Catherine - Savvy Family TravelHey there, adventurous families! Are you ready to discover the charming city of Basel, Switzerland with your little ones, but looking to mix in a few spots off the typical tourist paths?
Well, you’re in luck! Basel is not just a city of museums—it’s a full of with unique and engaging activities that are perfect for families. Here’s how to spend one day in Basel that will keep your kids entertained and enchant you at the same time.
One important tip – avoid Mondays! Many museums here are closed on Mondays.
Admire City Hall Inside and Out
We’ll start at City Hall as it is located in the area where most visitors enter into town.
What sets Basel City Hall apart is not just its striking red facade but its rich history and cultural significance stretching back over 500 years.
Situated in the heart of the city’s Marktplatz, this iconic building acts as a living museum, showcasing exquisite frescoes that narrate Basel’s past. These artworks make a walk through the hallways akin to stepping into a vivid history book, with each painting offering a story to behold.
Tip: This is a great, free restroom stop during their open hours!
Closed Saturday and Sunday
Admission is free.
Get Hands on at the Basel Paper Mill
At the Basel Paper Mill, you’ll discover a hands-on workshop where your kids can make their own paper, marble paper, type on an old typewriter, and more.
The museum beautifully demonstrates the ancient arts of papermaking, printing, and bookbinding. It’s a tactile and engaging experience that mixes history with creativity.
Admission cost: Adults: CHF 20, Ages 5-16: CHF 11, Ages 0-4 Free
Spielzeug Welten Toy Museum
Kick off your day with a sprinkle of magic at the Spielzeug Welten Museum (Toy World Museum).
This isn’t your average toy museum; it’s home to the world’s largest collection of teddy bears, and an enchanting array of dolls, dollhouses, and carousels. I’ll be honest, I had my doubts, thinking, “why would kids want to look at toys they can’t touch?” But then I read that they take the displays to the next level to engage kids.
For example, one year, all kids got to ride a pony around the museum while exploring. When we visited, they’d installed a ball track that ran through an entire exhibit floor.
To captivate a young audience, the museum gives children an iPad equipped with Augmented Reality when they aim the camera at certain exhibits. Children watch in awe as toy trains chug along imaginary tracks, dolls play a game of catch, and what they really loved is that ONLY KIDS could see the magic.
My boys also loved being able to push buttons that activated mechanical toys – including a full blown amusement park!
The miniature worlds and elaborate displays are sure to captivate your kids—and let’s be honest, you’ll enjoy it too! I caught myself pointing out the toys to my boys that I used to play with at my grandparents’ homes.
Closed Mondays
Admission cost: Adults: CHF 20, Ages 5-16: CHF 11, Ages 0-4 Free
Enjoy a Lunch Picnic by the Rhine
For lunch, why not grab some takeout from the local market or a nearby café and have a picnic by the Rhine? There’s a great spot behind the Basel Minster (the famed gothic cathedral) to picnic and allow the kids to watch boats glide by on the river.
Take a Foot Ferry Across the River
Basel designed ingenious river crossing ferries that are engineless! They are tethered to a cable that runs across the river to keep them on track, but rely entirely on the Rhine’s current to carry them across.
With low tariffs of only 2 CHF for Adults and 1 CHF for kids, this is definitely an experience to include in your one day in Basel! You can purchase tickets at the Tourist Information Office or on board.
Float Down the Rhine
Wondering what those people are doing in the middle of the river above?
Why, they’re joining the thousand of Swiss who jump in to cool off on a summer day in Basel!
One activity that’s sure to excite the whole family is floating down the Rhine on a ‘Wickelfisch’, a waterproof fish bag, which not only keeps all your belongings dry but also serves as a colorful flotation device. This safe and refreshing experience is a local summer favorite, giving families the unique opportunity to see the city from a different perspective.
If you prefer not to purchase fish bags for your one day in Basel, you can rent them at the Tourist Information office.
Spielplatz Solitude (Playground & Park)
If you want to find a quieter part of the city where kids can run and play, stroll over to Spielplatz Solitude. It’s close to the Tinguely Museum and has a sandbox, large lawn, playground, and gardens.
Climb the Basel Minster Tower
Basel Minster gothic cathedral is an ornately beautiful church and a can’t miss stop with just on day in Basel.
What kids will love most though is climbing to the top of it’s tower to take in the view over the Rhine.
Explore Another Museum
If you have more time and energy, check out one of the many more museums Basel has to offer. Review their website to find a museum that matches your family’s interests.
Undecided? We suggest spending part of your one day in Basel at The Natural History Museum. With exhibits showcasing the wonders of nature, children can stand beneath towering dinosaur skeletons, learn about different species, and participate in hands-on activities.
Grab a Bite at Markthalle
Wrap up your day at Markthalle, near the Basel SBB train station. This market hall offers a wide array of food options from all over the world, perfect for satisfying any palate.
The best part? A winding slide next to the escalator for kids to descend!
Indulge in Raclette
If you prefer a sit down meal, venture over to Elsbethenstübli for their delicious Raclette! It is a 6 minute walk from Markthalle. It’s a bit pricey, but hey, you only have one day in Basel!
Kid Friendly Shopping
Sadly, it is rare that I get to shop on our family vacations, but there were two stores in Basel that my whole family enjoyed! Tiger Copenhagen and the one pictured here, Søstrene Grene.
Kids’ “pretty please” selections won’t break the bank at these stores either!
Basel Zoo
We didn’t prioritize the zoo for our one day in Basel, but for an extra dose of fun, take your little ones to one of the oldest and largest zoos in Switzerland. Just a short tram ride from the city center, it’s the perfect addition to your one day in Basel and allows kids to meet animals from all around the globe.
End Your One Day in Basel with a Walk After Dark
If you are visiting outside of the summer months, it may get dark while your kids are still willing to explore. If you find yourself in the unique position to stroll after dark, the old town area will not disappoint.
The streets are safe and pedestrian-friendly, allowing for some last-minute exploration and perhaps a gelato or a hot chocolate, depending on the season.
Final Thoughts on One Day in Basel with Kids
There you have it—a day in Basel that goes beyond the typical, ensuring that both kids and parents have an unforgettable experience; from making paper to playing in or around the Rhine.
Our time in Basel was on a whim during our stay in the Alsace region of France. It was only about an hour from our lodging in Colmar. Be sure to check out our kid friendly itineraries for Colmar and the rest of the Alsace region!
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