12 Rainy-Day Activities for Families in and Around Zurich

Where does the flour in your bread actually come from? At Museum Mühlerama in Zurich-Tiefenbrunnen, a century-old industrial mill shows kids how grain becomes flour. They can grind their own, bake a loaf of bread in a workshop or solve puzzles as they explore the mill. Best for kids aged 6 years and up.

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Run, climb, kick and repeat. At Sportzentrum Josef near Hardbrücke, kids have plenty of room to burn off energy. They can tackle a ninja course, test their agility in the “Catch” obstacle zone or follow routes projected onto an interactive climbing wall. And it won’t cost you a thing, as admission is free.

Just steps from Zurich Main Station, families can travel from prehistoric times to the present day. In the exhibition “Mit fliegendem Teppich durch die Geschichte” (A Flying Carpet Through History), kids explore a palace, climb aboard a sailing ship and settle into an old train compartment. Discovery kits, puzzle booklets and an audio guide help bring the past to life. Admission is free for visitors aged 16 years and under.

Is the room really tilted or are your eyes playing tricks on you? Just a short walk from Zurich Main Station, the WOW Museum packs three floors with optical illusions that challenge everything you think you see. Families become part of the illusions themselves, with plenty of chances to snap hilarious photos along the way.

Too much energy and nowhere to put it? MOVECITY in Affoltern am Albis has 13,000 square meters of space to run, jump and climb. Kids can bounce around the trampoline park, tackle the ninja course or try Kids Climbing from the age of 4. The Zipline Coaster sends riders flying across the hall, while toddlers have a play area all to themselves.

Little climbers, big challenges! At Minimum’s bouldering gyms on Flüelastrasse and in Leutschenbach, kids can work their way through around 400 bouldering problems, figuring out which holds will get them to the top. It takes brains, strength and coordination, while thick mats cushion every landing. Classes start at age 3.5 years, and kids aged 10 years and up can climb independently once they’ve earned their certificate.

At the Migros Museum in the Löwenbräu complex, kids become art detectives. Armed with a backpack full of detective gear and a puzzle booklet, they set off to investigate the artworks. They’ll examine material samples, sketch their own drawings and solve clues along the way. If they crack the mystery, there’s a small reward waiting at the end. Admission is free.

Popcorn or ice cream? At Houdinli, the kids’ cinema at Kino Houdini in the Kalkbreite complex, there’s a new reason to settle into a movie seat every afternoon. The daily lineup ranges from Swiss children’s films to international family favorites. Once the credits roll, head to the playground in the sheltered courtyard for some fresh air and a runaround.

All aboard! At the Tram Museum in Burgwies, kids can climb into Zurich’s public transportation past. Explore original trams dating from 1896 to 1968, check out vintage uniforms and ticket machines, and watch a miniature tram system in action. Younger visitors can hop aboard the “Cobralino” kids’ tram. On the last weekend of every month except December, historic tram line 21 even takes passengers into the city center.

Why do volcanoes erupt? And where do gemstones come from? At ETH Zurich’s focusTerra museum, families journey from deep inside the Earth all the way to the Alpine peaks. A highlight for kids is the earthquake simulator, which visitors can step into during public guided tours on Sundays. Admission is free.

Ready for takeoff? At Fly & Race Simulations inside Zurich Main Station, kids who measure at least 150 cm in body height can get behind the wheel of a race car or take the controls of a Boeing airliner, fighter jet or even a spaceship. The simulators make it feel surprisingly real, and experienced airline pilots are on hand to help with the flight missions.

What really happened in Room 67? At Room 67, the family escape room inside Novotel Zürich City West, everyone gets to play detective. Search drawers, crack codes and piece together clues as you race to solve the mystery in just one hour. Suitable for kids aged 10 years and up. The game can be played in German and English simultaneously.