Bavarian Forest with kids: what really works at each age
Bavarian Forest with kids: activities by age, bad-weather tips and the best day trip destinations for families.
Bavarian Forest with kids: what really works at each age
The Bavarian Forest with kids is different from other holiday regions. No roller coasters, no mega water parks, no programme on a 15-minute schedule. Instead: nature, animals, water and space. Lots and lots of space. And that is exactly what makes it so good for families.
But not every day trip destination suits every age. What is an adventure with six-year-olds becomes a test of patience with two-year-olds. So here is an honest guide, sorted by what really works.
With toddlers (0 to 3 years): short distances, lots of water
Little children do not need spectacular destinations. The little ones need routine, places to sleep and spaces where they can crawl or run around safely.
Perlsee is just one kilometre from WaldmĂĽnchen. That is doable on foot, even with a stroller. The lake has a sandy beach, a playground and pedal boats in summer. For toddlers it is the perfect half-day trip: water for splashing, sand for digging, ducks to watch. And if the mood turns, you are back in ten minutes.
The Wildgarten in Furth im Wald (15 kilometres away) also works well with the very little ones. The paths are flat and short, there are goats and rabbits to touch, and the entire walk takes maybe an hour. Enough for little legs, not too much before the midday nap.
What helps at our hotel
At the Sonnenhotel Bayerischer Hof there is a Baby Lounge for children aged 0 to 3. That sounds like a small thing, but in everyday family life it makes a huge difference. While the baby plays, you can have breakfast in peace or warm up in the pool. Speaking of the pool: 10 by 4 metres, plus a whirlpool. Not a fun pool, but exactly the right size for small children.
And because everything is all inclusive (breakfast, lunch, afternoon cake, dinner, drinks all day), the question "where shall we eat?" disappears completely. With toddlers, that is worth its weight in gold.
With kindergarten kids (3 to 6 years): animals, animals, animals
At this age, almost everything is about animals. And the Bavarian Forest delivers.
The Bavarian Forest Animal Park in Lohberg (50 kilometres, a good hour by car) shows native wildlife in large enclosures: wolves, lynxes, bears, otters, eagle owls. The kids walk along forest paths between the enclosures, and because the animals have a lot of room, you sometimes have to look a little. Kindergarten kids enjoy that more than you might think.
Plan around two to three hours for the animal park. Sturdy shoes are a must, the ground is muddy in places. Pack a change of clothes.
The Wildgarten in Furth still works well at this age, but now with more independence. The kids want to feed the animals themselves and decide where to go next.
The kids' club from age 3
From age three, children can join our kids' club "Sonnenwolfi". There is a pirate ship, a climbing wall, craft sessions, small excursions in the area, kids' cinema and even a kids' disco. The club runs for children aged 3 to 12, and most kids do not want to leave after the first day.
That means real breaks for you. Pool, sauna (from 3 pm), steam bath, or just an hour with a book in the room. Not something you can take for granted on a family holiday.
With school-age kids (6 to 12 years): adventures and longer trips
School-age kids can walk further, last longer and want real experiences. Now the bigger excursions pay off.
Bavarian Forest National Park (90 kilometres)
The national park is the highlight of the region, but with small kids it is often frustrating. For school-age children, on the other hand, it is perfect. The wildlife enclosure area stretches over 250 hectares. Wolves, lynxes, wild boar and elk live here in enclosures so large that you barely notice them. The loop is about seven kilometres long.
After that (or before) you head to the treetop walk: 1,300 metres long, up to 44 metres high. The view over the Bavarian Forest is impressive, and the climb up the spiral tower is fun even for kids who do not normally enjoy hiking.
Plan a whole day for the wildlife area and treetop walk together. Bring snacks and a rain jacket.
Pullman City (80 kilometres)
A Western town in the middle of the Bavarian Forest. Sounds kitschy, but works surprisingly well. Gold panning, pony riding, lasso throwing, archery. School-age kids easily spend five to six hours here without getting bored.
When it rains: plan B in the Bavarian Forest
And it will rain. The Bavarian Forest is not a dry zone. Anyone staying a week should expect two to three rainy days, especially in spring and autumn.
The good news: the hotel has you covered. The kids' club runs even in the rain (kids' cinema, crafts, climbing wall). The pool and whirlpool are even more fun in the rain than in sunshine. And all inclusive also means: in bad weather you do not need to head out to find a restaurant somewhere.
For rainy-day excursions, indoor pools in the area are a good option, or a visit to Furth im Wald, where the famous Drachenstich (Slaying of the Dragon) takes place in summer and there is a small museum about it.
The best season for the Bavarian Forest with kids
Summer (June to August): the classic family time. Perlsee for swimming, long evenings, all attractions open. But also busier and more expensive.
Early summer (May to June): our insider tip. The weather is often already settled, the hiking trails empty, and at Perlsee you have the playground almost to yourselves. The animal park and national park are less crowded.
Autumn (September to October): the forest explodes with colour. Perfect for school-age kids who like being outside. Less suitable for toddlers, because it gets cool early in the evening.
Winter: sledging and snow walks. But many outdoor attractions are closed. More for families deliberately seeking quiet.
Packing list for the Bavarian Forest with kids
Short and practical:
- Sturdy shoes (also in summer, the forest paths are uneven)
- Rain jacket and waterproof trousers for every child
- Swimwear and towels for Perlsee
- Binoculars for the animal park (kids love them)
- A small backpack for snacks on day trips
- Sunscreen and insect repellent from May onwards
What family holiday days can look like
A typical holiday day with us looks like this: a leisurely breakfast in the morning (all inclusive, so no rush). A trip in the late morning or off to Perlsee. Back at the hotel at midday for lunch, pool or kids' club. Cake and coffee in the afternoon, then back outside or let the kids play. Dinner in the evening and off to the kids' disco or something quiet together.
No stress. No "where shall we eat tonight?". No worrying whether the budget will stretch. That is the real advantage of all inclusive in the Bavarian Forest: you can focus on your kids instead of the logistics.
You will find more about the region in our Bavarian Forest Guide.
Read more
Planning a family holiday in the Bavarian Forest
The Bavarian Forest with kids is straightforward when the basics are right. A hotel where children are truly welcome (really welcome, not just tolerated), all inclusive, and enough programme for rainy days. The region takes care of the rest.
At the Sonnenhotel Bayerischer Hof in WaldmĂĽnchen, families feel at home. 136 rooms, a kids' club from 3 to 12, Baby Lounge, pool, and everything included.