Vienna with an almost 4-year-old

Vienna in the summer offers Cinema in the Park and open air music. Most of this will be over by September except Volxkino Start at Karmelitermarkt (2nd district) Free admission, Some films in German, others in the original version with subtitles. 30 May - 26 September 2014
www.volxkino.at
I would recommend the Schonbrunn Palace and gardens. The Children's Museum is on the west side of the palace. There children can dress up as imperial kids complete with wigs, replica imperial toys and learn about the historic lifestyle of imperial kids. The gardens boast a Maze, Labyrinth, chiming climbing pole (make sure to ring the bell at the top) and the giant kaleidoscope. On the outskirts of the palace grounds you will find the oldest Zoo in the world at the Schönbrunn.

The Vienna State Opera has 1 hour opera programs adapted from adult operas or written specifically for children. These sell out far in advance so make reservations ASAP http://www.wiener-staatsoper.at/Content.Node/home/jugend/kinderoper/Kinderoper.en.php

The Prater Amusement Park has many rides, animals, a mini kids train and education on the history of the Ferris Wheel then take it for a ride and enjoy the view.

Upper Belvedere has a "Art Detective on the Trail of Masterpieces" booklet to guide kids around the museum solving kid sized questions and finding mistakes in paintings. Kunsthistorisches Museum (Museum of Fine Arts) kids get to create their own art inspired by painting an sculpture in the museums on Sunday afternoons. The Mumok (Museum of Modern Art) create comic book stories, sculpture, or create animated short films. For young children the Zoom museum has a crawl through tunnel of mirrors and a bouncy water mattress as they stimulate their motor skills. Minopolis has a kids sized town where kids get to try out different professions and use a kids currency of Eurolinos.

I would also encourage you to ask your hotel front desk staff for fun younger kid activities when you get to Vienna. Happy Travels!

I also have a nearly 4 year old; I have lived in Vienna for nearly 7 years. I am happy to share with you some of the things we like to do here as a family.

Parks - Feed the ducks at Stadtpark and have a picnic on the lawn; there is a playground for younger children across the bridge.

Alte Donau - Take the U1 to this old stretch of the Danube and rent a small motorboat; have a nice dinner at one of the many lakeside restaurants. The Donaupark is also in the area - it is huge and has one of the best playgrounds as well as a small children's train. If warm enough, you can also swim in this area at the arbeiterstrandbad.

Prater - The park is huge with numerous playgrounds. Rent a family bicycle and ride down the Hauptallee (main pedestrian route). Also a children's train which is fun. Have dinner at the Schweizerhaus.

Wanderweg down Kahlenberg - Take the U4 to Heiligenstadt then take the 38A bus up to Kahlenberg. Walk down the walking trail marked Stadtwanderweg 1. You'll be able to take a stroller; it is down hill through vineyards with great views of Vienna. My favorite kid-friendly heurigen is http://www.feuerwehrwagner.at/english/home.html; they have a great playground and good food. An alternative would be to exit the 38A bus at Cobenzl where there is a nice petting zoo. It is a couple of stops before you reach the top.

Schonbrunn - Obvious choice, but be sure to also do the maze and labyrinth.

Aquarium (Haus des Meeres) - a fun one for kids this age; off of the main shopping street Mariahilferstrasse.

Lainzer Tiergarten - a large park easily accessible by public transportation; deer and other woodland animals are there. Excellent paths, some up large hills which offer lovely views of Vienna; several good restaurants as well.

Chocolate Museum - who doesn't love a chocolate factory tour? http://www.schokomuseum.at/en

Donau Insel - Large, long island in the middle of the Danube; bike rental place (they also rent trailers for kids and/or seats) when you get off the north side exit of the U1 Donau Insel stop.

Neusidlesee - Large lake about 1 hour from Vienna with cute villages; popular area for biking and birdwatching.

A comment on your post: Butterfly house is not good value for the money - I would skip it.

A comment on the response above: Minopolis has been closed for several years.

Have a great trip!

Thank you so much Sarah & Emily. I was hoping you might have some suggestions for me, Emily. It's even better that you have a child the same age! I can't wait to check some of these option out.