Cologne is one of my favourite cities, packed with so many amazing things to do. From making your own chocolate bar to travelling across the Rhine in a cable car, there’s endless fun to be had in Cologne with kids! Check out my guide to discover the top things this city has to offer.
Cologne is such a great place for family travel. There’s such a great variety of things to see and do no matter your interest. It’s easy to get around the city and if you don’t want to walk the public transport is simple to use. Explore with ease and enjoy all the activities this historic city has to offer!
17 AMAZING Things to do in Cologne with kids: Activities and attractions
What you need to know
- Is Cologne family-friendly? Definitely! There are lots of attractions designed with kids in mind, plus it’s super easy to navigate around the city.
- What are the best things to do in Cologne with kids? This depends on their age and interests. There are some great museums, activities with animals and lots of amazing outdoor spaces.
- Is Cologne expensive to visit? Cologne is pretty averagely priced to visit. You can also save money with the KölnCard which I’ve mentioned below!
KölnCard – Tourist card
If you’re keen on saving some money during your time with kids in cologne, consider the KölnCard. It gives you free access to public transport and offers fantastic discounts on many museums and attractions, including lots mentioned on this list! Additionally, you’ll enjoy savings on city tours and some restaurants. Investing in the KölnCard is a great choice if you plan to visit lots of places during your stay, and it’ll also simplify your navigation around the city.
Museums
Odesseyum Museum
The ODYSSEUM is the ultimate family-friendly museum, offering a perfect mix of learning and fun. It’s packed with hands-on activities to keep children busy and even features a 3D cinema. There are diverse exhibition spaces showcasing everything from the magic of Harry Potter to ancient Egypt. This is a great spot to visit in Cologne with kids, especially on a rainy day!
Lindt Schokoladen Museum – Chocolate Museum
Everyone loves chocolate, so what better way to spend time in Cologne with kids than the Chocolate Museum? Explore the entire history and production process of chocolate, see the cocoa plant growing in the tropical greenhouse and follow its journey through to the chocolate workshop. You can even dream up your own chocolate bar and see it being made in front of you!
Deutsches Sport & Olympia Museum – German Sport & Olympia Museum
The perfect choice if you’re visiting Cologne with kids who are sporty, step into the world of sports history at the Deutsches Sport & Olympia Museum. From tennis to Formula 1 racing and everything in between, there’s something to pique everyone’s interest. Don’t miss the chance to see unique exhibits like Muhammad Ali’s hand-signed boxing gloves!
Parks
Rheinpark
Spanning almost 50 hectares, Rheinpark offers endless fun activities. If you’re in Cologne with kids this is the perfect sunny day destination. There’s plenty of open space, a big playground, a cafe, a sculpture park, mini golf and even a narrow gauge railway to enjoy. Rheinpark is located on the opposite bank to the Cologne Cathedral giving you great views to take in while you relax.
Volksgarten
Another great pick for a sunny day is Volksgarten. One of Cologne’s most popular parks, it features a large play area for children as well as offering pedal boating on its lake. You’ll find food options available, including a beer garden, but if you prefer, you can also bring your own grill for a BBQ!
Lindenthaler Tierpark – Lindenthaler Animal Park
For animal enthusiasts, a visit to Linderthaler Tierpark is a must. Located in Stadtwald (City Forest), you’ll find a diverse range of animals, from cows and sheep to goats, deer, and ducks. You can even feed some of them! Simply grab a cup of animal feed from the vending machines for just €1. The goats, in particular, are quite eager for a snack!
As Lindenthaler Tierpark is located in Stadtwald after you’re done in the park you can head out and explore the forest. This is definitely one of the best things to do in Cologne with kids if you’re looking to spend time outdoors.
Outdoor activities
Kölner Zoo – Cologne Zoo
I love a zoo and Colgone Zoo does not disappoint. As the third oldest zoo in Germany, Cologne Zoo houses over 800 species and 10,000 animals. A highlight for me was all of the indoor areas such as the rainforest house and jungle house. These spaces are really well-themed making them so exciting to explore and even include some walkthrough exhibits.
Your ticket also gives you access to the aquarium meaning you can easily spend a whole day here. There are plenty of seating areas, a huge play park and even a petting zoo, making it one of the best things to do in Cologne with kids.
Hohenzollern bridge – Love lock bridge
Hohenzollern Bridge is one of Cologne’s biggest tourist attractions and it can be great to visit with kids. I loved looking through the locks and their inscriptions, there’s estimated to be around 40,000! There’s also lots of art to see along the bridge including some Pokemon figures. Make the experience even more special by purchasing a lock dedicated to your family and hanging it on the bridge
Phantasialand theme park
Located just outside of the city, Phantasialand is the perfect place to go if you’re with thrillseekers. If you love theme parks with exceptional theming, this is the place for you. Phantasialand is made up of different ‘worlds’ that have incredible scenery creating amazing immersive experiences. Ideal for families, there are plenty of kid-friendly rides, and children over 1 meter tall can enjoy three-quarters of the attractions!
Self-guided treasure hunt city tour
Embark on an exciting journey through Cologne with a treasure hunt! This self-guided tour leads you to major landmarks while you solve puzzles and listen to stories on your phone. This is the perfect way to see Cologne with kids, the adventure lasts about 2 hours and allows you to explore at your own pace. This does require you to have a phone with an internet connection, though free city Wi-Fi is widely available throughout Cologne!
Bimmelbahn Hop-On Hop-Off Train
Hop aboard the Bimmelbahn for a unique way to explore the city without all the walking! There are two routes to choose from year-round depending on what you want to see, plus a special Christmas Market route during the holiday season. This mini train offers a fun and convenient way to see Cologne with kids, saving tired legs with a memorable experience.
Blackfoot Beach
A manmade beach on the shores of Lake Fühlingen, just a quick trip from the city centre, Blackfoot Beach is the perfect place to head to on a sunny day. Relax on the sand, head out the water with a canoe or even try out stand-up paddleboarding. Thrill-seekers can take on the high ropes course, complete with a zip line over the lake. If you’re visiting Cologne with kids during the summer, Blackfoot Beach is a must-see destination!
Kölner Seilbahn – Cologne Cable Cars
Why not cross the Rhine in style via cable car? The cable cars run daily from April through to October with a ride lasting around 6 minutes. This is especially great if you’ve visited the Zoo and are looking to head across to Rheinpark as the stations are located at these two places. Riding the Seilbahn was so much fun, I can’t recommend it enough, especially if you’re in Cologne with kids!
Find the Space Invaders
Unbeknownst to many people, dotted around Cologne are lots of small Space Invader mosaic pieces. They’re part of a worldwide art project and can be found hidden on the sides of buildings all over the city. There are around 27 in total so be sure to keep your eyes peeled! Check out this blog for their locations!
Volksfest Köln – Spring Folk Festival
Stick with me on this because this probably isn’t what springs to mind when you hear ‘Folk Festival’. The Volksfest is a spring funfair that visits Cologne every year. Packed with rides, food stalls, and carnival games, there’s something for everyone, from thrill rides to ghost trains and dodgems. A highlight has to be the huge Ferris wheel for incredible views of the city. If you’re visiting Cologne with kids this is a must – they’ll love it!
Indoor activities
Glowing Rooms 3D Blacklight Minigolf
Minigolf like you’ve never played it before, grab a pair of 3D glasses and head on over to Glowing Rooms for a unique experience. Step into a world of vibrant colours and glowing decorations as you navigate through themed mini-golf courses like cyber city!
Cologne Cathedral
Cologne’s most infamous landmark, Cologne Cathedral is another great place to visit with kids. Entry is free, and there’s plenty to explore. Pick out the stories on the stained glass windows, see the incredible sculptures or just wander around and be amazed at this incredible structure. For a small fee, you can even climb the tower and enjoy stunning views of Cologne from nearly 100 meters above!
Summary
There are so many great things to do in Cologne with family. Whether you want to spend time outdoors in one of the amazing parks, see the elephants in the zoo or even make your own chocolate bar, there’s something for everyone here!
