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Bern for Families
Adventure playgrounds, rainy-day activities, family-friendly cafés: Bern offers so much to do and discover on a family day out. Here’s a compilation of our favourite recommendations, tips and more with kids during spring.
Outdoor activities
Going on a treasure hunt, “lädele” (browsing the shops) and gelato, exploring the forest on an adventure trail – Bern is full of fun activities for families. Themed trails lead you through fairytale landscapes, interactive stations spark curiosity, playgrounds let kids run around and let off steam, and relaxed bike rides take you to idyllic picnic spots and farms with cute animals.
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Experience tip: Combine a themed trail with a cosy picnic on the edge of the forest or a visit to an adventure farm – it’s the perfect recipe for an unforgettable spring weekend in the Napf region.
Indoor activities
Even if it’s “Huduwätter” (raining cats and dogs), you won’t get bored in Bern – there are so many fun things to do indoors! Exciting museums like the Museum of Communication invite you to get hands-on in their exhibitions, castles take you on a journey to the past, and the Kambly Experience will quite literally sweeten your day. And the Vivarium at Bern Animal Park, Dählhölzli will whisk you off to the jungle with its monkeys, birds, frogs and more – perfect for wildlife enthusiasts of all ages. Creative, interactive, fun surprises await curious kids and adventurous adults.
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Good things don’t have to be expensive! Bern has all kinds of fun things to offer for families on a budget. Browse the different free activities in Bern here.
Events for the entire family
Easter in Bern is all about fun: From the traditional egg tapping on Kornhausplatz to music, dancing and charming brunch gifts – there’s a festive buzz in the air.
Community Challenge – Spring in Pictures
Show us what spring in Bern looks like to you. With a bit of luck, your photo will become our 2027 campaign visual.
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- How can I take part?
Post your most beautiful spring photo on Instagram by 1 May 2026. Tag @ilove_bern and include the hashtag #bernerwacht in your caption. Whether it’s a family, nature or animal photo – the important thing is that it was taken in the region of Bern (City of Bern, Gantrisch Nature Park, Laupen, Emmental or Oberaargau).
- What can I win?
The winning photo will appear on the homepage of the 2027 spring campaign on bern.com and as a large poster in the window of the Tourist Information at Bern railway station – of course with your name credited. The three best photos will also receive an exclusive “Bärn Päckli” (Bern Package).
- How is the winning photo selected?
We review the submitted photos on Instagram every week and make a pre-selection. If your photo is shortlisted, we will contact you directly with all the information and publish it on our website. From three finalist photos, the Instagram community will then vote for the winning image.
- What should I be aware of?
By taking part, you grant Bern Welcome a free, non-exclusive, unlimited right in terms of time and place to use, reproduce and publish the submitted photos, in full or in part, for communication and marketing purposes across all online and offline channels. Copyright remains with you. No remuneration will be paid.
Family-friendly cafés and restaurants
There are numerous restaurants in Bern that make families feel especially welcome, offering everything from room to put your stroller and fun play areas to homemade syrup and kids menus to flexible and friendly staff. Here are our favourite family-friendly places – tried-and-tested by families, loved by children and parents alike, and true insider’s tips that you won’t find in your average travel guide.
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Hotel offer for families
Families profit from a free overnight stay for children under the age of 16 in a selection of Bernese hotels. Thanks to the capital’s central location, the many diverse activities and experiences in the Bern region are only a stone’s throw away – be it active or relaxed, in an urban setting or the breathtaking landscapes of the Bernese countryside.
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Museum Night hotel offer
For Museum Night from Friday, 20 March to Saturday, 21 March 2026, a cultural evening turns into a relaxed city break. In collaboration with selected hotels, a special offer invites guests to stay overnight at half price after a long night of art and discovery. The Museum Night ticket costs 25 francs per person aged 16 and over and is added to the overnight rate. Children up to and including 15 years receive the mini ticket free of charge. Those who wish to extend their stay in Bern benefit from an additional a 15 percent discount on the overnight stay from Saturday to Sunday.
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Spring Festival on the Gurten: On 26 April, the Gurten once again invites you to enjoy games and fun together – ideal for an active day with the family and a relaxed overnight stay in the city.
Souvenirs for little Bern fans
Ditch the cow t-shirts and plastic bears: the Tourist Information in Bern railway station has wonderful souvenirs for children that are a far cry from the tacky knick-knacks sold in souvenir shops. How about a wooden block puzzle, a “Leiterlispiel” (Snakes and Ladders) in the Bernese dialect, or a cuddly teddy bear, for example? Or maybe a pair of sustainably produced kids socks or a hand-crafted wooden Trauffer animal? Pop by the Tourist Information or discover our continuously growing selection online and bring home a piece of Bern.
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Travelling with kids
With the Swiss Travel System, travelling to and around Bern is child’s play. The Swiss Family Card lets children under the age of 16 use public transport for free in the entire country. Pram-friendly trams, short distances and offers tailored to families ensure stress-free travel in the city. Find out more at the Tourist Information in Bern railway station.
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