It’s probably no surprise to most people that Vienna is an impressive city with spectacular architecture and a rich cultural scene . But this metropolis also offers plenty of activities for families with children. So before you reluctantly drag your little ones along on your next sightseeing trip, why not check out the following options for family activities in the city:
Kahlenberg Forest Rope Park
Looking for an exciting outdoor adventure for the whole family? Then the Kahlenberg Forest Rope Park in the picturesque Vienna Woods might be just the thing for you. As the largest adventure forest rope park in eastern Austria, it offers 17 courses across 3 different difficulty levels for all ages, making it the ideal destination for adventure-seeking families. Here, you can let off steam on thrilling zip lines and various climbing obstacles at heights of up to 20 meters and spend an active day surrounded by beautiful nature.
Zoom Children’s Museum
The Zoom Children’s Museum is designed for children up to age 14 and offers a wide range of interactive programs that foster creativity, curiosity, and learning through active participation. Younger children can let themselves be swept away into an imaginative underwater world in the Ocean Experience Area, while older children can take part in art workshops in the studio or explore the media lab in the animation studio. In addition, the hands-on exhibition features rotating interactive exhibits on various exciting topics, such as art and science.
Embark on a fascinating VR journey to the Andes with the whole family and discover the secrets of Machu Picchu —right in the heart of Vienna! Explore mythical temples and sprawling terraces, meet iconic Inca characters and animals, and take part in ancient rituals. Thanks to state-of-the-art technology, the legendary city comes to life: drone footage, LiDAR scans, and photogrammetry bring every temple, every terrace, and every hidden corner to life in stunning detail. This lets you experience the action up close, as if you were there in person.
Schönbrunn Zoo
Located in the Schönbrunn Palace Park, this zoo— home to over 700 animal species across 17 hectares— is one of Europe’s most modern zoos, combining a historic atmosphere with dedicated animal care and species conservation. It offers an idyllic destination for the whole family, and a visit to the zoo can also be perfectly combined with a stroll through the palace park or a detour to the palace itself. Various themed tours offer you and your children exciting insights into the animals’ lives, and at the children’s petting zoo, young visitors can interact with cute farm animals and learn about country life.
Vienna Prater
One of the city’s most famous attractions is the Vienna Prater, which consists of a historic amusement park, the Wurstelprater, and a sprawling recreational area, the Grüner Prater. The amusement park boasts around 250 attractions: from roller coasters and carousels to game booths, there’s something for everyone here, and the Giant Ferris Wheel, built in 1897, is considered one of Vienna’s landmarks. The Prater Museum and Madame Tussauds are also nearby and offer an exciting alternative to the rides. The Prater is definitely one of the most exciting things to do with kids in Vienna!
Music lovers, take note: the atmospheric candlelight concerts offer a wide selection of tribute concerts spanning various genres, all with a classical twist! From modern pop and rock icons like Taylor Swift and Linkin Park to master composers like Vivaldi, and even soundtrack tributes to Hans Zimmer or Joe Hisaishi —there’s guaranteed to be something for everyone here. These spectacular concerts, set amidst a sea of candles, are open to children ages 8 and up and offer a wonderful opportunity to immerse yourselves, together with your little ones, in a sparkling world of music and culture for an evening.
Indoor Playground Family Fun
At Vienna’s largest indoor playground, your kids can really let off some steam! The 4,000 m² main area and the 1,000 m² trampoline hall offer just about everything kids love. And for the very youngest visitors aged 0–4, there’s the separate Kiddy World on the first floor with a ball pit, bouncy castles, and more. A wide variety of fun activities and attractions ensure a day full of fun and exercise for your little ones, while you can relax on the sun terrace or in the restaurant.
Danube Tower with Slide
As Austria’s tallest structure, the 252-meter-high Danube Tower is a popular attraction in the city that also offers a great destination for families. Aside from the incredible panoramic view of all of Vienna that you can enjoy from up there, Europe’s highest slide runs along the outside of the tower! Here, you can glide down a 40-meter-long slide at speeds of up to 18 km/h while taking in the spectacular view. The slide is open to visitors ages 6 and up who are at least 110 cm tall, and it’s guaranteed to give you a thrill.
Embark on a 45-minute journey through time spanning 3.5 billion years of Earth’s history! If you’re looking for a family-friendly activity in Vienna that combines learning with a “wow” factor , “The Prehistoric Chronicles” is just the thing. From the formation of the Earth, Sun, and Moon, through the first oceans, to the earliest forms of life, you’ll experience the most important milestones of evolution in a truly impressive way. The exhibition combines exciting storytelling with scientifically sound content and delights explorers of all ages. This brings history to life and turns learning into a real adventure for the whole family.
