Children climbing wooden playground structure with trees in background.

Family-friendly, in the heart of Karlsruhe

You need some planning when visiting the zoo with the whole family. To make sure it is as pleasant as possible, we have put together some helpful tips for your visit. This way, the children get their money’s worth, and the adults can make their stay as relax as possible. After all, it’s not only important to plan for breaks, we also make sure there’s enough exercise.

Children playing in a park with wooden climbing structures and a ground covered in wood chips.

The large playground, situated between the Exotics House and the Mjam Juice Bar, as well as the playground near the Rose Garden, which is mainly designed for smaller children, are ideal for letting off steam. With monkey bars, slides, swings and, above all, large sand areas, the two playgrounds offer everything a child’s heart desires. For the adults, there are enough seats allowing parents to keep a relaxed eye on the children while they are running around.
A green cart with red wheels and handle on a paved path in a park.

For a deposit of two euros, a number of handcarts are available from the ticket counters for your visit to the zoo. However, please understand that we cannot reserve the handcarts.
Children climbing a wooden play structure in a lush, green park setting.

At several stations spread across the grounds, the little ones can first observe the animal role models up close and then put what they have seen into practice directly at the stations. The children can climb like a ring-tailed lemur, strut like a flamingo or imitate the land walk of the polar bears from floe to floe. The lynxes have created a stalking path that the children can sneak along like lynxes. The alpacas and elephants also have exciting stations where children can test their own strength and speed in comparison to the animals. Apart from the fun of the physical activity, information about the animals is imparted in each case. To complete the whole experience, small booklets are found at the cash desks, in which the children can enter a stamp at each station. The Kinderturn-Welten (Children’s Gymnastics Worlds) were created as a joint project of the Kinderturnstiftung Baden-Württemberg (Children’s Gymnastics Foundation Baden-Württemberg), as the initiator and the Karlsruhe Zoological Garden.
Children drive colorful vintage cars on a track at an amusement park.

The kids’ cars have been making their rounds at the zoo since 1967. As such, they have already achieved cult status. During the ride, the kids can circle the playground area once. The cars’ horns can be heard from far away.
People on a pedal boat in a pond, surrounded by greenery and flowering plants in the foreground.

Ever since the Federal Garden Show in 1967, the Gondolettas have been delighting both young and old, and created a unique atmosphere on the Stadtgartensee. A full trip of about 45 minutes or a half trip of about 20 minutes is a great way to relax a little. From the water, you can spot numerous ducks and geese. The path also passes the Asian elephants’ retirement home. In particular, children are fascinated by the large carp that closely accompany the boats. The gondoletta trip is not included in the ticket price.
Bar-headed geese with goslings walking on a grassy field dotted with white flowers and surrounded by trees.

The numerous, extensive green spaces in the city garden area offer optimal opportunities to lay out your picnic blanket and enjoy a cosy picnic. The shady trees offer a great place to spend time, even at the height of summer. With a little bit of luck, geese or peacocks will keep you company. Apart from the picnic areas, there are picnic tables and benches throughout the area, some of which are even covered, as under the zoo garden bridge.

A young goat jumping over a wooden fence in a sunny outdoor setting.

The petting zoo consists of a large walk-in enclosure with Ouessant sheep and dwarf goats. There is also a climbing station of the Children’s Gymnastics Worlds on it. Children can climb right between the goats. In addition, ponies, donkeys and alpacas can be observed in the petting zoo and, with a little bit of luck, also petted.
Two elephants standing side by side, facing forward, with one slightly larger than the other.