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Best Activities with Kids in Munich: A 3-Day Adventure

A Little Background 💡

Summer 2025, two energetic kids (6 and 8), and me — all alone — with a sprained ankle and crutches thanks to a Swiss mishap 😅. Not exactly the picture of mobility, but we made it work! Last-minute, I grabbed the 3-day Munich City Card — and honestly, it was a lifesaver.

We stayed with friends (so I can’t recommend a hotel in Munich this time), but after a light breakfast we were out exploring like tourists all day — and back for dinner at their place.

⚠️ Fun fact: our “official” reason for visiting Munich was to meet friends… but the real goal? LEGOLAND Günzburg (1 hour away from Munich 🚗). The kids were thrilled — and yes, that blog post is coming soon. When traveling with kids BALANCE IS THE KEY: I got to catch up with my friend, and the kids got their Lego adventure. Win-win!

Table of Contents

Why Munich is Great for Families       

  🍺🥨⚽🚗

When people think of Munich, they usually picture Oktoberfest, beer, giant pretzels, FC Bayern Munich, BMW, and Marienplatz.

We were no exception — of course we wanted to see those famous landmarks! But… what if you’re traveling with kids?

Here’s the good news: Munich balances both worlds really well. While the adults dream of beer halls and Oktoberfest, kids can enjoy their own version of Bavarian culture too:

    • Beer Gardens with Playgrounds → Many beer gardens in Munich are surprisingly family-friendly! Parents can enjoy a drink and a pretzel while kids play nearby.
    • Pretzels as the ultimate snack 🥨 → Sorry to break your heart, but I couldn’t find a “make-your-own pretzel” workshop in Munich (still on my bucket list!). Luckily, pretzels are everywhere, and my kids loved them as the perfect snack between attractions.
    • Oktoberfest with Kids 🎡 → Believe it or not, families do go. During the day, it feels like a carnival with rides, parades, and candy stalls. Evenings, though, are best left to the adults 🍻.

After some quick research, I realized that when it comes to kids’ activities, the Deutsches Museum always tops the list. And yes, it really deserves that spot…

Why Use the Munich City Card? 🎟️

Munich is vibrant and family-friendly, but logistics can get overwhelming. The City Card (2 or 3-day version on GetYourGuide) makes things simple:

✅ Unlimited public transport (bus, tram, U-Bahn, S-Bahn)
✅ Free or discounted entry to museums, parks, and attractions
✅ Skip-the-line privileges in some spots

It saved us time, money, and stress — all things parents really appreciate when traveling with kids.

Munich City Card Attractions Overview

Here’s a quick reference table for the attractions included in the Munich City Card:

    • ✅ City pass for 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 days (depending on option selected)
    • ✅ Hop-on hop-off bus tour with audio guide
    • ✅ Nymphenburg castle and botanical garden entry
    • ✅ Lustheim Castle with the Meissen porcelain collection entry
    • ✅ German museum entry
    • ✅ Glyptothek entry
    • ✅ Bavarian National Museum entry
    • ✅ Castle Schleissheim entry
    • ✅ Viewing platform on the tower of the Neues Rathaus entry
    • ✅ FC Bayern Museum entry
    • ✅ Bavaria Film Studios entry
    • ✅ Magic Bavaria 3D Museum entry
    • ✅ SEA LIFE Munich entry
    • ✅ Guided town hall tour (English and German)
    • ✅ Guided old town tour (English and German)
    • ✅ 20% discount on the Neuschwanstein Castle tour
    • ✅ Public transportation ticket (if option selected)
    • 🚫 Hotel pickup and drop-off
    • 🚫 Food and drinks

Meeting point:

There is no meeting point. All attractions information, you will find on your digital City Pass, which you will receive by e-mail after booking from Turbopass. The GetyourGuide voucher / GetYourGuide App will not be valid to redeem your entrances and activities in Munich.

For more details and to book your City Card, visit GetYourGuide Munich City Pass.

👉 Book your Munich City Card here and start exploring!

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Top Family-Friendly Activities in Munich 

⭐ My Top 12: This is my personal list of family-friendly picks in Munich — mixing must-sees, cultural gems, and kid-approved fun, with the right adult–kids balance so everyone enjoys the trip!

1. Deutsches Museum

One of the world’s largest science and technology museums. Kids love the interactive experiments and the special children’s area. Warning: you can spend hours here — bring snacks!

2. BMW Welt (FREE!)

Small car exhibitions, simulators, and a showcase of BMW’s sleekest cars. Kids loved the interactive displays.

3. Umadum Skywheel (Riesenrad)

Panoramic city views, plus… sheep on the terrace! (We missed the chickens, but yes, they exist).

4. Magic Bavaria Experience Museum

An immersive way to learn about Bavarian culture — kids enjoy the interactive rooms.

5. Marienplatz & Glockenspiel

The beating heart of Munich. Watch the famous clock show at 11 am or noon, then explore the pedestrian streets filled with kid-friendly cafés.
👉 A must if you are traveling to Munich! Kids may not pay much attention, but as adults you’ll enjoy the history — a perfect balance of fun and culture.

6. Viktualienmarkt

Depending on your family’s interests, this is a great option to immerse into German culture! Taste local beers, cheeses, fresh fruit, pretzels, pickles, and enjoy them among locals and tourists.

7. New Town Hall Tower (Neues Rathaus Turm)

Located right above Marienplatz, this tower offers beautiful views of the city. You can also check out St. Peter’s Church (Alter Peter) downtown or the Skywheel for a panoramic perspective from further away.

8. Magic Bavaria Experience Museum

An immersive way to learn about Bavarian culture — kids enjoy the interactive rooms. (Note: appears twice in your list — I’ve kept it here for consistency with your order.)

9. Englischer Garten

One of the world’s biggest city parks. Playgrounds, lake picnics, and even river surfers on the Eisbach wave.

10.Olympiapark

Great outdoor fun! Ride the Olympiaturm for city views, rent pedal boats, or pair it with a visit to Sea Life.

👉 For adventure lovers, try the Flying Fox zipline over Olympiastadion — a thrilling way to see the stadium from above (book here).
If you don’t want the jump, you can still enjoy a visit inside the stadium itself — impressive even without the adrenaline rush.

11. Sea Life Aquarium

Included in the City Card. Lots of cool marine creatures and interactive areas. Most info panels are in German, but kids don’t care — they’ll be amazed anyway.

👉 It can get crowded and humid, so my advice is to go early to avoid the rush! You can also bring your own snacks.

12. Hop-on hop-off bus tour with audio guide

Not my favorite way to explore a city, but very convenient when traveling with kids (or in case of a sprained ankle!).
👉 Advantages: kids can take a nap, you cover a lot of ground without effort, and you can listen to the audio guide in your own language.

Tips for Exploring Munich with Kids 🛎️

    • Plan ahead → Some attractions (like Sea Life) require timed entry.
    • Use public transport → Stroller-friendly and included in the City Card.
    • Snacks & water → Always handy, especially at the Deutsches Museum.
    • Start early → Attractions get busy.
    • Balance indoor & outdoor → Kids need both museums and playgrounds.
    • Make it fun → I created a self-made travel bingo for my kids — they loved it. Tour buses are also great since you can pick your own language.
    • Ice cream hack 🍦 → In our family, ice cream is for those who finish the day’s activities. It works!

Munich 3 – Day Family-Friendly Itinerary Using the Munich City Card 🗓️

We spent 3 amazing days in Munich, exploring a mix of family-friendly spots, cultural highlights, and local food experiences. Here’s how it went — with my little tips & honest notes as a mom traveling with two energetic boys, a sprained ankle, and way too much walking 👇.

📌 Don’t miss the Quick-Reference Itinerary at the end for an easy screenshot-friendly guide.

Not gonna lie… by the end I was desperately counting the hours until my sister could join us at Legoland to help with the boys 😂

Day 1 – Old Town & Museums

Morning – Marienplatz & Glockenspiel

  • Start your day at Marienplatz, Munich’s central square.

  • Don’t miss the Glockenspiel show at the Neues Rathaus (New Town Hall):

    • Showtimes: 11:00 & 12:00 daily (extra show at 5:00 pm in summer).
    • Duration: about 12–15 minutes.
    • What happens: Figures dance, knights joust, and a golden bird chirps — a little theatrical show in the tower.
  • Tip: Get there 10–15 minutes early for a good viewing spot.

Lunch – Quick Eats at/near Marienplatz

  • Grab something light right on Marienplatz (pretzels, fresh berries, pickles, bratwurst, or just a cold beer).

  • OR head to Vinzenzmurr Metzgerei – München – Isarvorstadt

    (Rumfordstraße 7, 80469 München).

    • Hours: Mon–Fri 10:00–18:00, Sat 10:00–15:00, closed Sun.
    • What to order: The Murroc Box (Schnitzel + potato salad) or the Murroc Burger — my kids loved it so much they asked to go back every day!
    • Note: No toilet here, so… plan accordingly.
  • Right across the street, stop at Privat Bäckerei Wimmer GmbH for:

    • A cappuccino for yourself ☕
    • Toilets (small but lifesaving with kids)
    • Extra snacks for later

Afternoon – Deutsches Museum

    • Walk/ride to the Deutsches Museum (Museum of Science & Technology).
    • One of the largest science museums in the world — interactive, fascinating for both adults & kids.
    • Plan to spend the whole afternoon here.
    • Opening hours: 9:00–17:00 daily.

Evening – Flexible Options

    • We had dinner at a friend’s house, but for you:
    • Relax at your hotel, OR
    • Stroll in the English Garden (beer gardens, rivers, surfers on the Eisbach), OR
    • Visit a traditional beer hall (e.g. Augustiner-Keller or Hofbräuhaus).

Day 2 – Olympiapark & BMW

Morning – Sea Life + Olympiapark

    • Head to Sea Life Munich (inside Olympiapark). Great for kids — sharks, turtles, and themed exhibits.
    • Then explore Olympiapark: climb the Olympic Tower, rent a pedalo, or just let kids run around (optional- extra cost)

Lunch – BMW Welt

    • Walk to BMW Welt (futuristic building, free to enter).
    • Food court has plenty of options: Bavarian, Italian, Asian fusion. Easy for families.

Afternoon – BMW Museum / Bus Tour

    • If booked, visit the BMW Museum (right next to BMW Welt).
    • Otherwise, hop on a city sightseeing bus tour — a great way to rest while still exploring.

Evening – Fun & Dinner

    • Ride the Skywheel near Olympiapark for night views of Munich.
    • Have dinner at Hofbräuhaus (Munich’s most famous beer hall — lively, music, huge pretzels).

Day 3 – Views, Markets & Magic Bavaria

Morning – Marienplatz Viewpoint

    • Return to Marienplatz and go up to the Neues Rathaus Tower viewpoint.
    • Stunning panoramic views over Munich.

Lunch – Viktualienmarkt Picnic

    • Grab food at Vinzenzmurr Metzgerei again (central location).
    • This time, take it to Viktualienmarkt (Munich’s famous food market).
    • Tip: Limited seating if you don’t buy directly from the stalls — but worth it for the atmosphere.
    • Goal: Finish with ice cream 🍦 (so many little gelato spots nearby).

Afternoon – Magic Bavaria Experience Museum

  • Take the train across the city to the Magic Bavaria Museum (immersive, playful, very Instagrammable, great for kids).

Evening – Wind Down

By now, we were totally exhausted 😅 — the boys and I just wanted to relax, so we had a quiet dinner with friends and started packing.
Next stop: LEGOLAND Günzburg 🧱✨ (post coming soon!).

  • Alternative: Choose something casual near your hotel or do takeaway.

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📌 Quick-Reference Itinerary (Save this!)

DayTimeActivityDetails / Tips

Day 1 

Old Town & Deutsches Museum

MorningMarienplatz & GlockenspielShowtimes: 11:00 & 12:00 (extra 17:00 in summer), lasts ~12–15 min.
 LunchMarienplatz snacks ORVinzenzmurr Metzgerei – München – IsarvorstadtTry Murroc Box or Murroc Burger. ⚠️ No toilets. Nearby: Wimmer bakery for coffee + restroom.
 AfternoonDeutsches Museum9:00–17:00 daily. Huge, plan several hours.
 EveningFlexibleDinner at hotel, English Garden stroll, or Hofbräuhaus/Augustiner-Keller.

Day 2 

Olympiapark & BMW

MorningSea Life + OlympiaparkKid-friendly aquarium, park with tower & playgrounds.
 LunchBMW Welt Food CourtEasy family dining, variety of cuisines.
 AfternoonBMW Museum / Bus TourMuseum (if booked) or hop-on hop-off tour.
 EveningSkywheel + HofbräuhausGreat views, traditional dinner with music.

Day 3 

Views, Markets & Magic Bavaria

MorningRathaus Tower ViewpointCity views from Neues Rathaus tower.
 LunchVinzenzmurr + Viktualienmarkt picnicMarket food & atmosphere, finish with ice cream.
 AfternoonMagic Bavaria MuseumImmersive, playful, kid-friendly.
 EveningWind downDinner with friends, packed for next stop: LEGOLAND Günzburg 🧱.

 

 

Q&A: Munich with Kids

Q: Is the Munich City Card worth it for families?
👉 100% yes. It covers public transport + free/discounted attractions.

Q: Do kids need their own card?
👉 Children under 6 travel free. For attractions, always check age-based discounts.

Q: Stroller-friendly?
👉 Yes, most museums, parks, and transport. Some old buildings may be tricky, so check ahead.

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