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Family outings

Family outings in Munich

Munich is a city built for children, snow included: huge parks for cycling and sledging, museums that cost one euro on Sundays, libraries free until 18, and lakes and mountains an hour away by train. Here are our addresses, all checked on official websites.

Verified on 30 October 2026

Parks, playgrounds and zoo

Green is everywhere: the English Garden runs through the city from the centre to the north, the Isar offers pebble beaches right in town, and every district has its big park with wooden playground, paddling pool and sledging hill.

Good to know

  • The English Garden, created in 1789, covers 376 hectares, free and open all year: Monopteros, Kleinhesselohe lake, and at the foot of the Chinese Tower a 7,000-seat beer garden and a historic children's carousel. Source
  • The Westpark, 60 hectares laid out for the 1983 garden show next to the lycée, has six playgrounds including a water playground and an accessible one, two lakes, Asian gardens and an open-air cinema in summer on the Seebühne. Source
  • Tierpark Hellabrunn, the world's first 'geo-zoo' since 1928, shows more than 500 species arranged by continent on the banks of the Isar, 365 days a year; children pay from 4 to 14 and the yearly family passes soon pay off. Source
  • The Olympiapark, legacy of the 1972 Games, gathers sledging hills, a lake, the Olympic pool, a panoramic tower, the Sea Life aquarium and summer festivals on one site: the go-to weekend outing. Source

Addresses

  • Englischer Garten

    Park

    Du Lehel à Schwabing et Freimann

    The city's largest park: Eisbach surfers, boats and carousel at the Chinese Tower, meadows for kites, sledging in winter on the Monopteros hill.

    Website Source

  • Westpark

    Park

    Sendling-Westpark (U6 Westpark, tram 18)

    The south-west family park, next to the lycée's Sendling campus: playgrounds, Nepalese pagoda and Thai sala, rose garden, open-air cinema in summer.

    Website Source

  • Tierpark Hellabrunn

    Park

    Tierparkstraße 30, 81543 München (U3 Thalkirchen)

    Munich's zoo, on the banks of the Isar: elephants, gorillas, penguins, children's farm, family guided tours with no minimum age; good-value yearly family pass.

    Website Source

  • Olympiapark

    Park

    Spiridon-Louis-Ring 21, 80809 München (U3 Olympiazentrum)

    Hills, lake with pedalos, Olympic pool, tower with Alpine views, Sea Life and BMW Welt just across the road.

    Website Source

  • Schlosspark Nymphenburg

    Park

    Schloss Nymphenburg, 80638 München (tram 17)

    The palace park, with its canals, swans and pavilions, is free; the Botanical Garden and the Museum Mensch und Natur on its edge round out the outing.

    Website Source

  • Botanischer Garten München-Nymphenburg

    Park

    Menzinger Straße 65, 80638 München

    Tropical greenhouses to warm up in winter, exotic butterflies early in the year, Alpine plant garden: a refuge on rainy days.

    Website Source

Go further

Children's museums and one-euro museums

Munich invented the children's science museum with the Deutsches Museum's Kinderreich, and the Bavarian state museums open free to under-18s and for one euro on Sundays to adults. Rainy days are covered.

Good to know

  • In the Pinakotheken (Alte Pinakothek, Pinakothek der Moderne), entry is free for children and teenagers under 18 and costs just one euro on Sundays for adults; the Neue Pinakothek is closed for several years of renovation. Source
  • The Deutsches Museum's Kinderreich is a hands-on exhibition for ages 3 to 8, open daily from 9 am to 4:30 pm (last entry 4:15 pm) with up to two accompanying adults: giant guitar, 1950s fire engine; an online traffic light shows whether there is still room. Source
  • The Kindermuseum München, based in Riem, offers interactive exhibitions for ages 4 to 12 and a 'make your museum' programme from age 10; open Thursday and Friday afternoons and weekends in term time, Tuesday to Sunday during holidays. Source
  • The Museum Mensch und Natur in Nymphenburg is being reinvented as BIOTOPIA, Bavaria's natural history museum under construction; in the meantime, the BIOTOPIA Lab welcomes families on Menzinger Straße with a pop-up exhibition and a weekend programme. Source

Addresses

  • Deutsches Museum et son Kinderreich

    Museum

    Museumsinsel 1, 80538 München (sur l'Isar, S-Bahn Isartor)

    One of the world's largest science and technology museums, with the Kinderreich for ages 3 to 8, the planetarium, the mines and the aircraft; allow a full day.

    Website Source

  • Verkehrszentrum du Deutsches Museum

    Museum

    Am Bavariapark 5, 80339 München (Theresienhöhe)

    Steam locomotives, trams, racing cars and vintage bikes in three historic exhibition halls, open daily from 9 am to 5 pm, with a children's area; next to the consulate.

    Website Source

  • Kindermuseum München

    Museum

    Willy-Brandt-Allee 10, 81829 München (Riem, U2 Messestadt West)

    The children's museum, where everything can be touched: themed exhibitions for ages 4 to 12, workshops, birthday parties.

    Website Source

  • BMW Welt et BMW Museum

    Museum

    Am Olympiapark 1, 80809 München (U3 Olympiazentrum)

    The BMW Welt, a futuristic showcase with free access, and the museum opposite: motorbikes, legendary cars and workshops for young visitors.

    Website Source

  • Pinakothek der Moderne et Alte Pinakothek

    Museum

    Barer Straße, Maxvorstadt (tram 27)

    Design, architecture and modern art on one side, old masters on the other; free for under-18s, one euro on Sundays, children and family programme.

    Website Source

  • SEA LIFE München

    Museum

    Olympiapark, 80809 München

    The Olympiapark aquarium, from the Danube to the sea: shark tunnel and touch pool, ideal on rainy days with little ones.

    Website Source

  • Bavaria Filmstadt

    Museum

    Bavariafilmplatz 7, 82031 Geiselgasteig (tram 25)

    The film studios south of the city: sets, stunt show and 4D cinema; older children find the Neverending Story there.

    Website Source

  • BIOTOPIA Lab

    Museum

    Menzinger Straße 67, 80638 München (Nymphenburg)

    The lab of Bavaria's future natural history museum, next to the Botanical Garden: pop-up exhibition and weekend workshops for families.

    Website Source

Go further

Libraries and the French médiathèque

Three treasures for young readers: the Stadtbibliothek, free until 18 in every district, the Institut français médiathèque with its children's corner, and the International Youth Library, unique in the world, in a castle on the west side of town.

Good to know

  • The Münchner Stadtbibliothek card is free for children and teenagers up to 18 (20 € a year for adults), with an ID or passport and the Meldebestätigung; books are lent for 28 days, renewable twice, in all branch libraries and the book buses. Source
  • The Institut français médiathèque on Kaulbachstraße holds more than 20,000 books, films and magazines in French, a children's corner with activities and access to the Culturethèque digital library; open Tuesday to Friday afternoons, Wednesday mornings and one Saturday a month. Source
  • The Kinderbibliothek of the Internationale Jugendbibliothek lends some 20,000 children's books in 22 languages, French included, free of charge, Monday to Friday from 2 to 6 pm, in Blutenburg castle; exhibitions and family workshops all year. Source

Addresses

  • Médiathèque de l'Institut français de Munich

    Library

    Kaulbachstraße 13, 80539 München (Schwabing, U3/U6 Universität)

    The heart of French reading in Munich: picture books and comics in the children's corner, press and DVDs, Culturethèque online, a stone's throw from the English Garden.

    Website Source

  • Münchner Stadtbibliothek

    Library

    Bibliothèques de quartier dans toute la ville, centrale provisoire au Motorama (Haidhausen) et au HP8 (Sendling)

    The municipal network: children's areas, story times, Tonies and games, services for Kitas and schools, book buses in outlying districts; free until 18.

    Website Source

  • Internationale Jugendbibliothek, Schloss Blutenburg

    Library

    Seldweg 15, 81247 München (Obermenzing, S-Bahn Pasing puis bus)

    The largest library of international children's literature, in a 15th-century castle: free lending in 22 languages, James Krüss museum tower, exhibitions, read-aloud day.

    Website Source

Go further

Activities, clubs and outings in French

Keeping French alive when school is German, or simply finding French-speaking friends: the Institut français, AFLM, the parish and the lycée's parents' association weave a tight network, and Munich adds two children's theatres and a miniature city run by children themselves.

Good to know

  • AFLM (Association Français Langue Maternelle de Munich), listed by the consulate, offers French classes and activities to children in the German system, under the France-backed FLAM programme. Source
  • The Institut français in Munich offers French courses for all ages and a cultural programme (cinema, talks, workshops) throughout the year, plus the children's corner of its médiathèque. Source
  • Mini-München, the play city that 9 to 15-year-olds govern, work in and run themselves during the summer holidays, has existed for more than 40 years; the 2026 edition is over, see you in 2028. Source
  • The Münchner Marionettentheater, founded in 1858 near the Sendlinger Tor, plays fairy tales from age 4 all year and sets up on the Oide Wiesn during the Oktoberfest; the Schauburg, the municipal theatre for young audiences, stages shows from 5 months. Source

Addresses

  • Institut français de Munich

    Activity

    Kaulbachstraße 13, 80539 München

    French courses for children and adults, médiathèque with children's corner, cinema and talks; the city's French cultural anchor.

    Website Source

  • AFLM, Association Français Langue Maternelle de Munich

    Activity

    Georg-Hager-Straße 30, 81369 München (Sendling)

    French classes and activities for children in German schools (FLAM programme); contact via the consulate or [email protected].

    Source

  • APELM, association des parents d'élèves du Lycée Jean-Renoir

    Activity

    Berlepschstraße 3, 81373 München (Sendling)

    Affiliated to the FAPEE: newcomers' guide, group textbook order and second-hand book sale, holiday programmes, host families, forum of French and Franco-German associations in October.

    Website Source

  • Paroisse catholique francophone de Munich et Bavière

    Activity

    Sankt-Anna-Straße 19, 80538 München (Lehel)

    Mass in French, sacraments, youth groups and activities; a community meeting place in the heart of the Lehel.

    Website Source

  • Münchner Marionettentheater

    Activity

    Blumenstraße 32, 80331 München (Sendlinger Tor)

    Marionettes since 1858 in a small 1900 theatre: Nutcracker, fairy tales and new shows from age 4, tickets online or at the box office Wednesday to Sunday mornings.

    Website Source

  • Schauburg, théâtre pour le jeune public

    Activity

    Schwabing, avec des ateliers à Ramersdorf

    The municipal theatre for children and teenagers: shows from 5 months to 14-plus, hands-on labs in Ramersdorf.

    Website Source

  • Mini-München

    Activity

    Showpalast, Hans-Jensen-Weg 3, 80939 München (Fröttmaning)

    The miniature city for 9 to 15-year-olds, a Kultur & Spielraum project for the City of Munich: jobs, currency, city council and university over three summer weeks, next edition in 2028.

    Website Source

  • Atout Chœur, chorale francophone

    Activity

    École française de Giesing, Ungsteiner Straße 50, 81539 München

    Munich's French-speaking choir rehearses on Thursday evenings at the French school in Giesing: a friendly way into the community for parents.

    Website Source

Go further

Through the seasons and festivities

The Munich year has its rituals: Christkindlmarkt and Tollwood from late November, sledging and ice skating, Fasching in February, the Auer Dult three times a year, swimming in the Isar in summer, and the Oktoberfest to end September in Dirndl and Lederhose. Note that Bavarian school holidays do not match the lycée's.

Good to know

  • Winter: the Marienplatz Christkindlmarkt runs from 20 November to 24 December 2026, with the Alter Peter nativity market, the free Himmelswerkstatt workshop for 6 to 12-year-olds in the New Town Hall (registration required) and the Krampus run on 13 December. Source
  • February: Munich's Fasching peaks on Shrove Tuesday with the market women's dance on the Viktualienmarkt and children's fancy-dress balls; the Bavarian 'Frühjahr' holidays fall in the week of 8 February 2027, the lycée's at the same time. Source
  • Spring and summer: the Auer Dult, a traditional fair and market, returns three times a year to Mariahilfplatz (May, July, October) with its vintage rides; in July, the Kocherlball gathers thousands of dancers in traditional dress around the Chinese Tower at dawn, and Tollwood sets up its summer home in the Olympiapark. Source
  • Autumn: the 192nd Oktoberfest will run from 18 September to 3 October 2027 on the Theresienwiese; with children, aim for the quieter Oide Wiesn, where the Marionettentheater plays daily, and early weekday afternoons. Source
  • Bavarian school holidays are not the lycée's: no real autumn break (days off from 2 to 6 November 2026), Christmas from 24 December to 8 January, Easter from 22 March to 2 April, Whitsun from 18 to 28 May and summer from 2 August to 13 September 2027; holiday clubs and camps follow this calendar. Source

Addresses

  • Münchner Christkindlmarkt

    Activity

    Marienplatz, 80331 München

    The historic Christmas market at the foot of the Town Hall, 20 November to 24 December 2026: Kripperlmarkt, children's workshop, carols from the balcony Sunday to Thursday.

    Website Source

  • Tollwood, festival d'hiver et d'été

    Activity

    Theresienwiese (hiver) et Olympiapark (été)

    Munich's alternative festival: organic Christmas market and shows under big tops in winter on the Theresienwiese, free concerts and activities in summer in the Olympiapark.

    Website Source

  • Auer Dult

    Activity

    Mariahilfplatz, 81541 München (Au)

    Three times a year, nine days of traditional fair: crockery and bric-a-brac for the parents, vintage rides, caterpillar and Ferris wheel for the children.

    Website Source

  • Fasching à Munich

    Activity

    Viktualienmarkt et centre-ville

    The Bavarian carnival: prince and princess, children's balls, parade and the famous market women's dance on the Viktualienmarkt on Shrove Tuesday.

    Website Source

  • Kocherlball

    Activity

    Chinesischer Turm, Englischer Garten

    One Sunday in July from 6 am, the cooks' ball has thousands of Munich residents dancing in traditional dress around the Chinese Tower; children love the breakfast on the grass.

    Website Source

  • Oktoberfest et Oide Wiesn

    Activity

    Theresienwiese, 80336 München

    The world's biggest folk festival, 18 September to 3 October 2027; the Oide Wiesn, its historic section, offers vintage rides, traditional music and puppet shows for families.

    Website Source

Go further

Trips under two hours away

Lakes forty minutes away by S-Bahn, the Alps an hour by regional train, Salzburg an hour and a half: the weekend starts at the central station. With the Bayern-Ticket, the whole family travels for the price of a tank of petrol.

Good to know

  • The Bayern-Ticket costs 34 € for one person in second class and ten euros per additional person up to five; up to three children aged 6 to 14 travel free on top, and under-6s always. It is valid for one day on all Bavarian regional trains and urban transport, from 9 am on weekdays. Source
  • The Bayerische Seenschifffahrt sails between the villages of the Starnberger See, Ammersee, Tegernsee and Königssee: a dream outing with little ones, reachable by S-Bahn for the first two. Source
  • Bavaria's big theme parks are one to two hours away: Legoland near Augsburg, Skyline Park in the Allgäu, Playmobil FunPark near Nuremberg, and for the littlest the Märchenwald in Wolfratshausen at the end of the S7. Source

Addresses

  • Château de Neuschwanstein

    Schwangau, Allgäu

    Ludwig II's fairy-tale castle, about two hours by train and bus via Füssen; short guided tour suitable for children, booking essential in season.

    Website Source

  • Zugspitze et Garmisch-Partenkirchen

    Garmisch-Partenkirchen

    Germany's highest peak by cog railway or cable car, snow guaranteed much of the year, and the Partnach gorge below; just over an hour by train from Munich.

    Website Source

  • Chiemsee et château de Herrenchiemsee

    Prien am Chiemsee

    The 'Bavarian sea' and its island with a Versailles-inspired palace, an hour by train from Munich then by boat; beaches, pedalos and horse-drawn carriages on the island.

    Website Source

  • Salzbourg

    Salzbourg, Autriche

    Mozart's city an hour and a half away by train: fortress reached by funicular, Haus der Natur, Mirabell gardens and a Sound of Music location hunt.

    Website Source

  • Legoland Deutschland

    Günzburg

    The brick park for ages 2 to 12, just over an hour from Munich by motorway or by train to Günzburg then shuttle; themed hotels on site.

    Website Source

  • Märchenwald im Isartal

    Wolfratshausen (S7)

    An old-fashioned amusement park in the woods, at the end of the S7: animated fairy-tale scenes, little rides and a train, perfect for ages 2 to 8.

    Website Source

  • Königssee et Berchtesgaden

    Schönau am Königssee

    The most photographed lake in the Alps, crossed by electric boat to St Bartholomew's chapel; about two hours by train and bus, an unforgettable day.

    Website Source

  • Starnberger See

    Starnberg (S6)

    Munich's lake, forty minutes away by S-Bahn: swimming, steamboats, cycling around the lake and Alpine views; the classic summer Sunday.

    Website Source

  • Augsburger Puppenkiste

    Augsbourg

    Germany's most famous puppet theatre and its museum, half an hour away by train; shows must be booked well in advance.

    Website Source

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A place has closed, something has changed? Tell us: the mums of Munich will thank you.

Sources for this page

The public pages these landmarks come from. The official website always prevails.

  1. 1 Bayerische Schlösserverwaltung, Englischer Garten
  2. 2 muenchen.de, le Westpark
  3. 3 Deutsches Museum, Kinderreich
  4. 4 Bayerische Staatsgemäldesammlungen, visite
  5. 5 Institut français de Munich, médiathèque
  6. 6 Internationale Jugendbibliothek, Kinderbibliothek
  7. 7 Consulat général de France à Munich, associations françaises
  8. 8 Deutsche Bahn, Bayern-Ticket

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