We love a playground- we always find our local playground as soon as we arrive at a new destination! We love to get a coffee and watch the kids playing happily in the outdoors, free to run and roam.
The alpine playgrounds of Switzerland are throughly impressive; I’ve never travelled to anywhere with so many play areas for the kids with stunning mountain ranges as backdrops like they are here. Not only that, they are well maintained, normally a great size and with varied interesting play equipment too.
After a mountain trail or a picnic to a viewpoint, it is amazing to stumble across one of these playgrounds dotted around the mountains; it’s a huge bonus for us, it really keeps the kids happy!
Read below to discover some of the wonderful playgrounds we have discovered on our various trips to the Swiss Alps.
Allmendhubel: Flower Park and Water Labryinth
Location: Near Murren, Lauterbrunnen
This large and impressive playground has a really good variety of play equipment, underground tunnels, water dam making play stations, and a water labryinth that the boys absolutely loved. It’s location above the mountain village of Murren means that, of course, the views are spectacular. We took a picnic and spent the whole afternoon enjoying the open space for the kids and the snowcapped peaks. There is also a short walk called the flower trail to follow, which showcases many different varieties of alpine flowers and roses.
To get there, get the gondola to Murren (from Stechelberg Station located in the Lauterbrunnen Valley). Murren is a delightful village to stroll around with many cafes, shops, and eateries.
Once in Murren, to get to the Allemendhubel Flower Park, you take a short train ride from Murren funicular train station.
Bort Play Area, Grindelwald First
Location: Near Grindelwald
Take the cable from Grindelwald to First, and get off before the end at Bort Middle Station. The playground is 1570m above sea level, and there are really special panoramic views of the mountains stretched out before you. There is lots of play equipment, a cafe/ restaurant and picnic area located here aswell.
The views of the Eiger, Monch, and Junfrau peaks, which tower over Grindelwald, are amazing to behold; it was simply awesome to see that view with our own eyes, whilst enjoying a coffee and with the kids playing happily. What bliss!
Fronalpstock View Point Play Area
Location: Near Stoos, Morschach
This lovely playground at the Fronalpstock Summit has a cafe and good sized playground with lots of climbing equipment and slides. There is a picnic area and a café/ restaurant here as well.
After a play, you can take a short walk to the easy Panorama trail with stunning views of the mountains and Lake Lucerne. (The famous Klingenstock to Fronalpstock Ridge Trail is also located here and is an good option for families with older kids)
To get to Fronalpstock viewpoint and alpine playground, you will first need to get to the village of Stoos by train or cable car. If taking the train, drive and park the car at the Stoos funicular train station (or it is possible to reach the station by train and bus). Take the train up to the car- free mountain village of Stoos. (Stoos is a lovely place to explore if you have time).
If getting to Stoos by the Morschach cable car, park at the cable car station car park and head up.
From Stoos, take the chair lift up to Fronalpstock.
Mannlichen Play ground
Location: Near Wengen, Lauterbrunnen
Known as the Herdsman playground, an 8.5 metre high cow dominates this unique play space! As well as a variety of playground equipment to use, kids can go inside the cow, go up to a viewing platform, and down the slide out of the cows mouth! There is a cafe/ restaurant here as well, so you can enjoy refreshments on the terrace whole the kids play.
Mannlichen is located above the picture-perfect mountain town of Wengen, overlooking the spectacular Lauterbrunnen valley. To get to Wengen (it is a car free village) drive to Lauterbrunnen (or travel by train), then get the cable car from Lauterbrunnen Town.
Once in Wengen (having explored this gorgeous village with stunning views of Lauterbrunnen if time allows), catch another cable car up to Mannchilen station.
Mooraculum, near Lucerne
Location: Near Sorenberg
A short ride on the gondola takes you up to a beautiful water play park with ponds, water games, and equipment in an obstacle course for kids that involves climbing and balancing activities. It’s a great find, with beautiful scenery of meadows and mountains all around, and a cafe/ restaurant as well. We spent a whole morning at the playground alone, the boys loved all the different challenges. They also run a treasure hunt ( pay extra CHF 6). There are two short circular hikes that start here aswell if you fancy extending the day.
To get to Morraculum, get the Sorenberg gondola to Rossweid, and the play area is right next to where you exit Rossweid Gondola station.
Globi Playground
Location: Near Engelberg ( Engelberg- Brunni Gondola)
This large playground has slides, swings, climbing equipment, trampolines, obstacle courses, a picnic area, and, of course, amazing mountain views. There is so much here to explore for a great day out with the kids.
There is also a big water play area, a summer toboggan ( at a cost of CHF 5), as well as sensory barefoot trails. This unique trail invites families to take off there shoes and experience walking over squelchy mud, water, bark and stones. It’s a short trail around the pond but really fun!
You can also walk back down to Ristis from Brunnihutte, along a kids treasure hunt trail.
To get there, drive or catch the train to Engelberg, and then take the gondola from Engelberg to Ristis Middle Station, where you will find the playground and summer toboggan.
To get to the Sensory trail, known as the tickle path, take a further chair lift from Ristis up to Brunnihutte.
Engleberg Lakeside Playground
Location: Near Engelberg (Titlis Gondola)
Next to Trubsee Middle Station in the Engelberg Valley, is this lovely playground is set beside Lake Trubsee, with climbing equipment, trampolines, slides and obstacle courses in the versatile play area. There is a cafe/ restaurant near the station overlooking the playground.
For a nice walk that is pushchair friendly, with lovely views of the lake and the mountains beyond, try the easy path around the lake. The trail around the lake also has 6 play stations dotted along it.
To extend your visit, you can also continue on the cable car up to Titlis, walk on a glacier, and see the ice caves up there.
To get there, drive to Engelberg and park at the Titlis Gondola, taking the cable car from Engelberg to Trubsee Middle Station.
Schynige Platte Playground
Location: Near Wilderswil, Interlaken
Schynige Platte is a mountain ridge in the Bernese Oberland, accessible by a vintage cogwheel train from Wilderswill Station in the jungfrau region (near to Interlaken).
Take the historic train up to Schynige Platte Station (the last stop), and there you will find a cafe and restaurant with a small play area with amazing mountain views. The boys found the train really fun (although they were ready to get off by the end it does go quite slowly!)
Although on the smaller side, this play area is loads of fun and kept my kids entertained for well over 2 hours!
After a play, you could choose from a variety of short kids friendly trails, there is the cinematic circular trail ( it takes about 25 minutes), so called due to the large photo frames it has where you can take pictures with the stunning backdrop, or the alpine floral trail.
There is also the longer but stunningly beautiful 5.6k Panorama trail. It takes you along a beautiful ridge with views of Lake Brienz below.
These are just the playgrounds we have discovered on our trips; a few of the incredible outdoor play spaces available to families when out and about in the Swiss Alps. I’m sure there are many more to find
It is such a joy to see children so well catered for in this way, and we love watch them enjoy themselves in the great outdoors. We look forward to discovering more playground gems when we visit again!
Travel Happy Family 
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