Switzerland is a dream destination for families, offering a perfect mix of breathtaking landscapes, exciting outdoor activities, and interactive cultural experiences. Whether exploring the majestic Alps, riding scenic trains, or visiting hands-on museums, children of all ages will find plenty to enjoy.

This guide highlights the best family-friendly activities in Switzerland, ensuring an unforgettable adventure for parents and kids alike.

1. Ride the GoldenPass Express – A Scenic Train Adventure

Switzerland’s scenic train journeys are an experience the whole family can enjoy. The GoldenPass Express, which runs between Montreux and Interlaken, is especially great for kids, offering breathtaking views of mountains, lakes, and charming Swiss villages.

Why Kids Will Love It:

• Panoramic windows for incredible views of the Swiss Alps
• A fun and comfortable way to travel without long hikes
• Themed carriages and onboard entertainment on select routes

For an even more exciting ride, take the Glacier Express, known as the slowest express train in the world, traveling between Zermatt and St. Moritz through 91 tunnels and over 291 bridges.

2. Explore the Swiss Museum of Transport in Lucerne

Location: Lucerne
Best for: Interactive learning and hands-on fun

One of Switzerland’s best family-friendly museums, the Swiss Museum of Transport in Lucerne offers interactive exhibits on trains, planes, ships, and space exploration. Kids can even climb aboard vintage locomotives, try flight simulators, and ride pedal-powered go-karts.

Must-See Attractions:

• The planetarium, featuring incredible space shows
• The Swiss Chocolate Adventure, an interactive ride that explains chocolate-making
• The outdoor play area with mini cars and boats

This museum is perfect for curious young minds and makes a great indoor activity for rainy days.

3. Ride the World’s Longest Toboggan Run at Mount Pilatus

Location: Fräkmüntegg, near Lucerne
Best for: Thrill-seeking families

For an exciting outdoor adventure, visit Mount Pilatus, where families can ride the longest summer toboggan run in Switzerland. This 1,350-meter track features tunnels, twists, and high-speed turns, offering an adrenaline-filled ride.

What to Expect:

• Kids as young as 8 years old can ride alone; younger children can ride with parents
• A rope park and adventure playground at Fräkmüntegg
• Stunning views of Lake Lucerne and the Alps

For a winter adventure, Mount Pilatus also offers snow tubing and sledding.

4. Visit the Aare Gorge – A Natural Wonderland

Location: Near Meiringen, Bernese Oberland
Best for: Easy outdoor exploration

The Aare Gorge is a fascinating 1.4-kilometer-long canyon, with wooden walkways and tunnels carved through the rock, making it safe and easy for kids to explore. The dramatic cliffs and rushing turquoise waters create a magical setting.

Family-Friendly Features:

• Easy, stroller-accessible walkways
• A fun train ride to Meiringen, home of the famous Sherlock Holmes Museum
• Nearby Reichenbach Falls, where Sherlock Holmes’ famous battle with Professor Moriarty took place

This adventure is ideal for families who love nature but prefer a relaxed walk over intense hikes.

5. Spend a Day at Chaplin’s World in Montreux

Location: Corsier-sur-Vevey, near Montreux
Best for: Entertainment and history

For a mix of fun and culture, visit Chaplin’s World, a museum dedicated to the life and films of Charlie Chaplin. Located in Chaplin’s former home, this interactive museum brings his iconic films to life with wax figures, movie sets, and props.

Why Kids Will Love It:

• Life-size movie sets where they can step into Chaplin’s films
• A beautiful park with panoramic views of Lake Geneva
• Hands-on exhibits where they can act out silent movie scenes

This is a great stop for families visiting Montreux or Lausanne.

6. Experience Glacier Paradise in Zermatt

Location: Zermatt, Matterhorn region
Best for: Snow fun all year round

At 3,883 meters above sea level, Matterhorn Glacier Paradise is the highest cable car station in Europe, offering snow activities year-round.

Family Highlights:

• The Glacier Palace, with ice sculptures and tunnels to explore
• A fun snow park where kids can play in the snow, even in summer
• Breathtaking views of the Matterhorn and surrounding peaks

A visit here makes for an unforgettable high-altitude adventure.

7. Discover the Heidi Village in Maienfeld

Location: Maienfeld, Graubünden
Best for: Literature lovers and young children

Switzerland is home to Heidi, one of the world’s most beloved children’s book characters. Families can visit the Heididorf (Heidi Village) in Maienfeld, where the story comes to life with traditional Alpine houses, farm animals, and hiking trails.

Must-See Attractions:

• A replica of Heidi’s house, filled with period furniture
• A petting zoo with goats and other farm animals
• Short family-friendly hikes through the scenic Swiss countryside

This is a great cultural experience for younger kids and fans of the classic Heidi stories.

8. Take a Boat Ride on Lake Geneva

Location: Geneva, Montreux, Lausanne
Best for: Relaxing family sightseeing

A boat cruise on Lake Geneva is a fun and relaxing way for families to enjoy Switzerland’s scenery without too much walking. Kids will love the paddle steamers, while parents can admire the snow-capped mountains and charming lakeside towns.

Best Family-Friendly Options:

• Montreux to Chillon Castle, combining a boat ride with a fairytale castle visit
• Geneva’s “Belle Époque” steamers, offering historic cruises
• Lausanne to Evian, a fun cross-border boat trip to France

Many boats have play areas and family-friendly dining options, making them perfect for kids.

9. Visit the Bear Park in Bern

Location: Bern
Best for: Animal lovers

One of the best free family attractions in Switzerland, the Bern Bear Park is home to brown bears, the symbol of the Swiss capital. The large, natural enclosure allows visitors to see the bears up close as they roam, climb, and play.

Other Family Attractions in Bern:

• The Zytglogge Clock Tower, where kids can watch the historic clock’s moving figures
• The Gurten Funicular, taking families to a scenic hilltop playground
• The Natural History Museum, featuring fascinating animal exhibits

Bern’s mix of history, nature, and kid-friendly attractions makes it a great city for families.

Conclusion

Switzerland offers endless opportunities for family adventures, from thrilling mountaintop toboggan rides to scenic train journeys and hands-on museums. Whether exploring the Swiss Alps, discovering fairytale villages, or playing in the snow year-round, every corner of the country provides a unique and unforgettable experience for kids and parents alike.

For families seeking a mix of nature, culture, and adventure, Switzerland is one of the best destinations in the world to create lasting memories together.