Oktoberfest offers unforgettable moments for young and old alike, especially if you take advantage of the family-friendly special days. The absolute highlight for the little ones are the two official Family Days, which take place on Tuesdays. Until 7:00 p.m., you and your children can enjoy attractive discounts. Whether it’s a ride on the Ferris wheel, the children’s carousel, or the chain swing: Numerous rides, carnival attractions, and food stands significantly lower their prices on Family Days. Even the major food and beverage venues, such as the Hofbräu tent, actively participate and offer their own entertainment program for the youngest visitors.
Kids’ Activities at the Familienplatzl and the Oidn Wiesn
If you want to explore Oktoberfest with your children away from the main thoroughfares, there are two spots on the Theresienwiese that are definitely worth visiting. At Wiesn-Straße 3, you’ll find the Familienplatzl. Here, you’ll discover child-friendly attractions like the Baby-Flug or the popular can toss. In addition to the right kind of entertainment, this area stands out for its well-thought-out services: a dedicated stroller parking area, a quiet baby changing room, and a microwave for heating up food you’ve brought along make taking a break a breeze. Here, you can also order kid-friendly meals, including a surprise for the little ones.
The Oide Wiesn in the southern part of the grounds provides additional highlights; it offers free admission for children and teens up to age 14 and is open daily starting at 10:00 a.m. Here, you’ll find various rides, such as children’s carousels, for just one euro per ride. Among the special children’s activities is the so-called “Wiesn Diploma,” where the little ones can answer questions and win prizes as part of a fun scavenger hunt. In the museum tent, children learn about the history of Oktoberfest. In addition, special activities such as face painting, balloon artists, and historic penny-farthing bicycles await the youngest visitors.
A special recommendation is the Munich Marionette Theater, where you can be enchanted by puppet shows daily from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. If you need to cool off after exploring, stop by the beer garden at the Tradition Festzelt: There’s a lemonade fountain where the kids can quench their thirst. Every Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., you can also meet the Münchner Kindl here.
Important guidelines for your family outing to the Wiesn
To ensure the outing is a complete success for everyone involved, please keep a few organizational tips and guidelines in mind. Strollers are permitted on the festival grounds on weekdays and on Sundays until 6:00 p.m. at the latest. On heavily attended days, such as festival Saturdays and the public holiday (October 3), strollers must remain completely outside the grounds for safety reasons. Storage options are available for a fee at the official luggage storage stations in the entrance area or at selected parking areas, such as the Familienplatzl, directly on the grounds.
There are also time restrictions regarding the protection of minors: Children under the age of six are not permitted in the festival tents after 8:00 p.m., even when accompanied by a parent or guardian. Older children under 16 may remain on the festival grounds after 8:00 p.m . only if accompanied by you. We also recommend using the free “Kinderfinder” wristbands, which are distributed by security personnel at the entrances. This way, all family members can enjoy the Wiesn safely.
