Activities for Children in Europe

For Salzburg, definitely do the water fountain tour at Hellbrun Castle. And if they've seen Sound of Music, take them to the garden at Mirabell Palace, that's where "Do Re Mi" was filmed. I got a nice picture of my husband and son running down through the arbor. And I'd say the Hohensalzburg Fortress is another must. They've got a cool armor exhibit there. There's a couple of salt mines just outside of town, too.

Look for some Open Air museums, or childrens museums, or other museums that are hands on and interactive. Natural History, Communication, or Film museums, or maybe even one with Roman soldier stuff, that kind of thing. For some outside things, perhaps go to a pool, or find one of those luge runs that are open in the summer, or a salt mine tour. Check for Jousting fests or Medieval Markets and fests.

I'm going to cut and paste a post I wrote on another thread about what to do with kids in Berlin.
Boy, do I ever have a suggestion for you! Please don't miss the Aquadom, an 8 story fish tank you go inside for a ride in, like an elevator. It floats up and down. This has to be one of the most fun thing I've ever done, and your kids will love it!! Also, go up in the TV tower for a beautiful view. Sure you get a great view from the Reichstag. Don't miss that either. The TV tower is much higher, and it's fun to see the Reichstage from the tower. Then take them to Fassbender&Raush, the best chocolate shop in Berlin! Rick went there in his Berlin TV show and he loved it too. Also he list it in his guide book.Please look at the link.http://www.fassbender-rausch.com/ HAVE FUN!!!

Tom, in Vienna you can go to Prater amusement park, they have rides for all ages, also at Schonbrunn castle there is a maze/labyrinth park for kids. In Salzburg i agree with the Hellbrun tricks fountains, it was fun. We also took the salt mine tour which stopped at a summer luge track before heading back to Salzburg.

Martine gave a good suggestion about the salt mine tour. Please don't miss that!! You and the kids will love that.

Big cities can be very tiring for kids. One way to keep it managable with kids would be to stay a bit longer in each place - 5 cities in 10 days is alot for kids. And 2 nights for a city like Berlin or Munich is not very much. You could easily double the time in Berlin and still struggle to fit the best sights in. When we travel with our kids to Europe we usually make sure we mix maybe one week of "heavy" sightseeing with one week that is pretty much stationairy in one place at a slower pace.