On 18 July, the summer holidays start in Berlin. Finally, children and young people have time to delve into their hobbies and discover new interests. The summer programme offers exciting events in the fields of art, science, games and fun. Enjoy the best time of the year, whether you're from Berlin or visiting for the holidays and also take a look at the special offers for children at Berlin's museums.
To make sure you don't miss any exciting events in the coming weeks, check out our weekend tips.
Tipp 1: Art workshops for children and young people
Berlin art museums offer numerous workshops for children, young people and families during the holiday season. Instead of just visiting an exhibition and going from work to work, you can get to know art on a hands-on basis. At various workshops in the National Museums in Berlin you can draw, print, collage, weave and much more. Participation fees range from five to fifteen euros, for multi-day workshops 36 euros.
Some highlights at an overview:
- Make your own reliefs using the plaster casting method at the Humboldt Forum
- Create your own maps at the Humboldt Forum with the personal cartographer, thread cartographer and spherical cartographer
- Be inspired by ancient legends in the Altes Museum to build your own shadow theatre
- Experiment with pigments, watercolours or pastels in the colour workshop of the Picture Gallery
- Create your own letterpress print in the Museum of Prints and Drawings
Tipp 2: Classical music for youth at the Young Euro Classic Festival
During the Young Euro Classic Festival you can listen to international young orchestras. Be inspired by young people who are practising with discipline for their musical careers. The members of the pre-professional youth orchestras are on the threshold of a life as professional musicians. This year's participants include orchestras from Cuba, Greece and Romania. Of course, the German Federal Youth Orchestra will also be represented. As part of the festival, the "Young Euro Classic Children's Day" will take place on 13 August. On this day there will be a hands-on programme where all children can try out musical instruments themselves.
When: 4 - 27 August
Where: Konzerthaus am Gendarmenmarkt, Mitte
Tipp 3: Theatre plays for children at Luftschloss Tempelhofer Feld
The new open-air stage "Luftschloss" on Tempelhofer Feld sweetens your summer holidays with a varied theatre programme. See plays such as "The Animals' Conference" based on the children's novel of the same name by Erich Kästner or "Emil and the Detectives", also inspired by Kästner's magical children's book. The stage will be performed by ATZE Musiktheater, Germany's largest musical theatre for children of primary school age.
When: Regular performances, weekdays and weekends.
Where: Tempelhofer Feld, Southwest Entrance
Tipp 4: Acrobatic at the "Circus by the Sea" of the FEZ
Bathing and playing - if your child has an insatiable urge to move, then the "Circus by the Sea" could be just the thing. Every weekend during the summer holidays, there will be a hands-on circus for children at the natural bathing lake of the FEZ (leisure and recreation centre). The little ones can try their hand at juggling, practise light acrobatics, do handicrafts and, of course, swim. The complementary offer of the eco-island is also interesting, where, among other things, baking is done in a clay oven and children learn how to pot young plants. The event is recommended for children five years and older.
When: Saturday and Sunday 12-18 h, 15 July to 27 August.
Where: Wuhlheide Leisure and Recreation Centre (FEZ), Straße zum FEZ 2, Oberschöneweide.
Tipp 5: Events around technology and natural sciences
Discover the secrets of technology and nature in Berlin's natural history and technical museums. Children can experiment and develop their own enthusiasm here in many places during the holiday season. Modern technologies affect all areas of life today, so there are many points of contact with art, culture and society. It's great for kids to explore the connections.
Some highlights at an overview:
- Design the city of the future in the Futurium's holiday workshop.
- See the science show "Atmosph`Air" in the Museum Park of the German Museum of Technology
- Look at interesting objects under the microscope at the Museum of Natural History
- Build a robot model or use a green screen at the Museum of Communication
- Explore the hands-on world at EXTAVIUM Potsdam
natural history and technical museums
Tipp 6: Cooling down in the summer heat
If you're in the mood for summer, sun, ice cream and beach, there are plenty of options in Berlin. Our swimming map shows you the way to 34 lakes and lidos. Berlin also has numerous outdoor pools. Whether cosy with a white sandy beach chair at Wannsee or natural amidst trees at Schlachtensee, everyone will find the right spot for a relaxing day by the water. For a little cooling off, water playgrounds are a nice alternative.
When: Outdoor pools and lidos are open from May to September from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Where: Everywhere in and around Berlin
Tip 7: Big children's eyes at the Botanical Night
On the night of 19 to 20 July, the Botanical Garden Berlin will be transformed into a magical wonderland with light installations, mythical creatures and acrobatic performances. And because it's possible to stay up late during the summer holidays, you'll have plenty of time to explore the 15 themed adventure worlds with your children.
When: Night from 19. to 20 July, from 6 pm
Where: Botanischer Garten Berlin, Königin-Luise-Straße 68, Steglitz
Tipp 8: Connected to nature in the Düppel Museum Village
The Düppel Museum Village is modelled after a medieval village. Here children can see how people lived, cooked, kept animals and cultivated plants 800 years ago. On free daily guided tours, you can learn all about the natural life and the archaeological findings at this site. In the afternoon you can try your hand at archery. The actors of the Düppel Museum Village wear authentic clothing and breathe life into the setting.
When: Open daily during the summer holidays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: Clauertstraße 11, Zehlendorf
Summer AT Düppel Museum Village
Tipp 9: Discover Berlin's children's museums
Berlin's children's museums see the world through children's eyes. They share knowledge in a playful way and focus on interactive exhibitions. At the Labyrinth Children's Museum you can build a coral reef out of recycled materials this summer. In the "Unterm Dach" children's museum, cooking workshops will take you into the world of culinary arts. At the MACHmit! museum for children, a new interactive exhibition has been open since the end of June that explains the connections between climate and weather in a way that is suitable for children.
Tip 10: Build protective walls against cybergrooming
Liking, disliking, buzzing on the digital playgrounds: Our children's play instinct and joyful curiosity are often used on the internet to gain their trust and then exploit it. This is called cybergrooming. In the Klick Clever interactive learning course for you and your children, you will develop a sense of the dangers of the internet and learn how to protect yourselves. In a playful way, your children will become real cyber sleuths.
When: Summer holidays 2024
Where: Martin-Hoffmann-Str. 16, Treptow (2 min. walk from S Treptower Park (Ringbahn))
Who: Children aged 8-12 together with parents/adult caregivers
Info: The purchase of the Super Holiday Pass 2024/2025 for €9 is mandatory for registration
Tip 11: Visit Dinoworld at Berlin Zoo
If you are planning a visit to Berlin Zoo during the summer holidays, you can look forward to the world of dinosaurs in addition to 650 different animal species. Complete the Dino Rally and learn more about the different dinosaur species and the time in which they lived. Life-size dinosaur figures that even move can be found at various points in the park. The figures were developed together with the American palaeontologist Don Lessem, who also worked as a consultant on the production of Jurassic Park.
When: Monday to Sunday, 9-18.30
Where: Am Tierpark 125, Friedrichsfelde
Extra tip: "Berlin Bike Week" during the summer holidays
During the 2024 summer holidays, the ADFC-Berlin is offering a week full of guided bike tours for visitors to Berlin. In the last week of July, there will be three to four tours a day to choose from to explore the city and surrounding area, e.g. a ride around Lake Tegel or visits to historic industrial sites. In total, there are around 23 tours of varying degrees of difficulty, from leisurely rides around the Müggelsee lake to more challenging tours over nine Berlin hills. Anyone interested can take part, regardless of ADFC membership. From 12 to 18 August, there will also be special offers for children and young people, including bike tours and repair courses.
When: 25 to 31 July
Where: Anywhere in Berlin
Here you can find even more Attractions for children in Berlin.
