15 Best Things to Do in Munich with Kids

Last Updated on April 22, 2026 by Ina Geißler

Looking for the best things to do in Munich with kids: family-friendly attractions for every budget and weather

Munich is one of those cities that work incredibly well for families. Wide green spaces, excellent public transport, lots of playgrounds and a surprisingly large number of activities that don’t cost much at all. Whether you’re visiting Munich for a weekend, a longer city break, or as part of a Bavaria itinerary, you’ll find plenty of things to do with kids of all ages.

We live about 1.5 hours away and visit Munich regularly as a family, mostly for day trips. Over the years, we’ve tested many attractions ourselves – with babies, toddlers, school kids. This guide brings together our favourite family-friendly activities in Munich, from classic highlights to lesser-known spots, suitable for different budgets and weather situations.

Learn more about:

• Magic Bavaria
• State Museum of Egyptian Art
• Balloon Worlds Munich
• Bavaria Filmstadt (Bavaria Film Studios)
• Munich Zoo Hellabrunn
• Wildpark Poing
• Munich Airport Visitor Park
• Olympic Park Munich
• BMW World & BMW Museum
• SEA LIFE Munich
• Deutsches Museum Munich
• Childrens‘ Museum Munich
• English Garden Munich
• Allianz Arena Munich
• Therme Erding & Galaxy Slide World

Our favourite family activities in Munich at a glance

This overview focuses on places that work well with children, not just famous sights. All of them are easy to combine with public transport, offer space to move around, and allow families to spend a relaxed half or full day without constant pressure. Many of these attractions are also perfect starting points for more detailed visits – and we’ll be linking individual guides for each place over time.

Planning your first trip to Munich? Here’s what families should know before visiting Munich with kids.

Magic Bavaria

If you are searching for unique indoor activities in Munich with kids, Magic Bavaria is a great alternative to traditional museums. This immersive attraction combines optical illusions, interactive installations and creatively designed rooms inspired by Bavarian culture.

Children can explore upside-down rooms, winter-themed sets and playful photo environments, while older kids and teenagers especially enjoy the creative photo spots. Magic Bavaria works best with school-aged children, but even younger visitors will enjoy the interactive atmosphere. On rainy days, it is one of the most entertaining indoor things to do in Munich with kids.

State Museum of Egyptian Art (SMÄK)

The State Museum of Egyptian Art is one of the most underrated family-friendly museums in Munich. The modern exhibition focuses on Egyptian art and mythology and is surprisingly accessible for children.

While it is not a classic hands-on museum, guided tours and holiday workshops make it highly engaging. Children learn about animal-headed gods, ancient rituals and symbolism in a way that feels interactive rather than academic. If you are looking for educational things to do in Munich with kids on a rainy day, this museum is a strong choice.

Balloon Worlds (Limited-Time Exhibition)

Balloon Worlds is a spectacular temporary exhibition and one of the most colorful indoor attractions in Munich with kids. Entire landscapes, landmarks and fantasy worlds are recreated entirely from balloons.

The exhibition feels immersive and visually impressive, with plenty of photo opportunities for families. Because it is a pop-up event, it is only available for a limited time (until 12 April 2026). If you are visiting Munich during its run, it is one of the most memorable indoor activities for families.

Bavaria Filmstadt

Located just outside Munich, Bavaria Filmstadt offers a behind-the-scenes look at one of Europe’s largest film studios. For families with school-aged children, this guided experience is both educational and exciting.

The tour includes a 4D cinema, original film sets and interactive acting stations where kids can participate themselves. Exploring the submarine from Das Boot or stepping into famous movie sets makes this one of the most unique things to do near Munich with kids. Because parts of the tour are outdoors, mild weather is ideal, but it remains a strong year-round option.

Munich Zoo Hellabrunn with kids

Hellabrunn Zoo is one of the city’s most popular family attractions, for good reason. Opened in 1911, it was the world’s first geo-zoo and is designed around natural habitats rather than traditional cages.

What makes Hellabrunn especially family-friendly is not just the animals, but the overall layout. The park is very spacious, making it easy to spend an entire day without feeling rushed. There are multiple playgrounds spread throughout the zoo, picnic areas, and plenty of spots to take breaks.

Families often appreciate the relatively affordable family tickets, especially compared to other major European zoos. On sunny days, you should definitely book your tickets online via Munchen App. A visit here works well with children of all ages, from toddlers who enjoy the open spaces to older kids fascinated by the popular elephant house and themed continents.

Wildpark Poing Munich

Located just outside Munich, Wildpark Poing is absolutely worth the short trip. The wild-life park is reachable by public transport, but arriving by car can make the visit even easier, especially with younger children.

Unlike traditional zoos, most animals roam freely across large areas. Deer and peacocks often come very close, which makes the experience exciting – and surprisingly calm. The focus on near-natural habitats is one of the reasons this park stands out.

For families, the real highlight is the huge playground area, including a popular water playground in summer. Bring spare clothes if you visit on a warm day – kids will get wet. Wildpark Poing combines nature, movement and play in a way that works beautifully for family outings.

Visitor Park at Munich Airport

The Munich Airport Visitor Park is one of those places that surprise families. Entry to the park itself is free, making it a great low-budget option.

Kids love the themed playground of the continents, which is divided into different world regions. It’s large, well maintained and perfect for burning off energy. There’s also a café on site, making it easy to stay longer. Oh, and you can play mini golf.

The famous Munich Airport viewing hill, where you can watch planes take off and land, does require a small fee – make sure to have some cash at hand! In the afternoon, you can watch Lufthansa and Emirates A380 airplanes take of.

Olympic Park

The Olympia Park is one of Munich’s most iconic areas and an excellent place to visit with kids. Originally built for the 1972 Olympic Games, the park is now a huge recreational area with lakes, hills and playgrounds.

Families enjoy the open space for picnics, cycling and casual exploring. During spring, the cherry blossoms make the park especially beautiful. The Olympic Lake is a great place to slow down, while older kids often enjoy climbing the Olympic Hill for city views. Note that the Olympic Tower Munich is currently closed due to construction,

Even without attending events or visiting the stadium, the Olympic Park offers plenty to do – and it’s easy to combine with nearby attractions like the BMW World.

BMW Welt & BMW Museum

BMW Welt is one of the best free attractions in Munich for families. Even if you’re not particularly interested in cars, the futuristic architecture alone is worth a visit. Inside, kids can explore exhibition areas, see real vehicles up close and watch how cars are presented before delivery. There’s also a designated kids‘ area at BMW World Munich.

Right next door, the BMW Museum offers a more structured experience. Older children and teens especially enjoy the interactive elements and the storytelling around mobility, technology and design. While the museum is more engaging for school-age kids, BMW Welt itself works well even with younger children and strollers. Please note that the BMW Museum isn’t free.

This stop is easy to combine with a walk through the Olympic Park, making it a relaxed half-day outing.

Sea Life Munich

SEA LIFE Munich is often promoted as a family-friendly attraction, especially for younger children. While the aquariums are well designed and visually appealing, the overall experience is relatively short. Most families finish their visit within one to one and a half hours.

For the ticket price, many parents find the visit underwhelming. It can be a nice stop if you’re already in the Olympic Park area or traveling with very young children who love fish and sharks. We’ve never been, but it’s often compared to SEA LIFE Dubai, which is definitely over-estimated.

Deutsches Museum Munich

The Deutsches Museum is one of the world’s largest science and technology museums and a must-visit for curious kids. What really sets it apart for families is the Kinderreich, a dedicated children’s area designed for hands-on learning.

Kids can build, experiment and even play with water indoors – which makes this an excellent option for rainy days. Bring spare clothes if you plan to spend time in the water section. The museum works particularly well for school-aged children, but even younger kids can enjoy parts of it with supervision. Family tickets are available.

Learn more about family-friendly bad weather activities in Munich.

Children’s Museum Munich

The Children’s Museum Munich (Kindermuseum München) is all about hands-on discovery. Instead of static displays, children are encouraged to touch, try and experiment. Exhibitions change regularly and usually focus on everyday topics, science, technology or social themes – always presented in a child-friendly way.

The museum is especially suitable for kids from kindergarten age up to early teens. Younger children can explore freely, while older kids benefit from guided activities and interactive stations. It’s a great option for rainy days or when you’re looking for a calmer indoor activity away from crowded tourist spots. Because exhibitions rotate, it’s worth checking in advance what the current theme is before your visit.

English Garden Munich

The English Garden is larger than New York’s Central Park and one of Munich’s most relaxed family destinations. It’s ideal for downtime between sightseeing stops.

Children enjoy the playgrounds and wide open areas, while parents often appreciate watching the surfers on the Eisbach wave – a uniquely Munich experience that unfortunately was recently closed for surfers. On warm days, families gather along the riverbanks, making it feel more like an authentic local hangout than a tourist attraction.

This is a great spot for families who want flexibility: you can stay for 30 minutes or several hours without any pressure.

Allianz Arena Munich

For families with football-loving kids, a visit to the Allianz Arena can be a memorable experience. Even without attending a match, guided stadium tours offer behind-the-scenes access, including the players’ tunnel.

Tours should be booked in advance, especially during school holidays. While this is one of the more expensive activities on the list, it’s often a highlight for fans of FC Bayern Munchen.

Therme Erding & Galaxy Slide World

Therme Erding, including the Galaxy Slide World, is one of the largest spa and water park complexes in Europe and is often recommended for families with older children and teenagers. The slides are impressive, and the variety is huge.

However, this is not a hidden gem. On weekends, public holidays and during school vacations, it gets extremely crowded. Long waiting times, packed pools and a very loud atmosphere are common. Prices are high, especially for families, and food inside adds significantly to the total cost.

Therme Erding in Munich with kids might sound exciting in theory. In reality, it’s very expensive and crowded. Stil want to go? Make sure to avoid peak times.

More family-friendly things to do in Munich with kids

If you’re staying longer or visiting repeatedly, there are many more options worth exploring, including indoor adventure parks, museums and lakes just outside the city. Munich’s surroundings offer easy day trips to places like Lake Starnberg or the Bavarian Alps.

Where to stay in Munich with kids

Munich isn’t known as a budget-friendly city, but there are several family-friendly accommodation options, from modern hostels to affordable chain hotels. Staying near public transport can make getting around with kids much easier.

Munich with kids

Munich manages something rare: it’s a major city that still feels relaxed with children. Between parks, museums, animal encounters and playgrounds, families can shape their visit to fit their own pace and budget. Find your family-friendly hotel in Munich here:

This guide will continue to grow as we add detailed articles on individual attractions – but even now, it should help you plan a stress-free family trip to Munich.

-> This link will lead you to more cool family destinations in Europe