4 full days in Munich with a pre-schooler - ideas?

DId I miss time of year?

I'm a mom of four, plus now three grandsons. I see littles as being more interested in Nymphenburg and the gardens than the Deutsches museum and the Rezidence. Not suggesting you skip the Residenz as much as I'm saying don't miss Nymphenburg. We took a bus to Nymphenburg from the main train station and then walked a couple blocks. Fairly straightforward.

Pace yourself at the Rezidence. It goes on and on and on. . . Maybe get some info in advance on the various rooms and highlights.

You will love the RS walking tour. I felt it was particularly well done.

We enjoyed the market (viktualienmarkt). It is very close to the Marienplatz. Maybe a good place for the little one to pick out lunch or a treat.

Do not miss the Marienplatz Glockenspiel. Your little will love it. Make sure to check the times. I believe there was one at 10am

@jules= sorry - I forgot to list when - we will be there the last of July

Definitely make the effort to get to the Hirschgarten! It is in a beautiful setting. You can buy food and beverages there; it is frequented mostly by locals. I visited it in August, mid-week. Many local families were there with picnic dinners; after eating the kids ran off to play while the adults continued to visit. Your child would probably enjoy feeding the deer! (It was sold near the deer enclosure.) I haven't been to Munich's zoo since my 30-something daughter was two; at that time we really enjoyed it. I am sure you will get other great family-friendly suggestions.

English Garden + Chinese Tower bier garden

Your daughter will enjoy the waterfowl, but beware of the swans. Make sure you stop to see the surfers.

Want to hit up a traditional biergarden or two

Hirschgarten is the largest beer garden in Munich and is very suitable for children. The beer garden at the Chinese Tower is also very nice. The closest one to Isartor is at Viktualienmarkt, but there is no playground here.

but generally trying to avoid long train/commuting between places, so
likely won't leave Munich on a day trip.

S-Bahn from Isartor to Starnberg takes 37 minutes. Here you can take a boat trip across Lake Starnberg with a wonderful view of the Alps.
It takes about 1:15 hours to reach Tegernsee. A popular excursion destination in the mountains with a rustic brewery.
Within Munich, the U-Bahn and S-Bahn are the fastest. But you should also take the tram/streetcar, where you can often see beautiful routes through the city center from the window.
In order to walk less don’t forget about the buses. The "MVG Fahrinfo" app helps you to find the fastest route or the nearest stop. Use the "Free Now" app to get a ride share or cab.

I am a history buff, but Dachau is likely not appropriate for the
little one.

I agree, this is not for a 5 year old. You could go instead to the Munich Documentation Center for the History of National Socialism. It is located on the site where the former Nazi Party headquarters once stood. https://www.nsdoku.de/en/exhibitions/current-and-preview
While one of you walks through the exhibitions the others could stroll around Königsplatz or visit the State Museum of Egyptian Art or just enjoys Cafe Glyptothek.

Nymphenburg Palace and gardens then to Hirschgarten

Nymphenburg Park is large and a tour of the palace may be too long for the 5-year-old. But there are several small castles in the park that can also be visited (Amailenburg, Badenburg, Magdalenenklause).
There is a small enclosed park in the park called the Prinzengarten. It's a great place to sit with small children in the shade by the water.
For bad weather there is also a small natural history museum in an outbuilding of the castle, which is very suitable for children.
https://mmn-muenchen.snsb.de/

Olympic Park + tower + BMW

Yes, the tower in Olympic Park offers a wide view. But it is not necessary go there, from the top of the hill in Olympic Park there is an excellent view as well.
When exactly are you in Munich? 27.7./28.7. Taylor Swift will be in town for 2 concerts in Olympia Stadium and in the evening the hill will fill with listeners who did not get a ticket.
Best place to enjoy the park is Olympia-Alm. There are 2 playgrounds nearby. https://maps.app.goo.gl/bsUvXgV3syrhzCjk7

Well, probably the BMW Musem is not for your group, but a short stroll through BMW Welt should be fine for everybody.
https://www.bmw-welt.com/en/ausstellungen/ausstellungen-in-der-bmw-welt/uebersicht.html

Rezidence + Deutsches Museum

Deutsches Museum also has a wonderful children's area.
https://www.deutsches-museum.de/en/museum-island/exhibitions/kids-kingdom
And because your accommodation is nearby, don't miss the “Frau im Mond” cafe/bar.
https://frauimmond.bar/en/about-us/

Munich Zoo in AM + transport museum

I think you mean the Deutsches Museum Verkehrszentrum. My children (and I) have always liked it. There's also a beer garden and park with a playground nearby.
Children always love the zoo. I personally like the zoo in Nuremberg better.

Thanks Paul!

I was thinking changing the zoo to Nurenburg since we will have four nights there and then have more time for Munich specific items.

About Starnberg - is this the only/recommended company?

https://www.seenschifffahrt.de/en/lake-starnberg/

Since it is off season I can't seem to find the timetable - I found a grand tour is 3 hours, how long are just the north or south routes?

If we do only do a shorter route, is one an obvious choice?

Looks like you can get off once or twice (depending on route) - any towns worth getting off and catching the next boat?
I assume they serve drinks on board, any food? or do we need to plan accordingly?

Thanks!

Tossing out a "for the little one" idea but it could help to break things up for your preschooler a bit if you have extra time while staying in Munich...we did a day trip to the Legoland outside of Munich (easy train ride out & back) and even my older kids liked that a lot. That was in addition to days of the garden, Deutsches Museum, Nymphenburg so not like we skipped all that - just sampled them selectively. :)

About Starnberg - is this the only/recommended company?
https://www.seenschifffahrt.de/en/lake-starnberg/

Yes, Bayerische Seenschifffahrt operates the passenger boat service on Lake Starnberg.
For detailed planning, it is better to wait for the 2024 timetable. In any case, this would be an excursion in good weather only.
I don't think the boat for the short round trip has a restaurant, but the others do.

A few places of historical interest:
Between Berg and Leoni is the memorial chapel of St. Ludwig and a cross in the water at the place where King Ludwig II of Bavaria was found dead in the water of Lake Starnberg.
In Possenhofen is Possenhofen Castle (not open to the public) where Elisabeth of Bavaria, later Empress Elisabeth of Austria, grew up.

Update: the Olympic Tower will be closed for renovation work from June 2024, probably for two years.

Don't overlook the toy museum. And if it's warm find a good indoor pool/spa.