Excursions with children in NRW: 21 excursion destinations for families

The most beautiful destinations for excursions with children in NRW at a glance

There are many things to do with children in North Rhine-Westphalia. Here I'll start by giving you a brief overview of the best activities and things to do. By the way, these attractions are also perfect for a day trip or an adventure weekend with your children in NRW. Whether the weather is bad or the sun is shining - I'm sure that with my excursion tips and leisure activities, your next family outing in NRW will be an absolute experience.

And now have fun with my excursion tips in NRW - your kids will have lots of fun and action Map with all excursion destinations and activities in NRW

In our interactive map you can find all the important excursion destinations in NRW at a glance. Have fun discovering the most beautiful places for your holiday with the kids in NRW.

1st family trip to the lake

In summer, when the weather is nice, there's only one thing to do in NRW: get out into nature with the kids. One of the most popular places to go is to the many beautiful lakes with their lidos.

You can spend the whole day on the sunbathing lawn or even on the sandy beach by the water. Or you can explore the lake from the water. Many lakes have boats for hire.

The most popular lidos in NRW include:

• Haltern lido near Essen

• Auesee lido near Essen

• Tenderingsee lido near Essen

• Kaarster See lido near Mönchengladbach

• North lido at Unterbacher See near Neuss

• Lido Heider Bergsee near Cologne

• Blackfoot Beach at the Frühlinger See near Cologne

• Delecke lido near Hamm

• Sorpesee lido near Lüdenscheid

• Alberssee lido near Lippstadt

You might also be interested in the most beautiful lakes in NRW.

2 Externsteine: the top excursion destination in NRW

Wondering where you can spend a great day out in nature with your kids? Well, one of my favourite excursion destinations with children in NRW is very close to my home near Detmold.

The Externsteine in the Teutoburg Forest are a magical place surrounded by many myths. Here you can learn about the history of one of Germany's most famous natural monuments and also do one of the top things to do for children in NRW.

The Externsteine are also one of the top sights in NRW. We have summarised everything you can do during your holiday in NRW in an extra article.

Many shorter and longer hikes with different levels of difficulty start near the chalk sandstone rocks. They are also easy to manage for families with small children. Some of the paths are even passable with a buggy or pram.

Whether summer or winter, your kids will love this beautiful place. Where else in NRW are nature experiences and mini adventures so close together and so quickly accessible from the car park?

As you can see from the pictures, the trip to the Externsteine is even worthwhile in bad weather. The advantage: it's much less busy than when it's sunny and you can enjoy your family outing in NRW to the full despite the rain (for the kids, rain puddles are the best thing anyway).

If you can, avoid Saturdays and Sundays - then the Externsteine are not so crowded and your family outing becomes a chilled-out excursion.

There is also a restaurant with a children's area where you can enjoy a relaxed meal and a large meadow for playing. The paid car park is just a short walk from the almost 40-metre-high Externsteine. I think this sounds like a top leisure activity in NRW that you can do with children.

The hiking trails around the Externsteine are freely accessible at all times and therefore highly recommended if you are looking for free excursions with children.

3. hiking in the Teutoburg Forest: day trip into nature

In the Teutoburg Forest in the Lippe region of East Westphalia, you can go hiking with the whole family - a really great experience for you and your children.

There are routes that are only a few kilometres long. The circular hiking trail at the Senne Lake in Schloß Holte-Stukenbrock takes you on unpaved paths past the Ems Adventure World.

You can also make a detour to the Senne springs. You can start in and around Detmold. The historic town centre is perfect for an excursion with the whole family.

A visit to the Detmold Open-Air Museum(website) is also a great destination: here you can take a journey back in time.

By the way, you don't need much money for a hike in the Teutoburg Forest (except maybe for a snack). Just drive there and start walking. A great outdoor adventure for kids. We love free trips for families.

4. Krewelshof Eifel

The Krewelshof is located in the Eifel and in Lohmar. The farm in Mechernich-Kommern organises great activities for families all year round. Depending on the season, there is a maize maze, handicraft courses, a pumpkin exhibition and many other activities for children. Every last Sunday of the month, the Krewelshof in the Eifel(website) hosts a flea market for children's things.

Both farms offer regional products in their farm shops, and at the Krewelshof in Lohmar(website) there is a family barn in addition to the farm café. A family breakfast buffet is regularly offered at the Krewelshof in the Eifel.

On Grandparents' Day, all grandparents in Lohmar accompanied by their grandchildren have free admission to the family barn and the play park. Due to the indoor areas, the Krewelshof is also suitable for a great family outing in NRW in bad weather and rain.

Or how about a trip to the apple harvest with a tractor ride? For children, this is a unique outdoor experience in the fresh air.

By the way, the Eifel is one of the most beautiful places in NRW that you should definitely visit. We have compiled the most beautiful sights in the Eifel for you in a separate article. You can find out what else you can do in the Eifel with children in another report.

Fairytale Forest Altenberg

The goat obviously feels at home here

In addition to the fairytale houses, the Fairytale Forest in Altenberg(website) also has a children's play ground and a petting z oo with goats, sheep and rabbits.

All paths are barrier-free, so you can also bring a pram or buggy along for the visit. Perfect for an outing with children. If you have a dog, you can bring it along on a lead.

The fairytale forest in Odenthal is open every day of the year - even in winter. There is a family discount for families with two or more paying children. Before heading home, you can enjoy a snack in the café and round off the day with your children. The fairytale forest is perfect for day trips in NRW and is guaranteed to be a great activity.

Great activities in North Rhine-Westphalia

6. bouldering halls for kids: indoor adventure trip

Bouldering is not only fun for adults. Most of the time, children are even better at it

A tip for bad weather: In North Rhine-Westphalia there are several bouldering halls where children can also try their hand at bouldering. Climbing without a belay is also possible for the little ones. At low heights and with sufficiently padded ground, kids can gain their first experience.

The best thing is to book a trial lesson for you and your family in one of the halls. A trainer will introduce you to bouldering, and learning a jumping technique is especially important.

Bouldering promotes strength, flexibility and coordination and, in my opinion, is one of the best family activities in NRW in bad weather and rain.

Here you can find a list of the most popular bouldering halls in NRW:

• Bergwerk climbing hall in Dortmund(website)

• Stuntwerk in Cologne(Website)

• Citymonkey in Essen(Website)

• Bahnhof Blo in Wuppertal(Website)

7. high ropes courses and climbing parks in NRW: unique adventure excursion

If you want to develop your children's motor skills and self-confidence, high ropes courses and climbing parks are a good choice. In contrast to climbing or bouldering halls, these facilities are located outdoors in nature, so they are a great idea for a nice weather outing in summer.

After climbing, you can have a picnic with your family. Young children go exploring together on foot with their parents, while older siblings gain their first experience of heights well secured up in the trees. For me, this is a definite tip for an excursion.

These are three of the most popular high ropes courses and climbing parks in NRW:

• High-ropes course in Duisburg Landscape Park(website)

• Kletterwald Haltern(website)

• Birkenberg climbing garden in Leverkusen(website)

8. adventure farm Gertrudenhof

At the Gertrudenhof adventure farm in Hürth near Cologne, you will not only meet chickens, goats, horses and sheep, but also unusual animals.

Alpacas, pot-bellied pigs, a yak and zebus live here. Never heard of them? Then it's high time to plan a trip to the countryside - the little ones will be thrilled, as will their parents. There are plenty of nice excursion destinations in NRW, but the adventure farm is one of the best.

An alpaca with a pig - children simply love animals.

At the Gertrudenhof there are several playgrounds and a farmyard petting zoo. If you want, you can even sponsor one of the animals. It is also possible to sponsor a flowering meadow. If you and your children have created a habitat for bees and insects, you will receive a certificate.

You can buy regional products in the farm shop. I have linked an overview of the most beautiful addresses for farm holidays with children throughout Germany here.

For me, a visit to the Gertrudenhof adventure farm is one of the most beautiful day trips in NRW.

Address: Lortzingstraße 160, 50354 Hürth(Google Maps)

9 Schulte-Tigges Learning Farm A campfire in the evening on the farm - an unforgettable experience for kids that is guaranteed to keep them in a good mood for longer than just a weekend.

In NRW you will find several adventure farms, always a great attraction for children. The Schulte-Tigges learning farm(website) is my favourite. Children learn interesting facts about agriculture, nature, nutrition and the environment at this hands-on farm.

You can take part in a farm tour with your family, and the kids learn how to use old building and craft materials. You can help feed and care for the sheep, goats and horses and then join in the cosy get-together around the campfire.

The farm is certified by the ESD agency as a place of learning for education and sustainable development. So you see, a visit with the children is always worthwhile.

By the way, the farm is located right next to the Derne open-air swimming pool.

Address: Kümper Heide 21, 44329 Dortmund(Google Maps)

10. Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex in Essen It gets really exciting here - there's something to discover at every turn

Another great destination in NRW is the Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex in Essen. Here you can kill two birds with one stone, because the entire area is free to visit. What's more, you can impress teenagers and kids alike.

The Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was once the largest and most powerful coal mine in the world and the largest central coking plant in Europe. Here you can experience the history of the former coal mine up close.

The Zollverein coal mine is a huge industrial complex that you can visit and explore today.

The site is so large that you can spend at least half a day here. Or you can rent a bicycle and take a bike tour around the grounds. If you like, you can book a guided tour for the whole family and visit the museums.

As adults, we were also busy for two hours with photo opportunities. We saw lots of families with children exploring the grounds.

Tip: In summer, take a swimsuit for the Werksschwimmbad; in winter, you can skate on the 150-metre-long Zollverein ice rink.

11. wild bison and adventure trail There really are bisons in NRW. A visit to the enclosure guarantees an unforgettable activity with children - Photo: Depositphotos by stanciuc1

You can meet the only free-ranging herd of bison in Western Europe in North Rhine-Westphalia. The peaceful animals have their home in the Wittgenstein forests around the Rothaarsteig.

However, you'll need a fair amount of luck if you want to see the wild bison on a free excursion. To make sure no one is disappointed, there is a three-kilometre-long adventure trail with a fenced-in bison enclosure in Bad Berleburg, where another herd lives.

The adventure trail is simply unforgettable, especially for children. But here at the latest, the excursion becomes a highlight for the whole family.

12. leisure pools and adventure pool Aqua Magis

If this isn't the perfect day out with children and teenagers in NRW, I don't know what is. In the Aqua Magis adventure pool you'll find eleven gigantic slides. For example, the world's first stand-up slide and the Green Kick. Here you start at a height of ten metres. Crazy, isn't it? You'll also find Germany's first looping slide here.

As you can see, teenagers will definitely not be bored here. And the little ones? There are great slides for them too. So the perfect family outing is guaranteed.

Excursion tip for parents: take the grandparents along to watch, then you can take some time out in the great sauna world at Aqua Magis.

All info:

Address:

Böddinghauser Feld 1,
58840 Plettenberg(Google Maps)

Opening hours:

9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday only until 8 p.m.

Admission:

In the off-season from 10.50 euros (children up to 5 years).

Info:

The whole family can stay overnight in the AquaMagis BASE camp directly in the pool.

If the weather is bad and it's raining, take your family to one of the many leisure pools. In North Rhine-Westphalia there is a large selection of fun pools with slides, children's pools and other attractions.

Here are some of the most popular swimming pools in NRW:

• Aqualand in Cologne(website)

• Düsselstrand leisure and family pool(website)

• Neanderbad in Erkrath(website)

• Aquapark Oberhausen(Website)

• AquaMagis in Plettenberg(Website)

13. short holiday in NRW: Phantasialand In Phantasialand, young and old get their money's worth - Photo: Phantasialand

If you're planning a short holiday with your kids and they like wild roller coaster rides, you'll love Phantasialand in Brühl(website) near Cologne - definitely one of the best attractions in NRW for kids. Shows, attractions, six themed worlds and three hotels await you at Phantasialand.

Phantasieland is not just for a day trip - Photo: Phantasialand

Here you'll find the world's fastest multi-launch coaster, a bungee drop tower and several water rides.

You can also spend the night with your family in the middle of the theme park. So you can spend not just a nice day here, but a whole weekend. You will definitely not get bored here!

All info:

Address:

Berggeiststraße 31-41, 50321 Brühl(Google Maps)

Opening hours:

daily 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., closed on Mondays

Admission:

Day ticket costs from 53 euros for adults, children pay from 47 euros.

Hotel Tip:

Hotel Matamba Erlebnishotel

14 Movie Park Germany A Studio Tour at Movie Park is an experience for the whole family - Photo: Movie Park

Another cool destination for kids is the Movie Park Germany film and amusement park in Bottrop. The amusement park also attracts visitors with roller coasters and rides for the whole family. There is something for young and old here.

The various attractions are divided into three categories: mild, moderate and extreme. This makes it easier to choose with the kids.

In Germany's largest film and amusement park, you'll find the right mix between roller coasters and themed rides. On a Hollywood Studio Tour you can explore different sets and themes.

Movie Park Germany(website) has shows, restaurants and shops. Children under the age of three are admitted free of charge.

All info:

Address:

Warner-Allee 1, 46244 Bottrop(Google Maps).

Opening hours:

daily 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., closed on Mondays

Admission:

Day ticket costs from 29.90 euros per person

Hotel Tip:

Montana Parkhotel Marl

15 Hochwildpark Rhineland What can you do with the family on Sunday? How about a visit to the Rhineland Game Park?

What do children like to do? Looking at and petting animals, of course. The Hochwildpark Rheinland(website) is one of the most beautiful destinations for a family outing in NRW. Here you can see Hungarian steppe cattle as well as wild boar, elk, red deer and fallow and ski forest deer. You can observe domestic animals and farm animals as well as fish and water birds.

Some animals also roam freely on the fenced-in grounds. Depending on the number of visitors, the deer are so trusting that children can even feed them from their hands.

Dogs may be brought along on a leash. The restaurant and beer garden are right next to the small animal enclosure. There is also an adventure playground for children and plenty of seating for a picnic or a little breather. Your kids will definitely not forget this outdoor experience in a hurry.

16 Kommern Open-Air Museum

Are you looking for a very special destination? How about a visit to the LVR Open-Air Museum Kommern(website) in the Eifel, which you can even combine with an excursion to the nearby Hochwildpark.

There are 79 buildings on the museum grounds: farms, water mills, windmills, workshops and school buildings. They all come from the former Prussian province. Incidentally, the LVR is one of the largest open-air museums in Europe.

In the open-air museum, you and the kids can learn about life, living and working since the end of the 15th century and visit changing exhibitions.

Other child-friendly excursion destinations in NRW await you in the Voreifel, so it's also worth spending the night here in the area.

Address: Eickser Str., 53894 Mechernich(address)

17. zoom world of experience One of the turtles you can experience

Another great destination for an excursion with children is the Zoom Erlebniswelt Gelsenkirchen in NRW. The organisers promise a trip around the world in one day. We were very curious to see what was in store for us. And really, you can experience everything from Alaska to Asia and even Africa at this zoo in Gelsenkirchen.

Right at the beginning, you get an expedition plan that takes you to the different animal worlds and theme worlds. The turtle garden, for example, is a recommended attraction for small children in NRW. Older children will probably be amazed to see moose, reindeer and lynx in the Alaska Erlebniswelt.

The Zoom Erlebniswelt is one of the best leisure activities in the Ruhr region. Have fun with the kids.

All info

Address:

Grimberger Allee 3, 45889 Gelsenkirchen(Google Maps).

Opening hours:

April to September: 9am to 6:30pm, winter 10am to 5pm.

Admission:

Adults pay 21.50 euros, children pay 14 euros.

Info:

Dogs are allowed in the park, but cost 6 euros admission.

Overview of other popular zoos in NRW:

• Elephants at Cologne Zoo

• Koalas at Duisburg Zoo

• Wuppertal Zoo

• Bochum Zoo

• Dortmund Zoo

• Münster all-weather zoo

• Birds and butterflies at Krefeld Zoo

• Albino kangaroos at Hamm Zoo

• Monkey and bird park Eckenhagen

• Sea Life Aquarium Oberhausen and Sea Life Königswinter

• Rheine Nature Zoo

• Safariland in Stukenbrock

• Terra Zoo in Rheinberg

• Olderdissen Zoo in Bielefeld

• Sharks at the Aquazoo in Düsseldorf

18th Panarbora tree-top walk Cologne's treetop path from the air Photo: D. Ketz/Panarbora

We love treetop trails. One particularly beautiful one is in NRW, the Panarbora treetop trail in Waldbröl. You'll never get as close to a treetop or dive deeper into the forest as you will on one of Germany's countless treetop trails.

Located directly at Waldbröl Youth Hostel on the edge of the Bergisches Land Nature Park, you climb up the 40-metre-high observation tower. There, from the viewing platform at 34 metres, you have a great view of the surroundings.

The tower of the tree-top walk in Cologne, Panarbora Photo: Völkner/Panarbora

Right next to it, you'll find other family activities such as a water and adventure playground, the Nature Adventure Academy, a hedge maze, a cave labyrinth and a sensory trail. The Panarbora treetop path is also perfect for excursions with children and teenagers.

Tip: You can also spend the night in tree houses right next to the treetop path - doesn't that sound like a perfect adventure for teenagers?

19. Potts Park

If you're specifically looking for something to do with toddlers in NRW, then we can absolutely recommend Potts Park in Minden in East Westphalia. The core target group is children up to the age of 12 or 13. This means: there is fun for the little ones.

At Potts Park, for example, you can explore a science centre or take a look inside the giant flat. You will experience how children perceive their environment. This giant flat even made it into the Guinness Book of Records in 1983. But the turbo dragon is also popular with the little ones.

Potts Park is designed so that you can definitely spend the whole day there. So it's a perfect day out in NRW. The focus here is on learning through play. Sounds good? Then let's go. For toddlers, a visit here is definitely an attraction.

A highlight for older children near Minden is definitely the Minden waterway junction. Here, huge ships are being shuttled, while the Weser runs underneath. Wicked, isn't it?

All info:

Address:

Bergkirchener Str. 99, 32429 Minden(Google Maps).

Opening hours:

April to October from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Admission:

Adults pay 24.50 euros, children from 3 years 22 euros.

Info:

You can also celebrate children's birthdays here

Tip: If you're looking for another toddler attraction in NRW, you should check out the Irrland Farm Oasis. It is located on the Dutch border. But Maximilians Park in Hamm also attracts families with children.

20 Odysseum

Are you still looking for the right attraction for a family outing in NRW? In the Odysseum in Cologne you can entertain toddlers, teenagers and grandparents alike.

The Odysseum is so diverse that you will be speechless. For example, you can explore the museum with the mouse, experience Smurf adventures, spend a lot of time in the Ravensburger game world, feel like you're in Jurrasic Parc in the Jungle Run, explore the Spree Arena with virtual reality glasses or experience cutting-edge technology from the Icaros brand. You can really experience a lot here. Another highlight is a 3D cinema. This means the complex is also great for rainy days.

The Odysseum is perfect for a day trip in NRW and offers lots of family attractions. You'll be thrilled by the adventure museum.

All info:

Address:

Corintostraße 1, 51103 Cologne(Google Maps).

Opening hours:

Friday 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., weekend 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Admission:

Day ticket costs 26.50 euros

Info:

You can also celebrate children's birthdays here

Another great children's museum, more precisely the largest children's museum in Germany, Explorado Duisburg, has unfortunately closed permanently.

21 LVR Archaeological Park Xanten

Now we have a very special highlight for you. One of the most beautiful places in NRW is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site: the Roman city of Colonia Ulpia Traiana. And there on the site is Germany's largest open-air archaeological museum. Doesn't that sound like a huge dose of adventure?

The LVR Archaeological Park Xanten combines history with fun for children. They can let off steam on the playgrounds, in the playhouse or on the meadows all around. Meanwhile, the adults can marvel at the walk-through models of the former amphitheatre, the city wall and the harbour temple. As you can see, the park is one of the best places to visit with children in NRW.

Where to take children and teenagers when it rains in NRW?

If you're still wondering what to do with (older) children in NRW, we've put together some of the best things to do for families with children in NRW in bad weather. Anyone who says you can't do anything with your kids when it's raining is definitely wrong ????.

• Externsteine (don't forget your wellies)

• Bouldering for kids

• Legoland Discovery Centre in Oberhausen

• Visit an adventure farm

• Explorado Children's Museum

• Trip to the Aqua Magis adventure pool

• SeaLife in Oberhausen

• German Football Museum in Dortmund

• Chocolate museum in Cologne

• RS Speedworld indoor karting in Kaarst

The most beautiful family hotels in NRW

For your excursion in NRW, you will of course need a great family hotel where you can stay with the whole family. After exploring the great excursion destinations with children, you will find an overview of some of the most beautiful family hotels:

• Ebbinghof Family Hotel

• Berghotel Hoher Knochen

• Familotel Landhuus Laurenz

• Therme und Wellnessresort Bad Lippspringe

• Landhaus Monikas Holiday Paradise

• Hapimag Resort Winterberg

• Hotel der Jägerhof

• Country Hotel Gasthof Schütte

• Familotel Sonnenpark

• Family hotel in NRW at the Gartenschaupark Bad Lippspringe

If you are looking for more information on the most beautiful family hotels in NRW, then take a look at our article.

The best excursion tips for families with kids at a glance

What can you do with children in NRW?

The best excursion destinations for families with children in NRW are the Externsteine, the Teutoburg Forest, the Krewelshof in the Eifel, the Altenberg Fairytale Forest and the Gertrudenhof adventure farm.

What to do with children in NRW when it rains?

When it rains, excursions to the Aqua Magis adventure pool, Legoland Oberhausen, the Explorado children's museum or Sealife are particularly suitable.

Oh yes: If you and your family still feel like sightseeing, we recommend our articles on the cities of Cologne, Düsseldorf, Aachen and Dortmund.

I hope there was something suitable for you and your family here. And now have fun during your excursions with children in NRW!