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School is out, the children are home and the Wii rules the household. For parents in the throes of lazy summer days, nothing is more daunting than crafting activities to fit the laundry list of family requirements: toddler/teen friendly, close to home, minimal paraphernalia and high entertainment value.
For parents who like to pick up and go when the sun comes out, here are a few low cost, planning-free day trips for families with younger (and older) children.
Hit up your local lake
If you head to the village of Gries, about 12km west of Ramstein, you will find a beautiful lake called the Ohmbach Stausee. With a wide, stroller-friendly trail, a walk around this lake brings you to a fabulous German playground. Complete with running water pumps, sand and trails, it is simple and free. Take a book and a few euro for ice cream at the adjoining restaurant and spend an afternoon.
Similar lakes can be found around the area. Close to Landstuhl in the village of Kindsbach is Barenloch. On a hot summer day, this is the perfect retreat. Throw in a blanket, a lawn chair and some towels because this lake is a premiere pollywogging site. A few containers with lids for trapped tadpoles will keep your kids occupied for an entire afternoon. To get there, go west on autobahn A6, take the Miesau exit and drive north for about 5km.
Idar Oberstein
Heading toward Trier on autobahn A62, there is an exit for Idar Oberstein. This village is an afternoon of delightful discovery. Wear your kids out by hiking the 230 steps to Felsenkirche and visit the church in the rock (a few euro a person), then land in the village square for ice cream and pizza by the fountain, or visit the gem museum.
About 10 minutes from downtown Idar Oberstein is a hidden little gem stone mine, Steinkaulenberg. There is a minimal entry fee (under €4 for adults) and the tour requires hard hats—very exciting if you’re in the 12 and under crowd. While other caves might be more alluring, this tour is simple and perfectly paced for a young family. Call ahead to request an English tour.
Voelklingen Huette Ironworks
If you’re looking for a wear-them-to-the-bone day’s worth of activities, head to Saarbrücken and visit the Volklingen Hütte Ironworks. Wander through the skeletal structure of this massive defunct factory and let the kids explore. It’s on the spendier side (around €12 per person) but well worth the price, especially in the spring/summer months. Once you’ve ransacked the ironworks and outdoor landscapes, take your budding scientists to the science center for hands-on fun (included in the entry price), open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. April to November.
Check out a castle
With so many castles to choose from, sometimes it’s hard to make a decision and go with it. At Burg Lichtenberg near Kusel you will find an afternoon of delightful discovery. Tell your children you are taking them to Hogwarts, or dress them up and do a homegrown photo shoot. This castle is free and open and provides a great backdrop for capturing fun family memories.
World of Fun
Summer in Germany does not guarantee sunshine. For days (or weeks) where sunshine is scarce, consider some alternative indoor activities. At the World of Fun in Zweibrücken (located next to the Style Outlet) there is enough to entertain the entire family — jumping, climbing, riding, ice skating, miniature golf, bowling and much more.
Take in a movie
If you don’t feel like traveling, simply check out the movie schedule at the Kaiserslautern Military Community Center on Ramstein (http://www.
kaiserslauternamerican.com/movies.php).
Living in this wonderland of hiking trails and historical ruins can be overwhelming. Sometimes the planning alone is enough to keep a wary parent home. However, with a little courage and a few euro you and your family can build some simple summer memories to last you through the months. Sometimes the most memorable European vacations are only a few kilometers away.
