4 Surprising Experiences for Kids in Munich, Germany

Munich has no shortage of attractions for families, from the glittering palace of Nymphenburg and one of Europe’s best zoos to a vast park with a Chinese pagoda to a giant clock with life-sized moving figures. But these well-known tourist attractions are not the only reasons kids will like Munich. Four other places offer hands-on and backstage experiences.

Olympic Park
Built for the 1972 Summer Olympics, Olympic Park is now a giant recreation complex with zip lines and a chance to climb onto the giant stadium’s roof. Kids can take a behind-the scenes tour of the building and swim in the same giant pool where Olympians earned their medals. Top off a trip there with lunch atop Olympic Tower with a bird’s-eye view of Munich.

Bavaria Film Studios (Bavaria Filmstadt)
Step into real movie sets and reenact scenes using real motion simulators. Guided tours through Filmstadt include original scenery and props from movies and television shows, showing how scenery is created and how filmmakers achieve sound and special effects, including wild ride sequences. The stunt show is popular with everyone, and younger kids love the chance to ride on Fuchur, the flying dragon from The Neverending Story, and be filmed as they fly through the air with their hair blowing behind them. To get there, take Tram 25 from central Munich.

Sea Life
You might not expect to be learning about ocean creatures in a city so far inland, so Sea Life may come as a surprise. Younger kids are fascinated by watching bright-colored fish as they seem to defy gravity and swim suspended in their simulated tropical world. Older kids may prefer the sharks, and everyone is fascinated by walking through the transparent tunnel, where sharks and other sea creatures swim above their heads. Activities include touching live sea life in rocky pools, watching staff feed the sharks, and witnessing divers as they clean the tanks.

BMW Welt

The BMW Museum is not just for car enthusiasts; an entire section is devoted to engaging children and encouraging their curiosity and imagination. The BMW Welt Junior Campus is filled with interactive exhibits explaining the life cycle of a car, as well as creative hands-on activities encouraging questions about fuel sources and automobile construction. Check for a schedule of workshops before your visit. Exhibits in the main museum, meanwhile, on the history and design of the BMW are aimed at adults with a passion for motor vehicles.