Berlin with Kids: 2025 City Break Guide
If you think Berlin is all about history, edgy street art, and wild nightlife, think again! Berlin is also bursting with family-friendly activities that’ll keep kids (and grown-ups) entertained for days.
From huge, beautiful parks and child-friendly museums to quirky cafes and exciting day trips, Berlin has everything you need for an unforgettable city break with your little explorers.
This guide will cover everything you need to know, including the best things to do in Berlin with kids, the best places to stay in Berlin, where to stay, and the best day trips!
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When is the Best Time to Visit Berlin?
There are many things to do on holiday in Berlin with kids, and choosing the right time to visit means you can make the most of your city break.
Berlin in May
The best time for a Berlin city break is in May. June is warmer, but there can be more rain. In the first week of May, many people visit Werder (Havel—30 minutes via D-Bahn from Berlin) for Baumblütenfest (Tree Blossom Festival). This festival hosts many musical performers, craft stalls, rides for the kids, different entertainers, and sweet fruit wine for the adults.
Berlin in December
Berlin for children at Christmas is magical, and you are pretty much guaranteed snow. Alexanderplatz Roten Rathaus is a huge market with a skating rink, rides, crafts, and tasty food and drinks.
Potsdamer Platz has a man-made sledding hill for the kids to enjoy, and WeihnachtsZauber at the Gendarmenmarkt is stunning and well worth a visit for a small entrance fee. Start by going on this Christmas lights and markets tour, where you’ll discover some of Germany’s best Christmas markets.
How to Get to Berlin
Berlin has two airports. Berlin-Tegel Airport (BTA) is 9km from the city center; you can take the TXL bus or shuttle train to Berlin Hauptbahnhof (Central Station) in about 20 minutes. Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) is 27km from Berlin, with express train services to Berlin in 30 minutes.
You can travel via train from London on the Eurostar, then across The Netherlands and France. This is more expensive than a direct flight and may be tricky with children and luggage.
Another option is to travel by car on Eurostar and take a tour through the Netherlands and France on your way to Berlin.
Where to Stay in Berlin with Kids
There are so many family-friendly accommodation options in Berlin. Here are our top
Budget: Novotel Suites Berlin City (Potsdamer Platz)
The Novotel Suites Berlin City (Potsdamer Platz) was a great budget stay when we visited Berlin in Spring. The hotel is 100 yards from the Anhalter Bahnhof Station in central Berlin and has great public transport links from Potsdamer Platz.
The rooms are colorful, soundproof, and have a small kitchen area with a fridge, which was great. There is also a breakfast area, lounge, and café on site.
Mid-Range: Wilde Aparthotels by Staycity Berlin
Wilde Aparthotels by Staycity Berlin has unique design features and is practical for a visit with kids.
There is a 24-hour front desk and concierge service, but you also have a fully equipped kitchen, dining area, and some personal touches (tea, coffee, fresh milk, homemade sweets). Potsdamer Platz and Gerndarmenmarkt are also very close to this location.
Want to Splurge: The Hilton Berlin
Located in central Berlin, overlooking the historic Gendarmenmarkt Square and German Cathedral, the bonus of a stay at The Hilton Berlin was the Christmas market being held there when we stayed in December!
The rooms and facilities are superb, including an indoor pool, spa, outdoor terrace, and cots on request.
Top 10 Things to Do in Berlin with Kids
Berlin was once a city divided, but now it offers many family attractions with open green spaces, interesting museums, beautiful hotels, and even LEGOLAND!
There are reminders of Germany’s complicated past, and for older children, this can be a great learning experience. There is plenty to entertain younger kids, too.
1. Brandenburg Gate
The iconic Brandenburg Gate was built in the 18th century and is stunning day or night. The Reichstag is just north of the Brandenburg Gate and houses the German Parliament.
You can walk around the original historical buildings and gardens, then visit the new Parliament building to climb the futuristic-looking glass dome and enjoy the view over Berlin.
2. Berlin Zoo
One of the top family things to do in Berlin is visit the zoo. The ornate elephant gate excited the kids on arrival, and the zoo was amazing.
There are a lot of diverse species, many themed playground areas, and a small aquarium. The kids loved the monkeys, hippopotamus, pandas, and the huge aviary. You can get a combo ticket to visit the Tierpark (wildlife park) in Berlin, which is home to over 9,000 animals.
You can reach the Berlin Zoo easily on the hop-on-hop-off bus.
3. LEGOLAND Berlin
This is one of Berlin’s major children’s attractions, located at Potsdamer Place in central Berlin, which contains over 5 million LEGO bricks of all shapes and sizes.
Apart from the intricate LEGO displays and opportunities to build, there is a 4D cinema, dragon ride, carousel, and lots of fun activities.
Potsdamer Place is great, too. The modern architecture and Sony dome are impressive, there are segments of the Berlin Wall, and there is a cinema, shops, and many restaurants.
4. Tiergarten Park
Berlin has hundreds of parks. Tiergarten is the largest park (600 acres) and offers many playground areas, boating on the lake, meandering paths, and quaint bridges to explore, as well as the Victory Column to climb.
Hidden in the middle of the park is the family-friendly Café am Neuen See, where you can sit by the water and enjoy pizza, pasta, desserts, and a cold German beer for the adults!
5. Technik Museum
You can easily spot the German Museum of Technology as there is an airplane on the roof! This museum is extremely child-friendly, interactive, and educational too.
There are 14 exhibitions featuring trains, airplanes, engines, and ships. Our kids loved the experimental areas with natural energy sources, magnets, and light, making their own paper and climbing into a model mineshaft.
6. Tempelhofer Park
A cool thing to do in Berlin is visit Tempelhofer Park, a former airport and gigantic outdoor space for cycling, skating, walking, kite flying, and picnicking.
You can cycle on the takeoff and landing strips! The park is easily reached from Berlin by train to Tempelhof station, and bike rental is available onsite. Check the weather, as the park is very open to the elements!
7. Nakurnde Museum
The Natural History Museum has exhibitions about planet Earth, evolution, space, minerals, birds, and native animals. The highlight for the kids was the World of Dinosaurs exhibition, which included a huge 13.7-metre Brachiosaurus skeleton.
There are also after-hours guided tours, during which you can explore the building by torchlight, which older kids may enjoy.
8. Kollwillplatz
Located in the Prenzlauer Berg area of Berlin, this is a family-friendly area with many great playgrounds, kid-oriented shops, ice cream parlors, and cafes. We went on Saturday, and there was a great food and craft market to wander around, sample local cuisine, and listen to live music.
9. River Spree Boat Tour
If the kids’ legs need a rest, hop on a boat tour of Berlin on the River Spree. Most tours leave from Museums Island, and you will pass many landmarks.
This activity is perfect on a summer day, or if the weather is colder, you can take an enclosed boat and enjoy the view through the glass windows with a hot chocolate.
10. ANOHA
Great if you are visiting Berlin with toddlers; this unique museum has plenty of space for little guests to run around. Children’s ideas were used to design ANOHA. In the center of the museum is a large wooden ark with animals built from various materials, from giant snakes, mammoths, and unicorns to owls and cockroaches.
Where to Eat in Berlin
Currywurst is a popular takeaway food in Germany (sliced bratwurst sausage and tomato sauce with a hint of curry), and the kids enjoy it with regular ketchup!
The Berliner doughnut is a fried, jam-filled doughnut with sugar on the outside. It tasted great at the Christmas markets. Chocolate in Berlin was, of course, fabulous!
Café Kreuzzwerg—Germany has an increasing number of Kindercafes, which are ideal for kids because they are more relaxed and offer lots of play opportunities. Café Kreuzzwerg, Hornstrasse 23, offers breakfast during the week, lunch options, and cakes. There is a large indoor play area and ball pit, as well as a garden terrace with swings and a playhouse.
Fassbender & Rausch Chocolate Shop – Chocolate paradise overlooking the beautiful Gendarmenmarkt and with amazing chocolate sculptures, tarts, and desserts. The kids loved the hot chocolate, where you can choose the type of chocolate, flavors, and toppings. View on TripAdvisor here.
How to Spend 2 Days in Berlin
There are many activities you can enjoy on a Berlin weekend break. If you are visiting for a limited time here are the best options to make sure you and the kids have an amazing time.
Day 1: 24 Hours in Berlin With Kids
Morning: We started our Berlin kids tour at the impressive Brandenburg Gate and enjoyed various street entertainers. After, we visited the Reichstag Building where the kids had a runaround and explored the historical buildings and gardens.
Book in advance to see the glass dome and home of the German Parliament, which has an amazing view over Berlin.
Why not try this private Highlights of Berlin walking tour?
Afternoon: The kids will love LEGOLAND. It’s compact, so it’s more of a half-day activity. There are lots of LEGO building opportunities, fun rides, 4D cinema, and of course the LEGO shop!
LEGOLAND is in central Berlin at Potsdamer Platz. There are cafes and restaurants where you can have a relaxed evening meal later.
Day 2: 48 Hours in Berlin with Kids
Morning: Head to Berlin Zoo and enjoy seeing thousands of animals, themed playground areas, and an aquarium.
You can easily spend around four hours here. There are two entrances, one opposite the church Gedächtniskirche (next to the aquarium) is quieter and has fewer queues.
Afternoon: Berlin Zoo is in Tiergarten, so you can relax in the park, boat on the lake, visit a café, and the kids can enjoy the playgrounds after the zoo.
This is close to Kurfürstendamm, a famous boulevard with many cafes and shops. It is also close to Savignyplatz, an atmospheric square with many restaurants. You can take the S-Bahn and arrive at these locations in five minutes.
3 Days in Berlin with Kids
Visit the Technik Museum on Trebbiner Strasse. Our kids loved the transport section, which featured trains, boats, and planes on display, and interactive science/technology areas. The museum is huge. We recommend choosing the exhibitions you prefer if you don’t plan to stay for the day.
Café Kreuzzwerg is close by, so you can enjoy a rest and some food. The kids can play indoors or outdoors at this lovely kindercafe.
Head to Museums Island via taxi or U-Bahn. It takes about 15/20 minutes. Afterwards, take a boat tour on the River Spree to enjoy the sights of Berlin by water.
Day Trips from Berlin for Families
City breaks in Germany are great with kids, but if you wish to explore further, here are some ideas. We loved Potsdam, Tropical Islands was a big hit with the kids, and Peacock Island was stunning.
Potsdam
This beautiful historic city southwest of Berlin is reachable by train from Potsdamer Station in 30 minutes. The city is famous for palaces, royal parks and the quaint Dutch Quarter, where 18th-century buildings now house boutiques, craft shops and cafes.
Visit the Sanssouci Palace, Babelsberg Castle or Cecilienhof Palace. You need to pay to go inside the palaces, and it’s a huge area, so comfortable shoes, drinks/food are a must.
Tropical Islands
This amazing amusement park has a sandy beach, tropical sea, rainforest, butterfly house, pools, water slides, and many restaurants, entertainment, and overnight accommodations.
From Berlin, you can reach Krausnick, Brandenburg, in one hour via hire car, or from Alexanderplatz Hbf, the direct train takes 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Pfaueninsel (Peacock Island)
The design of Peacock Island began in the late 18th century under the direction of King Frederick William II and his mistress Wilhelmine Encke. A small summer palace and dairy were built and today they are the perfect Berlin day trip for families.
Everyone can admire the fairytale castle, beautiful peacocks, and fountains. There are many picnic opportunities and a lovely café.
Getting Around Berlin with Kids
The Berlin Welcome Card allows unlimited travel on the U-Bahn, S-Bahn, and buses and discounts to many attractions. There are cards covering different time periods and zones. An adult ticket for zones A, B, and C permits free travel for up to three children aged 6 to 14.
We used the Berlin Welcome card, walked around central Berlin and took a rickshaw tour of the city, which we all enjoyed.
Our guide was informative and took us to some great locations; the kids loved the experience. I also highly recommend the hop-on-hop-off bus, which is one of the best ways to get around Berlin with kids while learning about the city.
Buy tickets for the hop-on-hop-off bus here.
About the author: This article was originally written by Sylvie Simpson and has been edited by Kirsten Maxwell.