OUT AND ABOUT
When the sun shines, there's nowhere better than Switzerland. Small children may not be able to manage long hikes but there are plenty of family places to get some exercise and some of that famed Alpine air. For a comprehensive list of all the playgrounds, the Gemeinde website is pretty good and there is an option for English up in the top right.
Many beauty spots come with their own barbecue area, so pack some sausages and get your hiking boots on...
GOLDAU NATURE PARK AND ZOO
Situated in the centre of Goldau - just opposite Arth-Goldau railway station, this spacious animal park allows you to see many wild animals (including bears) and feed tamer ones (deer). It has a large restaurant and play area. Entry is 20CHF for an adult and 10CHF for children over the age of 6.
Sat Nav details:
Parkstrasse 40,
6410 Goldau
Parking: 5CHF at car parks within walking distance.
PHOTO: Goldau Nature Park & Zoo
FRöschenmatt Adventure PLayground
This is a wonderful adventure playground in Zug albeit with limited opening hours- so do check before you pay it a visit. There is a sand pit and playhouse for little ones, climbing equipment, farm animals (goats/donkeys) to pet and an area where children can use saws, wood and hammer to build their own huts!
Syrup/water is always available free of charge to children, adults can purchase coffee, and there is a BBQ area too.
Sat Nav details:
Steinhauser Fussweg, 6300 Zug
Parking: None at the playground, public transport advised
GOOD TO KNOW: The workshops held here are fab for children - check out their programme to see what's on
Mini-Golf Birkenwäldli Unterägeri
***NOW RE-OPENED***
Right by Aegeri Lake, this miniature golf course is open daily in good weather from 9am. There is a terrace nearby with a small café that sells snacks, ice creams and drinks (including alcoholic!). There is a fantastic playground nearby too.
Tel. +41 (0) 41 750 48 70
Sat Nav details:
Strandweg 18
6314 Unterägeri
Parking: Car parking at Alte Landstrasse 7 and also some spaces behind Zumbach bakery on Seestrasse 6
SATTEL-HOCHSTUCKLI
From April to November this popular ski resort turns into a kids' paradise! There is a toboggan run, tubing and giant bouncy castles. There are five hiking paths to choose from, including the wheel-accessible Engelstock Circuit Trail. The nearby suspension bridge hangs high above the Lauitobel valley at a height of up to 58 metres and a length of 374 metres- try it if you dare
Sat Nav details:
Sattel-Hochstuckli AG, Bergbahnen - 4 Jahreszeiten, Ausflugsgebiet,
6417 Sattel
Parking: Free for 2 hours, 5CHF for longer.
GOOD TO KNOW: On hot days the bouncy castles get very hot so remember to take socks
Schattwäldli ADVENTURE PLAYGROUND
Up the Zugerberg mountain, 20 minutes walk from the Funicular Railway. The extensive playground and surrounding forest will keep the children busy, and the local grills and seating mean it's ideal for a picnic lunch. There is a local sculpture trail for a short hike afterwards. Toilet onsite and buggy friendly.
Sat Nav details:
Funicular railway station:
Schönegg 31
6300 Zug
Parking: Limited at the station, but there is a shaded woodland spot further on down the road
SCHLUECHTHOF FARM AND PLAYGROUND
This adventure playground is on the site of an agricultural college. Children can see the farm animals and explore the sand pit, playhouse, climbing area and old tractor. There is a farm shop on site - remember your change as payment is sometimes via an honesty box.
Sat Nav details:
Erlebnisspielplatz Schluechthof, Bergackerstrasse 42
6330 Cham
Parking: Free on site
TICKLE TRAIL (Kitzeltrail), Brunni
(open June-October, weather dependent)
This is a fab summer day trip that involves a short sensory trail 1860m above sea level, where you walk barefoot and explore different surfaces (sand, wood chip, pebbles, clay and more). Next to it is a picnic area with grilling spots and a water play area. The views are stunning, and you can combine it with the Globi adventure trail, or the playground at the Ristis middle station if you have time.
To access the tickle trail you have to take a gondola (Engleberg-Ristis) and a chair lift (to Brunnihütte) so if with little ones or elderly family members bear this in mind.
Sat Nav details:
Brunni chairlift, Wydenstrasse 55,
Engelberg 6390
Parking: Paid parking available by the chair lift- can get busy on a hot day
KNIES KINDER ZOO, RAPPERSWIL
This children's zoo in Rapperswil is popular for families, with monkeys, elephants, giraffes and many other animals. There are shows with sea lions and rides on the Rösslitram. Older children can ride camels, elephants and ponies.
The pirate ship and adventure playground are a lot of fun too. Open March-October.
Sat Nav details:
Oberseestrasse
8640 Rapperswil
Parking: Paid parking available opposite the zoo
Sat Nav details:
Alte Sihltalstrasse 38,
8135 Zurich
Parking:5CHF /day Sihlwald; 10CHF/day Langenberg
WILDNISPARK ZüRICH SIHLWALD
This wildlife park in Zürich has two homes. The Sihlwald site is closest to Zug and has a visitor centre with a museum in the Sihlwald forest. Admission to the museum has a charge (6CHF for adults, 3CHF for children, 14CHF families). A bit further afield is the Langenberg animal park in Langnau am Albis.
PILU Land, Kriens, Mount PILATUS
This is a dragon themed adventure playground which is fun for all the family. Children are kept busy climbing and playing, whilst there are shaded picnic spots and areas for grilling.
To get here hop off at the 1st station and hike down or children can take the tube slide.
Sat Nav details:
Pilatus-Bahnen AG, Schlossweg 1
6010 Kriens
Parking:Paid parking near the gondola
