Why you need a kids camera for your next vacation!

There are many reasons why your kid wants a camera while on vacation; experience the location, copy mom and dad as they take images, free souvenirs, amongst other things. But should you give the kids a camera? They are kids, after all, they’ll just break it or lose it.

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Curious – children are naturally curious about the world. They want to explore the world like we do, and capture those images for a later date
Individuality – being allowed to control their own entertainment is important to kids. They want to be in charge and since I believe in picking my battles, having a simple kids camera on hand makes it that much easier.
No “photography rules” – unlike adults, kids don’t care about photography rules. They don’t even care if the photo turns out or not, they just like the act of taking a picture.
Accessible – no need to read or write. Kids don’t need to be able to know much in order to use a simple digital camera. Just point and shoot and away they go.
Instant gratification – while I don’t generally preach “instant gratification”, showing the children that their hard work has paid off – they learned the functions of the camera, found an image-worthy subject, aimed and held the camera still long enough to capture the picture. Now they can see their work on the screen, to be saved for years to come.
Observation skills – children have a way of noticing things that adults may miss. Intricate patterns in the stone, for example, or the various shoes fellow travellers are sporting that day. Being that much lower to the ground has a way of changing perspective of the world.

Best Digital Cameras for Kids

Camera	Megapixels	Weight	Rating
VTech Kidizoom Camera Pix	2.0	7.7 ounces	4.3
BIBENE Digital Video Camera	5	0.3 ounces	4.8
Koowoo Kids Camera	12	Lightweight	5
Kidz Digital Camera	0.3	5.6 ounces	2.6
VTech Kidizoom DUO Camera	2	13.8 ounces	4.4
Powpro Kfun PP-J52 Underwater Action Camera	5	9.1 ounces	4.4
Bonna Student camera	21	9.6 ounces	4
Discovery Kids USB Compatible Digital Camera	0.3	17.6 ounces	3.5
Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 Instant Camera	60mm f/12.7 Lens	10 ounces	4.6
VTech Kidizoom Action Cam	0.3	9.6 ounces	4

Types of Kids Cameras

Kids Underwater Camera

It’s the perfect travel companion, ready to capture all your adventures and fun selfies – even underwater. Rugged, compact, and lightweight, it goes anywhere and can handle every challenging journey, from the bumpiest, dustiest desert road tour to underwater selfies amid the coral reefs.

Pro: Since they are waterproof, they can be taken on many more adventures and no one has to worry about the camera’s functionality afterward. Also, this means parents don’t need to be afraid of the toddlers dropping their camera in the tub or a mud puddle while they take practice pictures.

Con: The housing can leave audio files a little “tinny”, or sounding boxed in. Unless the camera can come out of the waterproof housing for non-water based pictures, there is no way around this feature. However, cameras with external housing have a risk of leaking, even if that risk is small, compared to a camera that is solid waterproof.

The Ivation Underwater Shockproof Digital Camera is another example of a fully waterproof, droppable camera.

Practice Camera

Pro: Allows kids to learn the various functions of a camera; pressing buttons, centring the image, posing the subject, and being responsible with their property, without costing a small fortune should something happen to it. Training wheels for digital photography.

Con: The quality of the images is something to be desired and may put off a child from photography. These cameras are not meant for older kids, as they are more about the quality of their work, instead of the act of taking photos and doing the same as mom and dad.

Video Cameras for Kids

Pro: I also advocate for multipurpose products. If I can get 1 product that does the same as 2 or 3, why not? Practice photography and videography at the same time, without having to buy a separate unit.

Con: Because it can do more, these units tend to cost more than a standard practice camera. There are also a few more options for the children to learn, so it is best recommended for the older kids as they will be less likely to be frustrated with so many options.

Don’t forget to grab an SD Card, from here, or some batteries found here. Not all cameras come with these accessories and having a spare isn’t always a bad thing.

Best Kids Camera Reviews

VTech Kidizoom Camera Pix- Best First Camera For Kids

One of the great features is auto-detect; just turn the camera to take a picture of yourself and it will automatically detect faces for a perfect selfie! I love the audible electronic shutter sound that plays when a photo is taken. It’s a good indicator for the kids when they can move the camera. I could do without the games programmed into this, though. It is a little distracting for the in-between kids – old enough to figure out how to use it but too young to ignore it when it’s time to focus on picture-taking.

When editing a photo, the original photo is preserved and your edited version is a new, separate photo. I was after a camera that wouldn’t immediately break and with few enough buttons that the kids would be able to operate them without throwing off settings. This definitely fits that bill. We have even bought it for a few friends on their kids’ birthday; it’s always a hit when we host playdates. We’ve owned ours for 2 years and it’s still going strong.

Check out the latest prices here

BIBENE – Best Digital Camera For Kids

This item is great for a toddler. The size of it makes it easier for little hands to hold. It is also difficult to break, which is a huge pro since it will probably be dropped several times. The only thing that I wish was a bit different, is for the button to be in a different location. It is a bit awkward for them to push. You can download the photo’s onto a computer anytime to make more room but they can still take many photos with a 32G SD card

Check out the latest prices here

Koowoo – Best Underwater Camera For Kids

Deemed one of the best waterproof cameras for kids as outdoor gifts for those that are adventurous, surfers, snowboarders, for swimming, diving, and breaching. As a waterproof, dustproof, drop-proof camera, it is practically indestructible, which is perfect for little hands that tend to drop just about anything, pretty much anywhere you don’t want it to be dropped.

This camera is more than a toy. The colour was bright so great for kids – and it doesn’t look like those cheap toys we usually see for kids. It comes with the camera itself, lanyard, USB cable and the manual. Note: It requires 2 AAA batteries and an SD card which are not included.

Check out the latest prices here

Kidz Digital Camera- Best Cheap Camera For Kids

The screen is a bit small but my 3-year-old does not mind. It does not take a lot of pictures – maybe 75 or so, but it is perfect for little children who just want a camera to play and practice with. It can double as a webcam on your computer, which is great for communicating with loved ones, not on vacation with you.

Digital Concepts camera allows you to take up to 75 quick photos to go and shoots video clips. Simply plug the digital camera back into the USB port and download and edit your photos. The camera includes a neck strap, PhoTags Express photo editing software for fun and cool pictures.

This camera, unlike the others in this list, does not protect from dropping and is not waterproof. It is a real “adult” camera, but smaller and less expensive. Overall this product is not the best camera out there but it served its purpose for the price.

Check out the latest prices here

VTech Kidizoom- Best Tough Camera For Kids

Great for older and younger kids.

Bought two – one for each boy (ages 4 and 6) for a long 20-hour road trip. They loved taking photos (about 300 of in the inside of my van….) and played with all the special effects and learned all about the world of selfies! They took great pictures on our trip and the games were great for spurts of boredom on the road trip when they needed something to keep quiet (while their siblings were napping). I didn’t find the games to be a nuisance at all because they’re basic games (think Frogger)

You can disable or set a time limit on the games (the shortest limit is 15 min/day), which is a great feature to have, as they are not exactly educational games. It is drop-proof, I want to say splash-resistant (will survive a splash of juice, but not submersion in the tub) and durable. The colour is great for kids’ imaginations.

Check out the latest prices here

Powpro Kfun – Best Underwater Action Camera For Kids

This waterproof shockproof camera for kids has worked great. It is a very simplistic waterproof camera which is great for young kids. You can take pictures and record videos. You are also able to view both the photos and videos and delete any you don’t like directly on the camera. Setting up the camera is super easy and to download the pictures or videos you just plug it in the computer and they pop right up!

The biggest card you can use with the camera is a 32GB, which is more than enough space for a budding photographer. The Powpro Kfun pretty shockproof as well. Just don’t expect the audio to be anything special. It is not, especially in the waterproof housing. If you speak directly toward the speaker it’s great. From the side or behind, not so much

Check out the latest prices here

Bonna – B est Point and Shoot Camera For Kids

It’s a little bit smaller than expected but is very convenient to carry around as it is super light, great size & weight for kids to play with, and fits well in pockets. Taking the price into account, it does deliver amazing image quality, pics look great on its 2.7″ TFT LCD display screen, brought lots of joy to the kids. And the photo quality is pretty good as well after transferring onto the computer. Very easy to operate, one-button control with essential options. I would recommend this as the best point and shoot camera for kids.

It does not come with an SD card, however.

Check out the latest prices here

Discovery Kids – Best Starter Camera For Kids

It’s easy for toddlers to use and very durable- it’s been dropped numerous times. The internal memory tends to wipe clean if the batteries are allowed to die before exporting the files, so it’s best to check often.

My only issue with it is the quality of the pictures it takes, but I wasn’t expecting a high pixel count for something meant for kids, and how easy it is for the pictures to get deleted by a kid exploring the buttons.

Check out the latest prices here

VTech Kidizoom – Best Video Camera For Kids

I would compare this to a Baby Go Pro. While this isn’t a perfect action camera by far, this is the perfect action camera for kids. It’s easy to use. You can take it pretty much anywhere: in the air, underwater, you name it. It floats, and it’s just about indestructible.

The video quality is about as low as it gets, but that doesn’t really matter. What does matter is that this is a great toy and that it gives little kids a chance to use a cheap action camera without any fear that it might break?

It is recommended to purchase a 32GB SD card with speed class VI.

Check out the latest prices here

Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 – Best Instant Camera For Kids

The camera quality makes you feel like you’re in the 90s, it’s great as long as you’re not expecting crystal clear, see every one type of picture. Great for when you hang out with friends, and perfect for scrapbooking.

As a kids’ polaroid camera, it takes the cutest pictures ever, a lot of people may not like the quality of the picture but I love it because it gives it this old fashion look and feeling to it. It’s so much fun to see a printed photo right after you take it. This is the best instant camera for kids and adults.

Check out the latest prices here

Hopefully, I’ve helped you find the Best Kids Camera for your needs! If you are looking for more kids or baby products for travel, you can also read our guides to the best travel stroller, the best toddler travel bed and many other useful travel products here.

Solo-Parent’s Guide to surviving a Long-Haul Flights with Kids

May 22, 2017 by Christine Leger

Solo-Parent’s Guide to Long-Haul Flights with Kids

There comes a time in every travelling family when one parent gets the “pleasure” of travelling with the kids sans spouse. Though I didn’t think much of it when making plans with the family to fly back to Canada while he was away, as the day grew closer, I started to have many mixed feelings about the journey. “It’s about the journey, not the destination”. I call giant BS on that. It is all about the destination. If I wasn’t visiting my parents, and meeting my new nephew, amongst other family obligations, I would not have chosen an 8-hour transatlantic flight as the first solo-parent vacation.

There were a few stages that I needed to overcome before finally feeling that I could receive this specific parenting badge. No, they are not denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance… well, that did happen but that’s for another day. I’m talking about the logistical stages.

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Booking Flights as a Solo-Parent with two Little One

Fly during natural sleep times. Our 2:30 pm flight time meant that we needed to be at the airport at 11:30 am. While this is smack in the middle of nap time and not ideal, the connecting flight was at 6 pm and was the long transatlantic portion of our flight, which meant they would sleep the whole time. I much preferred to have her sleep on the other side of security and awake during the short flight, then awake during the long flight.

Do I really need a stroller for the airport?

This is a big fat YES! While I wasn’t sure if I really wanted to or not, by the time I arrived to the airport via train, Baby Girl was already passed out in the stroller. This made the check-in process so much easier, only having to deal with one kiddo instead of being outnumbered.

Once she woke, we went through security – since they scan the stroller separately – and found our way to our gate. It was half way across the terminal and I wouldn’t have done it so smoothly without the stroller. Their bags hung off the mommy hook, the Travel Snug hung off the hook, and she sat comfy while eating the rest of the her lunch. Both flights allowed me to gate check the stroller and it was returned at the arrivals gate. I was barely out of the plane when I saw my stroller waiting for me. It was amazing.

Just because you are allowed that many bags, doesn’t mean you should

We had the right to 3 personal items and 3 carry-on luggage. This is a lot of kit to bring on the flight. It took a lot of soul searching but I decided that there just wasn’t enough stuff that I needed to have at my finger tips to justify that many pieces.

That leads to my second point; do I even have enough hands to carry it all? What if they rebel and don’t want to pull their rolling suitcases between flights? What if I forget that we have 6 pieces on the first flight?

For these reasons, we only took one backpack each. The kids had their kit, and this also helped prevent over packing; colouring items, Kidz Gear headphones – check them out here , tablet, snacks, change of clothes (you never know), small toy, sippy cups, Travel snug – which they carried in their arms.

My book bag had the “other stuff”; snacks, charge cables, phone, change of clothes (you never know with kids sitting that close to you), paper and pen, wallet and other documents. My bag was also large enough to hold my baby carrier; more importantly, the carrier was small enough to fit in the bag. The Rose and Rebellion Pre-school Carrier was a life saver in Rome and is a life saver on a plane as well.

Logistics of a flight transfer

Because my stroller was available at the gate, I didn’t have to juggle both kids walking across the terminal. Had I not received the stroller, I planned on using the carrier to care for Baby Girl and let Munchkin walk. He would carry his bag and Travel snug, I would get to hold her bag and her snug, as well as my backpack and purse while I carry her front facing. It wasn’t an ideal situation but it would have worked out – this is why I didn’t want then to have any sort of suitcase in the plane – just not enough hands to drag it all around me.

The carrier was definitely handy when collecting my suitcases in Toronto. Take a few minutes on the plane to ask a Flight Attendant to help with the carrier, then wait in a large crowd for our lonely suitcase. I wore her, still asleep, he ran for the stroller and acted as a great counter-weight for the kids backpacks and snugs on the mommy hook. He fell back asleep shortly after Customs

CARES

I didn’t think that I wanted the CARES harness until a few days before our departure date. I remember my son at that age, flying to Cardiff, on a 2 hour flight. His whole body moved so much one he was asleep. It was easier if she was still, like in her car seat, in her CARES Harness and the travel snug. You can find out more about the harness by clicking here.

It was a little tricky to make it stay still. I wasn’t securing it properly before she started pulling on it. Baby Girl also wasn’t interested in wearing, since the chairs were nothing like her car seat. Especially for long-haul flight with kids, I wanted to make sure she wasn’t going to bounce around when turbulence hit around Greenland.

Is a car seat really needed for the long haul?

Until it was nearer to our departure date, I didn’t think much of it either. I was sure that if it was really necessary for her safety, then the airline would have required it. I have asked many parents that have done this trip before, with children this age, and their opinions are varied and polarized. Each is sure that their way was the best way. For me, it was not practical to bring a car seat. Now, if I owned a car seat trolley, like this one, then I would have given it more thought, since it essentially is a stroller and car seat in one, and would be with me during a transfer, but there wasn’t enough time for my purchase to arrive and I can’t be sure that my car seat is airline rated.

There are only so many types of car seats that will fit in the seats. This car seat was purchased 4 years ago, and that part of the tag has since worn out. It is not clear on the website if it is or not, and I don’t want to find out the hard way (i.e. on the plane, as I try to fit it in the seat) that it needs to be checked (and therefore no longer a stroller during transfer, just a sad looking trolley with no function).

Either way, I adapted the Travel snug to fit with the CARES harness and all was well.

There comes a time when long-haul flight with kids is unavoidable. The solo-parenting flights can be the most stressful; this too shall pass

Decided she wanted her brothers Travel Snug instead of her own… they are the exact same thing, just different colour

How much to pack for 15 days with kids

Just like my carry-on allocation, I have the right to 3 checked bags. With the cars on either end of my airport visits, I wasn’t walking too much with my luggage but 3 pieces would have meant that I needed a cart.

The bigger question though, is do I really need to bring that much stuff? Even if I wasn’t visiting my parents, destinations have laundry facilities. I don’t need to pack their entire wardrobe. They each had one large packing cube to themselves. Plus my two medium packing cubes, I only filled half of my hard-shell suitcase. The other half was filled with Florentine wine for my parents and hand-me down clothes for my nephew.

Since it is (apparently) late spring in southern Ontario, a jacket isn’t necessary but there are still frost warnings in between 22 degrees days so we had a sweater in our carry-on’s and a waterproof light jacket in our suitcase. I also purchased travel umbrellas/compact umbrellas, however, those did stay in our luggage instead of the carry-on like many would suggest, only because my kids love to play with umbrella’s. I’m not really sure why that is, maybe because it rains so darn much in Germany that they now feel it is a toy, but it isn’t safe in my carry-on; they will find a way of getting their hands on them.

What to pack for 15 days in Canada during spring?

After much deliberation and discussion, it was decided that a healthy mix of warm and cold weather clothes were necessary. You may think every Canadian stereotype is just that; a stereotype, not exactly the truth. Well, I am here to break your bubble. Depending on where you visit, every single Canadian stereotype is accurate. It can snow during the summer, and it can be scorching hot the day after a snow fall. It happens, get over it.

For each of us, we have packed the following

7 pairs of socks

7 pairs of undies

7 bottoms; 5 shorts, 2 trousers

7 tops; 5 short sleeve, 2 long sleeve

2 pairs of shoes; 1 sneakers and 1 solid sandal

Swim suit and flip flops

Travel umbrella

Waterproof spring jacket – to be layered with a long sleeve and sweater if it really gets cold

Toiletry bag

Seat selection

I could have paid 30 euro per seat (times 2 legs, each way) at the time of booking, or wait until 4 days before departure and it is done automatically for free. My family uses KLM to fly back and forth between Canada and Germany and we appreciate this service. Most airlines have some form of family waiver, especially when solo-parenting 2 under 12 years old. If you don’t already know, check their policy before booking your flight. The last thing I want is to be treated like a solo traveller and separated from my kids; I have heard this happening to a family with a 5-year-old and no one wanted to move seats. The flight staff aren’t required to make them move, so the child was sitting with strangers for the entirety of the flight. These are the types of deal-breakers that make me shout “HELLS NO” at travel agents and company representatives.

Window, aisle or middle seat?

Munchkin is 5 years old, and thus potty trained – I had him in the aisle seat. Baby Girl was next then I was in the middle. I had to score seats right behind the toilets and therefore extra leg room. Proleg room for them to stretch, can’t kick anyone and can walk a little without running off. Con – no storage space so everything was stored in the overhead bin, they kept wanting to walk around since there was room for it, I had a neighbour that wasn’t too thrilled to be sitting next to us.

For the long-haul flight with kids, I wanted to be sure they weren’t going to get anyone more upset than they already were, just by being alive – essentially. I have found that adult passengers travelling without children, even if they have children at home, have very little patience for children. While I try not to let it bother me, I do try to make an effort to lessen their impact on their fellow passengers. This way, I know I have done everything I can to make the journey as pleasant as possible – if the kids have something else in mind, there isn’t much I am able to prevent it – just go with the flow and try to sooth them.

Should kids board first or last?

There are several pros and cons of each.

Boarding first – there is less stress. Take as much time as needed to find the seats, and settle down. Maybe even colour while you wait for the rest of the plane to board. This also means you can be sitting for 20 minutes or more, not moving, while the kids are anxiously for it to start.

Boarding last – no sitting around for too long, and the kids can continue walking/running around while everyone else boards. You do run the risk of no overhead cabin space for any of your carry on bags.

We choose to board first. Since Baby girl is only 2 years old, we sit as close to the desk as possible. When they start to call priority seating, we are either flagged down to join this line or join it anyways. We have only been turned down in Nice, France – but that airport is all kinds of strange in other respects so I wasn’t surprised by this.

FYI Dusseldorf and Amsterdam have a children’s priority policy – they actively searched for me at the front of the line and asked me to step up into the priority line in order to be seated right away. I wasn’t about to turn them down.

It’s 2 am (Berlin) and I didn’t see my mom standing right in front of me. The kids didn’t even wake while leaving the plane.

Don’t stress

While it is certainly easier said than done, if you stress, they will stress. They can sense that something is wrong and they will get worked up in anticipation. Overseas flights provide wine with the meal; take it. Once the kids are asleep, charge the electronics, de-stress with a video, book or writing of your own, and just relax. They are out for the night, the hardest part is over.

Your Thoughts...

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An excellent resource for planning all of Canada can we found with the Lonely Planet Canada.

Why Traveling with Little Ones is the Best

March 16, 2017 by Christine Leger

Little ones are the greatest travel companion

When we found out that we would be moving to Germany with our 2.5-year-old, I was over the moon. Not only would we have a chance to explore Europe on the weekends and holidays, but Munchkin would be able to learn new cultures and languages. We were so excited at the idea of showing him the world and exposing him to the traveling way of life. Little did we know that during all of the planning and packing and relocation, we were expecting Baby Girl. Traveling with little ones was going to take on a whole new meaning.

Scary and overwhelming, but worth it

I can hear you cringing now. “What is she thinking? Traveling with little ones? That’s crazy!” At first, I almost agreed. On the one hand, these little guys needed so much of my attention, had so many little-human demands, and their daily schedules really don’t coincide with a traveling schedule. Between nap time, early bed time, potty breaks and tantrums, I figured we would spend half of our vacation in the hotel room. On the other hand, we didn’t really have a choice. I wasn’t about to spend the next 4 years stuck in my house just because I popped out two babies. Children live in Europe, they go away for weekends, why can’t I have that.

So once the initial shock of being pregnant wore off, we started “practice traveling” with the munchkin. Not only did this help him get used to the idea of being out and about on the weekends that didn’t involve a park or visiting my parents, but it also helped us get into the rhythm of preparing and packing with children in mind. During the next 9 months, we “perfected” our packing list, our hotel requirements and itinerary expectations to better suit children, and eventually a new born.

We have traveled as a couple and with the kids and traveling with little one's is the best. They bring a new dimension to the same vacation.

Practice Traveling

Why newborns are the easiest to travel with

Honestly, Baby Girl was easier to travel with than Munchkin. It was probably the lack of opinion. As a newborn, we started traveling with her when she was 3 weeks old. My parents came to visit and we didn’t want to spend 2 weeks in our little house, so we went out for a series of day trips. Baby Girl kept us from exploring too fast, which is great because I still needed to heal (figuring by the time my 6 week appointment arrives, she will be ready for a little more exciting travels), we sat often and just people-watched while I fed her, or changed her, or just soothed her back to sleep.

Schloss Kaiserswerth

Since I was breastfeeding, we didn’t need to pack any extra food or snacks, we changed her diaper when Munchkin needed a potty break, we held her when she woke up and continued exploring the area with a tiny-baby in our arms. Hotels often have playpens available free of charge, so I really did not have to bring anything new with us during any overnight trips, it was great. All of our practice-vacations with Munchkin actually paid off.

Also see: The Traveling Diaper Bag

How awesome it can be to travel with kids.

I’m going to skip the cliche statements about loving the wonder I see in their eyes, or how much character and experience they are gaining even if they don’t remember the vacation specifically, though you can read more about that in “Why I choose to travel with kids”. Instead, I will focus on the “adult” side of taking the kids.

Traveling with little ones gives us that excuse to splurge on a hotel room or apartment rental instead of a hostel (though the cost savings would be nice). Having a private room, with a private bathroom, and space to throw your luggage around without needing to stuff it in a locker right away, is definitely appealing. Until they are 6 years old, little one’s get into most attractions and can ride most public transit free of charge, they can share our meals (since the serving sizes are crazy large anyways), and they tend to get their fair share of freebies whenever we enter a business, grocery store or attraction.

Upgrade to the family room

The number of locals that just walk up to us and start chatting, is amazing. They want to tell me how cute they are, or how well behaved they are. They want to shower us with local advice, tell us where to go for extra kiddy-fun that most tourists don’t know about. Locals like to see families, they feel safer with families, but mostly they feel their city isn’t being overrun with site-destroying tourists if the tourist looks like a precious 2-year-old Baby Girl. There is familiarity in families that locals are attracted to, and so we are treated very well.

Fellow travelers also look at us differently. Sometimes it is with pity “oh look, they can’t-do this list of things because they decided to procreate”, looks of worry “those kids better not ruin my trip” or just curiosity “Are they locals or tourists? Can I ask them questions? Where are they hiding all the baby gear? I thought kids cry a lot, why aren’t those kids crying?” I love proving them all wrong at the end of the attraction. “Yup, my kid was awesome!” I like the bragging rights of having surviving Oktoberfest with kids, or visiting the Matterhorn with kids.

Having kids changes the way you travel (for the better)

When we travel with the children, we are literally forced to slow down. Unless they are both in a stroller, they have little legs and just can’t tour as quickly as we can. We slow down on the touring, we take regular breaks in strategic locations and eat at decent times (we don’t skip meals either). I know this doesn’t sound like much, but put it all together, after a few days, we have seen and done more with them than we would have if they were left behind with the grandparents.

We also choose attractions that would be appealing for the children, like Dinosaur Museums or miniature cities like Mini-Europe , and have also found them to be fascinating. We are thankful that we decided to make them part of our itinerary and wonder how adult groups can skip them for being “too child-oriented”.

They notice the smallest things; this is probably because the big things are too big for them to really focus on. I can’t count how many times Munchkin would point to a random building “that looks strange” and it turns out to be a national heritage site, or demands to walk down a certain alley-way and the architecture is breathtaking. We discover local places to see, shop and eat, that many solo or couple-travelers walk right passed. While I know there are a few things I am missing out on because the kids won’t be welcome, I am not an adventurous person so I wouldn’t want to do those things anyways, so I don’t feel that I have lost anything.

More flexible, less adventurous

The key to surviving your children is to be flexible. Being too rigid with plans is only going to cause tantrums – from both you and the children, but mostly from you, because let’s be honest, they won’t cooperate and you’ll be kicking yourself in the pants for wasting all this time over-planning the vacation and accomplishing only half of it. These fights can also lead to accomplishing less than if a “laissez-faire” approach was taken to the daily itinerary. We (I) point out the must-do’s, want to do’s, and would like to do’s. In this order, we start our morning relaxing at breakfast, start at point A and work our way through the list. If only the must do’s are accomplished, I can leave the city happy, knowing I did exactly what I came here to do. We usually get half-way through the want to do’s before heading back home.

Flexibility allows us to stay sane. If a place is closed, no longer allowing children or the kids just aren’t interested in it, we can’t shut down for the day because we have nothing planned. We always have Plan B, C and D just waiting to be implemented. This started way back when we were doing practice-vacations and Munchkin fell asleep before we could enter the attraction. Do something else and come back later.

This also leads to our next must; spontaneity. Especially in Germany, but for life in general, if the weather is favorable, GTFO and do something. I have a major list of day trips that I plan on using on any nice weekend that we don’t have anything planned. They are a mix of inside activities and outdoor activities so as long as we can physically get to the attraction, we have something “planned” yet still spontaneous. That’s parenting logic, don’t try to understand it.

Traveling with little ones |Bottom line

I am not much of an adventurous person, even before we had the kids, so I don’t feel I am missing any attractions or locations because of them. Hubby would like to do a few things that we will be doing when the kids are a little older – either they can join us, stay with the grandparents or have moved out by then, but these types of activities are a little further down the bucket list – but not removed. My big item is Antarctica; at $15,000 per person (times 4), I will wait until they are old enough to pay for themselves or stay behind. Or I strike it rich, which ever comes first.

Want to hear the ugly truth; check out There is an ugly side to traveling with kids

Essentials

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70 Day Trips Dusseldorf

January 30, 2017 by Christine Leger

70 Day Trips Dsseldorf with kids in mind. Forget staying at home and watching movies, get out and explore the city and everything around it.

City breaks of Dusseldorf, or stay and explore awhile?

Get Your PDF checklist below!

As the capital city of North Rhine Westphalia, Dusseldorf is beyond large. The sheer number of American and British Expats to the area are alarming. Dusseldorf also happens to be the largest congregation of Japanese people outside of Japan, so there is exceptional diversity. What is there to do during a long weekend, or school break? WHAT TO DO!

How about Day Trips Dusseldorf with kids!

It is often hard to find things to do in our area, last minute. We recently had a 2-week break from school and for the life of me, I couldn’t come up with a thing to do that was close by. It is easy enough to entertain a baby; park, zoo, pool, crafts. A 5-year-old is a little harder to keep entertained especially
when all of their friends are away on vacation. After much Googling and engaging with online mommy groups, I have put together an incredible list of activities within 2-hour driving radius of town (~225 km). All descriptors are provided from the attractions themselves, for the purpose of brevity and accuracy. They are presented in no particular order.

Theme parks

Warner Brothers Movie Park

Warner Allee 1, 46244 Bottrop-Kirchhellen, Germany

Toverland

Even in winter you can enjoy a magical day Toverland. Both indoor theme areas, Land of Toos and Magic Forest, are in fact open all year. Troy Area and Magic Valley are closed during the winter.

Magic Lane 2
5975 MR Sevenum

Freizeitpark Schloss Beck

Freizeitpark Schlossbeck offers children and their parents a colorful mix of exciting rides, adventure playgrounds, indoor playhouses (even if the sun takes a break) to kick-off, hiding and climbing.

Am Dornbusch 39

Irrland

To visit Irrland is worthwhile in any weather! About 8,000 sqm of play and action barns, an indoor climbing world,
play barns for small children, as well as the largest winter garden in North Rhine Westphalia makes the Irrland becomes an “all-weather park”.

Am Scheidweg 1 47624 Kevelaer-Twisteden

Ketteler Hof

LAVESUM A new indoor park will be built at the Ketteler Hof in the coming months. In a few weeks, the first groundbreaking will take place. We have the first details on the million project.
Rekener Strae 234
45721 Haltern am See / Lavesum

Efteling Park

Looking for exciting rollercoasters, enchanting attractions or spectacular park shows? Everyone will find what they are looking for in Efteling. Discover the largest theme park in The Netherlands. A unique park in the middle of nature.

Europalaan 1, Kaatsheuvel, The Netherlands

–Read my review here

Landschaftspark Duisburg-Nord

For two decades now in the Meiderich part of town, the Landscape Park Duisburg Nord has been attracting more and more attention so much so that its been chosen one of the most beautiful parks in the world by the British newspaper The Guardian. Where once there was the smoke of chimney stacks, today it is a very different programme: industry, nature, events and a fascinating light installation. A unique world, each year attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors.

Check out Duisburg-Nord at night and learn the Basics of “Ghost Photography”

Emscherstrae 71, 47137 Duisburg

Park Tivoli

Come in winter (from November 25, 2016 t / m March 26, 2017) have fun and enjoy indoor playground? Fun City, skating rink (from 23 December), the trampoline, bouncy castle, Lego table, sand table, play, Race Pop-Ups, Skypie, play stations, daily entertainment and delicious food? in restaurant ‘De Wigwam’! *

Oude Kleefsebaan 116
6571 BK Berg en Dal (bij Nijmegen)

Maximilian Park

Having once been the home of the Maximilian coal mine, this large plot of land has been transformed into a natural wonderland that the entire family can enjoy. Located just a short ride away from Hamm City Centre, Maximilianpark has become a widely celebrated attraction for both tourists and locals alike.

Alter Grenzweg 2 59071 Hamm

Legoland

This attraction is designed specifically for 3-10-year-olds to enjoy – everything is kid-sized. Adults* must be accompanied by a child** (except at our adult-only evening events) and children must be accompanied by at least one adult

Prommenade 10, 46047 Oberhausen

Educational Fun!

Explorado – Children’s Museum

The Explorado at Duisburg’s inner harbor, the largest children’s museum in Germany, is an interactive museum for children aged 4 to 12 years. Heart of the museum is our large interactive hands-on exhibition on three floors, where children explore fascinating phenomena of our everyday lives easily through playing. On the ground floor, they test their reaction time and speed. Their motor skills come to the test in the bells course. On the first floor, they discover the world of construction trades and do their driving license. The world of media and communication is waiting for you at the second floor. In addition, the Explorado has changing special exhibitions that make every visit a new highlight.

Philosophenweg 23-25, 47051 Duisburg

The Airborne Museum Hartenstein

Now on display in the Airborne Museum, ‘EGO, REMEMBER ME’. An exhibition as seen from the human perspective during the Battle of Arnhem.

Utrechtseweg 232, 6862 AZ Oosterbeek

Chocolate Museum Koln

On October 31, 1993, the Chocolate Museum was opened after only 13 months of construction. It was a never-to-be-seen success of the German museum history: with about 600,000 visitors a year it is one of the most visited cultural institutions in Cologne.

Am Schokoladenmuseum 1a
50678 Kln

HARIBO factory

The HARIBO factory outlet in Bonn-Bad Godesberg has the entire product range of HARIBO, MAOAM and HARIBO Chamallows. Here you can find classics, novelties, fan articles or even sometimes action HARIBO articles from other European countries. A candy bar to mix yourself is rounded off by the varied range.

There is also a lot to discover for our young and young at heart: in addition to a mini-exhibition/chronicle, the factory shop has a play and fun area.

Wuppertaler Strae 76, 42653 Solingen

Friesdorfer Str. 121, 53175 Bonn

Tiergehege Kaisergarten

In the middle of Oberhausen is the Kaisergarten, the most beautiful and most popular green area of the city. The 28-hectare park on the southern bank of the Rhine-Herne canal offers many opportunities for leisure activities for the whole family. Within walking distance to the Gasometer and the CentrO. The Kaisergarten near Oberhausen is just as popular with foreign guests as a popular recreation destination in the geographic heart of the city.

Am Kaisergarten 30, 46049 Oberhausen

70 + daytrips from Dusseldorf Germany with kids. Travel with kids. Family travel.

Overloon Museum

WAR BELONGS IN A MUSEUM. THAT IS THE MESSAGE OF THE WAR MUSEUM IN OVERLOON. WHETHER YOU’RE IN THE AREA ON VACATION, OR JUST A DAY OUT OF THEM VISIT OVERLOON IS ALWAYS WORTHWHILE.

MUSEUMPARK 1
5825 AM OVERLOON

Zeiss Planetarium Bochum

This question is often asked – and it is justified, because a planetarium offers a unique experience which is not easy to describe. Actually, you must have seen it.
You should visit us at one of our events, a planetary show, because you definitely want to see the stars – and we show them during our shows. They are held several times a day, except on Monday, and are extraordinarily diverse. But always the starry sky is the focus, and our planetarium projector. With its state-of-the-art technology, it brings over 9000 luminous stars to the huge dome – the bright day to the night or a rainy evening to the clear night of the stars. The projector simulates the sky at any time and anywhere in the world.
Castroper Str 67th
44791 Bochum

PhenomaniaScience Centre

Phenomania deliberately takes up the experience field concept of the Essen pedagogue and artist Hugo Kkelhaus and supplements it as an interactive exhibition around the general area of natural phenomenological phenomena and physical laws.

Am Handwerkerpark 8 10
45309 Essen

Safari Park Beekse Bergen

Adventurous tendencies? Then choose the exciting walking safari. The kilometers long route winds past chimpanzees and elephants, to lions and penguins.Make a nice trek stop in the African village and stand face-to-face with hyenas, rhinoceros, and gorillas. Along the route, there are boards to give you more information about the animals and you will find play apparatus for endless playing fun. Spot to remember: the savannah with zebras, giraffes, and buffalo. Once you’ve arrived at the Kongo restaurant you can naturally choose to take the safari bus, the safari boat or to walk back along one of the other walking routes.
Beekse Bergen 1
5081 NJ Hilvarenbeek,
The Netherlands

Botanischer Garten Grugapark

Children have loved the Grugapark for generations. A ride on the tiger, enjoyable trips on the Gruga Rail and of course summer afternoons in the great playgrounds are unforgettable childhood memories for almost everyone in Essen. This tradition continues today with their children and grandchildren.

Virchowstrae 167 a, 45147 Essen

Streichelzoo am Sdpark (Petting Zoo)

The site of the former National Garden Show (Bundesgartenschau) offers opportunities for long walks along with a variety of other attractions, such as farmers and herb gardens, a health food shop, or a petting zoo for young & old. The grounds provide more than 170 jobs for disabled people.
After a nice walk, Caf Sdpark invites visitors to rest with coffee and cake.

In den Groen Banden 58-60, 40225 Dsseldorf

Tiger and turtle walking roller coaster

Scarcely one of the landmarks in the Ruhr area is as impressive as the sculpture Tiger & Turtle by Ulrich Genth and Heike Mutter in the Duisburger Angerpark from the distance. The only accessible roller coaster in the world, with a height of 20 meters, can be seen visibly on the Heinrich Hildebrandhhe in the south of Duisburg.

Ehinger street and Kaiserswertherstrasse, 47249 Duisburg

Dinosaurier park international verwaltungs

World’s largest selection of prehistoric animal models.

Hannoversche Strae 23
31547 Rehburg-Loccum

Kinderdijk

The most important aspect of UNESCO World Heritage Kinderdijk is undoubtedly the unique collection of 19 authentic windmills, which are considered a Dutch icon throughout the entire world.

Nederwaard 1

2961 AS Kinderdijk

Phantasialand

Here you can discover the huge variety of attractions and shows for big and small, young and old! Whether you’re fearless and enjoy an adrenaline rush, a curious explorer or a small adventurer – at Phantasialand there is something for everyone.

Berggeiststrae 31-41, 50321 Brhl

Aqua land

Merianstrae 1 50765 Cologne

Zoom Erlebnis Welt

What began as an ambitious plan in 2000 is now to be seen as a “world trip in one day” in the heart of the Ruhr area. On an area of more than 30 hectares, the worlds of adventure Alaska, Africa and Asia have developed. The only consistently natural zoological world of experience in Europe offers more than 900 animals in more than 100 species a true home. The impressive landscape architecture of the districts with their almost invisible borders allows the most exciting encounters between humans and animals.

ZOOM Experience
Grimberger Allee 3
45889 Gelsenkirchen

Deutsches Bergbau Museum (German Mining Museum)

The Deutsches Bergbau-Museum Bochum (DBM) offers extensive insights into the worldwide mining of all mineral resources from prehistoric times to the present day. Its exhibits are not only technological, but also include a wide range of mineralogical specimens and unique objects from history and art history. This makes it the most important mining museum in the world and, at the same time, a highly regarded research institution for mining history.
Exhibitions above ground and a faithfully reconstructed visitor mine underground offer visitors an insight into the world of mining. As an added attraction, the headframe provides a fantastic view of Bochum and the Ruhr.

44791 Bochum

Eisenbahnmuseum Bochum (Railway museum)

Children have to discover the world and the railway museum offers an interesting environment. Our large locomotives, which can only be seen in books and on television, are also impressive for our young guests. Here, children can playfully go on a discovery tour and learn that the world does not always look like today. On the basis of our camouflage with our steam locomotives, our young visitors “learn about the times of their parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents.

Railway Museum Bochum
Dr.-C.-Otto-Strae 191
44879 Bochum

Wildpark Bruck

This collection is mainly a deer park

Kln-Brck 51109

Schmallenberger Kinderland

Welcome to Winter Kinderland. Our farms are worth a visit in all seasons – especially during the winter months. Discover winter fun and snow fun in Schmallenberger Kinderland.

Holz- und Touristikzentrum
Poststrae 7, 57392 Schmallenberg

Zoo Koln and Aquarium

In Cologne Zoo, more than 10,000 animals have found a new home – as many as in hardly any other animal park in Germany. Visit Okapis, lemurs, ante bears, African Marabus, bird of paradise, tapirs and many, many other animals – in one of the oldest and at the same time most modern zoos in the world!

Cologne Zoo
Riehler Strae 173
50735 Kln

Aquazoo

Walking through the themed areas, you will follow the story of living creatures: from the emergence in the water, the spreading in the sea, the conquest of the fresh waters to the settlement of all habitats on land.

Kaiserswerther Str. 380, 40474 Dsseldorf

Antwerp Zoo

Koningin Astridplein 20-26
2018 Antwerp

Wuppertal Zoo

Welcome! On these pages, we inform you about the zoo and its offers – be curious! A visit with us is worth every time of the year – we have opened all year and always something special to offer! We look forward to your visit and wish you interesting and exciting hours.

Check out theSuspension railway while you are there.

Hubertusallee 30, 42117 Wuppertal

This "All About Germany" booklet can be used for a very basic country study in lower elementary grades! Each page contains a basic fact and related illustration. All graphics are in an outline format so that it's ready to be colored like a mini-coloring book. This coloring booklet gives all the general/basic information about Germany, including: -German flag -the capital city of Berlin -Popular foods - Architecture -favorite facts

Burger’s Zo o

Upon entering Burgers’ Zoo, your travels start at the penguins’ section of the park. There is always something afoot at the approximately 60 black-footed penguins at Burgers’ Zoo. The call of this bird that lives in a colony sounds somewhat like the braying of a donkey. When two birds standing close together start calling, it probably concerns a couple that is confirming their bond together this way.

Antoon van Hooffplein 1
6816 SH Arnhem Nederland

Krefeld Zoo

The Zoo Krefeld works for a wide public and therefore sends regularly various information, such as new arrivals of animals, breeding successions, conversion measures or successes in animal and species protection to the media.

Uerdinger Str 377th
47800 Krefeld

Apenheul Zoo

Apenheul opened with primates at large in 1971. This was soon to be followed by great apes living on cleverly designed islands. This was revolutionary for man and animal alike. Visitors can meet the primates directly, living in a natural environment where they can be themselves. The primates at Apenheul act as ambassadors for their wild relatives. Our goal here is to pass on a love of nature.

J.C. Wilslaan 21
7313 HK Apeldoorn

Duisburg zoo

Children are the nature and conservationists of tomorrow! It is therefore important for the zoo to bring them closer to the fascinating and diverse world of the animals.

This is why children in the Zoo Duisburg have the opportunity to get to know the animal world in an exciting way with a wide range of activities. At the celebration of the children’s birthday party, at a RWE-night safari, visiting the zoo school and many other activities for children we bring the eyes of young animal lovers to light.

Mlheimer Str. 273,
47058 Duisburg

– Read my review here

Rotterdam zoo

Diergaarde Blijdorp /Rotterdam Zoo has become one of Europes most beautiful zoos. Dive into the fully covered Oceanium and make a magical voyage over the bottom of the sea and along coastal regions, meeting many marine and coastal inhabitants such as fish (from herring to sharks), puffins, snakes and a large group of king penguins.

Blijdorplaan 8
3041 JG Rotterdam

– Read my review here

Sealife, Oberhausen

Immerse yourself in the exciting underwater world. With over 2 million liters of water and over 5,000 sea creatures awaits the greatest SEA LIFE Aquarium in Oberhausen, Germany. Experience seahorses, jellyfish, sharks, rays and many other fascinating animals. Here you can expect more than just a highlight: An acrylic tunnel runs through the 1.5 million liters of ocean water basins and lets you discover our green sea turtle and various species of sharks in our new nursery station

Zum Aquarium 1, 46047 Oberhausen

and

Rheinallee 8, 53639 Knigswinter

Archaeological park Xanten

On the site of the Roman city of Colonia Ulpia Traiana, Germany’s largest archaeological open-air museum invites you to an exciting excursion into history.

On Amphitheater, 46509 Xanten

Neanderthal museum

The exhibition traces humankind’s long journey from the savannah to the metropolises of today, with focus placed on the Neanderthals. The life-sized figures in the museum were created on the basis of fossil finds and scientific reconstruction methods.

Talstrae 300, 40822 Mettmann

– Read my review here

Mini Europe, Brussels

Located at the foot of the Atomium, MINI-EUROPE is the only parkwhere you can have a whitlestop tour around Europe in a few shorthours. A truly unique voyage ! Stroll amid the typical ambiance ofthe most beautiful towns of the Old Continent.

Bruparck
B-1020 Brussels (Laken)

– Read my review here

Mini-world Rotterdam (Miniature Trains)

Making the mini-residents all along in the largest indoor miniature world of the Benelux. They work, live, travel and while they experience all kinds of adventures. Can you find out what they all do?

Weena 745
3013 AL Rotterdam

– Read my review here

WildPark Gangelt

The Wildlife Park Gangelt offers visitors a representative selection of European wild animals in a pristine and natural environment.

Schinvelder Str.
52538 Gangelt

Wildpark Dsseldorf

For the first time in 1927 the enclosure covered only 10 hectares and housed dam and deer. In the war in 1944 the park was closed, expanded in 1952 to 30 hectares and reopened. Today, the enclosure is 40 acres and anything but a zoo. Thus the animals are not presented in the Wildpark; They themselves decide when to approach and show themselves to man. In extensive, natural-looking enclosures, red deer, deer, muffle deer and the wild boars so popular with the youngest visitors are at home. A special feature is the fallow deer. Here the game, if it wants itself, can be experienced first hand and fed by the children.

Racecourse Road 60, 40629 Dsseldorf

NEMO science centre, Amsterdam

NEMO Science Museum discovered everyone from young to old, how fascinating science and technology

Oosterdoksstraat 150, 1011 DK

– Read my review here

Royal Belgian Institute of Natural science (Dinosaur museum)

After coming here as children, on a school trip or with their families, our visitors generally know the Museum of Natural Sciences fairly well. They do not necessarily know about the research institute behind it the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences.

Vautierstreet, 29

– Read my review here

Castles

Cochem Castle

Cochem Castle is more than a castle. It is the largest hill-castle on the Mosel. Discover the wonders of the Celtic castle, the medieval castle, the gourmet festival, the sparkling wine gala, the Cochem castle Christmas and cultural events.

Schlostrae 36
56812 Cochem

Schloss Kalkum

Schloalle, Kalkumer Schloallee, 40489 Dusseldorf

Schloss Benrath

In March 2000, the “Stiftung Schloss und Park Benrath” was established, a private law foundation based in the state capital of Dusseldorf. In addition to the state capital of Dusseldorf, Henkel AG, the patrons Udo van Meeteren, the Stadtsparkasse Dusseldorf and the association “Rettet Torhaus and Ostflgel von Schloss Benrath eV” (today “Association Freunde Schloss und Park Benrath eV”). Until now, the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, Siemens AG and the Landschaftsverband Rheinland are the founders.

The ultimate goal of the Foundation is to preserve the palace and the park as an overall work of art, to make use of it as a monument, to make it accessible to the public and to present it as a cultural attraction.

Benrather Schlossallee 100-106
D-40597 Dusseldorf

Schloss Anholt

Within the framework of the reconstruction of the Wasserburg Anholt, which was destroyed in 1945 to 70%, the main castle received a museum designation. In the course of time, a museum was built on a 1,500 m exhibition area.The exhibited collection is considered to be the largest, a historically grown private collection of pictures in North Rhine-Westphalia with over 700 paintings. He has also worked as a painter in the 17th century, including Rembrandt, Jan van Goyen, Gerard ter Borch, Flemish (J. Breughel dJ), German (Bartholomus Bruyn, Holbein, Jobst Harich), Spanish (Murillo) and Italian (Carlo Dolci, Salvator Rosa) Masters can be found on the Wasserburg Anholt.

Schlo 1, 46419 Isselburg

Schloss Munster

Until 1803 the castle of Munster was a princely bishop’s residence. The architect Johann Conrad Schlaun built the Baroque building of Munster penultimate Prince Bishop Maximilian Friedrich von Knigsegg-Rothenfels.
The 91-meter-long triple-wing system with a five-pronged middle-riser is elegantly decorated with the use of red brick and bright sandstone.

In 1945, the castle was totally bombed, between 1947 and 1953 it was rebuilt according to old plans at least in its external form.

Schlossgarten 3, 48149 Mnster

Schloss Moyland

Am Schlo 4, 47551 Bedburg-Hau

Schloss Lembeck

In the middle of the nature park “Hohe Mark” lies the Wasserschloss Lembeck

Schloss 2, 46286 Dorsten

Schloss Nordkirchen

Schloss Nordkirchen is one of the most famous and popular tourist destinations in the Mnsterland and is an impressive example of great architecture. Imposing the Nordkirchen Castle is situated in extensive parkland in close proximity to the place Nordkirchen.Beautiful walks lead through the park and end at the castle, whose courtyard is always freely accessible.

Schlostrae 1, 59394 Nordkirchen

Schloss Augustusburg/ SCHARFENSTEIN /LICHTENWALDE CASTLE & GARDENS

Home to one of the foremost motorcycle collections in Europe, a whole range of historic coaches and one of the most valuable Cranach paintings in the whole of Saxony, Augustusburg Castle is unmissable. Originally built as a hunting lodge and summer residence for Augustus, Elector of Saxony, and renowned as one of the most beautiful Renaissance castles in Central Europe, the grandeur of Augustusburg Castle also contains untold treasures.

Schlo 1, 09573 Augustusburg

Schloss braunsfels

Without guidance, depending on gusto can the “Princely Family Museum visit. It is a kind of treasure chamber, which shows special collections and many personal utensils of individual family members.

Very popular are the classic “castle tours, (during the holidays in winter on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays and, even on weekdays during the summer), the year-round place.

We also provide a variety of “educational tours and ” Master guides to selected topics, “interactive adventure tours for groups and also ” Family tours , which are specifically tailored to our younger guests. Speaking of the castle you can also wonderful “children’s birthday party – or the ” YES word renew. Popular cultural events, such as the summer open-air opera nights in the courtyard, are also popular.

Belzgasse 1
D-35619 Braunfels

Wewelsburg

Wewelsburg Castle was built between 1603 and 1609 in Weser Renaissance style as a supplementary residence for the Prince Bishops of Paderborn. The triangular castle, which is located in the village of Wewelsburg (Bren) in the district of Paderborn, stands high on a rock overlooking the Alme Valley.

Burgwall 19, 33142 Bren

Sababurg

The small town Sababurg lies romantically enchanted in the heart of the mighty Reinhard Forest, the “treasure house of European forests”, between Kassel and Gttingen on the north Hessian side of the Weserbergland.Three attractions can be explored here: Dornroeschenschloss Sababurg, Tierpark Sababurg and Urwald Sababurg

Tier Park, Sababurg 1 34369 Hofgeismar

Castle, Sababurg 12, 34369 Hofgeismar

Forest of Sababurg34388 Gutsbezirk Reinhardswald

Valkenburg castle

The rich Middle Ages again true when visiting the Castle Ruins of Valkenburg, with a history dating back to the 11th century! High tower, the remains of the once imposing castle, Dutch only elevated fortress, above the charming fortified village.

Daalhemerweg 27, 6301 BJ Valkenburg

Burg bentheim

Bentheim Castle is the largest hilltop in Northwest Germany and was first mentioned in 1050. For five centuries it has been owned by the Counts and Princes of Bentheim and Steinfurt.

48455 Bad Bentheim

Kasteel hoensbroek

Castle Hoensbroek in South Limburg is one of the largest and most beautiful castles in the country. This huge lock is a true experience. You wander through more than forty (!) Castle leave. For young and old, with or without children to live in this castle from everything!

Klinkertstraat 118,6433 PB Hoensbroek, Netherlands

Burg satzvey

Is one of the most beautiful water castles in the Rhineland. The first records are from 1396, but it is assumed that the foundation walls of the castle house are even older. For more than 300 years in family ownership, Burg Satzvey is still the residence and tribunal of the family of Count Beissel von Gymnich

Castle of Setvey An der Burg 3
53894 Mechernich-Satzvey

Eltz castle

For over 850 years, we have been established here and are doing everything we can to keep our home intact. Experience Eltz Medieval and pure nature! We are proud of our stone fairy tale and will be happy to show you!On our site, you will find insight into what makes the Eltzer ensemble of castle, nature, and family so unique, visit the attractions.

Burg Eltz 1
56294 Wierschem

Schloss burresheim

Brresheim Castle is one of the rare examples that can show a gradual development from the medieval fortress to the Baroque residential castle. In addition, the almost unchanged interior furnishings of the castle show visitors the lifestyle of the Rhineland nobility from the 15th century to the 20th century.

A visit to the castle of Brresheim is also worthwhile in other respects: it is a castle complex, which has been spared from armed conflicts and is thus a rare specimen of a medieval residential castle in the original state, which was inhabited until 1921.

L83, 56727 Mayen

Kaiserpfalz Kaiserswerth

Once erected as a gigantic edifice by Emperor Friedrich I. Barbarossa around 1184, the imposing ruin of the Kaiserpfalz still characterizes the cityscape of Kaiserswerth as a monument of long past times.

Burgallee, 40489 Dsseldorf

Schloss burg

Work on the castle started around 1130 and from then on the Dukes of Berg lived here for several centuries, all the while constantly enlarging their sphere of influence. By the end of the fifteenth century, their successors ruled over huge areas of what is now North Rhine Westphalia! Later they moved their seat of power to Dsseldorf and Burg Castle declined in significance. The buildings began to crumble and from the middle of the nineteenth century, they were utterly cannibalized. And here begins the second great story. The castle was reconstructed once again thanks to the local initiative and financial help. The citizens wanted to restore the symbol of the region! Hence they set up a so-called Castle Construction Association and began to collect money. Reconstruction work was mostly completed by 1919. Nowadays Burg Castle is a popular venue for day trips and a wide variety of cultural activities.

Schlopl. 2, 42659 Solingen

– Read my review here

Schloss Drachenburg

Schloss Drachenburg is a private villa in palace style constructed in the late 19th century. It was completed in only two years on the Drachenfels hill in Knigswinter, a German town on the Rhine near the city of Bonn.

Schlo Drachenburg, Drachenfelsstrae 118, 53639 Knigswinter

Read my review here

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City breaks of Dusseldorf, or stay and explore awhile?

Theme parks

Educational Fun!

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Castles

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