12 Places in Zurich For Curious Kids

From a lush tropical rainforest to the wide-open plains of East Africa, Zurich Zoo takes families on a journey around the world. Children can watch free-flying birds, lemurs and reptiles in the Masoala Rainforest before spotting giraffes, rhinos and zebras in the Lewa Savanna. Home to more than 365 animal species, the zoo inspires curiosity while highlighting the importance of wildlife conservation.

How did humans evolve? And how does the human body work? At the Kulturama Museum, 600 million years of evolution come to life. Children can compare the heartbeat of a shrew with their own, touch a real mammoth tooth and explore fossils, skeletons and even a mummy as they journey through the history of human evolution.

What does the moon look like up close? And what lies beyond the stars? At Urania Observatory, young explorers peer deep into space through a 100-year-old Zeiss telescope. On clear evenings, they can spot lunar craters, planets and distant galaxies while a special children’s tour makes astronomy easy to understand.

How did soccer become the world’s most popular sport? At the FIFA Museum, children discover the game’s history through hands-on exhibits and interactive experiences. They can admire the original FIFA World Cup Trophy™, explore more than 1,000 fascinating artifacts and put their skills to the test at multimedia stations and the giant pinball machine.

What does a nightingale sound like? What do an ant’s mouthparts look like? And are orangutans endangered? At this free museum on the University of Zurich campus, children discover the natural world through all their senses. They listen to birdsong, examine tiny insects under a magnifying glass and travel back to the Ice Age in Orsa’s World among 1,500 animals, skeletons and fossils.

Why are some buildings bold and colorful while others are simple and understated? And what makes great design? At the Pavillon Le Corbusier, architecture becomes a hands-on adventure. Children explore one of Switzerland’s most influential architects through an interactive architecture trail, then create their own color schemes and furniture designs at creative hands-on stations.

Why do our eyes sometimes trick us? At the WOW Museum, perception becomes an unforgettable adventure. Surprising illusions and interactive exhibits challenge the senses and turn perspectives upside down. Then the WOW City Rally takes the fun outdoors, transforming downtown Zurich into a playful trail of puzzles, missions and mind-bending optical illusions.

How did knights live? How did people travel long ago? And what was Switzerland like hundreds of years ago? At the Swiss National Museum, history comes alive through castles, historic artifacts and interactive exhibits. Families explore the past with puzzle booklets, audio guides and discovery kits, journeying from prehistoric times to the present day.

How do you drive a tram? At the Tram Museum, technology becomes a hands-on adventure. Children climb aboard historic streetcars, operate trams on a model railway and take the controls of the pedal-powered children’s tram “Cobralino.” A fun scavenger hunt leads them through the exhibition, where interactive displays invite them to press buttons, pull levers and discover how Zurich’s iconic trams work.

How does grain become bread? At Mühlerama, children watch a 100-year-old industrial flour mill in action and discover how wheat is transformed into flour. Armed with an interactive audio brush, they explore the exhibition, race down the flour sack slide, grind their own flour and bake a fresh loaf of bread to take home.

How big is our solar system really? And how far is Earth from the sun? On this stroller-friendly trail from Uetliberg to Felsenegg, the vast distances between the planets become surprisingly easy to understand. The gentle walk follows the edge of the forest and rewards families with beautiful views over Zurich, Lake Zurich and the Säuliamt region.

How do people live in other parts of the world? And what stories can masks, sculptures and paintings tell? At Museum Rietberg, children explore the cultures of Asia, Africa, the Americas and Oceania through fascinating works of art. During the hands-on “Mach mit” program, they discover a featured artwork before creating their own masterpiece. Afterward, the museum’s beautiful park is the perfect place for a family picnic.