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
- Summer: Free Badi (public swimming) at multiple lake and river locations
- Winter: Free ice skating at several pop-up rinks (skate rental extra)
- Spring/Fall: Free farm visits at Jucker Farm viewpoints
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.