There are so many parks, playgrounds, activities, and museums with exhibits especially for children in Basel that you will never run out of ideas for family outings. Here are a few of our favorites.
Outdoor family-friendly activities
Treasure hunt with Basil
The beloved character Basil the Baselstab takes the whole family on a playful journey through the city, the zoo, or a detective adventure, searching for a lost gemstone. These tours are great fun for puzzle-loving families who want to get to know the city better.
Recommended for children ages 6 to 10.
Get your tickets here: Basel.com
Vintage tram tour
Go back in time and explore Basel on a vintage tram ride. This old-time tram with a top speed of 30 km/h shows you what travel felt like a century ago. The 1920s motorized front carriage includes live commentary in German and English. The open-top summer carriage behind is perfect for families who want to enjoy the ride without the commentary.
Trams run every Sunday from May to September, starting at the SBB railway station in front of Hotel Euler.
Get your tickets here: Basel.com
Basel Zoo
The Basel Zoo, affectionately referred to as Zolli by locals, opened in 1874 and is home to a large number of indigenous and exotic animals. Basel Zoo is well worth a visit any time of year, open 365 days.
- In summer, the park is the perfect place to stroll through the lush pathways. During winter, the various animal houses guarantee a wide variety of up-close encounters. And when temperatures drop below 10°C, children can watch the penguins go for a walk through the zoo (Pinguinspaziergang) at 11.00 daily.
Tip: Get a Basel Zoo family membership. Families with two adults and their own children up to age 15 can get a yearly zoo pass for CHF 170. Valid 365 days from the date of purchase.
Indoor family-friendly activities in Basel
Theater Basel guided tour
Theater Basel is so big that you could easily get lost in the many corridors between doors, stages, and floors. Join a guided children’s tour and go behind the scenes to ride the giraffe lift, walk through a hidden tunnel, and discover all hidden corners of the theater.
Find more information here: Theater Basel
Elys Boulderloft Basel
Climb, swing, slide; run, jump, hide! Easily reachable by tram line 11, Elys Boulderloft is a guaranteed hit for active children (and not just on rainy days). The family play area (Bewegungslandschaft) is ideal for families to explore bouldering.
It offers a safe environment where children can unleash their energy climbing, sliding, crawling through tunnels, testing their balance on rope walks, or jumping into the ball pit. There is a big indoor picnic area for families and a cozy café serving great cappuccino.
- Make sure to reserve a time slot and buy your ticket online.
- Find more information and book your visit here: Elys
Jakob’s Basler Leckerly
Join a tour of Jakob’s Basler Leckerly factory. Visit Switzerland’s oldest biscuit factory (1753) and learn about its 270-plus-year history and the story behind these famous treats. This tour takes you through the factory and offers samples of Läckerli from three centuries. At the end of the tour, you can wrap up your own “Läckerli” to take home.
Find more information and book tickets here: Jakob’s Basler Leckerly
Family-friendly Dinner
Visit Markthalle Basel for a casual and child-friendly dinner. Choose from a wide variety of dishes from all over the world, served straight from stalls and food trucks.
More information and opening hours here: Markthalle
Read more: Activities at Daycare Centers in Basel, Switzerland
