The pandemic affects us all. Old and young are too often stuck at home. We miss friends and relatives, shops, sports, partying. And now the Easter holidays are coming up. B.Z. has collected tips on how not to get bored in Berlin these days. And always: Please stay healthy!
While Corona and the measures taken are making many things stand still, movement is more important than ever. Outside is always better than inside! Because only those who move can also experience something.
The good thing: If you follow the Corona rules and prepare a little, you can do a lot now.
The B.Z. has collected 111 tips from Berlin and Brandenburg for you. Excursions, handicrafts, sports, games and fun. For every age, every interest, every budget. Of course, anyone can choose from any category. Experience knows no age!
FOR KIDS & YOUTH
Playground ninjas
Think of a small ninja course on the playground. Like on TV, but you fall softly in the sand.
Dino Park is back
The Germendorf adventure park - with cool giant dinosaurs - is open again, daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 6 euros, reduced 3 euros. At the forest lakes 1a (Oranienburg), freizeitpark-germendorf.de
Helle Ark animal farm
You can experience sheep, goats, pigs and chickens here, free entry (with mask), feeding bucket: 2 euros, right next to a great playground. Oschatzer Ring 1 (Hellersdorf)
Pavement painter
You can draw the funniest pictures on the sidewalk with colored chalk. Don't forget to take a photo before the next rain comes.
Play table tennis
There are table tennis tables in many playgrounds and parks. You can start immediately with trowels and ball.
Family newspaper
Does your family already have their own newspaper? No? Then she invents! Write or type texts, take photos and print them out or draw pictures. Then glue everything onto a large sheet of paper.
Building and crafting
Create a dream house or mega car garage for Barbie on the wooden balcony. Parents or grandparents will definitely help.
Parents Guide
Show your parents where you play and hang out in the afternoon: soccer field, park, toboggan run, playground. Of course you are the guide on this excursion.
Surprise packages
Send colorful packages with surprises to relatives or friends: small handicrafts, printed fun selfies, sweets, poems. Tip: In Berlin you can deliver packages yourself by bike.
City detectives
Emil demonstrated it with his detectives, I'm sure you all know the book. Are animals missing in the neighborhood? Has someone lost a bunch of keys? What brand of car does the lost hubcap belong to? There are many puzzles for city detectives.
Children's disco
Are your parents rusty? Invite them to the disco in the children's room or on the terrace. Have drinks ready, something to nibble on, and put on your hottest music. Don't forget to clear the dance floor beforehand!
Scavenger Hunt
The scavenger hunt leads from clue to clue to a small treasure (e.g. bag of gummy bears). Go indoors, but even better outdoors (park, garden, playground). Prepare children for parents or vice versa.
Bubble Contest
Who creates the thickest, biggest and most stable soap bubbles? Which one flies furthest outside? There are many tips and recipes online for making soap bubbles yourself.
Become a sculptor
With marzipan you can easily form beautiful sculptures (similar to clay). There are many instructions online for marzipan bowls, which are great for cake decorations, by the way!
Auto bingo
Make yourself a car brand bingo slip. Write down 5 brands (VW, Renault, Kia, Tesla) in a square 5 times. Then it's down to the street or onto the balcony. Anyone who sees an Audi crosses off Audi on the note. Five crosses in a row = BINGO!
Do experiments!
You can find many experiments for curious children on the internet. For example, around the topics of temperature, light, water, food. You can usually find what you need at home. It's best to experiment right away in nature!
Plant wild beds
Get plant seeds, then find a wild corner in the neighborhood. If you water regularly, your bed will sprout in a few weeks, for example around a street tree.
Encouragement note
Make small encouragement notes and hang them on trees. Think up funny encouraging sayings, print them in a row, don't forget to cut them (so that everyone can tear one off).
Eyes Open Challenge
Whoever discovers the first squirrel along the way gets a point and can come up with the next challenge. For example a red Mercedes, a chestnut tree, a balcony with a Hertha flag, etc.
Children's farm
Near climbing rocks, kids can explore a small farm in the Mauerpark. Schwedter Strasse 90 (Prenzlauer Berg), jugendfarm-moritzhof.de
Tents in the garden
When the nights get a little milder, you can camp in the garden. It's also possible at the moment, but it's a real polar expedition.
Everyone OUT, we want to EXPERIENCE something! FOR FAMILIES
Play Tourist
Just let yourself drift in your own city like a tourist. So get up early, pack your provisions, get a BVG day ticket and off to the center. Check out the new palace, Gendarmenmarkt, Checkpoint Charlie, Unter den Linden.
Off to the drive-in cinema
The drive-in cinema is right in the parking lot. Laptop on the dashboard, start the film, don't forget the popcorn!
Set records!
Inside and outside you can chase family records. From building Lego towers to pull-ups on the playground. Every record and record holder is of course immortalized in a list on the fridge.
Family picnic
It's not classic. Big blankets, basket with delicacies, sun and good mood. That's all you need for a picnic.
Night hike
Take the kids on a night hike through the neighborhood. All you need is flashlights, warm clothing and a bit of courage.
Cupcakes Competition
Two neighboring families bake each other, for example funny cupcakes. Anyone who doesn't bake is part of the jury and awards points. Evaluation and eating together, of course, at a distance outdoors.
I guess...
How many cars are parked on our street? When do the lanterns come on? What is the trunk circumference of the linden tree in front of the house? How many steps is it to the kiosk? Everyone estimates, then we measure together.
Fashion for the brave
In the morning everyone decides for the other what to wear. Everything from the closet is allowed. Who wears whom is decided by drawing lots. Important: Who has the courage to go for a walk now? Don't forget fun photos.
Play Catch!
You know it from TV: Fangen XXL. Before that, an area is demarcated outside (playground, allotment garden, parking corner), then a catch duel begins. The referee takes the time, for example 20 seconds per one-war duel.
Star Explorer
The Mars images are fascinating, aren't they? But you can also discover a lot in the starry sky of Berlin on a clear night. Tip: Take a look at the edge of the crescent through binoculars.
Cooking a trip around the world
Order culinary delights from all over the world or cook them yourself. Find out a few words of the respective language and wear something typical of the country. Every day a different country, that's how the world trip goes.
Family Museum
Museums are (still) closed, start your own. A compartment in the glass showcase is sufficient for this. Dad's first student ID card, mom's baby shoes, sports trophies, holiday souvenirs and grandpa's whistle are on display.
Britz Garden
The playgrounds are open, but unfortunately the park railway is not running yet. Day ticket 3 euros. Sangerhauser Weg 1 (Neukölln), don't forget the mask for queues. Online ticket booking: gruen-berlin.de
Photo comeback
Is there a great photo of the family in Tiergarten or elsewhere, taken ten years ago? Reshoot it on the spot!
Tour de Berlin
A bike tour through your own city. The special feature: the children plan this excursion. Start time, finish, picnic, breaks - the kids decide everything. Tip: Route through many green spaces.
Have themed parties
Carnival may be over, but dressing up and partying is still fun. Motto parties are great: witch dance, desert festival, bandit party.
Skating in Fläming
In Brandenburg, south of Berlin, you will find 230 km of smooth paths on eight circuits. Don't forget the picnic! Info: flaeming-skate.de
Build a sundial
The days are getting longer, spring is here. Good time to build a sundial on the balcony or in the garden. You can find craft instructions on the internet.
Wuhle hiking trail
You travel 15 kilometers along the Wuhle along a journey through time. From Stone Age meadows to the typical GDR prefabricated buildings and discover many rare animals and plants along the way.
Are you doing the planks?
Sayings like planks? Anyone can! Singers or super talents perform in the living room. Of course, everyone is also part of the jury. Don't forget to make a video. Also works with friends via video confi!
Go bolt
You don't need more than a football to go bolt. So off to the football cage and then the game starts.
Family Challenge
Every day or every week, the family takes on a new challenge: go jogging, fix bikes, cook something new, etc.
Bike tour in the surrounding area
Bikes saddled and then out into the countryside. If you live in the middle of the city, take the S-Bahn (and wear a mask) a few stops towards the city limits. direction? Doesn't matter!
Zoo & zoo
For the animal visit you need a mask and a day ticket with a time window (also applies to annual ticket holders). Information and booking online: zoo-berlin.de and tierpark-berlin.de
Check street
There are many street names twice or three times or even more often in Berlin. Take a look at what “your” street looks like in another district.
We are family!
Dad draws me, I draw mum, mum draws daddy. Let's see who can do it best. At the end, all works of art come in a chic frame. Tip: Real artists like to paint outside.
Photo challenge
Recreate a famous album cover with your family. Then, of course, snap it yourself. Example: Beatles LP "Abbey Road". You can draw the zebra crossing on the sidewalk with chalk (it's safer).
Ice, ice - baby!
It's ice age again - the ice cream shops are open, and with the right distance in front of the line, it tastes really good afterwards too!
Just try it out
It sounds crazy, and it is: Make some Christmas presents for your loved ones now. The festival always comes so suddenly.
Personal trainer
Everyone is the family's "personal trainer" for a day. For a workout, of course, you go outside in the fresh air.
Discover Teufelsberg
Hike around the Teufelsberg, there is not only the old listening post to discover. If you take your kite with you, you can let it fly on the Drachenberg.
House concert
Everyone brings their instrument and then everyone plays a song together. Off the sheet or thought up by yourself. Try a yard concert with neighbors (and distance) or an open-air arbor. No instrument? Cooking pot drums, canned pea rattle and broomstick bass are quickly made.
Brandenburg blind date
Take a map of Brandenburg, tap on it blindly. Wherever the finger points, there goes the day tour (by car or train). Whether in a village, small town, lake or forest - every trip to Brandenburg is worth a short trip!
Photo safari
The photo hunt is very simple: everyone gets a camera (or a smartphone), then you go through the city or into the countryside. Who “shoots” the most animals with their camera?
Supply and do it yourself
Play restaurant on the balcony. Dad is the cook and waiter, mom and the kids let themselves be pampered. A real menu (designed by yourself) should not be missing.
For SINGLES & COUPLES
Climbing rock in Mauerpark
The 15 meter high training wall - called "Schwedter Nordwand" - can also be used by non-alpinists. Schwedter Strasse (north end) in Mauerpark, (Prenzlauer Berg)
Geocaching tour
There is a lot to discover when geocaching, such as old bunkers. With your smartphone and GPS you can go on an exciting treasure hunt, for example with a bicycle trolley. secretpoint.de
Become a mountaineer
Climb the Arkenberge in Blankenfelde (Pankow), at 121.9 meters the highest peak in the capital.
Metal treasure hunt
Borrow a metal detector (from 25 euros/day) and – with the permission of the property owner – explore the underground of a garden. You'll be amazed at what you can find there.
Call a sauna barrel
You can rent a barrel sauna in Berlin for a day from 85 euros, including firewood for up to four hours of sauna fun in the garden. Information: ☎ 0163 1322 467
Balcony workshop
Build picture frames on the balcony, make candles or weave baskets. With a little guidance (e.g. YouTube videos) and manual skills you can make many beautiful things.
Mountain bike tour
In the Grunewald, beginners and advanced skiers will find different routes for every requirement.
Play exit games
At exit-game.de you will find exit and escape games that you can also play online with many people.
Nature study via app
What is blooming there? Which tree is that? What is the name of this shrub? With a camera and identification app (e.g. PlantNet) you can study nature all over Berlin and Brandenburg.
Surfin' Berlin
Get in the car, crank up a Beach Boys album or playlist, roll down the windows and drive. Cruising through the city with "Surfin' USA" is like a little California vacation and makes FUN FUN FUN.
Soccer route
Well-rounded: 40 authentic places from 125 years of Berlin football history that you can explore by bike. Information about the tour: fussballrouteberlin.de
Photo check
There are many historical photos of Berlin online. But how does it actually look in the respective places today? Print out the old photo, drive there and compare.
Rent a canoe
In Brandenburg you can rent a canoe and go on tours in many places. Information and addresses as well as information on the currently applicable corona restrictions: Reiseland-brandenburg.de
Take control
You can make great films with your smartphone and a small editing program (e.g. Cute Cut). Write your own screenplay or re-shoot a scene from your favorite movie. Tip: Bridges and riverside paths are great film sets.
Jogging in the park
Berlin has wonderful jogging routes in parks, for example in Lietzensee Park, Treptower Park, Tiergarten, Jungfernheide, Friedrichshain, Humboldthain or Volkspark Schöneberg.
Discover Panke
The Panke gave Pankow its name and flows into the Spree in Mitte. It is exciting to follow their course through Berlin by bike or on foot.
Rent a sauna raft
The Müggelsee currently has around 4 degrees Celsius, the Finnish sauna raft up to 90. You can rent it and take a break on the water. Three hours for 2 people (from one household) from 230 euros. finnfloat.de/finnfloat-saunafloss/
Open-air exhibition
The exhibition "Revolution and the Fall of the Wall" in the former Stasi headquarters documents the most important stations of the peaceful revolution in the GDR on 1300 square meters. Admission free, 24 hours a day. Ruschestrasse 103 (Lichtenberg)
Hiring a wasp
You can also drive a 50cc Vespa with a car driver's license. You can rent one for around 35 euros a day. Of course there are also e-scooters. Lots of offers online, e.g. vespa-miet.de
Tempelhof field
Suitable for all kinds of sporting action (jogging, biking, skating, kite), daily from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Observe distance rules!
Become a sausage expert
Take trips to the best curry stands in town (B.Z. tested them). Then feed unfortunately only a corner further. Extra tip: walk there! You can explore new corners and burn French fries calories.
Wall Trail bike tour
The route around the former West Berlin, 160 kilometers long, can easily be covered by bike in stages.
Fotomaton kiss
You can still find old photo booths in the city. For example at Checkpoint Charlie and Moritzplatz. Then disinfect your hands!
Poetry Slam Audio Tour
The audio tours of the "Kiezpoeten" are a podcast, audio book, poetry slam and city walk for the whole family in one. 7.90 euros per tour, directly on the smartphone. Info: kiezpoeten.com
Photo shoot
Do your own outdoor photo shoot. Make-up, great clothes, from cool to sexy. Tip: Charlottenburg Palace Park, sooo romantic.
Paddle tour
Stand-up paddle boards and rubber dinghies don't just work on vacation. Anyone who has practiced well will not fall into the still rather cold water.
You're never too old for ACTION and adventure! FOR SENIORS
Rediscover the Kiez
Schmöckwitz, Lübars, book? Berlin is huge, nobody has been everywhere. Explore an area where you have rarely been or never been.
Learn a language
Corona time can also be used to learn a foreign language. You don't have to sit at home to do this, you can go for a walk with audio guides or a learning app.
Duck pond in Springpfuhl
Great for walking and several nice playgrounds in the area. Helene Weigel Square (Marzahn)
Off to botany
The botanical garden is blooming again, only the greenhouses remain closed. Daily 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., 6 euros, reduced 3 euros, only online tickets due to Corona (except for annual pass holders). König-Luise-Strasse 6-8 (Dahlem), bgbm.org
Explore Laubenland
Berlin's allotment gardens are a paradise. Most colonies are open to walkers and invite you to explore.
Alba Sport
Since the beginning of the pandemic, young and old have been keeping fit with Alba's daily sports lesson. Link to the YouTube channel on: albaberlin.de. Tip: just do Alba Sport outside.
Discover the Briese Valley
From Birkenwerder or Borgsdorf S-Bahn station you can hike into the beautiful Briesetal. This is pure enjoyment of nature!
Family tree walk
Where did parents and grandparents live as children? How does the old school look today? Where did we meet back then? Walk to the addresses of their family history. Don't forget photos for the children or simply take them with you.
Heaven & hell
Meeting point sidewalk: Show and explain to your grandchildren what you used to play on the street. Jump rope, marbles, chalk, pebbles. Suggestions: kinderspiele-welt.de
Stair trimming
It's never too late for an age-appropriate workout. There are stairs as fitness equipment everywhere. Exercise equipment for seniors can be found, for example, in the Lietzensee Park in Charlottenburg.
Art or clutter
The antiques duel: Everyone looks for three items from the household that they consider particularly valuable. Then they check online what they are actually worth. The most valuable piece wins.
Village Church Tour
Berlin grew out of many villages, around 50 old village churches have been preserved. The oldest places of worship (beginning in the 13th century) can be found in Biesdorf, Karow and Marienfelde.
Where am I?
Seniors travel a lot. Take a picture of yourself and send your loved ones a picture with the question: Where am I? Guess where you're at right now?
Potsdam's parks
The many beautiful parks in Potsdam are open from 8 a.m. to sunset. In Sanssouci & Co. is by far a great place to walk.
Do you speak grandson?
Sometimes grandparents and grandchildren don't get along. "What's a bro?" Grandpa asks. “What is a single record?” asks the grandson. Just make a game out of it when you go for a walk. Everyone has ten attempts with yes/no questions.
Jewish Cemetery
The Weißensee Jewish Cemetery is one of the largest and most beautiful in Europe. Main entrance on Roelckestrasse. A visit is possible from 6.30 a.m. to 4 p.m., except on Shabbat (Saturday). Please wear a mask and men also wear a hat.
Admire old towns
In Spandau and Köpenick you can experience real old towns. A walk is like a little journey through time. Tip: Google information about sights beforehand.
100 round trip
It's been in travel guides for a long time: take the 100 bus from the zoo to Alex and the 200 back again. A real city tour, only cheaper. Also exciting for natives!
Britz estate
Historical farm where you can also discover animals in the outdoor area. Great photo opportunities! Alt-Britz (Neukölln)
"Fat Marie"
Hike to Berlin's oldest tree, the so-called "Dicken Marie". The oak, which is at least 600 years old, can be found in the Tegel Forest on the Malche. A 25-minute walk further along Mühlenweg is Berlin's tallest tree, a 43-meter-high larch.
Excursion to the Kleist grave
Where the unfortunate poet Heinrich von Kleist shot himself in 1811, you will find his grave at Kleiner Wannsee. A literary destination that can be combined with a detour to the Großer Wannsee. Bismarckstrasse 2 (Wannsee)
Check out World Heritage Sites
Six modern housing estates in Berlin have been part of the World Cultural Heritage since 2008. Discover the Hufeisen- and Tuschkastensiedlung, Weißer Stadt and Wohnstadt Carl Legien, the settlements Schillerpark and Siemensstadt.
Village walk
In the shade of the slabs you will find the post mill, an animal farm and a small playground. Alt-Marzahn (Marzahn)
Aroundland Fishing Trip
There are numerous fishing ponds around Berlin, such as in Rottstock (25teiche.com). There you can cast a rod directly from the breeder without a fishing license.
Maintain balconies
Get your balcony ready for spring. Plant pots and boxes, don't forget kitchen herbs and a comfortable seat.
Let's dance!
What they can do on TV, you can do for a long time. Dance again, with or without a partner, in the living room or in the park.
Hiking along the Havel
The Havelhöhenweg is one of the most beautiful hiking trails in the city. From Spandau to Wannsee through the Grunewald, around 10 km along the Havel. Or they roar down the Havelchaussee by bike or e-bike.
Gardens of the world
Even now you can discover a lot here, breathe deeply. Unfortunately the cable car does not run because of Corona. Day ticket 7 euros, reduced 3 euros. Blumberger Damm 44 (Marzahn), booking online: gruen-berlin.de
Around the Müggelsee
17 kilometers of forest and water, you can experience this on a hike or bike tour around the Müggelsee. Start and finish is Rübezahl: ruebezahl-berlin.de
