On an insanely hot summer's day this year, we headed out to Wuhlheide Park to see Berlin and Brandenburg in miniature! I have quite an obsession with miniature lands and love that Berlin has it's very own featuring well known Berlin landmarks as well as some others that I now want to see in person!
Set in the Wuhlheide Park, along with FEZ, the Modellpark Berlin-Brandenburg is home to an array of miniature buildings and landscapes for you to explore. From running miniature trains that scoot along the tracks and through tunnels (very fun for young train fans) to miniature versions of The Reichstag, the Brandenburg Gate, the Jewish Museum and many more well known buildings in Berlin.
All photographs my own / ©Sarah Winborn Photography
Some of the buildings are surrounded by a thin rope but the majority are totally out in the open. It is asked that visitors don't touch the buildings to keep them in top condition but my boys were free to run alongside the tracks as the trains whooshed by and they peered in to windows and through doorways, curious as to what they may find inside.
Some of the buildings and landscapes are interactive, with buttons for visitors to press which start music playing in a church, a train driving through a tunnel, the Die Welt balloon flying in to the air (although sadly it's not been working each time I've visited so far) and rides spinning at the festival.
Some of the buildings and landscapes are interactive, with buttons for visitors to press which start music playing in a church, a train driving through a tunnel, the Die Welt balloon flying in to the air (although sadly it's not been working each time I've visited so far) and rides spinning at the festival.
Each building comes with an information plaque detailing the name of the building or item, where it can be found in either Berlin or neighbouring Brandenburg and a little about the building's history.
Due to the open landscape of the Modellpark, I wouldn't recommend going there on extremely hot days as it's seriously lacking in shady areas. The rest of the time it is great fun though and there is a small playground towards the back for younger visitors and on the day we were there, the children were allowed to run through the sprinklers (hence my oldest boys' change of clothing in these photos) and there were some traditional outdoor games laid on the grass near the front for children to play with.
If you have children who would be incredibly frustrated at not being able to touch and climb the buildings, then this isn't the place to visit. I found my boys were mainly fine about it though and had enough to interest and distract them away from such thoughts. The trains were the big hit for sure.
Due to the open landscape of the Modellpark, I wouldn't recommend going there on extremely hot days as it's seriously lacking in shady areas. The rest of the time it is great fun though and there is a small playground towards the back for younger visitors and on the day we were there, the children were allowed to run through the sprinklers (hence my oldest boys' change of clothing in these photos) and there were some traditional outdoor games laid on the grass near the front for children to play with.
If you have children who would be incredibly frustrated at not being able to touch and climb the buildings, then this isn't the place to visit. I found my boys were mainly fine about it though and had enough to interest and distract them away from such thoughts. The trains were the big hit for sure.
The Modellpark is located at quite a large distance from the FEZ building and Wuhlheide S Bahn station for young children and it took ages for us to walk their with the boys. If can bring a stroller, carrier, bikes etc or rent a wagon from FEZ, I would recommend it. I also found that the signposts leading us from S Bahn Wuhlheide to the Modellpark were seriously lacking and we almost got lost a couple of times. A map of Wuhlheide park can be found here, I would recommend bringing an overview of the park with you.
The Modellpark is open between April - October and I do recommend a visit. Below are a few more pictures from the Modellpark and underneath, all the details you need re. prices, website details etc.
The Modellpark is open between April - October and I do recommend a visit. Below are a few more pictures from the Modellpark and underneath, all the details you need re. prices, website details etc.
Modellpark Berlin-Brandenburg
Address: An der Wuhlheide 81, Berlin
Season: April - September 10am - 6pm / October 10am - 5pm
Prices: Adults €4,50 Kids under 6 are free, 6-18 year olds €2,50, Berlinpass holders €3,00
Website
Address: An der Wuhlheide 81, Berlin
Season: April - September 10am - 6pm / October 10am - 5pm
Prices: Adults €4,50 Kids under 6 are free, 6-18 year olds €2,50, Berlinpass holders €3,00
Website
Check out my 'Activities' section for more ideas of what to do with kids in Berlin.
Follow the Berlin for all the Family Facebook page for more tips on events & activities for families in the city.
Follow the Berlin for all the Family Facebook page for more tips on events & activities for families in the city.
