At the family network Bremen, we often hear from families who don't have the means to spend a lot of money on breaks from everyday life and leisure activities.
The costs for cinemas, museums, zoos, or climbing parks can quickly add up, especially with several children and additional travel expenses. That's why we've also compiled an overview of activities in Bremen that are affordable for people with little or no money.
So why not take an autumnal trip within Bremen and experience great things in your own city? Many of our tips are inexpensive or even free, and all can be reached by bike or with a BSAG day ticket (e.g., two adults with three children aged 6 to 15: €11.00).
Please check the websites of the facilities beforehand for the current local COVID-19 regulations! General information for the city of Bremen can be found at bremen.de.
Animal alert at the Bremen Children's and Youth Farm (Obervieland)
What's that rustling sound? A bee, a goat, or a blackbird? There's always something to discover and experience at the Bremen Children's and Youth Farm on Ohser Straße in Habenhausen. Donkeys, geese, rabbits, ponies, guinea pigs, chickens, bees, and other animals live together here in a lively community.
for the free afternoon program for school children and teenagers starting at 3 p.m. Preschool children are also welcome. Parents and children can explore the spacious grounds and the farm garden together. Don't miss the farm animal feeding at 4 p.m.!
There's a small playground and seating area, and the farm kiosk sells coffee, snacks, and drinks. You need to register in advance for lunch (cost: €4 per adult, €3 per child). Unfortunately, the farm is closed on weekends and public holidays.
Opening hours: Mon-Fri, 10am-6pm
Ohser Straße 40a, 28279 Bremen.
Arrival: By bicycle or public transport (buses 22 and 26), no car parking available.
For rainy days: Book room at the SOS Children's Village Centre (Neustadt)
A rainy late summer day or the beginning of autumn: Reading distracts from the weather! The neighborhood and family center in the Neustadt district has set up a book room where over 500 very well-preserved children's, young adult and adult books await families eager to read.
Parents can read aloud to their (younger) children in the cozy reading nook. Those wishing to take one or more books can drop a few coins into the coin slot. This donation supports the educational programs of the SOS Children's Village Center and thus promotes literacy within families.
Appointments can also be arranged by telephone on 0421 5971 231.
Opening hours: Mon-Fri, 9am-2pm
Friedrich-Ebert-Straße 101, 28199 Bremen.
Arrival: By car, bicycle or public transport (lines 4, 6, 8 + bus 24).
Discover and explore nature: botanika and Rhododendron Park (Horn-Lehe)
Time for a trip to foreign worlds: On the first Saturday of every month, children and young people up to 18 years of age can explore plant phenomena free of charge at the botanika and wander through Asian landscapes in the greenhouses.
Sparkasse Bremen covers the entrance fee – enabling all young people in Bremen to explore their curiosity. On botanika Mondays (except public holidays), admission to botanika is discounted (adults: €7.70, children under 18: €3.30).
Right next to the botanika is the Rhododendron Park (with one of the world's largest rhododendron collections) offering various play opportunities: a large playground with a zip line and an adventure playground with many bridges for climbing, swinging, and balancing. The Rhododendron Park is open daily until sunset.
Opening hours: Mon-Fri, 9am-6pm; Sat, Sun, public holidays, 10am-6pm; closed on 24th and 31st December
Deliusweg 40, 28359 Bremen.
Arrival: By car, bicycle or public transport (lines 4/5 + buses 21, 31, 33, 44)
Skating in Mitte I (Bahnhofsvorstadt)
offers P5 skate hall at the train station fun and action indoors. With its approximately 1000 square meters of space, large ramp area, and parkour section, all skating enthusiasts can enjoy BMX, skateboard, inline skates, and scooters.
Those who wish to rent equipment such as scooters, BMX bikes, skateboards, or protective gear can do so for a small fee. The small kiosk offers snacks and drinks.
The hall will open from autumn 2021: Currently only with booking and 2G or 3G – more information via the website.
Opening hours: Tue 6-10 pm, Wed 8-10 pm, Thu 4-10 pm, Fri 2-10 pm, Sat+Sun 12-8 pm
An der Weide 50a, 28195 Bremen
Arrival: By car, bicycle or public transport (all lines, stop: Hauptbahnhof)
Skating in Mitte II (Findorff)
Those who prefer skating outdoors will find a skate park in Findorff, not far from the main train station, directly in front of the Schlachthof cultural center. The area is open and freely accessible at all times.
Skateboarders, inline skaters, and BMX riders from Bremen and the surrounding area meet here. Mountain bikers have set up a course out of pallets. In the summer, school classes practice inline skating here, and events such as the Old School Skateboard Session take place.
Opening hours: open area
Findorffstraße 51/Forecourt.
Arrival: By car, bicycle or public transport (bus 25, all lines/stop: Hauptbahnhof [main train station])
Sportgarten Überseestadt (Überseestadt/Walle)
Mom hops on her skateboard, Dad grabs the frisbee and the kids their football – and off they go to the sports park in Überseestadt, which is freely accessible all year round.
The facility offers a bowl and street park, two football fields, an area for playing basketball or dancing, a parkour area, a place to play boules and several green areas for chilling.
Use of the facilities is free, and from March to September there's a kiosk selling drinks and snacks. For a small fee (1.00 to 4.00 euros), you can also rent BMX bikes, skateboards, helmets, balls, speedminton sets, or frisbees on site and try something new.
Rental opening hours: Mon 4:30-7 pm, Tue 2-7 pm, Wed 1-7 pm, Thu 2-5 pm, Fri 12-7 pm, Sat+Sun 12-7 pm
There are no fixed opening hours from October to November.
Am Winterhafen, 28217 Bremen
Directions: By car, bicycle or public transport (lines 2, 10 + bus 28)
BUND Children's Wilderness on Stadtwerder (Neustadt)
No cows, camels, or koalas – yet families can still BUND children's wilderness experience nature in the heart of the city Café Sand into an adventurous nature experience space.
Children of all ages can play, climb, hide, or have fun at the mud play area. Friends and families can enjoy spending time together with a picnic they've brought along or cut a birthday cake. A shelter with benches and a table provides refuge in bad weather.
Furthermore, BUND offers regular children's and youth groups, holiday programs, and events for families. Some of the numerous offerings are free or available for a donation, while others require a fee.
Opening hours: open area
Ferry Path/Werder Island
Directions: By car, bicycle or Sielwall ferry/Café Sand
Bremen Blind Garden/Knoops Park (Lesum)
Only for blind people? Nonsense! The Bremen Blind Garden is a green oasis right next to Knoops Park. Here, families can discover and explore more than 600 plants and – when it gets warmer – many insect species, and learn more about the local biodiversity.
But of course: the large grounds are barrier-free, and blind children and parents can experience the plants in raised beds with practically all their senses. The garden for the blind is designed so that blind visitors can move around and orient themselves freely without assistance – this can also be an exciting experience for sighted people!
Opening hours: March to October, daily 9am - 6pm
Raschenkampsweg/Ulenweg at Knoops Park
Directions: By car, bicycle, public transport (local transport RS2, bus 90, 91, 92)
Tenever Children's Farm (Osterholz)
The Tenever children's farm in Bremen's east is home to various breeds of sheep, African pygmy goats, Thuringian Forest goats, and chickens. The program, run by the diaconal children's and youth welfare organization Petri & Eichen, is firmly established in the neighborhood and very popular.
The farm also has rabbits, mini pigs (regularly fed!), geese and ducks, goldfish swim in the fish pond and from spring onwards you can watch vegetables, fruits, herbs and flowers growing and thriving in the garden.
The grounds feature a large sandbox, a nest swing, a foosball table, ping-pong tables, and plenty of space to play, run around, and romp about. Children can borrow toys like ride-on cars and shovels for the sandbox. During the warmer months, there are family Sundays – so come back again!
Opening hours: Mon 1:30 pm - 5:30 pm, Tue, Wed, Thu + Fri 9 am - 6 pm, Sat 12 pm - 6 pm, Sun + Public Holidays: closed, except on Family Sundays
Am Osterholzer Deich 14, 28325 Bremen.
Directions: By car, bicycle, public transport (line 1)
Grunting and bleating in the Bürgerpark (Schwachhausen)
The Bürgerpark in Bremen is a popular destination for (sometimes too) long Sunday walks with the family – in all kinds of weather. The animal enclosure is a particular highlight for younger children.
There's always something new to discover here: colorful Bentheim pigs, noisy donkeys, exotic ducks, and magnificent peacocks, though they aren't always visible. You'll also find fallow deer, geese, mouflon, alpacas, sheep, pygmy goats, guinea pigs, and bantam chickens roaming the grounds. And for anyone who's ever wondered what a zebu is: here's the answer!
There's also an elephant, by the way: a slide in the toddler playground, where children can dig in the sand and play on the seesaw. For older children, there are other playgrounds in the park. Bringing along hot drinks and snacks makes a visit to the animal enclosure a great weekend outing.
Opening hours: daily
: By car, bicycle, public transport (lines 6, 8, bus 24, 26/27)
Which one did we forget? Write to us… we're collecting entries for a second part!