No school - and yet again so much programme for children in Berlin. Get spooked on Halloween at the FEZ, discover medieval life at the open-air museum, let off steam at the indoor playgrounds, learn to cook and sew your own costumes. There is a huge range of activities on offer, including a dance course for children with cerebral palsy at the State Ballet, which is explicitly aimed at people with disabilities. Just choose what you fancy!
Tip 1: Get spooked in the ghost worlds of the FEZ
Attention spooky fans: During the autumn holidays, the FEZ in the Wuhlheide will be transformed into a real haunted castle. There will be ghosts, skeletons and lots of spooky stories. Here the little ones can playfully learn how to deal with their fears in a safe environment. Be it at the big family Halloween night on 31 October, on exploratory tours through the attic and cellar of the house or on a voyage of discovery to the cemetery. The programme also includes workshops for parents, in which (child-friendly) ways of dealing with loss, grief and death are discussed.
When: Various programmes and dates
Where: FEZ, Straße zum FEZ 2, Köpenick
Tip 2: Travel back in time at the Düppel museum village
The medieval museum village of Düppel is worth a visit even without a colourful October backdrop. But especially during the autumn holidays, the open-air museum in the middle of Berlin awaits you with a very special glow. The light shines magically through the colourful leaves, and the programme is magical too: on the fairytale tour, the witch Silberzweig and the juggler Astor Ytellar will tell you the Grimm fairytale of Frau Holle. And on St Martin's Day on 8 and 9 November, you can bathe the village in magical light with your own lanterns.
When: Various offers and dates
Where: Düppel Museum Village, Clauertstraße 11, Zehlendorf
Düppel Museum Village
Tip 3: Celebrate Halloween!
Halloween is just around the corner, and if you fancy dressing up and getting spooky, you've come to the right place in Berlin. The Halloween tour of Fort Hahneberg starts on 26 October. Disguises are expressly encouraged, and the historic fortress with its large bat quarter will also provide a spooky atmosphere. On 31 October, the whole city will be in a spooky mood: very special events include the Fiesta de Día de Muertos at the Humboldt Forum, Halloween in the Britzer Garten and the Halloween party at Spindler & Klatt.
When: Various events
Where: Various locations throughout Berlin
- Fiesta de Día de Muertos at the Humboldt Forum, from 31 October
- Halloween tour through Fort Hahneberg, from 26 October
- Halloween in the Britzer Garten, 31 October
Tip 4: Go on a tour of discovery at the German Historical Museum
From 20 October to 1 November, the German Historical Museum also offers a holiday programme for young and old. For example, with a big discovery tour where you can explore the armoury with binoculars and discover all kinds of dragons and crowns. Or you can race through 150 years of German history with Rally Roads and solve puzzles about squirrels, Chinese characters and the sad Germania. And of course you can also visit the exhibitions on the Second World War and key historical moments in the 19th and 20th centuries. Best of all, admission is free for those under 18 and a family ticket costs just 18 euros.
When: Daily from 10 am to 6 pm
Where: German Historical Museum, Unter den Linden 2, Mitte
Tip 5: "Cook something" at the children's museum Unterm Dach
There's a lot going on under the roof. There's chopping, sizzling, cooking, steaming - and of course eating. During the workshops in the autumn holidays, children put on their chef's hats and playfully learn how to prepare delicious meals. From 21 to 23 and 28 to 30 October, the cooking spoons will be wielded on three days each. However, you can also come on just one of the days. At the end, you will not only enjoy a tasty buffet, you will also receive your cookery diploma. As participation is free of charge, it is worth registering quickly: Places are limited.
When: Monday to Friday from 2 to 6 pm, Saturday and Sunday from 11 am to 5 pm
Where: Under the roof - Alte Mälzerei Lichtenrade, Steinstraße 41, Lichtenrade
Tip 6: Make art at the Käthe Kollwitz Museum
Art meets technology and virtual worlds mix with real ones - that's how you could describe the Kollwitz 2.0 - Art meets Augmented Reality holiday course . Based on Käthe Kollwitz' drawings, you will create your own works, which will later be digitised. The two artworks are then combined in an augmented reality app and appear as a digital addition to the real space during the tour of the museum. Immerse yourself in the drawings of Käthe Kollwitz and augment the real world with your own works!
When: 28 to 30 October from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m
Where: Käthe Kollwitz Museum, Spandauer Damm 10, Charlottenburg
Tip 7: Sew your own costume
And another tip that emphasises DIY: At Berlin Kostümiert , you can design your own costume for very special occasions - inspired by the city's past. Costume is broadly defined, it doesn't have to be a disguise. All you need is imagination, a desire to work and fun experimenting. You will learn the basics of sewing as if by magic and at the end of the three-day workshop you will take home a costume that you have made yourself from start to finish.
When: 28 to 31 October
Where: Museum Ephraim Palais, Poststraße 16, Mitte
Tip 8: Dance to your own tune at the Staatsballett Berlin
Dance at the Staatsballett Berlin - this dream can come true for you during the autumn holidays. Dance therapist and teacher Bettina Thiel and dance teacher Stefan Witzel are inviting children and young people aged between 5 and 17 to a dance workshop. The workshop is aimed at people with cerebral palsy. Dancing is done standing up, sitting down, with the fingers, the corners of the mouth or the eyes. The important thing is to have new experiences, be creative and strengthen the bond with the accompanying person. So sign up and get ready for the big stage!
When: 27 to 30 October from 4 to 6 pm
Where: Staatsballett Berlin, Richard-Wagner-Straße 10, Charlottenburg
Tip 9: Travel through 2000 years of city history at the Deutschlandmuseum Berlin
You've never travelled this far back in time before: you'll go back 2,000 years through 12 stages of history that took place in present-day Germany. During your visit, you will walk through the forest of the Varus Battle, explore medieval castles and fortresses, look over Gutenberg's shoulder as he printed books and, of course, discover one or two new places in Berlin. The immersive and interactive museum in the centre of the city is ideal if you want to refresh your historical knowledge in an educational and fun way!
When: Daily from 10 am to 8 pm
Where: Deutschlandmuseum, Leipziger Platz 7, Mitte
Tip 10: discover the exciting holiday programme at Tierpark Berlin
The autumn holidays at Tierpark Berlin promise unforgettable experiences for all young animal lovers! For a whole week, you can go on an exciting discovery tour and immerse yourself in the fascinating world of animals together with experienced guides. Each themed day has a new motto and invites you to marvel, explore and join in . Curious questions are answered, animal secrets are revealed and the children's knowledge is playfully expanded through creative experiments and craft activities.
When: various dates
Where: Tierpark Berlin, Am Tierpark 125, Marzahn-Hellersdorf
Holiday programme at Tierpark Berlin
Tip 11: Let off steam in Berlin's indoor playgrounds
Holidays are great, but what to do when the weather doesn't play ball? The answer is of course: indoor playgrounds! And there are plenty of them in Berlin and in almost every neighbourhood. For example, Ritterland Berlin with climbing routes for adventurous kids, Tommys Tobewelt in Weißensee with giant slides and colourful ball pools, Boulderworx for little high-flyers or Jolos Kinderwelt in Kreuzberg. Here, kids can run around, be loud and move to their heart's content, while adults can enjoy coffee and cake. A great way to escape the bad weather and autumn blues!
When: Opening hours depending on the indoor playground
Where: Various locations throughout Berlin
