Baden-Württemberg with kids

Baumwipfelpfad Bad Wildbad

The Baumwipfelpfad in Bad Wildbad was one of the absolute highlights of our trip. The 1,250-metre wooden walkway winds high above the forest floor through the treetops and gradually leads you to a beautiful, iconic observation tower.

Along the way you’ll find several play elements: small climbing sections, balance challenges and interactive nature tasks. Our kids absolutely loved this — the walkway isn’t just beautiful, but also fun and surprisingly playful.

At the top of the tower, you’re rewarded with a stunning view over the Black Forest. And then comes what might be the children’s favourite part (and secretly ours too): the long slide back down. For €2 per ride you can zoom down together. Definitely do it! Tickets for the Baumwipfelpfad can simply be bought on-site.

At the bottom you’ll also find a really nice playground. It is a bit pricey — €22 per family — but our kids had a great time there. For us it was a lovely way to end the visit.

The Wildline Suspension Bridge

Just a few minutes’ walk from the Baumwipfelpfad lies the Wildline, possibly one of the most impressive suspension bridges in Germany. The bridge is 380 metres long and hangs at its highest point 60 metres above the valley. It truly feels like you’re floating above the Black Forest.

We walked there early in the morning, when it was still wonderfully quiet — highly recommended, because you often have the bridge almost to yourself. The Wildline sways a little (just enough to make it exciting, not enough to make it scary), which our kids of course thought was fantastic.

The views are incredible: endless green hills, deep valleys and forests everywhere. You’ll take some of your best photos of the whole region here (especially in autumn!).

Practical
– You can buy tickets at the entrance.
– The walk from the Baumwipfelpfad is easy and suitable for children.

KugelWaldPfad Ühlingen-Birkendorf

One of the most fun activities for young children is the wooden marble run that stretches hundreds of metres through the forest. At the start you can buy a wooden ball and then the adventure begins! There are machines where you can purchase a ball for €1.00 each, but unfortunately they were empty when we visited. So it can be handy to bring your own small wooden ball (about the size of a ping-pong ball). We were lucky that another family who had just finished the route sold us one.

The route is playful and varied, which keeps children walking without complaining because they get to roll the marble again and again. A must-do, especially in autumn when the forest is beautifully coloured!

There are two tracks, and both are great: a short loop of 600 metres and a longer one of 1.5 km. We did both and they were very manageable. Our kids absolutely loved it and actually wanted to continue for much longer, even after a busy day full of activities.

Fundorena indoor & outdoor park

In the Hochschwarzwald region you’ll find Fundorena, a super fun indoor and outdoor park that’s perfect for active play. Think trampolines, climbing walls, ninja obstacles and even a high-rope adventure course. It’s exactly the kind of place where kids and parents can burn off some energy.

We visited on a cold day — ideal, because indoors it’s big, warm and there’s plenty to do. Our children immediately ran into the trampoline park. A nice bonus: there are separate zones for kids up to 6 years and for 7+, so everyone can jump safely. The climbing course is for ages 5 and up, and it was our first time doing this together… and it was a huge success! Such a fun experience to share as a family.

Hochschwarzwald Card Benefits
If you’re staying at a hotel that participates in the Hochschwarzwald Card programme, you’ll receive 1 hour of free access to the trampoline park and 1 hour of free access to the high-rope adventure course at Fundorena. There are many additional activities you can join for an extra fee. The staff at the desk will explain exactly which options are available and what you can do with the Hochschwarzwald Card.

Good to know: Fundorena is very different from typical indoor playgrounds. From the café area you do not have a clear view of your children. So: no leaning back with a coffee… but joining in on the fun! 😉 And honestly: that makes the experience even better.

Technoseum Mannheim

At the Technoseum, you travel through the history of technology — from steam locomotives to modern machines. The museum is highly interactive, with buttons, experiments and hands-on stations.

Before our visit, we weren’t sure if this would be something for our kids, because we normally don’t go to museums with them. But children are naturally curious: they want to discover everything, touch everything — and this is exactly the place where they can.

We ended up staying for 4 hours, and only left because the museum was closing! Our kids especially loved the big machines and interactive experiments, and we were pleasantly surprised by how family-friendly the entire museum is.

Luisenpark Mannheim

Luisenpark in Mannheim is one of the most beautiful city parks in Germany. It’s spacious, beautifully landscaped and offers plenty of entertainment for children of all age

There are several large and very fun playgrounds, you can take a boat out on the park lake, or see flamingos and other exotic animals in the small animal park area. You’ll also find water features, bridges and peaceful walking paths throughout the park.

For families with young children, the park is ideal: there are plenty of places to picnic or take a break, and the layout is very clear, making it easy to keep an eye on the kids. The park also regularly hosts seasonal events and educational activities, so there’s always something new to discover.

Luisenpark is the perfect place to spend an entire day in a green, relaxing environment — right in the middle of the city.

Practical tips for a family trip to Baden-Württemberg

Best travel time

For outdoor activities and hiking, spring, summer and early autumn are ideal. In winter you can also go skiing in the Hochschwarzwald! Indoor parks like Fundorena are perfect for rainy days.

Travel Distances to Baden-Württemberg from Major German Cities

Baden-Württemberg is easily accessible from several major cities in Germany. Here are approximate driving times:
From Munich: 3-4 hours (about 300 km)
From Frankfurt: 2-3 hours (about 200 km)
From Stuttgart (the capital of Baden-Württemberg): 30-60 minutes (depending on your destination)
From Hamburg: 6-7 hours (about 600 km)
From Berlin: 7-8 hours (about 700 km)
With its central location, Baden-Württemberg is perfect for a road trip from any of Germany’s major cities.

Child-friendly accommodations

Nördlicher Schwarzwald: Family Resort Kleinenzhof – a campsite with separate apartments, lots of outdoor play areas, and an indoor pool and playroom. Perfect for families who love nature and a sense of freedom.

Hochschwarzwald: Hotel Hochfirst – part of the Hochschwarzwald Card program, with comfortable hotel rooms. We stayed in a cozy new wooden cabin next to the hotel — a great location!

Mannheim: Hotel Mannheimer Hof – right in the city center, a chic hotel with all the comforts. Ideal for exploring Mannheim.

Hochschwarzwald Card

With this card you get free access to more than 100 attractions, including Fundorena. More than 350 accommodation providers (private rentals, hotels, etc.) offer this special guest card.

Conclusion

Baden-Württemberg is surprisingly diverse and incredibly family-friendly. From adventures high up in the treetops to relaxing days in the park and interactive museums — there’s something for every type of family. We were genuinely impressed by how kid-friendly everything was and especially by how beautiful the forests are in this region.