For a family with young children plus access to a car, why not visit the Schwarzwald Zoo in Waldkirch.

Opened in 1956 and situated around 12km from Freiburg, the Schwarzwaldzoo is open daily from 9:00 to 18:00 during the Spring and Summer months and from 9:00 to 17:00 in Autumn. The zoo stays closed from December to February.

Kids above 6 years of age can get in for around 1.40 € and adults pay around 3.00 € each.

They have many types of animals there, including some dangerous ones but beware that the zoo is situated on quite a very steep hill, so not really wheelchair friendly.  A dated leaflet that I have found at home states that they have 190 animals of 56 species. I imagine that number has inccreased a little since then.

When my Son was a very young baby and my Daughter a toddler, we really struggled with a large pram up and down the paths between the exhibits.

There is also a barbeque space nearby where you can grill in summer should you so wish - children's birthday party for example.

Take the B294 road north from Freiburg and exit at the "Ausfahrt Waldkirch Mitte".  At the second large crossing turn left and from there on the park is signposted (Close to the Sick company).  Free parking.

High-speed fun whatever the weather!

Germany's most spectacular mountain coaster awaits you on the Hasenhorn in Todtnau. Strap yourself in and away you go on an unforgettable downhill journey – great fun for young and old alike. Your journey to the starting point is easy and comfortable with our modern double chair lift.

You control your own speed as the coaster takes you down 2.9 km of railed track. Getting to the bottom could not be easier. Surging waves, sharp bends and three mesmerising 360º turns guarantee a ride full of surprises.

Snow is not an issue!

The Hasenhorn Coaster operates in any weather, so you can even ride it in winter.

Coaster tips for kids:

You can ride alone if you are 8 years or older and if you are taller than 1 m 40 cm (4 feet 7 inches).  

Opening Hours:

Open daily from 10am to 5pm

The chair lift is currently in operation on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The winter toboggan run and the coaster operate simultaneously.  

More information at http://www.hasenhorn-rodelbahn.de

A pleasurable and impressive way to spend your free-time in Freiburg during any time of the year: Incredible panorama views from on top of the 1284 meter high Schauinsland, marked trails and mountain and valley restaurants. Inexpensive family rates.

Schauinsland, Freiburg’s 4,213-foot-high “resident” mountain, offers superb opportunities for hiking, mountain biking and other outdoor and adventure activities.

Seepark is located in the West of the city centre and comprises centrally of a lake surrounded by green land and small buinesses

Seepark, or to give it it's official name, the Flueckiger See, comprises of a large lake (which is not suitable for swimming due to it's slightly high bacterial content index) with a concert platform and observation tower jutting out into the water.

There is a large beer garden, serving food and drinks, a selection of cold ice-creams and of course beer. We heartily recommend the 1/2 Chicken and Fries for it's grilled taste and low price.

Big bridges, fast downhill slides, scenary.. if you love thrill and speed with a few heights thrown in, Steinwasen Park is the place for you. 

There's an indoor toboggan run that's well worth a trip for the adults too!

Europa-Park is the second-most-popular theme park in Europe, after Disneyland Paris.

It is open from mid-March to the end of October and from the start of December to mid-January.

It is located in Rust, south-west Germany, between Freiburg and Strasbourg. Its mascot is a grey mouse named "Euromaus" whose friends include Eurofant, an elephant. It is split into fourteen different areas, typically named after European countries or regions.

The Baumkronenweg park in Waldkirch is another day-out possibility for families, but only for families that are willing to climb a steep hill beforehand.

Basically, one parks at the lake in the centre of Waldkirch (a short bus or train ride from Freiburg). From there, follow the signs to the Baumkronenweg and progress up the hill, overlooking the Schwarzwaldzoo (Zoo). It takes around an hour to scale the hill. We managed it with a pram but I would not recommend it for young children or disabled people. The hill is very steep.

This article simply lists Children's playgrounds located in the Stuehlinger district of Freiburg

This article simply lists Children's playgrounds located in the St. Georgian district of Freiburg

Kinder Galaxie is somewhere we found by mistake, looking for somewhere to take my daughter on a wet Sunday afternoon. My wife had heard about the place from a friend and we thought we'd go an check it out. 

I was a bit shocked to see how the carpark had completely filled up and had spilled over the next 1km up the road - but that shouldn't put you off.