Visiting Berlin with children needn't cost you the Earth. Whether you are planning a long weekend or a longer stay here, there are lots of free and cheap things you can do in Berlin that will keep the kids and you happy.
Here are my tips for visiting Berlin with kids and a small budget...
Here are my tips for visiting Berlin with kids and a small budget...
Tempelhofer Feld
The old airfield of the once highly important Tempelhof Airport (Flughafen Tempelhof) has been turned in to a gigantic park, enjoyed by Berliner's and visitors alike. Bring a picnic or a kite (the airfield attracts good winds for kite flying), watch the sporty-types running, cycling and skating around the track or hire a bike (kids bikes and bike seats are also available to rent) and make your two around the airfield on two (and even three or four) wheels. Whilst you are there, you can take in the history and architecture of the airport, still in tact ,although no longer a working airport and there is often an aeroplane parked outside which can be seen from the park. More info here.
The Berlin Wall at Eastside Gallery
Large remnants of The Berlin Wall stand, intact along a road between Ostbahnhof S Bahn and Warschauer Str. S Bahn. It makes for an interesting walk, with imagery on both sides of the wall in many places and it makes for a great talking point for those with children old enough to start learning about it's history. Make your way to Ostbahnhof, exit through the main exit (with large glass doors and windows and a McD's to the left) and you will see the wall across the road, slightly to the left.
Berlin's Playgrounds
Berlin is home to a plethora of amazing playgrounds in all shapes and sizes. Many of the playgrounds have themes, such as the Snow White Playground in Charlottenburg and the 1001 Nights playground in Hasenheide Park, Neukoelln. There are so many to enjoy and they are the perfect way to give the younger children a fun break from sightseeing. Berlin playgrounds are filled with sand so make sure to bring some sand toys with you and be prepared for sandy shoes! Here are a few of my favourite Berlin playgrounds.
Head to the Berlin Lakes
Berlin is surrounded by numerous lakes, some small and some larger, many of which can be accessed by train and are free to enjoy. Many families spend their summer days sat next to their favourite lake and taking a dip in the water. One thing to be aware of is that there will most likely be naked Germans, so if that puts you off, perhaps stay away. We recently visited Schlachtensee (the German word for lake is ''See''). You can read my review here.
Peacock Island
With free-roaming peacocks, numerous historical buildings, beautiful gardens and lots of opportunities for tree climbing, Peacock Island is a great destination for a family picnic and a day out in Berlin. This one isn't free, but it's still very low-budget friendly as you can spend a large part of the day there and easily bring a picnic. Children under 6 are free, Adults €4 and it costs €3 to cross to the island with the ferry (the only way to get there). More info on the island, with pictures here.
Explore the Berlin forests
As my partner says, ''Germany does a good forest'' and Berlin is no exception. There are forests to be found in a number of parts of the city and they can be great fun to explore with the kids. Plaenterwald is not far from Friedrichshain, Kreuzberg, Neukoelln & Tempelhof and, alongside the many beautiful trees and paths, you can find a water playground and an amazing wooden playground made from the forest itself.
Alternatively, there is the Grunewald in the West. This is an expansive forest at 3000 hectare and too large to cover purely by foot. However, it is a beautiful place to wander and there are some interesting sights to see within it such as the Grunewald Tower (Grunewaldturm) from which you can see out to the Havel and Wannsee, the Müggelbergen, reaching a height of 115 metres and used, during the Winter months (when covered with snow) , as a ski-slope and toboggan run! The Grunewald Hunting Lodge (Hüttenweg 100, 14193 Berlin), originally built in 1542 and rebuilt 160 years later, makes for an idyllic stroll and even homes a museum with artwork on display.
Visit The Reichstag
There are many wonderful sightseeing opportunities in Berlin and one of the greats is The Reichstag, the meeting place of the German Parliament, the Bundestag. The Reichstag is fabulous to visit on a clear day as it free to go up to the terrace and offers beautiful views over the city as well as an interesting route up there. Here's more info on visiting The Reichstag with children.
Explore the museums
There are maaaaaany museums to explore in Berlin and entry to these tends to vary in price. A website called Museums Portal lists which Berlin museums offer free entrance to children under 17 years of age and which Berlin museums offer free entry.
Of the museums that include an entry charge (younger kids often get in for free), Spectrum and it's neighbour, the Berlin Museum of Technology are my kid's favourites.
I hope you find this list helpful when visiting Berlin with your children. If you know of something that should be added to the list, let me know in the comments section.
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