As you probably know, Munich is famously known for its annual Oktoberfest festival to celebrate the Bavarian beer. But the city of Munich means so much more and is a very attractive city for families wishing to spend a long weekend away from home.
In this mini guide, I will highlight the best things to do in Munich with kids including top museums and nice outdoor activities. For instance, your little tribe will definitely enjoy spending some time at the Sea Life Munich. Or simply admire Munich from the sky by taking a ride on the Umadum Ferris Wheel.
With over 1.5 million inhabitants, Munich is the 3rd largest city in Germany in terms of population. It is among the wealthiest cities in Germany so expect a lot of modern buildings and top restaurants to discover to.
Munich presents so many assets to tourists that it is impossible to cover the city in one day. So plan accordingly your activities and aim to spend at least 2 nights in town so you can properly appreciate visiting Munich with the family.
So let’s not wait any longer and have a look at my suggested best things to do in Munich with kids. Los geht’s!
1. The Deutsches Museum
This is a museum that any family shouldn’t miss on their first visit in Munich: the Deutshes Museum. The museum is indeed the largest in the world dedicated solely to science and technology.
Your and your children will be able learn about so many topics such as space, chemistry, aviation, high tech and so much more. The venue is big enough that you can easily spend the whole day and you wouldn’t cover every corner of the museum.
There is specific area designed for young children between 3 and 8 years old. The New Kids’s Kingdom displays some interactive exhibitions like a giant marble run or water play zone. Don’t hesitate to ask around to find this unique and fun activity.
Overall, the Deutsches Museum is the perfect antidote to keep the kids busy on a rainy day in Munich (or even if it is sunny!).
📍Museumsinsel 1, 80538 München, Germany
2. Munich Hop On Hop Off Tour
If you feel discovering Munich with the kids without too much effort, you can’t go wrong by picking this double decker bus. The bus will take you on the most popular landmarks and areas of Munich where you can hop on and hop off at your leisure.
You can either purchase a 1-day or 2-day ticket to maximise your stay in Munich with the family. The bus is taking three different routes during the day: the City Tour, the Nymphenburg Olympic Park Tour and the Schwabing Tour. All are very different depending on what you have planned to do for the day in Munich.
3. SEA LIFE Munich
The famous aquarium and marine brand SEA LIFE is operating one of the oldest aquariums in the world. Built in 1902, SEA LIFE Munich is located inside Olympic Park and exhibits over 35 gigantic aquariums.
Families will enjoy a diverse range of marine species including an incredible collection of sharks. This attraction is probably among the most popular kids friendly activities in Munich so you can expect lots of children, especially on weekends and during school holidays.
However, as any SEA LIFE museums, you can expect very well maintained aquariums, nice décor and lighting plus a great shop to bring back home some souvenirs. Highly recommended for any family visiting Munich.
📍Willi-Daume-Platz 1, 80809 München, Germany
4. Nymphenburg Palace
If the French has Versailles with its famously opulent Hall of Mirrors, the German have the Nymphenburg Palace and is considered among the most beautiful palaces in Europe. The initial building was built in the 17th century with the guidance of the Italian architect Agostino Barelli.
The baroque palace is definitely on the top things to do in Munich with family if you wish to go back in time and explore the Bavarian history. Don’t hesitate to take a tour of the palace and the beautiful gardens surrounding it. Also, children enter free at the palace so one more reason not to miss this activity in Munich.
📍Schloß Nymphenburg 1, 80638 München, Germany
5. Hellabrunn Zoo
Good news! It is sunny and your kids need to be outside. Why not heading to the Hellabrunn Zoo. Set over 40 hectares green fields, this beautiful zoo in Munich tries to keep animals in cageless areas as much as possible.
Expect to find lots of animal species including rhinos, elephants or giraffes. Past visitors have praised how well maintained this place is. Animals seem to be happy and don’t be shy to be close to you either.
Young children will find plenty to do within the premises such as different playgrounds and a petting zoo where they can approach goats.
Last but not least, there is a great restaurant with a beer garden perfect to have a family lunch during your visit. Kids can then play with their peers at the adventure playground nearby.
📍Tierparkstraße 30, 81543 München, Germany
6. Alte Pinakothek
Claimed to be one of the oldest galleries in the world, Alte Pinakothek is an art museum where you can admire masterpieces from the 14th century until 18th century. Children would probably enjoy the tour of the museum with the optional audio guide available in different languages.
From Da Vinci to Monet, this museum has such a diverse collection of paintings that you could easily spend half a day looking at the different periods. Alte Pinakothek is also a good opportunity to introduce classic painters to your kids.
Just take the time to wander around the museum and let the kids discover what they like.
📍Barer Str. 27, 80333 München, Germany
7. Westpark
On a great sunny day in Munich, a walk to West Park with the family is really a blessing with such a beautiful green space in a city. The rose garden is very impressive with lots of photo opportunities to feed your Instagram with lots of colours.
The park is famously known to host Asian structures like the Thai Sala or the Nepalese Pagoda. You would certainly meet lots of birds as well such as ducks, geese and swans. Different ponds are scattered around the park too.
In the summer, you can book your tickets for open-air cinema, which features classic movies (I can’t promise every movie will be in English though).
8. KUNSTLABOR 2
With over 60 rooms, this temporary exhibition venue has a lot to offer to visitors who are open to modern and contemporary art. Each room is decorated by a different artist, which would trigger some questions in your kids head for sure.
Don’t expect to see a traditional art museum but much more a cultural space where artists let their imagination go wild in this huge building.
It would be interesting to know what is your child’s favourite room and why. So many colourful exhibits with explanations to help you understand each piece of work.
📍Dachauer Str. 90, 80335 München, Germany
9. BMW Museum
Located nearby the Olympic Park, BMW Museum is one of the most interesting exhibition venue if you are big fans of cars and of course the BMW brand. The building itself is a work of art and you will be impressed with the huge collection of cars from the early days until the latest models.
This museum was open in the seventies just after the Summer Olympic Games in 1972. Since then, it has been expended with more space dedicated to different themes: classics cars, vintage, sports cars and so much more.
BMW Museum should be featured in your wish list of things to do in Munich with kids on a rainy day for sure. Even if you are not crazy about this industry, you will find this attraction quite interesting with unique BMW models.
📍Am Olympiapark 2, 80809 München, Germany
10. Umadum Ferris Wheel
Here is a fun attraction that you could in Munich before dinner with the kids. The Umadum Ferris Wheel is an easy way to have a birdseye view over the city of Munich.
The duration of this activity lasts about 30 min where you will reach the top at 260-feet above ground level. You can decide to buy in advance a drink before boarding so you can make the journey even more special. Beware that strollers need to be kept on the ground.
Get your camera ready and shoot as many photos as possible with the kids!
📍Atelierstraße 11, 81671 München, Germany
11. WichtelWerk München
If you are desperate to entertain your young children in a soft play indoor area, the WichtelWek Munchen could be your saviour. If your children are not autonomous just yet to play by themselves, not to worry as parents can join them in any activity you wish to do.
Kids can find different climbing structures with bouncy castles, gokarts, ball pits and plenty more activities. Also there is a café where you can sip your favourite hot drink and buy snacks as well.
This activity is perfect for children between 3 and 11 years old just like your local soft play venue but in Munich.
📍Bertha-Kipfmüller-Straße 44, 81249 München, Germany
12. Maxxarena
Get ready to jump and down at Maxxarena. This indoor venue in Munich is the perfect place to release your kids’ energy. You will find lots of trampolines, a climbing wall and even a glow in the dark miniature golf.
Of course this place is not for the shy children as during weekends and school holidays, you can expect to see lots of children having the best time of their life. Apparently you can see up to 200 people jumping per session.
Maybe try to book in advance off peak time slots so you can enjoy the jumps at your own pace!
If you need a place to eat, Maxxarena has thought about everything with MAXX Bistro where you order drinks but also pizzas, Panini and bagels.
📍Hürderstraße 4, 85551 Kirchheim bei München, Germany
13. TimeRide VR Time Travel Experience
This attraction is not suitable for children under 6
Cities try to find innovative ways to allow tourists discover their history and TimeRide VR Time just delivers that. This Virtual Reality tour is a 45 minutes journey through Bavarian times.
You will first enter the venue with a little museum telling you all about of this fictional tale around Munich. Then you would be equipped with the VR headset for 15 minutes movie where you will feel flying over the city.
TimeRide is not essential on your first visit but it is a fun activity to do in Munich with grown up kids if you have the budget for it.
📍Tal 21, 80331 München, Germany
14. MVG Museum
If you haven’t had seen enough with BMW Museum, head out to MVG Museum dedicated to trams and public transportation. Located in the South of Munich, this affordable attraction is great if you and your children are into old trains , buses and trams.
The venue is big enough to really appreciate all these classics models of transportation. You can even board some of the carriages and take plenty of photos with your children.
Make sure to check the website to see days of opening as the venue is not open everyday.
📍Ständlerstraße 20, 81549 München, Germany
15. St Peters Church
Last but not least, St Peters Church is probably the most important religious building you shouldn’t miss in Munich with the kids. As you as you enter the premises of this Roman Catholic church, you are exposed to beautiful golden ceilings.
St Peters is the oldest church in Munich where you can also climb the stairs of the tower and access a panoramic view of the city. Probably not the ideal thing to do if you have a pram with you though.
📍Peterspl. 1, 80331 München, Germany
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE
- Best Things to Do in Berlin with Kids
- Where to Stay in Berlin with Children
- Things to Do in Hamburg with Kids
PIN IT AND READ THIS ARTICLE FOR LATER!
CONCLUSION
You have reached the end of my article on the best things to do in Munich with kids. I sincerely hope you have found enough activities to make your Munich holiday break interesting for your family.
If you rent a car, you can also spend a day at the Legoland Deutschland Resort, which is about 100km away from Munich.
Happy family holiday in Munich!
The post may contain affiliate links, which means that we may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. More info: Disclosure.
