4 excursion destinations in the Black Forest with children

Free and spectacular activities for the whole family

Are you planning a holiday in the Black Forest and looking for destinations and tips on what you can do with your children?

The Black Forest is a wonderful region in Germany that has a special charm in every season. This traditional holiday destination is particularly beautiful in winter, when everything sparkles under a blanket of snow. In summer, the high-altitude villages offer a welcome respite from the heat, while you can swim in the lakes at lower elevations.

We've visited this holiday destination in every season and always had a wonderful time. We love the Southern Black Forest and often visit our friends there. We enjoy taking trips to places that are a bit hidden away but definitely worth a visit. It's especially important to us that everyone in the family has a great experience. We always pack our travel blanket , which allows us to sit and picnic anywhere, and our cozy blanket for cooler days. It's a favorite when we hang up the hammock at the end of our trip and snuggle up. Curious about what's worth discovering? Then don't miss our top 4 highlights for family outings in the Black Forest.

1) Schlühüwanapark - nature adventure trail near the Rothaus Brewery - an excursion for young and old

The well-known Rothaus Brewery is a good starting point for the hike. Near the large parking lot, there's also a great playground, which makes a nice destination at the end of the tour. Alternatively, the hike can be started at the House of Senses by passing the Stiegler woodcarving workshop and following the path down towards the town center to the promenade leading to Lake Schlüchtsee.

The approximately 2.5km circular trail, suitable for all-terrain strollers, leads to Lake Schlüchtsee. The lake is perfect for swimming in the summer. Along the way, you'll find various stations and activities that make the path appealing to children, where they can discover new sculptures at every turn. How far can a forest animal jump? The animal jumping pit isn't just fun for kids. In the forest, you'll find wooden gnomes to spark the imagination, a barefoot path to test your senses, and a forest xylophone. The adventure trail can be extended by walking around Lake Schlüchtsee, where you'll find several water features, an insect hotel, and other activities. Along the route, you can also easily guess what the abbreviation Schlühüwana-Park stands for: Schlüchtsee-Hüsli-Wald-Natur-Park (Schlühüwana Park).

Those returning to the Rothaus Brewery parking lot hungry after their hike will find a place to eat at the brewery's restaurant or beer garden. The brewery also offers tours.

On the website of the Black Forest region you will find detailed information about the Schlühüwana hiking trail and adventure park.

More information about the Schlühuwana Park, this excursion destination, can be found at Schlühüesm r .

2) NATURENA Marble Forest Trail - discover the forest with a marble

A real insider tip is the Kugelwaldpfad (Ball Forest Trail), starting at the hiking parking lot in Oberholz. We all had a lot of fun, and the children were still raving about it long afterward. The destination is somewhat hidden, but well signposted.

You can either bring a large marble or your own wooden ball. However, if you don't have one with you on vacation, that's no reason not to visit: Suitable wooden balls are available for purchase for €1 each from the ball vending machine near the parking lot. You'll definitely need at least one ball per child to enjoy this experience as a family.

There are two different loops on the adventure trail, which can also be easily combined. The Forest Animals Marble Run, a short loop of 600m, is manageable even for very young children. The Wood Processing Marble Run, at 1500m, is designed for slightly older children. The longer loop is a bit steeper and not always suitable for strollers, but in our case, even our three-year-olds had a great time.

The forest trail leads past numerous stations offering fascinating information about forest animals, where children can roll their balls down wooden tracks. The installation is beautifully designed: on the animal trail, the ball rolls over metal obstacles in such a way that it plays the melody of "Fox, you stole the goose." The forest inhabitants are depicted in wood, and small panels with riddles provide child-friendly information to read aloud. In this way, children learn about the forest and its animals.

The railway follows a similar route, where wood processing is explained, from management to the tools that are needed and information about what the forest requires.

The paths are interestingly laid out and the marble runs are interactive. A replica badger's den has been recreated at the forest trail station, providing a perfect spot for a break. The two marble runs can be easily connected, allowing us to spend several hours there, taking a short break at the forest trail station where the badger's den is located. We had our hammock with us and a picnic prepared, so nothing stood in the way of our forest bathing experience. And, as always, we brought our warm, cozy blanket .

The excursion is popular and brings the forest to life with lots of activity from the many families with their children; it's a great destination for a relaxing day out.

On the website of the Black Forest region you will find detailed and always up-to-date information about the Naturena Kugelwaldpfad (Naturena Spherical Forest Trail ).

3) Mundenhof - a day in Baden-Württemberg's largest animal enclosure

A popular local destination near Freiburg is the largest animal enclosure in Baden-Württemberg, covering 38 hectares and home to approximately 350 different farm and domestic animals from around the world. From donkeys and small monkeys to pot-bellied pigs and the spacious terrarium, there's plenty to explore for visitors of all ages.

The grounds are very spacious and somewhat hilly, offering views of the Kaiserstuhl and the Black Forest, with plenty of picnic spots. The paths are very well maintained, making them easily accessible with a stroller or balance bike. So, those who prefer a more leisurely pace can easily spend a relaxing whole day here.

Some enclosures are walk-through, so children can pet the animals. Besides all the enclosures, you'll find two large playgrounds and plenty of great picnic spots. We never go on an outing without a little snack!

However, those who prefer to eat in can do so as well. Ice cream is sold in the summer, and you can enjoy a grilled sausage all year round.

It is particularly busy on weekends, as the destination is also very popular with families from Freiburg.

4) Bee learning trail for little explorers

An excursion you probably haven't heard of is the bee learning trail in Bonndorf. Tucked away in the small village is the "Via Apis" adventure trail, where the world of bees is explored. Along a beautiful 2km panoramic path, suitable for strollers, you'll gain fascinating insights into the world of bees. The whole family can learn something here. Children can try things out and solve puzzles while adults read the information panels. With so many activities, the children will be entertained, and parents can enjoy the view.

The starting point is the local car park, which also accommodates campervans with service stations. Next to it is a small playground and a very good, newly run restaurant. Along the way, there are 15 information panels and numerous interactive elements, such as a bee's view of the field or a demonstration beehive showcasing the bees' "living room." The trail leads around the small village center, which is also a good starting point for a visit to the famous Wutach Gorge.

5) Tent and camping sites in the middle of nature

If you'd like to camp in a truly special spot in the Black Forest, we recommend "Plätzchen an der Sommerweide" – Bettina and Bernd's campsite . This beautiful location is family-friendly and offers everything you need for a perfect Black Forest adventure. Besides a picnic table, there's electricity and a toilet, and you sleep on the meadow. If you'd prefer a shower and a playground at the campsite, we recommend the Schluchsee campsite. Open year-round, it offers everything a camper needs and is idyllically situated right on the shores of the largest bathing lake in the Black Forest.

The Black Forest offers many other activities for every season. If you want to visit these destinations, we recommend spending at least 3-4 days in the southern Black Forest.

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