20 Free Things to Do in Zurich with Kids

Zurich is famously pricey, but families can have an incredible time without spending a franc. Here are **20 genuinely free activities** for kids of all ages.

Parks & Playgrounds

**1. Josefwiese Playground** — One of Zurich's best adventure playgrounds with water features, climbing structures, and a sandpit. Located in lively Kreis 5.

**2. MFO Park, Oerlikon** — A stunning open-air steel structure covered in climbing plants. Kids love running through the elevated walkways.

**3. Irchelpark** — A huge park with a stream, playground, and free-roaming animals. Perfect for a picnic afternoon.

**4. Belvoirpark** — Beautiful hillside park above the lake with a great playground and views of the Alps on clear days.

**5. Chinese Garden** — A gift from Zurich's sister city Kunming, this tranquil lakeside garden is free and fascinating for older kids.

Lake & River Activities

**6. Lake Zurich Promenades** — Walk along the lake from Bürkliplatz to Tiefenbrunnen. Kids can feed the swans, skip stones, and watch boats.

**7. Letten Swimming** — Swim in the Limmat River at the free Oberer Letten Flussbad. A local summer tradition with shallow areas for kids.

**8. Werdinsel Island** — A river island with grassy meadows, BBQ spots (bring your own grill), and shallow wading areas.

**9. Zürichhorn Sculpture Garden** — Free lakeside path with rotating art installations. Great for kids who like to climb on things (some sculptures allow it).

Culture & Learning

**10. Kunsthaus Zürich (Wednesdays)** — Switzerland's largest art museum is free every Wednesday. The collection spans from medieval to contemporary.

**11. Zurich University Botanical Garden** — Free admission to tropical greenhouses, alpine gardens, and medicinal plant collections. Kids love the carnivorous plants.

**12. Völkerkundemuseum (First Sunday)** — The ethnographic museum at the university is free on the first Sunday of each month.

**13. ETH Collection of Prints & Drawings** — Free exhibitions of graphic art. Small but fascinating for artistic kids.

**14. Stadthaus Exhibitions** — Free rotating exhibitions in the beautiful building on Stadthausquai.

Adventure & Exploration

**15. Uetliberg Summit Hike** — The S10 train goes to the summit (covered by ZVV passes), and the panoramic trail to Felsenegg is flat and kid-friendly. Stunning views of the city, lake, and Alps.

**16. Lindenhof Hill** — A historic hilltop plaza with a giant chess set, great views of the old town, and a peaceful atmosphere. Kids love the chess pieces.

**17. Zurich Old Town Treasure Hunt** — Download a free treasure hunt map from the tourist office website. Kids solve riddles while exploring cobblestone streets.

**18. Sihlwald Forest** — Switzerland's only wilderness park, just 20 minutes by S-Bahn. Free trails through ancient forest with a visitor center and animal enclosures.

**19. Limmat River Walk** — Walk from the lake through the old town following the river. Stop at each bridge to spot fish, ducks, and the occasional otter.

**20. Zurich Fluntern Cemetery** — A peaceful walk where older kids can find the graves of James Joyce, Elias Canetti, and other famous figures.

Seasonal Bonuses

**Pro tip:** Pick up a free copy of the "ZüriTipp" family guide from any tourist office. It lists free weekly events for kids including outdoor cinema, storytelling in parks, and free museum days.