Top Activities for Families in Zürich

Zürich excels in family-friendly travel with its organization, cleanliness, and safety. The city boasts reliable transportation and abundant amenities like baby-changing stations and parks equipped with play areas.

Many hotels offer family-oriented or interconnected rooms, and adding a cot or extra bed at guesthouses and self-catering places is usually a breeze.

However, it’s important to note that Zürich can be pricey. The best way to save is by purchasing a Zürich Card, available online or at tourist information centers. This card, valid for either 24 or 72 hours, covers second-class public transport throughout the city, short boat rides on the lake and Limmat River, plus free entry to select museums and discounts at others.

You can also use the card for discounts on guided city tours (including one tailored for kids), movie tickets, and various cafés and restaurants.

Top Activities for Families with Babies and Toddlers in Zürich

Explore Parks and Playgrounds

With over 150 playgrounds scattered throughout the city, finding a green space for your toddlers to play and unwind is a breeze. A favorite among local parents is the Blatterwiese playground in Zürichhorn, the lush park on the eastern side of Zürichsee. It features a large sandpit, four slides of varying sizes, and plenty of swings. There’s even a splash pool for summer fun.

In the trendy Zürich-West area, near the Im Viadukt food market and shopping district, you’ll find Josefwiese park. This spot offers soccer, pétanque, table tennis, and beach volleyball. It’s also perfect for people-watching while enjoying a picnic or sunbathing. Kids will adore the playground and the opportunity to play in the water fountains.

Enjoy a Boat Trip on the Zürichsee

Few experiences in Zürich are as soothing as a cruise on the lake. The city’s navigation company, ZSG, offers a variety of regular and themed cruises year-round, some featuring meals. A delightful option is the trip to Uffenau Island, located in the upper part of Lake Zurich near Rapperswil-Jona.

Uffenau Island is home to the 10th-century Einsiedeln Monastery and the 12th-century Church of St. Peter and Paul. This nature reserve boasts a stroller-friendly trail. Fun fact for the kids: it’s the largest island in Switzerland.

Top Activities for Families with Kids and Teens in Zürich

Gaze at a Massive Chocolate Fountain

You won’t hear much opposition when you propose a visit to Lindt Home of Chocolate. The highlight of this stunning facility is its impressive 9.3-meter (30.5 ft) chocolate fountain. Take a behind-the-scenes tour to discover how chocolate is made and even participate in courses to create your own. The interactive tour also educates visitors about the journey of cocoa from the Americas to Europe centuries ago.

Show Off Your Soccer Skills

Soccer enthusiasts will be excited to learn that Zürich hosts the official FIFA World Football Museum. The exhibitions explore the sport's origins in the UK and its rise to global popularity. You'll find plenty of interactive displays, including one focused on eFootball. Test your soccer skills on a giant walk-in pinball field where you can kick the ball to score points.

Discover Art and Geology

Zürich excels at making its museums and galleries engaging and enjoyable for the whole family. At the city's top art gallery, Kunsthaus, there’s a complimentary audio guide tailored for kids aged 5 to 12. Everyone will love the earthquake simulator at Focus Terra, a hands-on university museum that explores volcanic eruptions, the origins of gems, and what fossils reveal about the beginnings of life.

Experience a Wild Night at the Zoo

You can spend the evening with the animals at Zoo Zürich by joining a Nighttime Ramble. Enjoy a nocturnal stroll through the enclosures, stay overnight in a yurt, and have breakfast in the Pantanal restaurant alongside creatures from the South American wetlands. This popular experience requires advance booking.

Embark on a Hike in the Hills

Uetliberg stands at 869 meters (2851 feet) and is just a stone's throw from Zürich. Ascend this peak for stunning views, and enjoy hiking, jogging, or mountain biking on trails like the Planetenweg—a 6km (3.7 miles) route featuring 1:1 billion scale models of the planets. Another family-friendly hike is along the Elefantenbach, a 7km (4.3 miles) circular trail through a scenic ravine formed 10,000 years ago. It’s easy to navigate and features a small elephant statue in the stream that spouts water from its trunk.

You can branch off from this hike to the Loorenkopf Trail, which leads up to Adlisberg and features a 30-meter (98 feet) wooden observation tower. The informative panels along the way provide insights into the names of the distant Alps.

Planning Tips

• Bicycles are available for free through the Zurirollt program, which includes e-bikes, children’s bikes, child seats, and trailers.

• Numerous restaurants offer kid-friendly meals, including a variety of healthier vegetarian options like the chain tibits.

• If you’re using Zürich as a base for further exploration, traveling by train with Swiss Railways is cost-effective for families. Children under six ride for free, and those aged 6 to 16 can also travel free with an annual Junior Card or when accompanied by a parent or guardian with a valid pass.

• Other helpful resources include Kinder Region for family activity ideas around Zürich and Swiss Family Fun.