It is birthday party season for us in Berlin. After my little girl’s 5th birthday (5th!), we had two other kids’ parties at some of the city’s best museums. Apparently we are running with a fashionable kiddie crowd.

In this season of cold weather and celebrations, it is the perfect time for indoor entertainment. Especially as we approach Weihnachtsfeiern (Christmas break), closely followed by Winterferien (winter break) – oh German school breaks! – where the kids need to get out of the house.

Kids Bundled up at a Museum PHOTO: Ian Porter

What follows are my favorite museums in Berlin for kids and their parents. Because sometimes we need to get out just as much as the kids. And in Germany we are lucky that among the world-class museums dedicated to art, etc. there are also places dedicated to educating the youngest members of society.

Kindermuseum MACHmit!

Kiddie Hamster Maze PHOTO: Erin Porter

The first birthday party of our month was held here. Geared toward children aged 3 – 10 with a theme that changes several times a year, I marveled at the amount of activities packed into this multi-level museum. Once a church, it has been re-imagined into different areas of discovery where children can roam freely.

When I went, there was an artificial snow room, candle decorating station, information about the Berlin Wall with DDR cartoons, painting, coloring, hammering stations… It would have been a legal nightmare in America with the amount of scissors and tools lying around, so the kids had a ball.

Among the permanent exhibits, the most popular has to be the six-level climbing shelf. Complete with swings and night skies, it resembles hamster tubes and parents can remain below calmly sipping coffee at the cafe, or climb along with the kids.

Museum für Naturkunde (Natural History Museum)

For the Dino-Obsessed PHOTO: Erin Porter

Natural history museums are usually a winner, and Berlin’s is no exception. You walk in to dinosaurs; a crowd-pleaser for the whole family. In fact, the first thing you see is the tallest mounted dinosaur skeleton in the world, a Brachiosaurus that takes up the whole room. You can also meet a T-Rex that was part of a private collection, along with rooms of other animals.

Don’t miss the geodes and minerals that sparkle with a light of their own, or the room that looks like the lab of a mad scientist with jars of things weird and wonderful. As most exhibits are hands-off, this museum is best for children aged 6+.

Deutsches Technikmuseum (German Museum of Technology)

Prepare to spend all day at this massive museum that spans all things science and technology. It encompasses an area of 26,500 square metres, making it one of the biggest technological museums in Europe. There are ships and trains, recording studios and demonstrations on how sound works,  and a whole railway yard.

Visitors can’t help but notice the airplane perched atop the building if they arrive via the UBahn. Entering the industrial space that was once the working Hamburger Bahnhof station, there are so many machines to marvel at, big and small. On the grounds, visitors can check out the working water wheel, brew house, and more.

There is much to read and less to touch, but any kids into machines will dig this museum. I recommend this museum to anyone, but it is probably best for children 6+. Be prepared to walk!

DDR Museum

DDR Classroom PHOTO: Erin Porter

I had been warned away from this museum when we first moved to Berlin as overly touristic and expensive, but after a full renovation a few years ago I checked it out and was impressed.

There is a lot of reading material, but care has been taken to include plenty of interactive exhibits for the kids so even small children can enjoy (at least for a while). A recreation of a DDR KiTa was a hit for our then 3-year-old with its many toys, and we were fascinated by how many things were the same, and what was different. There was also an impressive recreation of a typical DDR house room-by-room, full explanation of the FKK culture, and a real Trabi you can get in for photo opportunities.

Labyrinth Kindermuseum Berlin

The Labyrinth offers learning through play for children 3 – 10. The central area is what the museum is named for, an elaborate maze of stairs, dead ends, tunnels, and secret spaces.

Along with the labyrinth, there are toy cars to drive, a construction zone, and a shop area to role-play.  Families come back time and time again as the decor and games change regularly.

Honorable Mentions: Legoland, German History Museum, Science Center Spectrum

If you have a museum to add, please leave it in the comments. We all need a little help in this dark winter season.

Kids’ Birthdays in Germany

Along with standard birthday protocol in Germany like never wish someone happy birthday before the actual day, kids’ parties have their own sets of rules. Sarah wrote a post about kids’ parties in Germany I have studied dutifully, but I am sure I am blindly stumbling through many social faux pas.

Here are a few lessons I have learned:

• There is a general rule that you should only invite as many guests as the child’s age. For example, turning 4, invite 4 guests.
• It is common practice for kids to go home with another kid’s parents quite early. We have had our daughter attend parties after KiTa by herself from 3-years-old. Just remember to send a Vollmacht (permission slip).
• If you have a weekend party, parents may stay or leave but everyone pretty much stays for dinner. It may be a simple delivery pizza, but plan accordingly.