our family road trip through Baden-Württemberg with kids

Day 1 – Arrival in the Northern Black Forest

Our trip started in the northern part of the Black Forest, in Bad Wildbad, where we stayed at Family Resort Kleinenzhof. This is a fantastic spot for families: a large indoor pool and an outdoor pool, several natural outdoor playgrounds, a small petting farm with goats and deer, and everything is surrounded by forest with a small stream running alongside it. The kids absolutely loved playing outside here.

You can also simply eat at the on-site restaurant — super convenient after a travel day. In the evening, we went on a torch-lit walk through the forest: very atmospheric and a fun way to kick off the trip.

Day 2 – Adventure in Bad Wildbad

The highlight of Bad Wildbad is the Baumwipfelpfad Schwarzwald: a wooden treetop walkway with a huge observation tower. The entire path is barrier-free, making it perfect for strollers. You can easily buy tickets at the entrance.

At the base of the tower, you’ll find a lovely natural playground, and at the top there’s a big slide: a long, spiral tube slide that takes you all the way down in one go (separate ticket required). The tower is also the starting point of the Fairy-tale Path “Das kalte Herz”, a 3.2 km trail with interactive story stops and audio guides (available in English). A great way to keep kids curious and motivated during the walk.

After that, we crossed the Wildline Suspension Bridge: 380 meters long and 60 meters high, with spectacular views over the valley. Exciting, but very manageable with kids.

Lunch tip: Auerhahn Hotel Restaurant in Bad Wildbad – a cosy spot to warm up and recharge. The flammkuchen here are delicious!

After a beautiful drive from Bad Wildbad, we arrived in the Hochschwarzwald region, where we stayed at Hotel Hochfirst in Lenzkirch. The hotel is located in a quiet village surrounded by rolling hills — the setting is truly lovely. We slept in a brand-new wooden chalet next to the main building and had breakfast and dinner in the hotel restaurant.

Day 3 – Hochschwarzwald

With the Hochschwarzwald Card, which was included with our stay, we had free access to part of Fundorena Feldberg. There are several activities to choose from: we opted for the large trampoline hall and the indoor climbing park. Other zones can be added for a small extra fee. The card gives access or discounts to many more attractions throughout the region, making it a really valuable perk.

Later, we visited the Schwarzwaldhaus der Sinne in Grafenhausen. Here, children (and adults!) explore all kinds of sensory experiences: barefoot paths, a maze in the dark, experiments and surprising interactive installations. A super fun stop where you can easily spend 1.5 to 2 hours.

We then drove to the KugelWaldPfad in Ühlingen-Birkendorf: wooden marble runs through the forest where you roll your own wooden ball along the tracks. There are two routes (600 m and 1,300 m). Bring your own wooden ball just in case, as the vending machines aren’t always stocked.

We ended the day with a lovely, upscale dinner at Hotel Saigerhöh, with stunning views over the Alps (yes, you can actually see them on a clear day!).

Day 4 – Mannheim: city, museums & park

After a few days in nature, we drove to Mannheim, in the north of Baden-Württemberg. It’s a great place to mix culture with family-friendly activities. We stayed at Leonardo Hotel Mannheim City Center – Limited Edition, a stylish hotel right in the city centre.

Fun stops with kids:
– – Technoseum – A museum full of technology and industrial history, but above all super interactive. Kids can press buttons everywhere, do experiments, and explore large machines. A place where they learn while playing — and stay entertained for hours.
– Luisenpark – One of the most beautiful city parks we’ve visited. With playgrounds, ponds, small animals and even little boats you can take out on the water. Perfect for a relaxing afternoon with the whole family.

Lunch/dinner tip: Rheinterrassen, located directly on the Rhine, is highly recommended. The riverside setting is gorgeous — especially in summer — but it’s also warm and cosy inside during autumn. The view over the river gives you that holiday feeling, and the desserts are fantastic. A perfect way to end the day!

Day 5 – Dino exhibition & departure

We ended our trip with a visit to the exhibition “Dinosaurs – The Fascination of Time.” From the moment we walked in, the kids were hooked. The giant dinosaur replicas were an absolute favourite!

After the exhibition, we drove back home — full of new memories, discoveries, and a little extra knowledge about our ancient predecessors.

Extra tips for a longer family holiday in Baden-Württemberg

Have more time? These extra stops are great additions to your itinerary:
– Titisee & Feldberg – lakes, hiking, swimming and beautiful viewpoints.
– Baumkronenweg Waldkirch – treetop adventure course for older kids.
– Mummelsee – small mountain lake with paddle boats and short walking trails.
– Triberger Wasserfälle – the highest waterfalls in Germany.
– Schloss Lichtenstein – a stunning fairytale castle.
– Badeparadies Schwarzwald – a tropical swimming paradise.
– Steinwasen Park – suspension bridge, alpine coaster and wildlife park.
– Tatzmania Löffingen – a zoo and amusement park in one.
– Other KugelWaldPfad locations: Waldkugelbahn im Köllbachtal, Barfußpfad Tiefenbronn, Outdoor-Urmelbahn am Teuchel, Kugelbahn Leutenbach, Holzkugelbahn Schillerhöhe, Kugelbahn Kusterdingen, Herzogliche Kugelbahn Stetten, Kugelpfad Denkendorf, Walderlebnispfad mit Kugelbahn Wendlingen am Neckar, Murmelbahn Urbach, Kugelbahn Cleverlespfad, XXL-Waldkugelbahn Schwäbisch Gmünd and Kugelbahn Remsursprung.

Conclusion

Baden-Württemberg with kids offers the perfect mix of nature, culture and adventure. From cities to treetop walks, from interactive museums to playgrounds, and from lakes to fairytale castles — there’s something special for every family to discover. Make sure to plan enough time — a week or more is ideal — so you can explore the region at a relaxed pace and turn it into a laid-back, unforgettable family holiday.