Berlin is bursting with amazing places where kids can dive into nature, explore the great outdoors, and learn all about the environment in a fun, hands-on way! From forest schools to interactive museums and adventure-filled parks, there’s no shortage of exciting opportunities for young explorers to connect with nature, get their hands dirty, and discover how to care for our planet.
Here are some fantastic spots to check out!
SCHOOLS & KINDERGARTENS
Robin Hood English-German Forest Kindergarten
A bilingual forest kindergarten emphasizing nature and environmental education, where children spend mornings outdoors in various natural habitats (either in parks nearby or in the forest) and learn through experimenting. This Kindergarten offers vegetarian whole foods made from organically grown ingredients.
Berliner Waldmuseum and Waldschule Grunewald
Located in the forest next to Grunewald, this school offers classes in sustainable environmental protection. It also features exhibits on the forest biosphere (e.g. animal specimens) inside a museum, providing hands-on learning experiences.
Platanus Schule Berlin
A bilingual school recognized as a ‘Schools for Earth’ pilot by Greenpeace, integrating sustainability into its curriculum and daily practices. It is located in Pankow and features a MINT focus (mathematics, computer science, natural sciences, technology).
MUSEUMS & EDUCATIONAL CENTERS
Labyrinth Kindermuseum
An interactive museum offering exhibitions designed to engage children in environmental protection. It promotes sustainability by offering programs for kids revolving around climate-friendly shopping, less waste, and the protection of ocean life and wilderness.
Museum für Naturkunde Berlin
It is a museum focused on biodiversity with a collection from the fields of zoology, palaeontology, geology, and mineralogy. It also offers a variety of programs (live & digital) and workshops for school and kindergarten groups, focusing on nature exploration and environmental education.
House of the World’s Cultures (Haus der Kulturen der Welt)
A cultural center that is based on migrant-localized forms of knowledge and a plurality of “worlds”. It collaborates with schools on projects like ‘Schools of Sustainability,’ addressing climate anxieties and promoting environmental agency among students.
BUNDjugend Berlin
The youth organization of BUND foucses on topics such as agriculture, environmental protection, bicycle-friendly streets, fair world trade, and refugees. It offers various activities and projects focused on nature and environmental protection for children and young adults.
OUTDOOR & NATURE-FOCUSED
Campus Stadt Natur
Manages nature experience areas in parks of Grün Berlin GmbH such as Gleisdreieck, Kienbergpark, and Tempelhofer Feld, offering children as well as adults and families opportunities to explore and engage with nature.
Nature and Environment House (HNU)
Provides environmental education activities for school classes and daycare groups, featuring a spacious garden with ponds, animal enclosures, a petting zoo, and a horse paddock, including a riding area. It also houses a natural history exhibition on the topics “Forest” and “Wonder World Soil”.
Das Nirgendwo
An urban nature and environmental education space offering workshops and activities focused on sustainable living, gardening, and ecological awareness for children, families, and corporates. Examples of the workshops include building nesting aids for wild bees, cleaning up certain parks, and preparing food for the birds.
FRIEDA SÜD
A community space run by Bauhütte Kreuzberg e.V., offering cultural and educational activities for children and families. It features workshops, play areas, and collaborative events focused on sustainability, creativity, and social engagement. It serves as a family-friendly hub for learning and community interaction.
GleisBeet
A community-driven urban gardening project located in Berlin’s Friedrichshain district, with a space for children to play and families to relax. It’s an ideal spot for those looking to introduce younger generations to the joys of gardening and nature. GleisBeet hosts various events, including monthly gardening days and regular meetups, where community members can collaborate, share knowledge, and work together on gardening projects.
Allmende-Kontor
A vibrant intercultural community garden situated on the former Tempelhof Airport. The garden offers a playful and educational setting where children can explore nature, learn about plant growth, and engage in hands-on activities. It’s a perfect destination for those seeking a green retreat in the heart of Berlin.grounds in Berlin.
It serves as a hub for permaculture education and community engagement. It collaborates with local institutions, such as the Blumenviertel Montessori School, to support environmental and practical education for children. The garden also hosts a Solidarity Agriculture (SoLaWi) pick-up point, promoting sustainable food systems and community resilience.
CINEMAS
Berlinale’s Generation Section
Part of the Berlin International Film Festival, the Generation section presents a diverse selection of contemporary films that explore the lives and worlds of children and teenagers. While not exclusively focused on sustainability, the program often includes films addressing environmental themes, providing young audiences with thought-provoking content. The Berlinale festival focuses on achieving a social equity as part of its sustainability goals and has signed the “Berlin Declaration of the MANY” in 2019, which stands up against right-wing populism and for artistic freedom.
NaturVision Film Festival
Although primarily based in Ludwigsburg, NaturVision is Germany’s oldest nature, wildlife, and environmental film festival. It occasionally hosts events in Berlin, showcasing films that highlight environmental and sustainability issues, including content suitable for children. Additionally, NaturVision creates school educational films around topics such as bioplastic, hunger in Kenya, and ice hockey in Himalaya.
Lichtblick Kino
Located in Prenzlauer Berg, Lichtblick Kino is an independent arthouse cinema that dedicates weekend afternoons to children’s films. While their programming varies, they occasionally feature films with environmental and sustainability themes, offering young viewers an opportunity to engage with eco-conscious content.
Stiftung Planeterium Berlin
This planetarium offers educational films and shows for children of various ages, some of which focus on environmental topics and the natural world. While not a traditional cinema, it’s an excellent venue for immersive learning experiences related to sustainability and astronomy. It also runs music events such as Bebe Symphonique and Cosmic Jazz in different locations in Berlin, one of which is
