Oktoberfest is famous for flowing beer and traditional Bavarian fun, but it’s also a family-friendly festival. It offers a wide range of activities, entertainment , and cultural exposure for the whole family. While the adults have fun with eating, drinking, and dancing, the children enjoy carnival rides, crafts, folklore-inspired games, and German history.
To make it the best experience for your kids and loved ones, it is highly important that you plan everything in advance. The flight, commute, and accommodation, everything should be on point so that you can make the best of your time.
Top 12 Activities For Kids at Oktoberfest
Why miss out on all the fun because you think Oktoberfest is not for kids? Bring your kids along and make them experience the beauty and zeal of this global event.
1. Family Day at Oktoberfest
Many Oktoberfest events, especially in Munich, offer “Familientag” or Family Day (typically Tuesdays). On these days, families can enjoy reduced prices on rides, food, and games.
What to Expect:
- Reduced entry costs and ride tokens
- Special children’s menus with smaller portions
- Shows for families, including clowns and puppet performances
Family Day allows parents to feel relaxed because it is less chaotic. It is the perfect opportunity for you to take small children with you.
2. Kinderwelt: Kid Zones And Playgrounds
Kinderwelt (Children’s World) is an area in the Theresienwiese that is known as the kids area. This portion is designated as an alcohol free family friendly area.
What to Expect:
- Mini Ferris wheels and ‘soft’ carousels
- Obstacle course structures
- Face painting booths
- Big Puppet theaters showing German folk tales
Smaller Oktoberfest celebrations around the world sometimes also have these child-friendly areas. Look for the areas with the names “Kinderplatz” or “Children’s Corner.”
3. Rides and Attractions
Oktoberfest is all about fun. It offers an adrenaline rush and laughter to people of all ages.
Carousel / Merry-go-round: There are well designed carousels and merry go rounds that offer a smooth and fun ride.
Mini Coasters: With mini-roller coasters to accommodate the children of school-going age, Oktoberfest is always a hit!
Bumper cars: Perfect for kids and their parents to get a chance to bond and share the fun.
Fun Houses: There are light-hearted jokes and fun activities that are properly supervised and safe for children.
Tip: Make sure you read height restrictions for each ride, and supervise all young children on your own.
4. Traditional Bavarian Dress-Up
Kids love costumes, and Oktoberfest is a great chance to put those little ones in a dress that shows respect to Bavarian culture. Little boys often dress in Lederhosen and little girls in Dirndls.
To make it more fun, arrange for a photo session with the whole family dressed in traditional attire. It is a great idea for the kids to participate in kids’ costume parades. It is best to keep the children in the loop by allowing them to shop for their costumes and create their own looks.
Not only is it fun for kids to dress up, but it is also a wonderful way to educate them about their heritage and European traditions.
5. Gingerbread Hearts and Other Sweet Treats
An Oktoberfest without its signature gingerbread dough, shaped in a heart, is incomplete. There are many other things kids, as well as adults can do. Here are some of them;
- Decorating your own cookie at DIY stations and dessert stalls. You can also write small notes for customization.
- Exchanging lebkuchen hearts with a friend or family member
- The children can also get their hands on sweet classics like candied almonds, cotton candy, or fruit skewers coated in chocolate.
Tip: Be careful with the amount of sugar and balance with savory treats like pretzels or sausages.
6. Puppet Shows and Storytelling
Kids puppet shows and fairytale stories keep them busy and entertained for many hours. Not only are these shows informative but also enhance their love for culture.
The common themes are German folk tales such as Hansel & Gretel. There is
Interactive storytelling that allows kids to take part in the performance. They are usually hosted by bilingual or otherwise English-speaking presenters. This helps to make these sessions informative for international visitors as well.
7. Workshops and Workstations
Many Oktoberfest tents include a kids’ area with activities and crafts for children of all ages.
Popular craft activities:
- Paper Alpine hats
- Designing Beer Steins
- Paper dolls for wearing dirndls and lederhosen
- Bavarian flags or floral crowns
Not only do these things keep the kids entertained, but they also teach them about the culture of Bavaria in a fun way.
8. Petting Zoos and Pony Rides
A few Oktoberfest events, especially in smaller cities or family-oriented areas, offer petting zoos. They have farm animals like goats, rabbits, and ponies and children love them.
Why kids love it:
- An interactive experience with animals in a risk-free environment
- Getting to know more about animals, how they live and what they eat etc.
- Short pony rides for the little ones.
9. Music and Dancing for Kids
Oktoberfest is a musical event, and kids love the festive rhythms and playful instruments. There are traditional Oompah bands that have been playing for the kids for many years. You can also see;
- Children’s dance competitions in traditional costumes
- Mini parades with music, having clowns or mascots
- Folk song sing-alongs with audience participation
Children also love to see costumed mascots dancing to the beat, and it gets them up and moving as well.
10. Child-Safe Food Choices
Oktoberfest serves rich and heavy dishes for all the food lovers. However, there are lots of food stalls that now serve child-sized and kid-friendly portions. Some dishes that are commonly popular among the children are;
- Cheese-filled pretzels
- Sausages on the bun (like hot dogs)
- Apple strudel served with Vanilla sauce
- Potato pancakes with applesauce
If your child has food allergies or dietary restrictions, make sure you check the ingredients of each food item before they consume them. However, it is better to keep some healthy snacks for your kids in your bag.
11. Photo Booths and Souvenirs
Keep the memories alive by taking photos at photo booths. They have beer barrels, giant pretzels, and cartoonish Bavarian backdrops that make the photos even more fun.
You can also get your kids some souvenirs like miniature cuckoo clocks, plush mascot characters ,or customized mugs etc.
Many stalls also sell sticker books or activity sheets, giving the festival the vibe of a day at a cultural amusement park.
12. Safety Tips for Parents
Although Oktoberfest is becoming more family-friendly, it’s important to be careful when it comes to the safety of your children.
- It is better to visit during the day, especially on Family Days
- Do not go to crowded tents and late-night events with your children
- Write your phone number on your child’s arm or ID bracelet
- Agree on a meeting place in case someone gets separated
- There is going to be a lot of walking, so do bring strollers and carry cots for your toddlers.
Conclusion
Oktoberfest is not just for beer and sausages; it is also a magical playground of music, color, and celebration for children. With carnival rides and crafts, storytelling, and sweet goodies, there are many Oktoberfest activities for kids of all ages. All you have to do is educate your child to stay safe and learn about Bavarian culture. Allow the children to explore and ask questions so that they can enjoy themselves. However, never leave them unsupervised and stay with them through the interactive activities as much as you can.
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