Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
TOP VIEWS FOR KIDS
Fernsehturm
The viewing area has mind-blowing dimensions and an otherworldly feel.
See p.62.
Panorama Punkt
The most exciting views, though it does require a head for heights. See p.94.
Reichstag dome
This unusual structure with its many mirrors is always entertaining for kids.
See p.37.
Siegessäule
Lots of steps make this slightly hard work for little legs but great for energetic
youngsters. See p.102.
ZOOS AND AQUARIUMS
As a hangover from the old East-West days, Berlin has two full-sized
zoos
. The aquariums, meanwhile, are very good wet-
weather options.
Sea-Life Centre
See p.63.
A much smaller variety of
species than at the Zoologischer Garten, but with some
flashy tanks and good activities for kids, including quiz
questions (in English) and the chance to touch manta rays
and starfish in a tank.
Tierpark Friedrichsfelde
See p.144.
The old eastern
zoo is only really worth the trek for zoo fanatics or if you
happen to be in the area.
Zoologischer Garten
See p.110.
City West's zoo is the
best for kids of the two city zoos, with an underground
nocturnal area (where varieties of gerbil-like creatures, and
bats, do their thing) and a good playground. It also boasts
a very good aquarium featuring all sorts of fish plus
interesting creatures from crocodiles to bees to snakes.
19
PLAYGROUNDS, LEISURE COMPLEXES AND CHILDREN'S FARMS
Berlin has a number of rag-tag
adventure playgrounds
featuring creative wooden structures that are perfect to charge
around and explore - many of them are supervised, too. Information on these along with the location of the city's children's
farms are at the German-only website
W
akib.de.
Domäne Dahlem
Königin-Luise-Str. 49, Zehlendorf
T
030 666 30 00,
W
domaene-dahlem.de; U-Dahlem-
Dorf; map p.161.
Working farm and craft museum with
plenty to entertain kids besides farmyard animals,
especially during weekend craft fairs when there are games
and shows especially for children.
Daily 8am-7pm.
FEZ
Wuhlheide
An der Wuhlheide 197, Köpenick
T
030 53 07 10,
W
fez-berlin.de; S-Wuhlheide; map
p.142.
A large GDR-era recreation park, packed with play
and activity areas for kids of all ages and unusual features
such as a BMX track (rentals available) and a popular
narrow-gauge railway, the 7km-long Berliner
Parkeisenbahn
W
parkeisenbahn.de). Hours vary
according to school terms, but core times:
Tues-Fri & Sun
9am-10pm, Sat 1-6pm, Sun noon-6pm.
Kinderbauernhof auf dem Görlitzer
Görlitzer Park,
Wiener Str. 59, Kreuzberg
W
kinderbauernhofberlin
.de; U-Görlitzer Bahnhof; map pp.126-127.
The most
central of several of Berlin's educationally oriented
children's farms, which can still be fun even if you don't
know the language.
Mon, Tues, Thurs & Fri 10am-7pm
(5pm in winter), Sat & Sun 11am-6pm (5pm in winter).
CIRCUSES
Cabuwazi Zirkus
Weiner Str. 59h, Kreuzberg
T
030 29
04 78 40,
W
cabuwazi.de; U-Görlitzer Bahnhof.
Resident
circus, and one in which youngsters perform. Also a popular
venue for visiting circuses. Another three venues in Berlin.
Opening hours vary.
UFA-Fabrik
Viktoriastr. 10, Tempelhof
T
030 75 50 30,
W
ufafabrik.de; U-Ullsteinstrasse; map pp.126-127.
Resident circus offering an inventive alternative - jugglers,
acrobats, magicians - to the usual lions-and-clowns stuff.
Show times vary, usually Wed-Sat 8pm with daytime
shows on Sat.
THEATRES AND CINEMAS
Most cinemas show
children's films
during the school holidays but these are likely to be German-language only. The one
time you're likely to catch English-language kids' films is during the Berlinale Film Festival in February (see p.223), as part
of its children's programme (
Kinderprogramm
). Berlin supports a remarkable number of
puppet theatres
, most of which
put on worthwhile performances that kids don't need a knowledge of German to enjoy. For details of children's films and
theatre performances, check the listings magazines (see p.33).
