Children’s Museums in Munich: Adventures in Archaeology, Art, and Technology
Munich is one of those cities where families can discover a new favorite museum almost every day. The range of children’s museums in Munich is extensive, spanning everything from art labs and worlds of technology to real journeys through time. Many of these places are not traditional children’s museums, but they engage kids so thoughtfully and creatively that they have long become firm family favorites.
In this editorial, we show you the most beautiful children’s museums in Munich, along with all those museums that are designed in such an exciting and accessible way for children that they could just as easily be considered children’s museums. With tips for what to do before or after your visit and plenty of details to make your family outing extra special.
Children’s museums in Munich: Childhood on the Nile at the Egyptian Museum
One of the most impressive children’s museum experiences in Munich for elementary school children. The State Museum of Egyptian Art becomes one of the most exciting children’s museums in Munich through the exhibition Childhood on the Nile. Families can discover how children lived, played, and learned 3,000 years ago. The different sections are designed so that kids can immediately imagine themselves in that world. From toys and school life to rituals and goddesses, there is plenty to explore.
Special children’s tours and a multimedia guide deepen the experience. Ideal for children from around five years old and especially perfect when the topic of ancient Egypt is being covered at school.
Munich Archaeological State Collection and Fräulein Grüneis
A perfect starting point for young time travelers. The Archaeological State Collection is one of the most versatile children’s museums in Munich for us because it presents history in a light and engaging way. Kids can explore the Stone Age, the Celts, the Romans, and the Middle Ages in bright exhibition spaces filled with artifacts and interactive media. Particularly exciting are the areas where children can compare everyday objects from past cultures with their own lives.
There are also special tours and programs for families where children can get creative themselves. If you feel like some fresh air after the exhibition, take a walk to Fräulein Grüneis by the Eisbach. This small cult kiosk is the perfect place for a break with pretzels, cake, and meadow views in the English Garden.
Kunstlabor 2: An urban art adventure for all ages
The Kunstlabor 2 is definitely one of the most creative children’s museum experiences in Munich, even though it is not officially a children’s museum. It offers something that traditional museums do not always provide. Kids can marvel, wander freely, search for details, and experience contemporary art up close.
At the center is an exhibition by the French artist Seth that was explicitly designed for people aged three to 103. Many of the rooms are interactive, child friendly, and barrier free. It is an ideal destination for families on a rainy day who love art.
Deutsches Museum: The classic among children’s museums in Munich
When it comes to children’s museums in Munich, there is no way around the Deutsches Museum. After extensive modernization, it is now even more family friendly. The Kinderreich delights younger visitors with water play areas, mechanical experiments, and hands on building stations for children from about three years old.
Older kids and teens will find their highlights in the sections dedicated to aviation and spaceflight, computer science, physics, and energy. The interactive elements make the museum a place where time seems to fly by. For many families, it is well worth visiting more than once.
Kunsthalle in the heart of the city
Digital by Nature, the new exhibition for curious young art lovers. The Kunsthalle clearly belongs among the inspiring children’s museum experiences in Munich for us, because the exhibition Digital by Nature offers kids a world full of colors, movement, and digital landscapes. Miguel Chevalier’s art works with projections and generative patterns that are constantly changing. Children step into spaces that feel alive and bring nature and technology together in a completely new way.
A visit is especially worthwhile in the morning when it is quieter and children can move around freely.
Children’s museums in Munich: The Hunting and Fishing Museum in the city center
The Hunting and Fishing Museum is tucked away right in the middle of Munich’s pedestrian zone and presents animals of the forest, rivers, and lakes in lifelike displays.
Children encounter deer, wild boar, fish, and birds while also learning how nature and wildlife can be protected. Thanks to its central location, it is an ideal spot for a spontaneous family outing in the city center.
Lenbachhaus: Art that draws children in
The Blue Rider collection at the Lenbachhaus is highly accessible for children thanks to family tours and an audio guide that is narrated by children for children. After the tour, kids can get creative in the studio and experiment with colors themselves.
Free admission for everyone under 18 makes the Lenbachhaus one of the most family friendly children’s museum experiences in Munich, even though it is not a traditional children’s museum.
FC Bayern Erlebniswelt: Museum, stadium, and goosebumps moments
For young and grown football fans alike, the FC Bayern Erlebniswelt is one of the most exciting children’s museum experiences in Munich. Trophies, championship stories, and legendary match moments meet interactive stations designed especially for kids.
Particularly popular are the children’s areas where kids can build their own trophies or play with the Lego Allianz Arena. Combined with a stadium tour, it becomes an unforgettable family outing.
Flugwerft Schleißheim: Aviation history you can experience
The Flugwerft Schleißheim is considered by many families to be one of Munich’s underrated children’s museums, even though it is located a little outside the city. Historic and modern aircraft are displayed in huge hangars that immediately make kids feel like they are part of an adventure. And there is plenty of opportunity for hands on exploration.
Children can discover cockpits, propellers, historic aircraft, and learn a lot about the dream of flying. Thanks to the spacious outdoor grounds, the Flugwerft is perfect for a half day family outing.
Whether art, ancient Egypt, technology, or football, Munich’s children’s museums and all the museums designed to be especially accessible for kids make Munich one of the most exciting cultural cities for families. If you are still looking for inspiration for the next kids’ birthday party at a museum, here are our five favorites.
