Museums
Paris and London are famous for their world-class museums but, when it comes to children, there are some that are absolutely outstanding. In Paris, the science museum Cité des Sciences et de l’industrie offers children’s activities and workshops on topics ranging from biology to music. Le Bourget Space and Aviation Museum, about 10 kilometers from the center of Paris, features simulators where kids can experience piloting and flying.
In London, the Victoria and Albert Museum has guided tours organized specifically for children, as well as exhibits on toys. Kids can learn about space and geology at London’s Science Museum and participate in workshops. At the Natural History Museum, children can enjoy exhibits about the extinct and existing creatures on our Earth.
In Salzburg, another city with wonderful opportunities for children, the toy museum, Spielzeugmuseum, features both exhibits and a tempting shop. Stockholm is also filled with kid-friendly activities: resembling a book in a fairy tale, the Junibacken Children’s Museum highlights children’s literature. Exhibits include an adventure train, the fairy tale square and Europe’s largest children’s bookstore. Amsterdam, popular among adults for its art museums and other diversions, also appeals to children: the city’s Nemo Science Museum features screenings, plays and workshops on science and technology, in addition to exhibitions. Also in Amsterdam is the Tropenmuseum Junior, with interactive exhibits and programs designed mainly for children aged 6 to 13.
In Oslo, the works of children from 180 countries are exhibited at the International Children’s Art Museum, established along the idea of viewing the world through the eyes of children. Barcelona has several museums appropriate for children, including the prominent science museum, CosmoCaixa. The Toy Museum of the City of Nuremberg features one of the world’s most important toy collections, while, in Berlin, the Maze Children’s Museum offers interactive exhibits.
Amusement parks
Amusement and theme parks appeal to all ages, from 7 to 70. With thousands of these parks in Europe, a standout is Disneyland in Paris. Like its US counterparts, the sprawling park features parades and rides.
Barcelona’s favorite amusement park is Tibidabo. In Valencia, the mammoth playground and sports area in Parque de Cabecera caters to little ones seeking adventure. Cinecitta World, in Rome, appeals to children with rides from roller coasters to amusement tunnels. Speaking of roller coasters, one of Europe’s highest is in Salzburg. More roller coasters can be found Europa-Park, Europe’s most popular theme park after Disneyland, is in the town of Rust, set between Freiburg, in Germany, and Strasbourg, in France. You can also get to get to this mammoth park, with rides and all kinds of activities, via a short drive from Basel. And of course, no list of European theme parks is complete without LEGOLAND® Billund Resort, showcasing one of the world’s most popular toys in various sizes, displays and rides!
The Animal Kingdom
Although expansive green parks offer a respite for weary tourists, they also provide fun and learning opportunities for little ones. Both Hyde Park in London and Vondenlpark in Amsterdam feature various species of birds, squirrels and other small creatures.
Zoo Berlin, in Berlin, is one of Europe’s oldest and most important zoos, with around 20,000 animals of 1,300 species living in 33 hectares of habitats. Elephants, gorillas and pandas are just a few of the amazing animals to be seen here. The venerable London Zoo is the world’s oldest scientific zoo, though it was opened to the public about 20 years after its establishment. More than 16,000 animals live in this zoo, including lions, gorillas, tigers and lemurs – there’s even a special penguin beach. Moscow’s Moskovsky Zoopark also began as a scientific zoo and now, open to the public, hosts 7,500 animals. ARTIS Amsterdam Royal Zoo, in Amsterdam, includes an aquarium, a planetarium and an arboretum. Parc de La Ciutadella in Barcelona has a zoo and an aquarium, while BIOPARC Valencia, in Valencia, focuses on educating the public, particularly children, regarding animal conservation.
Toy stores
Europe’s cities captivate children with their whimsical toy stores – and the stories behind these toys. Florence, Italy, is the birthplace of Pinocchio, the wood puppet who came to life. Pinocchio-themed toys and places to buy them abound in Florence, along with specially organized Pinocchio production workshops.Another fairy-tale city is Rothenburg. Dating from the Middle Ages, Rothenburg features traditional houses and quaint bakeries, as well as toy shops and castles. Close to Rothenburg, in Füssen, is Neuschwanstein Castle, the inspiration for Disneyland’s Sleeping Beauty Castle and an architectural player in numerous other movies. You can get to Rothenburg from Bremen or Hamburg. And when it comes to toy stores, London has some of the largest, with Hamleys, on Regent Street, one of the most renowned.
