STUTTGART – Windsurfing on Lake Constance, water cave expeditions in the Swabian Alb, canyoning in the Black Forest Highlands, or having fun in the Rulantica Water Park: a world of adventure and family-friendly holiday experiences await you in Southwest Germany. Read on for suggestions where you can get away from it all during your holidays and weekends.
Hands on! Interactive Learning in the KLIMA ARENA Sinsheim
‘Experience what you can do’ – this is the motto of the KLIMA ARENA Sinsheim in northern Baden-Württemberg. Since its opening in 2019, the ’climate experience centre’ has been inviting people to learn about sustainability and resources, climate change and its consequences, as well as possible solutions, in a playful and interactive way. In the theme park, young explorers can find out which animals and plants are native to the moorland and other ecosystems, how they cope with climate change and what we can do to preserve them. The vital element of water plays a central role here.
klima-arena.deTruly Refreshing! Family Time at the Lauter River
Germany's most beautiful river in 2019, the Große Lauter, meanders between juniper heaths and huge rock formations through the Swabian Alb Biosphere Reserve and is lined with numerous castles, ruins, and deep caves. In addition to tours on the family-friendly premium hiking trails ‘hochgehgrenzt’, ‘hochgehswiggert`’, and ‘hochgehbürzelt’, active families can also explore the region on the Lautertal Cycle Path. In summer, the Lauter River offers a chance to cool off: on its banks, there are sunbathing areas with water access for swimming, barbecue areas, and water playgrounds.
muensingen.comExlorers ahead! Expeditions in the Giengen-Hürben Cave World
At over 500 metres, the Charlottenhöhle (Charlotte Cave) near Giengen an der Brenz is one of the longest public caves in Southwest Germany and the longest accessible stalactite cave in the Swabian Alb. Formed in prehistoric times as a river cave, over thousands of years its corridors and halls have developed into a veritable paradise of stalactites and stalagmites, which you can explore in the footsteps of the cave bears. But adventure is not only waiting for you in the cave: in the surrounding adventure area with a water playground, you can search for clues with an explorer’s backpack and use a magnifying glass and a landing net to find out what lives in the stream.
hoehlenerlebniswelt.de Into the Water! Out and About in the Water World of Rulantica
More water fun is not possible! With 14 areas dedicated to the mysticism and beauty of Scandinavia, the Rulantica Water World at the Europa-Park Theme Park will make the hearts of water lovers and bathing beauties beat faster. The little ones can splash, slide, and play in the Trølldal Water Playground. Right next door, sixtopus Snorri, the cheeky mascot of the water world, invites families to take a ride in the flow channel. Action fans aged ten and over can get an extra kick on the new Vikingløp Racing Slide. There are even more water slides and attractions in the Vinterhal Area and, during the summer months, in the Svalgurok Outdoor Slide World.
europapark.de/rulanticaBring on the Water! On the Wasserweg Hiking Trail in Unterkirnach
How does water live? You can get to the bottom of this question on a family hike along the Wasserweg Adventure Hiking Trail in Unterkirnach in the Black Forest. Accompanied by the funny companions Tanni and Quelline, you follow water from its source all the way to your tap. Stops along the way provide interesting facts about the water. For example, what happens when there is no more water? At some stations there are quiz questions. Those who answer all the questions will receive a little surprise at the Tourist Information Centre. The Water Trail Quiz is also available there in paper form, or you can download it online before the tour.
schwarzwald-tourismus.info/orte/unterkirnachFull Power! Canyoning in Todtnau
Wade through a cold mountain stream and climb over natural obstacles: During a canyoning tour in Todtnau in the Black Forest Highlands, sporty families with children aged eleven and over can really let off some steam. On the streambed climbing tour, you climb up a beautiful gorge over stones and rocks with an experienced guide. To take on this challenge, you should not only be fit and healthy, but also sure-footed and free of giddiness. Equipped with a helmet, you are ready for an unforgettable experience.
hochschwarzwald.deStone Age Ahead! On a Journey through Time at the Prehistoric Pile Dwellings in Unteruhldingen at Lake Constance
In the middle of Lake Constance lies a bygone world that invites families to take a journey into history. At the Unteruhldingen Pile Dwelling Museum you can experience life in the Stone Age: With a virtual view of the lake bed where remains of the original buildings have been preserved, in the 23 reconstructed pile dwellings or during one of the exciting hands-on activities. As well as the secrets of the settlers who once lived here in the pile dwellings above the water, you can also learn about the world of Stone Age aquatic animals. Afterwads, let off steam on the pile dwelling playground outside the museum.
bodensee.eu/en/what-to-do/Let's go! Water Sports Action in Kressbronn and Überlingen
Adrenaline junkies of all ages can really get going on holiday at Lake Constance. Wakeboarding, water skiing, banana or couch boats - the water sports centre in Kressbronn offers countless water sports and fun activities for youngsters. One of the highlights is the popular trial diving course. Children aged seven and over can learn to sail at the Schattmaier Sailing and Motorboat School. Those who prefer surfing and are at least twelve years old can take a course at the Bodensee Surf School in Überlingen. However, safe swimming is a prerequisite.
bodensee.eu/enShip Ahoy! Across Lake Constance on the Lädine Freighter
A Viking voyage across Lake Constance is a real adventure. On board the historic Lädine freighter, you can play games until Thor puts a stop to it: from rock-paper-scissors and Viking bingo to gallows guessing. There are also stories about the ship. If you ever wanted to know whether water works as glue, what a bottle tornado is and whether the water in Lake Constance can be acidic, you can find out on a research trip. Together with a natural scientist, the elements of water and wind are explored in curious experiments. The trips take place every year during the summer holidays and must be booked in advance.
immenstaad-tourismus.deTips for even more water fun, places to visit, and lots of holiday ideas can be found on familien-ferien.de Download the text as a Word file:
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