In mid-November, we spent a weekend in Kinderregion, a region full of family activities where young and old alike will enjoy themselves. Our program included visiting Zurich and Winterthur, places just made for family outings – you’ll find, for example, museums adapted for children, fun city tours, and much more. Whether you want to experience reindeer trekking, create in the museums, or enjoy a quiet time in the friendly restaurants, Kinderregion will not disappoint. In this article, I bring you inspiration that will entice you to take your family trip!
Note: this article was written in collaboration with Kinderregion.
What is Kinderregion
The Kinderregion – an area focused on family tourism – includes not only Zurich but also the surrounding regions such as Winterthur, Rapperswil-Zürichsee, Schwyz, Glarnerland, Baden, and Zug. The Kinderregion is a joint platform of several tourism organizations that aim to promote sustainable family tourism and the unified presentation of activities for families with children. The region offers diverse experiences – from adventures in nature to creative activities in museums to quiet moments of relaxation in friendly surroundings.
Our program in Kinderregion
As it is usually the case with such bloggers’ weekends, our program was very busy. But of course we had time to relax, especially with good food in a relaxed atmosphere.
Day 1
Reindeer-Trekking
We started our weekend in Dachsen at the Mühlebachhof farmhouse, about 25 minutes from Winterthur. A unique experience awaited us here – Reindeer trekking! The walk near the farm takes an hour and is available from September to March. It is the ideal experience for those who want to experience something exceptional in the winter and pre-Christmas time.
Lunch at Rauke
From Dachsen, we moved on to Winterthur, where we stopped for lunch at the Rauke Café. It’s away from the city center, but well worth a trip with the kids. At first glance, you will be charmed by the interior and also by the large children’s corner.
The Industrial Museum (Gewerbemuseum)
Did you know that Winterthur, the sixth-largest city in Switzerland, has over 17 museums, including the famous Technorama, the Art Museum, and the Fotomuseum? One of the museums in the heart of the Old Town is the Gewerbemuseum. It houses two museums under one roof: an archive of materials and their use and a clock museum.
Dinner at the Sporrer Restaurant
The Sporrer Restaurant is a family-friendly restaurant, so both lovers of good seasonal food, which is also beautifully served, and parents looking for a cozy place for lunch, dinner, or a family celebration will find something to enjoy here.
Accommodation at Hostel Depot 195
Set in a beautiful historic building, this hostel is just a 10-minute walk from the train station. If you’re looking for clean, simple, and friendly accommodation in Winterthur, this hostel is a great choice and has family rooms.
A summary article about Winterthur can be found here:
Day 2
Myclimate Audio Adventure
The next day, we moved on to Zurich, where I took an unusual morning tour of the city. Instead of the traditional touristy spots, we moved west of the city center and explored previously unknown places such as Letten-Viadukt, Josefwiese, or the Sihlfeld district. All thanks to Myclimate Audio Adventure Zurich, an educational audio guide that raises children’s awareness of climate protection issues through a narrated story.
Lunch at Kornsilo
The former grain silo houses a pleasant café and restaurant with an industrial retro feel, where you can enjoy your Sunday brunch with the family.
Museum Mühlerama
The highlight of a visit to the Mühlerama Museum is the bakery workshop, where you can bake your bread from scratch – from grinding the cereal grains, which you get at the ticket office when you pay the entrance fee, to kneading the dough with your own hands. And while your buns are baking, you can tour the Museum of Nutrition and Food Culture.
