Things to do with kids in Dresden

11 family-friendly places in Dresden: zoos, aquariums, playgrounds and more.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first.

See
Dreikönigskirche
You get a nice view of the whole city and the price of admission to climb the tower is lower than at the more famous Frauenkirche. There are also some nice pieces in the church that were not destroyed in the World War II bombings, and also look for temporary exhibitions of modern sacred art, etc.
For the tower: Mar-Oct: Tue 11:30-16:00, Wed-Sat 11:00-17:00, Sun and holidays 11:30-17:00, Mon closed. Nov-Feb: Wed 12:00-16:00, Thu-Sat 10:00-16:00, Sun and holidays 11:30-16:30, Mon Tue closed. Last admission 30min before closingFor the tower: adults €5, reduced €4, children €6-17 €1.50, under 10 free
See
Dresden Transport Museum
Verkehrsmuseum Dresden
The museum is housed in the Johanneum at the Neumarkt, near Frauenkirche.
Tue-Sun 10:00-18:00, Mon closedAdults €12, reduced €6, family €12/24
See
Erich-Kästner-Museum
Dedicated to author, poet, screenwriter and satirist Emil Erich Kästner, known primarily for his humorous, socially astute poetry and children's literature such as Emil and the Detectives who was born and grew up in Dresden.
Sun-Wed Fri 10:00-18:00, Tue and Sat closedAdults €7, reduced €4, under 6 free
See
Frauenkirche
The original Church of Our Lady was completely destroyed during World War II; however, it has been reconstructed. The City of Coventry, which was raided by the Luftwaffe in WWII, donated the golden cross for the dome of the church. Check out some ruins in the basement. For €12 (concessions €7; families €24) you can walk up to the viewing platform on the dome and enjoy a great view of the city. You must have good walking shoes, otherwise you might not be admitted. As well as being a working church (with services once a month in English), there are also regular concerts. Tickets tend to be expensive but sell out quickly, so try to book ahead of time. The seating can be a little hard.
Free
See
German Hygiene Museum
A comprehensive museum dedicated to "science, culture and society", a truly vast scope including all aspects of the human body, sickness, health, stages of life and sexuality. Don't be put off by the old-fashioned name. The children's section and special/temporary exhibitions are also well worth checking out. Has signage in English as well as German, but the permanent exhibitions are mostly labelled in German only. The museum also engages in a lot of well-merited self-criticism for its history of eugenicism and racism before World War II and its efforts on behalf of the Nazis' mass murder campaign against disabled people, and that history is interesting, too. Allow 2-3 hours for a visit.
Tue-Sun and holidays 10:00-17:00, Mon closed. Last admission 30 min before closingAdults €12, reduced €6, under 16 free
See
Gläserne Manufaktur
The Transparent Factory
The Transparent Factory previously assembled the electric version of VW's Golf car. Visitors can test drive VW electric cars for 30 minutes (except Sundays). Tours three times a day in English M-Sa, once on Sundays. Until 2016, final assembly for various luxury VW cars took place here.
Mon-Fri 08:00-20:00Tour: adults €7, reduced €4.50, families €15
See
Grünes Gewölbe
Green Vault
One of the most significant collections of European goldsmith's work and decorative arts. The museum is divided into two sections, each requiring a separate ticket. The Historic Green Vault (Historisches Grünes Gewölbe) preserves the treasury as it was arranged in 1733, featuring items like the crown jewels of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. The New Green Vault (Neues Grünes Gewölbe) focuses on individual objects in a modern, neutral setting, including the famous green diamond. Visitors are advised to book time-slot tickets for the Historic Green Vault in advance.
Wed Thu Sat Sun 10:00-17:00, Fri 10:00-19:00 closed Tuesdays€18, including Audioguide, concessions €13.50, children <16: free. Tickets for the Historisches Grünes Gewölbe have a clearly defined time limit
Eat
LadenCafé aha
Hearty vegetarian and vegan food in a family-friendly and comfortable environment, also serves a wide variety of free trade teas and coffees.
Daily 10:00-24:00€10-15/person
Do
Stauseebad Cossebaude
Stausee Niederwartha
On hot summer days, go swimming or windsurfing at this public bathing pool at the Stausee Niederwartha reservoir. Also includes a long waterslide and beach volleyball courts.
Adults €4.00, children €2.20
Do Not mapped
Ice skating at the JoyNext Arena
Indoor and outdoor, daily from the end of October to beginning of March. Skate rental available. "Ice Disco" with a DJ on Saturday evenings.
Adults €4.50, children €3.50, €6 for ice disco
See
Dresden Zoo
One of Germany's oldest zoos.

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Dresden (CC BY-SA 4.0).