Some activities are just always a hit! When the family is together and the kids are happy, life is good. Here are our tips for fun activities with the family and kids!
(And if you adults want to relax a bit after Family Day, why not check out this concert series?)
Great playgrounds and space for activities in Rheinpark
Located right on the Rhine, this park offers one of the best playgrounds in the city. There’s plenty of space to run, climb, and picnic. If you’d like to spend a little money, you can ride the park train or float across the Rhine on the cable car.
📍Rheinparkweg 1, 50679 Cologne (Deutz)
📆 Open year-round, 24/7 (park train/cable car seasonal)
⏳ 1–4 hours (depending on your mood and the weather)
💵 Free admission to the park (cable car/miniature railway require a fee)
ℹ️ More info
A trip to the Cologne Zoo
One of the oldest and most beautiful zoos in Germany. The large elephant park, the aquarium, and the Hippodom are especially popular with children. There’s also a huge adventure playground where the little ones can let off steam.
📍 Riehler Str. 173, 50735 Cologne (Riehl)
📆 Open daily, Summer: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM, Winter: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
⏳ Approx. 3–5 hours (or a full-day outing)
💵 Adults approx. €23, children (ages 4–12) approx. €11, free for children under 4
ℹ️ More info and tickets
Experience Minecraft live: save villagers, solve challenges, and get a 15% discount via the waitlist. For all Minecraft fans (and parents looking for a family outing with a wow factor): The interactive Minecraft Experience is coming to Oberhausen on May 28 for its German premiere. Visitors traverse real biomes, battle mobs, gather resources, and rescue villagers; the waitlist offers early ticket access and a 15% discount.
📍 OBEX | Oberhausen Expo, Duisburger Str. 375, Oberhausen, 46049
📆 Open daily starting May 28
⏳ Approx. 60 minutes
💵 Starting at €28
ℹ️ More info and tickets
Cool culture and kids’ programs at Cologne Sculpture Park
The Sculpture Park near the zoo is perfect for a relaxing stroll. The modern, often massive outdoor artworks spark children’s imaginations and offer plenty of space to explore, all without an admission fee.
📍 Riehler Straße / Neusser Straße, 50668 Cologne (Riehl)
📆 Open daily, Summer: 10:30 AM – 7:00 PM, Winter: 10:30 AM – 5:00 PM
⏳ approx. 1–2 hours
💵 Free admission
ℹ️ More info
Off to the Lindenthal Zoo
Located in the middle of the city forest, children can get up close and personal with deer, donkeys, goats, and sheep here. Admission is free, and you can buy special feed on-site to feed the animals yourself —a great experience for younger children.
📍 Marcel-Proust-Promenade 1, 50935 Cologne (Lindenthal)
📆 Open daily, approx. 8:00/9:00 AM – 5:00/8:00 PM depending on the month
⏳ Approx. 1–2 hours
💵 Free admission (animal feed vending machines: bring small change)
ℹ️ More info
Immerse yourself in a surreal and colorful world full of bubbles! In a variety of rooms , fantastic landscapes, a giant ball pit, virtual reality, and fascinating light installations await discovery.
📍 Coloneum (MMC Studios) – Studio 52, Am Coloneum 1, 50829 Cologne (Ossendorf)
📆 May 9 to November 1, 2026 (Tue/Wed: 11:00 AM–6:00 PM; Thu, Fri & Sun: 10:00 AM–6:00 PM; Sat & holidays: 10:00 AM–8:00 PM)
⏳ Approx. 60–90 minutes
💵 Starting at €15.50 (Tickets available daily with a 20% early-bird discount)
ℹ️ More info and tickets
Climbing at the AbenteuerHallen KALK
In the former industrial hall, you can climb and skate. It’s often a bit cheaper and has a cool, urban vibe.
📍 Christian-Sünner-Straße 8, 51103 Cologne (Kalk)
📆 Depending on the area (climbing, skate park, BMX), usually open from afternoon until evening; on weekends starting in the morning.
⏳ approx. 2–4 hours
💵 Admission approx. €4–10 depending on the area
ℹ️ More info, registration, and tickets
“Sing mal mit der Maus” at the Cologne Philharmonic Hall
The Philharmonie offers a fantastic program for families, including children’s concerts and the legendary “Sing mal mit der Maus” (often featuring the WDR Symphony Orchestra), where classical pieces are explained in a child-friendly way and there’s plenty of opportunities to join in.
📍 Bischofsgartenstraße 1, 50667 Cologne (downtown) / Neighborhood concerts in various districts
📆 Dates vary by schedule (e.g., Family Festival on May 14, 2026)
⏳ approx. 1–2 hours
💵 Free admission
ℹ️ More info
A visit to the Cologne Chocolate Museum
An absolute highlight for kids. You ’ll learn all about how chocolate is made, and the best part is the giant chocolate fountain where you can try freshly dipped waffles. There are alsoworkshops where kids can create their own chocolate bar.
📍 Am Schokoladenmuseum 1a, 50678 Cologne (Rheinauhafen)
📆 Open daily, usually 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
⏳ Approx. 2–3 hours
💵 Adults approx. €15, children (ages 6 and up) approx. €9, free for children under 6
ℹ️ More info and tickets
Explore the world of film at Filmhaus Köln
The Filmhaus is the perfect place when kids don’t just want to watch movies, but want to understand them. There are special series like the “MiniFilmclub” and “Family Sunday, ” where child-friendly films are shown and followed up with playful activities. There are also workshops on topics like stop-motion animation and making flipbooks.
📍 Maybachstraße 111, 50670 Cologne (Agnesviertel)
📆 Screenings and workshops depending on the current program
⏳ Short film programs approx. 1–2 hours; workshops often as full-day programs
💵 Short film programs approx. €4–6; workshops are correspondingly more expensive
ℹ️ More info and tickets
