Tips for families in Bern
Experience:
... Since Bimano opened, rainy days in Bern are no longer a problem for action-loving families. In the converted logistics hall, children's and parents' hearts beat faster: the indoor playground delights with unusual constructions and the vintage bobby cars are a hit. In addition to Bimano, there is now a skills park with extensive gymnastics and bouncing areas.
Bimano, Zentweg 1a, www.bimano.ch
Skills Park, Zentweg 11, www.skillspark.ch
... In the new Villa Creativa in Ostermundigen there is Kapla à gogo. Children and adults can build whatever their imagination and dexterity can muster, either accompanied or in the open workshop. Times must be booked in advance using the booking tool on the website.
Villa Creativa, Ostermundigenstrasse 69, www.villacreativa.ch
... Playground with a view: the Rosengarten playground offers a wonderful view of Bern's old town and lots of fun for children hungry for exercise. A short descent away is the Bärenpark, the Längmuur adventure playground and the Altes Tramdepot restaurant, which offers homemade ice cream for the little ones and home-brewed Trämli beer for the grown-ups.
Rosengarten playground, Laubeggstrasse 1
Bärenpark and Altes Tramdepot, Grosser Muristalden 6,
www.tierpark-bern.ch, www.altestramdepot.ch
Längmuur playground, Langmauerweg 20A
... If you want to go higher, we recommend a trip to the Gurten. The ride on the panoramic funicular railway rewards visitors with a view of the entire city, including the Bundeshaus and the River Aare. And as soon as there is enough snow, there is even a children's ski lift on Bern's local mountain, and the toboggan run guarantees a speedy descent back to the middle station.
www.gurtenpark.ch
... Visits to the museum are ideal for cold winter weather. The Natural History Museum is still quite quiet, especially in the mornings, and in the new Pica's Nest adventure room you can climb around on tree trunks and crawl into caves to your heart's content. There are also picnic corners and a studio with further play and learning opportunities. Not far from the museum is the Dählhölzli animal park and the Ropetech rope park with various courses and viewing platforms up to 23 metres high.
Natural History Museum, Bernastrasse 15, www.nmbe.ch
Dählhölzli Zoo, Tierparkweg 1, www.tierpark-bern.ch
Rope park (open from March), Thunplatz 15, www.ropetech.ch
... Skiing instead of swimming: A mini ski slope, including a magic carpet, is built from the «waste» from the ice rink in the Weyerli outdoor pool area. The ski lift is open every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday afternoon from 1 to 5 pm, weather permitting.
Weyermannshaus outdoor pool, Stöckackerstrasse 9
Further information and the exact programme on 031 381 10 76 and
www.sportamt-bern.ch > Snow fun at Weyerli
Enjoy:
... A cosy «Kafi» in Bern is a must. The Effinger has a great play corner and also serves snacks at lunchtime. The gym in the basement also has a play box and plenty of space for exercise. And in the Löscher you'll find a table football table and children's books.
Effinger, Effingerstrasse 10, www.effinger.ch
Turnhalle, Speichergasse 4, www.turnhalle.ch
Löscher, Gotthelfstrasse 29, www.loescher.be
... Instead of chicken nuggets with chips, you can eat the same as the grown-ups at the Kornhauskeller. For 15 francs, children can choose three courses from the menu and enjoy the beautiful vaulted cellar in an Italian family-friendly atmosphere.
Kornhauskeller, Kornhausplatz 18,
www.bindella.ch/de/kornhauskeller-galeriebar
Overnight stay:
... With the Federal Palace at your back and the River Aare in front of you, this is how you spend the night at Bern Youth Hostel. The new family rooms are generously equipped, with plenty of space, extra beds and a separate bathroom. The ride on the Marzili railway up to the station is a highlight.
An overnight stay in a family room with four beds, private shower and WC, including breakfast, costs from CHF 232. Bern Youth Hostel, Weihergasse 4, 3005 Bern,
www.youthhostel.ch/bern
Bern with children
Many of these tips come from the online family magazine Kleinstadt. The family website by parents for parents - as well as godmothers, grandmothers and anyone else travelling with children - provides extensive and trustworthy tips about Bern.
www.kleinstadt.ch
