Activities for children
Hessen also has great attractions for children – parks, zoos and other places to captivate children of all ages. Here’s a selection of activities – including weekend trips – on offer across the region:
Brothers Grimm Fairytale Festival
Is there a better place to watch a theatrical production of a Brothers Grimm fairytale than Hanau, the birthplace of Wilhelm and Jakob? Their fairytales are brought to life with an intricate plot on a big open-air stage in the park by Philippsruhe Castle in Hanau – this is something children can’t afford to miss. It really is a first-class production.
Ticket hotline: +49 (0) 69-13 40 400
www.festspiele.hanau.de (in German)
Freudenberg Castle
This neo-classical castle was built at the turn of the 20th century and cultivates the art of perception. The castle is located near Wiesbaden and provides the perfect setting for a unique experience – not just for children. Over 80 interactive discovery stations awaken your senses: You have to touch, smell, think and discover.
Freudenbergstraße 220-226
Wiesbaden
Tel.: +49 (0) 611 - 41 101 41
www.schlossfreudenberg.de (in German)
Opel Zoo
The Opel Zoo was founded by the family of the car manufacturer and is now a popular family destination in the Taunus. Affordable annual family passes are also available. The zoo is located between Königstein and Kronberg, offering spacious habitats for elephants, giraffes, zebras and monkeys. There’s also a petting zoo and a playground.
Königsteiner Straße 35
Tel.: +49 (0) 6173 - 3259030
www.opel-zoo.de (in German)
Wildpark ‘Alte Fasanerie’
This wildlife park in Hanau offers lots of family activities. The huge complex houses lots of extraordinary facilities, such as a forestry museum, Hessen’s largest high-rope course, an abseiling course, a tree horoscope and a forest theatre stage. The wildlife park is home to wolves, elks, birds, wild boar, and lots and lots more animals.
Fasaneriestraße 106
Tel.: +49 (0) 6181 - 3640699
www.erlebnis-wildpark.de (in German)
Freizeitpark Lochmühle
Im Freizeitpark Lochmühle gibt es unter anderem Karussells, mit denen die Kinder durch die Luft wirbeln können. Der Vergnügungspark ist mit zahlreichen Spielplätzen, einem Streichelzoo und Wasserspielen hervorragend ausgestattet. Das Familienunternehmen besitzt in Steinau einen ähnlichen Freizeitpark, der Osthessens größter Freizeitpark ist. Beide Parks sind täglich geöffnet von März bis Oktober.
Tel: 06175 - 790 060 www.lochmuehle.de (in German)
Tel: 06663 - 688 9 www.erlebnispark-steinau.de (in German)
Taunus Wunderland
One of Hessen’s most popular theme parks is the Taunus Wunderland in Schlangenbad. This privately run park is spread over 40,000 m2 and has all the activities to guarantee children have a good time. The park has a white water rollercoaster, a fairytale forest, a petting zoo (with kangaroos) and lots of other great attractions for the entire family. The parks is open daily from March to October.
Tel.: +49 (0) 6124 - 408 1
www.taunuswunderland.de (in German)
Children’s Academy in Fulda
The Children’s Academy in Fulda is the only independent museum for children in Germany and one of the most creative. Children can build their understanding by experimenting and playing with lots of artistic, technical and scientific objects. The heart of the museum literally is an interactive heart – the only one in Europe – that children and adults can walk through to discover the anatomy of this vital organ.
Mehlerstr. 4
Tel.: +49 (0) 661 - 902 730
www.kaf.de (in German)
Riding holidays
Horses might be intimidatingly big, but they certainly have a fascinating effect on small and big children. It doesn’t matter whether you’re an experienced horse lover or a complete beginner – Central Hessen is perfect for horse and rider. Several stables and riding clubs offer activities for a holiday or long weekend.