Thüringen/Jena, 25.07.2026: The summer holidays are all about adventure, discovery, and creativity. Throughout the Free State, museums, theme parks, and cultural sites offer a diverse range of activities for children and teenagers. Here is a structured overview of the most attractive destinations by category.
- Topic: Excursion tips for the summer holidays in Thüringen
- Focus: Music, Nature & Science, Art, History, Outdoor Adventures
- Target Group: Families with children and teenagers
- Service: Specific addresses, admission prices, and current dates
Music & Sound World
Musical history and modern song production meet in Thüringen:
- SMARTCity-Studio Gera: Teenagers can compose and edit their own music on a tablet.
- Address: Heinrichstraße 30, 07545 Gera
- Special Feature: Free participation in technical workshops (e.g., video editing from August 3 to 8, 4–6 PM). Note: Previous courses such as streaming have already concluded.
- Info: www.gera.de
- Bachhaus Eisenach: Experience history up close while following in the footsteps of Johann Sebastian Bach.
- Address: Frauenplan 21, 99817 Eisenach
- Admission: Adults 14.50 Euro, reduced 8.50 Euro, children under 6 free
- Opening Hours: Daily 10 AM – 6 PM
- Special Feature: Interactive sound stations and historical instruments to try out.
Nature, Physics & Stargazing
For young explorers and budding natural scientists, Thüringen offers exciting destinations:
- Zeiss-Planetarium Jena: The oldest planetarium in the world offers numerous children’s shows about stars, dinosaurs, and the planets following its renovation. You can also use your visit for further astronomical insights at the Planetarium Jena.
- Address: Am Planetarium 5, 07743 Jena
- Admission: Adults 15 Euro, reduced 13.50 Euro
- Dates (Selection): Dinos (e.g., July 27 & 31), “Holidays under the Stars” (July 30 & Aug 5). Note: The “Traumzauberbaum” concert series has already ended.
- Mitmachwelt Explorata Zella-Mehlis: Grasp physical phenomena with all your senses.
- Address: Forstgasse 29, 98544 Zella-Mehlis
- Admission: Adults 10 Euro, children from 11 years 8 Euro, children up to 10 years 6 Euro, family ticket 30 Euro
- Opening Hours: Daily 10 AM – 6 PM
- Special Feature: Over 100 experimental stations on optical illusions and mechanics.
- Erlebniswelt Saalfelder Feengrotten: The most colorful show grotto in the world according to the Guinness Book of Records.
- Address: Feengrottenweg 2, 07318 Saalfeld
- Admission (Feengrotten ticket): Adults 17 Euro, children (4–14 years) 13 Euro
- Opening Hours: 11 AM – 5 PM
- Naturkundemuseum Erfurt: Ship model “Noah’s Ark” with numerous specimens.
- Address: Große Arche 14, 99084 Erfurt
- Date Tip: Discovery tour “Polar Bear meets Penguin” on July 29 at 10:30 AM. Note: Drawing workshops have concluded.
Art & Creative Expression
Creative minds will find plenty to enjoy at various youth art schools and studios:
- Lindenau-Museum Altenburg: Multi-day workshops for young aspiring artists.
- Address: Kunstgasse 1, 04600 Altenburg
- Date Tip: Airplane model building from July 25 to 26 (10 AM – 2 PM).
- Jugendkunstschule Nordhausen: Creative project weeks ranging from media art to furniture construction.
- Address: Domstraße 20a, 99734 Nordhausen
- Dates: Stop-motion film (July 27–31), DIY interior design (August 3–8). Cost: 60 Euro per course week.
History & Time Travel
Thüringen’s palaces, castles, and museums bring past eras to life, sometimes using the latest technology:
- Petersberg Experience Erfurt: Virtual time travel to the year 1181 at the citadel.
- Address: Petersberg, 99084 Erfurt
- Admission VR-Tour: 19.90 Euro (reduced 14.90 Euro), daily at 1 PM and 3 PM.
- Wartburg Eisenach: World Heritage site up close with child-friendly tours.
- Address: Auf der Wartburg 1, 99817 Eisenach
- Family Tours: Saturdays and Sundays at 11 AM, 12 PM, and 1 PM. Outdoor grounds are accessible free of charge.
- Museum Burg Posterstein: Summer puzzle about Squire Kuno for children.
- Address: Burgberg 1, 04626 Posterstein
- Admission: Adults 5 Euro, reduced 3 Euro, children up to 6 years free.
- Goethehaus Weimar: Virtual 3D tour through Goethe’s living quarters.
- Address: Frauenplan 1, 99423 Weimar
- Dates: July 26 and 28 (10:30 AM – 3:30 PM). Admission free.
Outdoor Adventures in Nature
Those who prefer fresh air and exercise will find excellent destinations directly in nature:
- Dinosaur Trail on the Jenzig (Jena): 2-kilometer long educational trail with dinosaur figures, information boards, and an augmented reality app (“Trixi Trias”). Starting point at Jenzigweg/Am Erlkönig in Jena. Admission is free.
- Kyffhäuser-Denkmal (Steinthaleben): Historical castle ruins with the deepest well in Germany and a special puzzle booklet for children available at the ticket counter. Open daily from 9:30 AM to 6 PM.
Editorial Background: Leisure and Educational Offers in Thüringen
The Thüringen cultural and educational landscape is increasingly focusing on experiential pedagogy and interactivity during the summer holidays. Instead of pure knowledge transfer, the focus is on hands-on stations, augmented reality, and practical workshops. This allows children of different age groups to gain a playful approach to scientific and historical topics. In particular, locations in the Jena, Erfurt, and Weimar regions combine historical traditions with modern digital media offerings.
Source:
Summer holidays in Thüringen: These excursions are guaranteed to delight children
Transparency note: This article was created automatically, editorially reviewed, and expanded with AI support.