15 Winter Adventures with Kids in and Around Zurich

Does a shrew’s heart beat faster than yours? At Kulturama near Hottingerplatz, families travel through 600 million years of evolution. Fossils, skeletons and mummies are just the beginning: kids can touch, listen and experiment as they explore. For an extra adventure on a dark winter day, join a flashlight tour. Admission is free with the Zurich Card.

What’s life like in the Arctic or on the prairies of North America? At NONAM in Seefeld, families explore the cultures of First Nations, Inuit and other Indigenous peoples of North America. Beautifully crafted objects offer a glimpse into everyday life, past and present, while the sound room brings contemporary Indigenous experiences to life. Admission is free with the Zurich Card.

Can you believe your own eyes? Just a short walk from Zurich’s main train station, the WOW Museum is packed with optical illusions and interactive exhibits spread across three floors. Still up for a challenge? Take the fun outside with the museum’s City Rally, a series of puzzles and challenges through downtown Zurich. Zurich Card holders get 20% off.

Who’s the fastest on the ice? Just a two-minute walk from the tram stop, Heuried’s outdoor rink is open to skaters of all ages from October through March. No skates? Rent a pair on-site, with sizes available for almost everyone. After a few laps, warm up with something to eat at the restaurant next door.

Are you looking to take your first steps on ice? At Oerlikon’s outdoor rink, skating aids help beginners find their balance while more experienced skaters practice their turns and pirouettes. On Friday evenings, recreational hockey players take over the ice for a friendly game. And when it’s time for a break, the Stadiönli restaurant has family-friendly meals to refuel everyone.

Have you ever skated on 6,000 square meters of ice? Hop on the Dolderbahn and head up above Zurich to Europe’s largest outdoor artificial ice rink. Besides skating, families can try their hand at curling or Bavarian curling or hit the ice for an occasional ice disco. Good to know: The Zurich Card gets you 50% off.

How quickly can you get from the mountain back into the city? From the Uetliberg train terminus, a 3.1-kilometer sledding run winds through the forest all the way down to Triemli. It’s a challenging ride, so families with younger children are better off trying the gentler slope near Ringlikon station. Call the snow conditions hotline before heading out to check whether the run is open.

Cross-country skiing just outside Zurich? When there’s enough snow, Pfannenstiel is home to the canton’s longest network of groomed trails, stretching roughly 30 kilometers. Both classic and skate skiing are possible, with the loop between Oetwil and Hombrechtikon offering plenty of variety. Best of all, the trails are free to use.

Are you looking for a short loop or a longer workout? At Lendikon in Weisslingen, families can choose between trails of roughly 3 and 6 kilometers, both suitable for classic and skate skiing. When snow conditions allow, the tracks are freshly groomed every day, with views stretching all the way to the Alps. The bus stops right beside the trails.

Who’s going to land the first trick? At Freestyle Halle Zürich, skateboards, BMX bikes and stunt scooters keep rolling all winter long. The 1,000-square-meter indoor park features wooden ramps and obstacles that are regularly rearranged to keep things interesting. On Wednesdays and Sundays, special sessions are reserved for kids under 10 years accompanied by an adult.

Muscle power or problem-solving skills: what gets you to the top? At Minimum’s bouldering gyms on Flüelastrasse and in Leutschenbach, around 400 climbing problems challenge beginners and experienced climbers alike. Kids as young as 3.5 years can join classes and there’s a restaurant and café for a well-earned break afterward.

Who can make it to the top of the climbing volcano first? At Trampolino in Dietikon, kids have 4,000 square meters to explore, from trampolines and Switzerland’s largest indoor climbing structure to an indoor toboggan ride and a Ferris wheel just for kids. Children up to the age of six have their own play area, while parents can keep an eye on the action from the bistro.

Ready for some real mountain air? Between Zurich and Chur, Flumserberg offers 65 kilometers of ski slopes, magic carpets, beginner lifts and three fun parks. The three-kilometer sledding run is especially exciting on Thursday and Saturday evenings, when you can race downhill under the stars. On Fridays, Flumserberg Galaxie turns the descent into a colorful light show.

Skiing, sledding and cross-country skiing all in one day? On Zugerberg, less than an hour from Zurich, you can do all three. Take the funicular up the mountain, where two small ski lifts welcome young skiers, 27 kilometers of cross-country trails wind through the landscape and a 2.5-kilometer sledding run leads back down to the valley.

Where’s the a great place for little ones to learn to ski? At Atzmännig, on the edge of the Zurich Oberland, the Spatzenland Winter Arena has magic carpets, a fun slope and ski school lessons designed for beginners. Older kids can tackle the slopes served by four ski lifts or head downhill on a sled. For an extra treat, round off the day with night skiing and fondue.