Switzerland with Kids: 2026 Guide with Family Plans and Tips
After having been to Switzerland three times as a family, once with a single baby and twice later with my three children, I assure you that traveling to Switzerland with kids is a great idea.
This small country thinks about children, and it shows because you will find playgrounds on practically every summit, themed hiking routes, visits to points of interest adapted for them, and best of all: brutal nature where they can play non-stop, letting off steam and making everyone enjoy this trip to Switzerland as a family.
Remember to take out travel insurance for Switzerland. In this country, the European Health Insurance Card does not cover 100%, because healthcare involves a co-payment. I recommend including cancellation, as this is a very expensive destination to lose bookings. I use Heymondo, which has a special policy for families with details such as 24-hour pediatric care, among others.
Now, for being a reader of this blog, you have a 20% discount if you travel as a family you just have to book from this link and don’t forget to check the ‘We are Family’ box.
How to get around Switzerland with kids?
Getting around Switzerland with kids is very easy. The road network is very good, but its public transport system, where the train is king, is even better.
The three times I’ve gone with the little ones, I’ve used the Swiss Travel Pass, a pass that allows you to take trains (including panoramic ones like the famous Glacier Express), buses, trams, and even boats! It also offers up to a 50% discount on cable cars, funiculars, and mountain excursions. To add more advantages, it includes entry to 500 museums.
Getting around Switzerland with kids by train is a great idea for several reasons:
–Up to age 6, they don’t have to pay anything to use public transport in Switzerland.
–From 6 to 16 years old, they also travel for free, as long as you have obtained the Swiss Family Card or the accompanying adult has a Swiss Travel Pass.
-There are trains with children’s carriages that have play areas equipped with slides. This makes transfers much easier because between having a blast in these parks on wheels and looking out the window, the journeys will fly by. To find out which trains have this family area, look for those with the bear symbol on the SBB app.
-If you are traveling with babies, it is a great advantage to be able to hold them in your arms to calm them if necessary, walk them through the carriage, or even feed them along the way. In a car, all of this is impossible; you have to stop, wasting a lot of time.
-It allows children to get up if they are the type who need movement, such as painting, reading, or doing any activity at the tables.
Things to do in Switzerland with children
Pay attention because here is a very long list of suggestions for things to do in Switzerland with children. You will find a bit of everything, from routes to parks, museums, and castles, but above all, many outdoor plans with children in Switzerland because nature is the main attraction.
This country is not very large and is very well connected by a wonderful railway system, so if you are going to travel to Switzerland with children, you will likely be encouraged to visit more than one area. For this reason, I’m leaving you ideas for different cantons (did you know that Switzerland is divided into 26 cantons?).
Before diving into the list of things to do in Switzerland with children, I’ll leave you an article with a lot of practical information to organize your independent trip to Switzerland that will be great for clearing up any doubts. Even so, if you don’t have time to organize the route, look for flights, hotels, and everything else, I can help you through my
Discover Heidi's village
Here is a plan that some parents might enjoy more than the children… Both I (an absolute fan of these cartoons) and my children really enjoyed visiting Maienfeld, near Zurich, in the north of the country. This was the village that inspired writer Johanna Spyri to write the novel that would later lead to the Heidi cartoons, as well as many movies.
But beyond walking through this picture-postcard village, which is worth it, what the children will like most will be visiting Heididorf,, the recreation of the village where little Heidi lived. Everything is made with great care, from the winter house where the girl went down to live with her grandfather, to the school, the fountain, and, of course, the crown jewel: the mountain log cabin.
You can visit it on your own, but remember that to enter the little houses you need to pay for an entry ticket. Another option is to book this excursion to Heididorf from Zurich.And honestly, it is worth entering the little houses because they are set up with great detail and the little ones can touch everything and play. Can you imagine being able to lie down on Heidi’s hay bed?
Kreuzboden Adventure Land
In the south of the country, in the Saas-Fee valley, lies Kreuzboden, a gem you must visit if you go to Switzerland with children. On one hand, it has a playground renovated in 2022 with a wooden structure with slides, towers, a net walkway, climbing wall, zip line and a mini wooden cottage. But as if that weren’t enough, in Kreuzboden there is also a trampoline (in the photo) and a water circuit for playing.
There is also an enclosed area with little goats that they can brush and feed. Personally, this is what I liked the least; I prefer animals in the wild, and even my eldest son later reflected on this.
It continues with a lake where you can swim, which can also be crossed by riding on a wooden structure, and even a relaxation and wellness circuit with hammocks where you can do outdoor yoga.
Wait, there are still things to do here. If you are with slightly older children, you can rent mountain bikes (protections included) and descend down a dirt track with plenty of ramps. There is also a wooden Indian tipi for inventing a thousand and one stories. Oh, and don’t forget to have an ice cream while enjoying the views.
To get here, you have to take the cable car in the village of Saas-Grund.
The most spectacular park to visit in Switzerland with children
Continuing with the best parks in Switzerland to visit with children, here comes what is for me the most spectacular of all (for now), not only because of the facilities, but also because of the setting. And swinging while looking directly at the legendary Matterhorn mountain is quite a privilege.
This incredible playground is called Wooli Park and is located in Sunnega, right next to where the underground funicular that goes up from Zermatt drops you off. Whether or not you go with children, this place is a must.
There you will find a playground, a water circuit for the little ones to experiment and get wet, as well as a picnic area with a barbecue (they even provide the firewood). Additionally, there is a lake where you can swim in summer. You will also find another typical thing which is a wooden platform with a rope where you can cross from one shore to the other.
We liked this park so much that we went twice. There in Sunnega, different hiking routes start or end, such as the marmot trail or the one that goes down to Zermatt. We did both with the little ones and they were both successes.
Remember to take out travel insurance for Switzerland. In this country, the European health card does not cover you 100%, because healthcare is co-paid.
I recommend including the extra cancellation option, this is a very expensive destination to lose reservations.
I use Heymondo, which has a special policy for families with details such as 24-hour pediatric care, among others.
Now for being a reader of this blog you have a 30% discount if you travel as a family but beware only until March 29. Take advantage.
Watching marmots in the wild
Another incentive to visit Switzerland with children is being able to spot animals in the wild. And one of the most iconic species in the country, which the little ones also love, are marmots. You can find them in the middle of the mountains while doing any trekking, but here are two children’s routes specifically designed to see marmots.
Where we had the most success was in Spielboden, at almost 2,500 meters high, reached in just 15 minutes by cable car from Saas-Fee. There you have a circular marmot trail that passes between the burrows where you can see them peeking out or running. We saw many, but keeping quiet and waiting for a while sitting near the burrows. It is short and simple, with some elevation gain though, so with the little ones you will do it without any problem.
his marmot trail starts in Blauherd and ends in Sunnega
Discount on your Internet connection
The most recommended thing is to have unlimited data on your mobile with an eSIM. Take advantage of the 5% discount at Holafly here with the code DEILUSIONARECUERDO
Another good option is to choose one of the different Simlocal options. You have a 10% discount on all of them using the code RECUERDO.
Ser feliz en Allmendhubel
Since I discovered this park, I was dying to take the kids and it did not disappoint! The playground of Allmendhubel is a wonder reached from the Lauterbrunnen Valley taking the cable car to Gr utschalp, from there the train to M urren (up to here you won’t have to pay anything if you travel with the Swiss Travel Pass) and then the funicular that leaves you in this paradise for families. The journey alone is worth it because the views are very beautiful.
The children have a great time playing and, if it’s summer, getting wet in the water labyrinth that hooked them. And the parents watching them have fun while we had a drink on the restaurant terrace. In winter, it is possible to ski.
In front of you, you will have the majestic triad of the Eiger, the Jungfrau and the M onch with their snowy peaks. And around, many cows grazing, be careful with them as they are not as harmless as they seem. You can also get there via Stechelberg.
Coronar el Jungfrau y tirarse en trineo
Finally this summer of 2024 I fulfilled the dream of climbing to the top of the Jungfrau, where the highest railway station in Europe, at 3,454 meters above sea level, and the Aletsch Glacier, the longest on this continent. This is one of the most iconic excursions in Switzerland, but also one of the most expensive, although with the Swiss Travel Pass and the Swiss Half Fare Card you will save money.
Children and adults alike will be amazed by this special place, but it’s also very touristy, so I recommend going up very early or well after noon to avoid the crowds. You can go up by train from Lauterbrunnen, or from Grindelwald, either by train or in the state-of-the-art Eiger Express cable car. In both cases, the final leg to the summit is by the underground train that drops you off in a beautiful snowy landscape.
Once at the top, you can go out to the Sphinx Observation Deck to get a 360-degree view of this impressive peak at the highest point you can access: 3,572 meters. Keep in mind that at this altitude you might feel unwell (it wasn’t our case), and that’s why I wouldn’t recommend going up with babies under 18 months old. However, I asked several workers and they agreed that taking babies up wasn’t forbidden; they left it to the parents’ discretion. In any case, I recommend consulting with your pediatrician. You can also walk through an ice tunnel with sculptures that the little ones loved, discover the history of this place through the Alpine Sensation, buy Lindt chocolates in the shop, and much more.
But where we all enjoyed ourselves the most was outside because we also got very lucky with the weather (check the webcam before going up because if it’s cloudy it might not be worth spending so much money). At the Snow Fun Park we went sledding over and over again for the half hour that the 20 francs per adult and 15 francs per child we paid allowed us. Regarding the child fare, it wasn’t very well defined because it was based a bit on height and the discretion of the lady who, luckily, decided that the two little ones didn’t have to pay.
Here is a very complete article about Jungfrau with all the necessary practical info.
5 plans in Grachen, the fairytale village
As you can see, plans to do in Switzerland with kidss are everywhere, but curiously in Grachen, to the south, a lot of children’s activities are concentrated. So, if you have time, be sure to include this destination in your family route through Switzerland, as I’ll tell you everything you can do.
-Fairytale cable car:
Grachen is known as the fairytale village, a nickname deserved for having the fairytale cable car. The cabins of the cable car that ascends to the Hannigalp station are decorated with characters from the Brothers Grimm fairytales, and while you go up, you listen to the narration of different stories (although, in German).
-SiSu Family Park
Once at the top of Hannigalp, the little ones are guaranteed fun at SiSu Family park, a playground named after the mascot of Grachen, which is a bird. There is a very cool playground there, designed especially for the youngest children, but also an area for sliding down in an inflatable tube. In summer, all of these are ski slopes.
If you have the bad luck that it is raining, you just have to enter the restaurant next to the cable car station and go down to the ground floor where Wolkenland awaits you, a free indoor playground.
And wait, at the entrance of that same restaurant you will find free bikes and helmets for the little ones to have fun on the mini circuit next to it.
-Game hiking trail
Stop by the Grachen tourism office and ask for the backpack to do the Spieleweg by Ravensburger trail. Well, actually you don’t just ask for it, you pay a deposit that is returned later. Inside you will find everything you need to follow this themed route with board games and challenges that you will have to solve along the way. If you manage to do everything right, the kids are given a game at the end.
The route is very beautiful, crossing the village of Grachen so you can admire its typical wooden houses, going through a forest, passing under the cable car, and bordering the bucolic Grachen lake.
Kneipp circuit
After the hike, there’s nothing better for resting and then reactivating circulation than doing a Kneipp natural therapy circuit, which consists of walking barefoot through nature passing through small streams and cold water pools, as well as over pebbles and finishing by applying water jets to the body.
Robi’s Forest Play Park
Grächen still had another surprise in store for us: a playground in the middle of a forest that was absolute madness. It had passages, slides, sandboxes, merry-go-rounds, tipis, tents—everything you can imagine and more. Take advantage of the small bar to have a drink while the children play.
It also has a paid area for a treetop circuit with bridges and zip lines.
The Wolli Wonderland hiking trail
It’s no use making excuses not to travel to Switzerland with children just because your child doesn’t like walking. There, they will like it, I assure you. And the thing is, there are a lot of treks designed for the little ones: simple, fun, and with a lot of incentives for them to complete them without complaining. You’ve already seen an example with the one in Grächen and here is another one we loved: the Wolli Wonderland children’s trail in Zermatt
You will have to go to the Zermatt tourism office to buy the box with all the necessary tools for 25 francs to complete this route where the goal is to help Wolli the sheep (Zermatt’s mascot) find her friend the cat.
You can do it without the box, but the kids won’t be able to do many of the activities at the 17 stations where you have to stop, so to avoid disappointment, spend the 25 francs. Oh, and don’t forget to take your mobile with an internet connection and Google Translate ready to understand how to complete the challenges.
The Liselotte the cow trail
Liselotte the Cow in Männlichen
We did it in August 2024 when my children were 3, 5, and 7 years old, taking about two and a half hours, stopping for a picnic lunch. The landscapes are beautiful, right next to the Eiger wall with a view of the Jungfrau and the Grindelwald valley in the background. Highly recommended! Note the cable car prices for 2024: from Wengen to Männlichen it’s 29 francs and from Holenstein to Grindelwald it’s 18 francs, a total of 46 francs per adult which becomes 23 if you travel with the Swiss Travel Pass If you want to return the same way, you can take the cable car back to Wengen and in that case it would be 76 francs or 38 francs if you have the Swiss Travel Pass.
The treasure hunt in Nendaz and much more
Here is another free activity to do in Switzerland with children that you will find in many places: the treasure hunt. In many tourist offices they usually have a large chest with a padlock. To open this treasure and win the reward, the little ones must complete a hiking trail during which, through games, they will discover the secret combination that opens the padlock.
In Nendaz, near Sion, in the canton of Valais, we did one of these routes that takes you along a circular path starting from the Tracouet cable car station and ending at the lake of the same name. As if this treasure hunt, during which they also learn a lot of things, were not enough, the plan here was completed by playing in the park right after getting off the cable car, including a trampoline, and recharging with a fondue. What child wouldn’t be encouraged to walk like that?
But Nendaz also has a climbing wall and another very cool playground, next to a mini stream, where we had to stop and play for a long time. Next to it, they had inflatable castles and rope circuits set up, but these were for a fee.
Do you know how home exchange works?
If you have never heard of cooperative accommodation that allows you to travel all over the world staying in private homes while you leave yours, I invite you to read this article where I explain in detail how home exchange works.
I always use the platform HomeExchange in which for just an annual subscription of €170 (what in many cases a hotel night would cost you) you can make all the reciprocal exchanges you want or as many as your guestpoints allow.
Take advantage of the 20% discount on the subscription for being a reader of this blog. Ask me for the code in the comments and I will send it to you privately. But first you can register for free from this link and receive extra guestpoints.
Sliding down an alpine slide
There are many throughout the country, so look in the area where you are as you will surely find one; there they are called rodelbahn. Sliding down those metal slides on a kind of sled with a manual braking system to regulate the speed is most fun. If you add the natural settings where they are usually located to the adrenaline rush, this plan with children in Switzerland is a guaranteed success. Depending on their age, children will have to ride accompanied by an adult.
We have tried two. First the Feeblitz alpine slide in Saas-Fee and we liked it a lot, although it is not one of the most famous. The trip costs 7 francs per adult and 5 francs per child (up to 16). It is usually worth buying multi-trip passes.
But a year later, this summer of 2024, we tried another one and confirmed that there is no comparison. In Lake Oeschinensee they have a alpine slide with beautiful views that make it a must-do plan if you are traveling to Switzerland with children. Additionally, this glacier-origin lake is another place that cannot be missed because its turquoise waters are incredible and the surrounding environment is just as stunning. If you are traveling with babies, you can even reach it with a stroller by taking the path on the right after getting off the cable car that goes up there from Kandersteg.
Take note of two other alpine slides for your family trip to Switzerland that are said to be some of the best. The most famous is also the longest in the country, it is called Fräkigaudi and is over a kilometer long and even has tunnels and jumps. It is next to Mount Pilatus, near Lucerne, at the Fräkmüntegg station. Another one we are eager to try is the one at Lake Oeschinen near Spiez, in the surroundings of Interlaken.
Conquering castles, a great plan with children in Switzerland
Another great plan to do in Switzerland with children is to visit its medieval castles where the little ones can play at being ladies and knights, chasing dragons, or whatever they can imagine.
The Chillon Castle is one of the most spectacular due to its striking location on the water in Lake Geneva. To make your children enjoy the visit even more, I recommend that you ask at the entrance for the children’s brochure that proposes a guided visit following the map route during which the little ones must complete small missions.
Castle of Gruyères,
Thun Castle
Oberhofen Castle
costume Sundays
Sion Castle
Enjoying chocolate at Maison Cailler
Chocolate lovers, welcome to one of the countries where it is most venerated and where they do authentic wonders with it. A good place to discover this is Maison Cailler, a fun museum where you can learn about the history of cocoa, from where it comes from and how it arrived, to how it becomes that sweet we love so much. The interactive tour goes through different very original rooms that the little ones loved, without forgetting the chocolate and bonbon tasting at the end.
The visit to this historic museum in Broc, near Gruyeres, is included in the Swiss Travel Pass. If you don’t have it, you will have to pay 17 francs per adult and 7 francs for children from 6 to 15 years old. Children up to 5 years old are free. I recommend going early because there are many people and the visit is done with an assigned time. If you have to wait, there is a small playground outside.
More chocolate at Lindt
booking the ticket for the Lindt museum
Playing at being athletes at the Olympic Museum
Another proposal for having fun and learning in Switzerland with children is to visit the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, on the shores of Lake Geneva. Even before entering, the sculptures and some proposals for doing sport, such as the athletics track or the shot put, will catch their attention. Oh, it has nothing to do with it but, just before entering, on the right, there is a small insect hotel that the little ones love.
Inside, you will take a journey through the history of the Olympics, from its origins to the different Olympic venues with their mascots, their torches, the opening ceremony costumes, the athletes’ clothes…
One of the rooms that was most successful among the children and adults too is the one where you can test your skills, for example at skiing, among other interactive challenges.
Again, you save money on the entrance fee if you have the Swiss Travel Pass since it is included. For those who haven’t gotten it, they will have to pay the 20 francs for the entry which you can book here in advance. The good thing about this museum is that it is totally free up to age 15.
The museum is next to Lake Geneva, and there’s usually a swan swimming nearby. Give them some free time there; the kids loved seeing the main character of ‘The Ugly Duckling’ so close.
Sailing on a Steamship
Take a good look at your children’s faces when they see one of the authentic historic steamships approaching as they sail on Lake Geneva and you tell them that you are going to get on board.
For me, it is another of the most beautiful and unique experiences to do in Switzerland with children. Not everything has to be parks. The boat will transport you to the Belle Epoque, and they will love seeing the large chimney, the wheel, and waving to the other vessels you cross paths with during the crossing. You will also see trains passing by and admire the Lavaux vineyards.
We took the route from Montreux to Lausanne, but you can also, for example, catch it at Chillon Castle or take a longer stretch from Vevey. If you have the Swiss Travel Pass, you won’t have to pay anything to board. If you don’t have it, you can book this historic cruise from Lausanne.
If you have the Swiss Travel Pass go ahead and take more cruises with the little ones since they are included. You can also take them on Lakes Thun and Brienz, in the Interlaken area, as well as on Lake Lucerne, in Lucerne. Also, if you get caught in a rainy day, all boats have an enclosed section with windows, so they are a great plan with children in Switzerland for any season. No excuses.
The best part is that there are boats with a children’s area and it’s incredible! My children didn’t want to leave because there was a painting area, a play kitchen, dolls, cars, building blocks, and even a monitor who suggested crafts for them to take as a souvenir. It works like a playroom since, from age 4, you can leave them in the monitor’s care while you enjoy the scenery on deck or have a drink in the bar-restaurant. You can find them on Lake Thun, on the boat Blümlisalp, and Lake Brienz, on the boat Lötschberg, but they only sail from late May through September. Check specific dates and times.
Defying Vertigo and Playing Non-Stop at First
In August 2024, we were finally able to go up to First, at 2,184 meters high, with the cable car that leaves from Grindelwald and in 25 minutes leaves you at the top. There the First Cliff Walk awaits you, a metal hanging walkway that ends in an impressive viewpoint not suitable for people with vertigo. My kids walked it without breaking a sweat. From up there starts the route that, in about two hours round trip, takes you to the shore of Lake Bachalpsee. We were left wanting because rain threatened but many people did it with children. There is also another route to see marmots.
This place has resources to spend the whole day without a doubt. From the top you can go down making different stops and trying different adventure activities such as jumping on a zip line like a bird from First to Schreckfeld, go down in a mountain kart from Schreckfeld to Bort (from 135 cm tall) and descend from Bort to Grindelwald on a trotibike, a kind of scooter (from 125 cm tall). My partner tried these last two which cost 21 francs each and had a blast.
But what the kids fell in love with was Bort where the playground Alpensplieplaz is located, where they enjoyed themselves for a looooong time. In addition to the incredible views the place offers, there is a restaurant where we treated ourselves to a fondue. It was one of the best days of the trip.
Ballenberg Open-Air Museum
Another one of the plans with children in Switzerland that are a hit is the Ballenberg Open-Air Museum, near Brienz, in the Interlaken area. It is a place where how houses used to be is recreated in different areas of the country and also pays tribute to crafts. Thus, the little ones will be able to see live how cheese was made, how the blacksmith works, or how clay is molded.
It is a very large outdoor site so I recommend dedicating at least half a day to it and you will still fall short, it opens from 10 am to 5 pm. My children had a great time exploring the interior of the houses, seeing some animals (we didn’t like that they offered horse-drawn carriage rides), and learning how they lived in the past. It has some playground areas and several restaurant options and food stalls. It only opens in spring and summer, the next season will run from April 10 to November 2, 2025.
Remember that if you have the Swiss Travel Pass admission is free. Otherwise, you have to pay 36 francs per adult and 17 francs per child between 6 and 16 years old. Is it worth going? If you have the Swiss Travel Pass, yes; otherwise, I would honestly invest that money in taking cable cars.
Domain des Îles, much more than a lake
If you go in summer to Switzerland with children, sooner or later you will pass by one of the many lakes that dot the country, and it will be inevitable that the little ones will want to cool off. Furthermore, around many of these lakes, it won’t be unusual to find a park or a terrace to have a drink. In others, there are small beaches or they set up bathing platforms in the hottest months.
Aside from the larger ones, such as Leman, Thun, or Brienz, there are smaller lakes that are ideal for going with the kids. If you go to the Valais canton, I recommend going to the Domain des Îles lake where they can take a dip, play on the shore, do paddle surfing, enjoy an inflatable water course and hang out at the playground.
There is a great atmosphere on the shore, with families hanging out, doing sports, and even setting up barbecues. But there is also a mini golf, a little train where they can get on for a short ride, and even a wave center for surfing (that’s for the older ones, of course)
Also, if your children are into adventure, they have this treetop adventure park with ziplines, bridges, and rope circuits of various levels. At 4 and 6 years old, they really enjoyed the experience. However, bring closed-toe shoes because they are not allowed to do it with sandals.
More family plans in Switzerland
All the proposals I have given you so far were more specific for children. But there are a thousand places to go where the little ones will enjoy themselves even if they aren’t specifically designed for them. Here is a short list of places to see in Switzerland as a family that we loved:
–Seeing the Matterhorn head-on by going up the famous Gornergrat train. Bring a snack and set up a picnic next to the lake Riffelsee. A little further up, a beautiful viewpoint awaits you with the Monte Rosa and several glaciers. For me, it is one of the essentials in Switzerland.
–Visiting cities as beautiful as Bern, the capital, where the children will be amazed to discover that there are bears living right in the center.
–Fribourg is another charming small city that is worth strolling through as a family (in the photo below). We also liked Solothurn.
-In Lucerne it is worth staying at least two or three nights because both the old town and the surroundings are spectacular. A plan with children would be to visit the Transport Museum, also included in the Swiss Travel Pass
– Without leaving Lucerne, go up to the Rigi on an old cogwheel train (included in the Swiss Travel Pass), walk among cows with 360 views and let the little ones play in Rigiland park.
-From Lucerne you can also go up to the summit of Pilatus on the steepest funicular in the world. To go down, do it on the other side by taking the cable car to Kriens. However, on the way, make two interesting stops. One in Fräkmüntegg where there is much to do: from a barbecue, to getting an adrenaline rush at the Pilu Rope Park, with the Pilu Seilpark area of walkways between the trees for little ones aged 4 to 8, without forgetting to slide down the longest alpine slide in the country.
The other stop if you are going with children I recommend making it at Krienseregg to play in Pilu Land a playground with a castle whose mascot is a dragon. It is a bit of an old park and less spectacular than others, but it also has a more modest barbecue area and my little ones had a great time there during the trip we took this summer of 2024..
-Also from Lucerne, you can go up the Stanserhorn on the Cabrio cable car with an open terrace not suitable for people with vertigo. If you are worried about going with the little ones, don’t worry, the bottom part of the cable car is enclosed. This ascent is also free with the Swiss Travel Pass.
-Be amazed by the force of the Rhine Falls. My children loved the boat ride (there are several routes) and playing in the playground on the shore. There is also a little train. Nearby is Stein am Rhein, one of the most beautiful medieval villages in Switzerland.
-In the canton of Valais, in Sion, be sure to visit Lake Saint Leonard, the most impressive navigable underground lake I have ever seen. This really is a plan to do in Switzerland with children because my children loved the adventure of riding in a boat in the dark.
Where to sleep in Switzerland with children
The first time I was in Switzerland with a five-month-old baby, we stayed in an apartment on the outskirts of Interlaken to save money since it was very expensive in the center. Look for nearby small villages that have a train station, sometimes the difference in time is one or two more stops, but the cost is lower.
If you want to find apartments or hotels in Switzerland at a price that is not too high (it will be high, don’t forget that) I recommend searching well in advance.
The next time I went with my three children we saved a lot of money because we stayed in exchange houses from HomeExchange. In Sion, we found a huge, modern house with a garden, playground, trampoline, sandbox, and swings that was the best possible base camp for twenty days.
From there, we did three nights in Zermatt in another exchange apartment and two nights in Zurich in another home exchange house with a garden, toys, and a pair of rabbits to take care of, much to the kids’ delight.
This last time in August 2024 we also used this resource and stayed nine nights in a house with a garden in Meiringen, in the Interlaken area.
Using this collaborative accommodation method, in addition to spending nothing, the children had plenty of space and a lot of new toys to enjoy. You only have to pay a €160 annual subscription, but you get a 20% discount if you use my code, just ask me for it.
Whether paying or via exchange, I definitely recommend an apartment to stay in with children in Switzerland, because with the restaurant prices there, having breakfast, lunch, and dinner out is financial suicide. In addition to having a kitchen, you can have a washing machine, which will be necessary with little ones, and more space for them to play.
Tips for visiting Switzerland with children
As you have seen, Switzerland is a 100% kids-friendly country. To make your family trip to Switzerland even more successful, I’ll leave you with some practical information and a few tips that always come in handy. Some might seem very obvious to you, but they answer questions I’ve been asked before, so here they are.
– Don’t travel without insurance. Even if you carry the European Health Insurance Card, you should know that it doesn’t cover everything; it covers what the health system in that country covers, and I can tell you now that in Switzerland you will find very little public coverage.
Also, keep in mind that this is quite an expensive trip, so if you had to cancel for a serious reason, you would lose a lot of money. I travel with HeyMondo which I like because, in addition to its extensive coverage, it has a 24-hour medical chat and video consultation, which is much appreciated when traveling with children.
If you book through this link you have up to a 20% discount for traveling to Switzerland as a family.
– Stroller or baby carrier? In the event that you are going to Switzerland with a baby, you might consider this question. I recommend, without a doubt, bringing a baby carrier for the hiking routes. It is also very practical for going up in cable cars and funiculars where space is more limited. In my case, I also took this travel stroller which is ultra-compact so it can fit under the table in any restaurant. If you are going to visit cities like Bern, Lucerne, Zurich, or any other, it will be a very good ally.
If you are not used to carrying, you should know that in Switzerland there are hiking routes adapted for people with reduced mobility that run along paths where you can also take a baby stroller.
If I had to choose just one, I would go for the carrier. However, you are in a super safe country, so don’t worry because if you have to leave the stroller outside at a restaurant or elsewhere, it will still be there when you return. In the event that you use a baby carrier, on my first trip with a five-month-old baby, I found it essential to have a cover for the baby carrier that was also water-repellent. This piece kept him warm and protected at the summits. Also, the good thing is that if the baby is asleep and you move from the outdoors to the warmth of a train or a restaurant, you just have to take off the cover and let him continue his nap without needing to wake him up to take him out of the carrier.
Mine was from a craft shop that also had a pocket to store things like a couple of diapers, wipes, or a mobile phone (plus you could put your hands inside to stay warm), but you can find similar options like this one
–Children enter for free in many places. However, the minimum age at which they start paying varies depending on the area. For this reason, remember to always ask so as not to overpay at cable cars or museums. In Zermatt, children up to 9 years old can ski for free and use the lifts.
As I told you at the beginning, a good example is public transport where they can ride for free until they are 6 years old, which is extended to 16 if you have the Swiss Family Card that they will give you, for example, with the Swiss Travel Pass or the Swiss Half Card. Mind you, remember to ask for it at any train station when you are about to board for the first time
–Silence and tranquility. Just as I tell you the good things about going to Switzerland with children, I also explain the less good ones. In this country, silence is almost a culture and although they adore children, it bothers them quite a bit to hear them making noise, shouting, or running in enclosed places such as a restaurant or a supermarket. To avoid the occasional dirty look, or even having someone call your attention, explain to your little ones how important it is to be calm in these places
-Bring a change of clothes. As you have seen, Switzerland is not only full of parks, but many are also designed for little ones to experiment with water, sand, and mud. Leave the worry about them getting dirty at home and always carry some change of clothes in your backpack. You will suffer less, and they will enjoy more. Go ahead and copy the Nordics and let them go barefoot; they love it.
-A microfiber towel that doesn’t take up space will also come in handy, whether for sitting on the ground or for drying your child when they decide to bathe in that lake you didn’t expect to find. To prevent them from doing it in their underwear (I can attest to this), it’s also worth bringing a swimsuit.
warm clothes,
a fleece and a raincoat
– Water is free and delicious. Ask for tap water in restaurants and take a reusable water bottle. Besides saving money, you’ll avoid wasting plastic unnecessarily.
-Don’t forget a container to carry food and snacks. Switzerland is expensive, very expensive, so preparing food to go and having a picnic on any mountain or park is the best option. I use these compartmentalized ones, which come in various sizes, so you can carry different options that I love because you can put semi-liquid things like yogurt or hummus and they don’t leak or mix. Also, children can open and close them very easily.
– The little ones are going to enjoy going up in the cable cars. Whenever you go up one, just like with a funicular or cogwheel train, take a look at the sign that is usually there indicating the last descent time. Many close early and it would be a hassle to have to walk down, which can be done, but they will surely be very tired after a day of playing to walk more.
– Before going up to any peak, check what the weather is like at the top. Almost all mountains or peaks usually have a webcam to see the weather live. It won’t be worth spending a lot of money to see nothing.
Where to eat with kids in Switzerland
I have tried few restaurants in this country, honesty above all. Obviously the price per person is very high and the chosen option practically daily on the two occasions I have gone has been to have a picnic. But if you want to treat yourself, here are the places I liked most for eating with kids in Switzerland:
The dishes my kids liked best were the Älplermagronen or Alpine macaroni with potato, bacon and apple. Don’t miss out on trying a fondue, a raclette and a tasting platter of local cold cuts.
–Alpinhotel Bort you will find it on the route by cable car to First, in Grindelwald. It is another great place to eat in Switzerland with children because it also has a very cool playground in front (the one in the photo above). Be careful, though, as a track for trottibikes (scooters) passes between them. We had a delicious fondue and the children are also given a free juice (you have to ask for it, but it is specified on the menu)
–Allmendhubel Restaurant above Mürren, in the Lauterbrunnen valley. The impressive views of the Alps are already worth it, but it also has one of the most beautiful playgrounds in Switzerland right next to it (there is a photo above where you can see this park and the restaurant on one side). Eating on the panoramic terrace while the little ones have a blast playing within sight is amazing.
-SucréSale Crêperie in Fribourg. This small crêperie had an ideal children’s corner (pictured above) for the little ones with books and toys. In addition, the children’s menu with a choice of crepe was quite good and relatively cheap. I also liked that many ingredients were organically grown and they had homemade desserts.
–Fischer’s Fritz in Zurich. On the shores of Lake Geneva, inside a campsite, it is perfect for dinner at sunset. It’s not cheap, but they have fish and seafood which is quite unusual, as well as more affordable children’s dishes. In summer, the tables are outdoors in a small meadow with small fire pits.
– Rheinfelder Bierhalle in Zurich. This traditional old brewery from the 19th century, right in the center, is famous for its Cordon Bleu, we ordered the Jumbo, and some alpine macaroni. It doesn’t have anything special for the kids, but it is very well priced.
-A fondue with a view. After many days eating sandwiches, treat yourself to a fondue in one of the restaurants with views that dot Switzerland. It may not be the tastiest, nor the cheapest, but it is a luxury you deserve. The last one we had was in the sun on the terrace of the Tracouet restaurant in Nendaz, which has a playground with a trampoline.
But the fondue we liked most, especially for the views, was from the Luegibrüggli restaurant on the outskirts of Interlaken from where you can watch the sunset with the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau peaks in the background. They had high chairs and were very attentive to the baby.
–Aux Vieux Valais in Sion. It’s not kid-friendly as such, but it’s an ideal place to taste Swiss gastronomy with typical dishes from the canton of Valais without costing an arm and a leg (3 adults and two children ate with three main courses and 4 drinks for 91 francs to celebrate a special day). Inside, it’s like a traditional mountain hut. If you go on a Saturday, the main street crossing it has a market, there’s a great atmosphere, and a playground nearby for before or after. The owners of the home exchange recommended it to us, and it was a hit.
– One of the restaurants where I would have eaten if my wallet had allowed it was the Adler Hitta in the village of Findeln. We passed by while doing the trekking from Sunnega to Zermatt and the children dreamed of getting into the jacuzzi with the rubber ducks. Plus, the views of the Matterhorn are incredible.
How to prepare the trip with them
A good idea is to involve the little ones in the trip preparation. Although they are going to enjoy it a lot, as you have already seen that it is an ideal destination for them, if you encourage them to participate in the trip even before leaving, it will be even more special.
You can start by explaining to them where Switzerland is and help them locate it on the map. You can use a globe, a puzzle, or a children’s atlas. I recommend this one from Maeva publishing house, which in addition to the map, includes a lot of information about the country through drawings.
Another idea that works very well is to look for stories, cartoons, or movies about the country to watch with them before you go. We already knew the stories of Josefina the cow, which is how Lieselotte the cow is known in Switzerland, the protagonist of one of the most famous themed children’s hiking trails in the country. They loved playing with her there in the summer.
In our case, they discovered Heidi which made them look forward to going up to the mountains, seeing little goats, and riding the train. Also, during our visit to Heidi’s village, we bought the storybook as a souvenir.
You can also prepare a playful passport about Switzerland, meaning a little booklet with activities about the country adapted to their age so they can learn while having fun filling it out during the trip. For the little ones it will be more basic—coloring, stickers, circling—and for the older ones you can include challenges and questions to keep them involved at all times. This will encourage them, for example, to try the local cuisine, discover interesting facts, and provide them with a lovely souvenir of the trip afterwards. If you don’t have time to prepare it, write to me as I create custom ones.
*If you want more practical information about traveling to Switzerland with children, you can see the stories from my last trip in August 2024 uploaded to my Instagram profile.
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