here for both adults and children – even without any prior knowledge of history. Everything is accompanied by sound effects from a total of 100 loudspeakers. So do pop in, try everything out and familiarise yourself with Germany’s past.
By the way: a visit is cheaper with a time-slot ticket; the earlier you book, the cheaper the ticket.
Tickets and more information about the Deutschlandmuseum
3. Museum of Natural History
At the Museum of Natural History, you’ll walk in the ancient footsteps of giant lizards and other prehistoric finds . The special exhibition ‘DINOSAURS! – The Age of the Giant Lizards’ is particularly impressive. You’ll encounter the giants of prehistory and journey through three geological eras of the giant lizards.
Tristan, the North American Tyrannosaurus rex, who went on tour in 2020, is now back on display for visitors to admire. You’ll also gain many spectacular and enlightening insights into the flora and fauna of our planet.
Tickets for the Museum of Natural History
Experience SPOOKY Charlottenburg – the witty youth show with royal flair, inspired by Queen Luise. A show full of courage, excitement and friendship. From 19 November 2026 to 29 January 2027, only at the Friedrichstadt-Palast in Berlin!
4. Computer Games Museum
Over 60 years of computer games! That’s quite a collection. Experience the modern virtual world at the Computer Games Museum . From the very first games to the latest innovations, from fully functional classics to rarities and 3D simulators, you can immerse yourself here in the interactive cultural history of gaming.
It’s particularly great how much you can try out for yourself – including rare originals and milestones of the genre such as the Oculus Rift.
Tickets for the Computer Games Museum
5. GDR Museum
History comes to life at the GDR Museum. Take your children on a journey into everyday life in 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.
You can also pay a visit to the asisi Panorama on Divided Berlin – THE WALL , just a few streets away. The panorama takes you back to the 1980s. The large-scale 360-degree panoramic image gives a vivid impression of what life must have looked and felt like on both sides of the Berlin Wall.
Tickets for the GDR
MuseumTickets for the asisi Panorama – The Wall
Explore exclusive behind-the-scenes areas on our family-friendly stadium tours, including the players’ changing rooms and the underground warm-up hall. Enjoy a unique experience together and create unforgettable memories at the stadium.
6. German Museum of Technology
True to the motto‘Hands-on’,across the 26,500 m² site of a former factory and railway station, you’ll find aeroplanes, optical illusions, rotating houses and exciting experiments. Much of it is designed with children in mind, easy to understand and, in every case, highly educational.
All vehicle enthusiasts will be in their element here: As well as the Douglas C-47B Skytrain ‘raisin bomber’, which hangs directly above the museum entrance, you can see a saloon carriage belonging to Kaiser Wilhelm II, the ‘Tante Ju’ commercial aeroplane, an extremely rare Rumpler Tropfenwagen and even a ship simulator for budding captains. In two old locomotive sheds, you’ll discover historic steam locomotives and everything to do with train travel.
Right next door, the Spectrum Science Centre awaits you with fascinating experiments involving electricity, magnets and bizarre light effects.
Tickets for the German Museum of Technology
7. Samurai Museum Berlin
As Europe’s first museum dedicated to samurai art, the Samurai Museum Berlin displays over 1,000 original masterpieces of Japanese armoury. This is the largest collection outside Japan. Step through the ornate gateway – imported specially from Japan from an old samurai residence – and embark on an extraordinary journey through time into the history and culture of the Japanese warrior caste.
The exhibition features around 1,000 exhibits – including armour, swords and masks. Visitors also gain an insight into the role of women in samurai society, as well as religion, rituals and theatre. A 3D model highlighting valuable details of Japanese history and a 360-degree presentation of the exhibits are sure to 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 in the entrance area of the exhibition. The museum sees itself as a place of learning about the dark period of National Socialism.
In addition, there is a section of the exhibition that draws a connection between Anne Frank’s life story and the present day. Engaging with Anne Frank’s biography is a way of coming to terms with the Holocaust, understanding the present and reflecting on the future. Visitors can help shape this part of the exhibition: there are numerous display panels offering fascinating detailed information.
Tickets for the Anne Frank Centre
9. ANOHA – The Children’s World at the Jewish Museum Berlin
Playing, having lots of fun whilst learning and reflecting – that is what the new ANOHA has to offer its young visitors. It’s all about people, animals and nature living together in harmony. The focus is on the children: they decide what goes on, and they were involved right from the start with their ideas and wishes.
The result is a creative space with no limits, which is constantly evolving. At its centre is a large wooden ark, filled – naturally – with a colourful array of animals. The line-up includes giant snakes, predators and cuddly animals, as well as a mammoth, a unicorn, an owl and a cockroach: creatures large and small, pretty and not-so-pretty animals from the present day, as well as from the Stone Age or the world of legends. Children also have the chance to build their own little ark and test it out on a water slide.
As well as the Children’s World at the Jewish Museum Berlin, the Jewish Museum Berlin itself is also fascinating. Learn, observe and reflect – the Jewish Museum Berlin tells the story of Jewish citizens in Germany and offers insights into their culture. The museum building itself is extraordinary: the architect Daniel Libeskind designed it in a zigzag shape; it resembles a bolt of lightning or a broken Star of David. There are special workshops for children that address sensitive topics in a child-friendly way.
10. German Spy Museum
The German Spy Museum on Leipziger Platz is the only museum of its kind in Germany. State-of-the-art presentation technology takes you on a multimedia journey through the history of espionage – from the first secret codes of antiquity right up to the present day.
Top agents also have their say. You’ll gain insights into sophisticated espionage techniques, legendary espionage cases and spectacular covert operations. The collection comprises over 1,000 exhibits. You can view around 300 of these in numerous themed areas. At the same time, interactive installations invite you to get involved and be amazed.
Tickets for the German Espionage Museum
And a few more tips...
- ‘Stadt im Ohr’ audio walk – Children often find a walk on its own simply boring. But when the exploration tour is combined with adventure, even the little ones are all ears. Discover Berlin with the audio plays from ‘Stadt im Ohr’. Here, history and stories are skilfully combined and told in a way that’s both accessible and exciting for children. Join Socks the cat as you explore the neighbourhood around Helmholtzplatz. On a tour around Berlin’s Oberbaumbrücke , you’ll embark on an adventurous journey through time. You’ll follow mysterious shadows and meet Dschali the dragon, who lives in the bridge’s towers. The tours are particularly suitable for 9 to 13-year-olds. Find even more audio walks here.
- Thanks to its hedge maze and wide range of play facilities, the Gardens of the World are among the absolute favourite family destinations in Berlin. As well as ten international gardens covering an area the size of 60 football pitches, the Cherry Blossom Festival and tea ceremonies amidst a sea of flowers, you’ll find a wonderful vantage point, a cable car that takes you across the grounds, and a bobsleigh run that’s open almost all year round.
- For anyone who wants to aim high: at the Jungfernheide Forest High Ropes Course, anyone can climb or learn to climb: three children’s courses and nine adult courses with varying levels of difficulty offer climbing fun for beginners and pros alike. The courses are set up in the trees at heights ranging from 3 to 17 metres.
- Day trips to the Berlin countryside – Berlin is surrounded by plenty of nature , and numerous destinations can be reached surprisingly quickly and easily from the city. Take the opportunity to treat yourself to a bit of peace and relaxation. There’s plenty to discover, and loads of space for the kids to play and let off steam. We’ve put together a carefully curated selection of special day-trip destinations in Berlin and Brandenburg: look forward to long walks in the countryside, breathtaking viewpoints, fairytale castles and monasteries, and plenty of fresh air.
- Incidentally, a ride on a double-decker bus is in a league of its own. Preferably on the No. 100, taking you past the Victory Column, the Bundestag, Museum Island and other top city sights.
You’ll find even more attractions and family tips on our families’ page, and suggestions for family-friendly events in our events calendar.
