Vacation with Children on Usedom: Excursion Destinations for Families in Any Weather

Hardly are the suitcases unpacked in the apartment when the children’s first question usually comes: “What are we doing today?” The good news: Usedom offers an astonishing variety of excursion destinations, activities, and events especially for families all year round – and especially during holiday periods. Throughout the summer, the Imperial Spas’ summer festivals – Ahlbeck Summer Festival, Bansin Summer Festival, and the Heringsdorf Glamour Days – extend over several weeks across the island, featuring carousels, theater performances, acrobatics, concerts, and bumper cars. A special highlight is also New Year’s Eve: between Christmas and January 5th, the island becomes truly festive again: the Winter Market in Heringsdorf with rides, stalls, children’s fireworks, and a children’s program makes the island a short high season – a contrasting program to New Year’s Eve in the big city.

From the free play beach with a daily changing program to the Ferris wheel on the promenade: The Imperial Spas offer a range of events worth considering when planning your vacation. Therefore, a look at the Usedom Imperial Spas event calendar is essential for every

vacation planning – there you will find up-to-date information on what is specifically offered during your stay.

As hosts of the OSTKÜSTE Boutique Apartments, we know the island not from a travel guide, but from our own family life. In this overview, we show you our favorite places. We love the highlights on the promenade, but a trip to the hinterland is also particularly worthwhile: between fields and the Achterwasser, you can experience agriculture and nature up close – whether feeding horses, cows, and sheep on one of the farms in the hinterland or observing bison in the Bison Park.

More tips directly on site: Feel free to visit us with your children at our guest reception at Seestraße 8, 17419 Seebad Ahlbeck – our OSTKÜSTE team knows the current events and often has a personal recommendation or two ready.

Nature on Usedom with Children: Outdoors in the Fresh Baltic Sea Air

Usedom thrives on its nature – and it’s particularly easy to discover it at eye level with children.

On the path through the treetops, the forest suddenly becomes an adventure playground: suspension bridges, observation platforms, and a view over the Imperial Spas that amazes even adults.

Europe’s first Spa and Healing Forest is located directly in Heringsdorf and is excellent for a quiet afternoon among trees instead of concrete. Its own children’s healing forest with motor skills and sensory path makes the forest an experience even for the little ones. In summer, an open Forest Yoga takes place here every two weeks on Wednesdays from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM.

Among palms, parrots, and small monkeys, even weather-hardened North Germans forget for a few hours that the Baltic Sea is roaring outside – a popular destination for families with younger children.

Tire slide, farm animals, and a café with a selection of cakes that allows children to stay longer than planned. Karls Erlebnis-Dorf also fits well with a hinterland excursion in terms of distance – more on that below.

Usedom in the Rain: The Best Bad Weather Tips for Families with Children

If the Baltic Sea wind is too fresh for the beach, Usedom offers plenty of indoor destinations – from interactive exhibitions to theater performances.

Iodine-rich water, a water playground for the little ones, and a view of the Baltic Sea, even if no one wants to swim outside – well suited for a full rainy day with the family.

A former circus tent that became a theater: In summer, special performances for young guests – puppet shows and fairy tales that even adults enjoy – are held here in the mornings.

Around fifty tractors and agricultural machines from a hundred years of German agricultural technology, collected by volunteers and lovingly explained. An insider tip for families who want to experience a short, tangible piece of agricultural history between rain showers.

The island’s largest indoor mini-golf course with movable obstacles and modern lighting technology – a reliable afternoon plan for the whole family, especially on rainy days.

Peenemünde is located at the northern end of the island – about an hour’s drive for most of our guests. The journey is worthwhile if you plan a full day and combine several museums, instead of spontaneously driving there for an afternoon:

• Phänomenta Peenemünde – over 300 hands-on experiments on 3,000 m², from kindergarten age, daily 10:00 AM–6:00 PM, adults €16, children 7–17 years €13.50, 3–6 years €9.50.
• Historical-Technical Museum Peenemünde – the history of rocket development, including its dark side (forced labor during Nazism); more suitable for elementary school age and older children.
• Maritime Museum “U-461” – walk-in submarine right next door, also more for elementary school age and older.

Climbing, Romping, Cycling: Active with Children on Usedom and the Baltic Sea

Courses of varying difficulty, so that even the youngest members of the family can climb along, while the older ones venture to the higher platforms.

A round of mini golf with a view of the green and a break at the bistro next door – easily accessible on foot from the apartments in Heringsdorf.

Sandcastle competitions, beach Olympics, and yoga directly by the water: The sports beach between Ahlbeck and Heringsdorf is active all spring and summer – ideal for letting off steam after a day at the beach.

In summer, a Ferris wheel – currently the “Circle of Life” – and a carousel regularly turn on the promenade in Heringsdorf. As these are seasonally changing rides, the offerings may vary slightly from year to year; a look at the current event calendar is worthwhile.

On the promenade in Ahlbeck, there is also a skate park and a basketball court – a good activity for older children and teenagers who want to spend some time without their parents.

The Imperial Spas are deliberately low-traffic – ideal for cycling safely with children from the promenade to the next excursion destination. Rental bikes are available directly in Heringsdorf and Ahlbeck.

Playgrounds on Usedom: The 3 Best for Families in Heringsdorf and Ahlbeck

Sometimes you don’t need a big excursion – just the right playground. Our three favorites from the Imperial Spas:

A large pirate ship with a climbing wall, lookout, and hammock, plus a pirate castle with a slide and “wreckage” for climbing. Right next door is the play beach, which offers a changing program daily during the summer holidays.

In Ahlbeck, there are several playgrounds: Starting with the Westend playground with a connected Active Promenade that allows young and old to be active together. After the pier, there is the playground with a tower (a bit shadier) with a slide, swing, and climbing garden. WC building directly at the playground.

A small, quiet playground in the park with shade-giving trees and two slides and three swings for different age groups – ideal if you prefer something more manageable than the bustling Pirate Playground.

On the Water: Boat Trips & Water Sports with Children on Usedom

Free for guests with a spa card and a small adventure on the water for children: With Adler Schiffahrt, pier hopping between the Imperial Spas can be experienced in a relaxed way.

Kayak, stand-up paddle, or an exhilarating ride on the speed tube: available for rent directly at Heringsdorf pier, for an active afternoon on the water. There is also a trampoline park and other play facilities for children.

A good day trip tip for the Achterwasser instead of the open Baltic Sea – calmer and often more relaxing for smaller children.

A leisurely cruise across the Achterwasser with a stop at the fish restaurant – for families looking for a calmer water excursion than the open sea.

Rowing boats, swan pedal boats, and license-free motorboats directly on the Achterwasser, plus a great restaurant and an observation tower – a relaxed half-day for the whole family.

Excursion Destinations in the Usedom Hinterland: Experience Nature & Agriculture Up Close

If you have a little more time, the Usedom hinterland will reward you – here the island shows its quiet, rural side. Its hills and lakes are unique and are therefore affectionately called the Switzerland of the Baltic Sea by guests.

Land Rover tours through the hinterland with pick-up anywhere on Usedom, bookable all year round, also as a winter tour. The routes show the diversity of the island with moors, lagoons, cliffs, small villages. Much is reported about the island with a picnic. Very suitable for families and groups (or bachelor parties)

Bison and wild horses in the show enclosure – feeding times are a good anchor for daily planning.

Guests visiting in autumn or winter can experience a beach ride at Sallenthin Riding Stable : Beach rides are offered exclusively in the off-season from early October to late April.

A more elaborate, but rewarding day trip: From the ferry, it’s a bit further to the wildlife park – well-plannable, but not really for a spontaneous afternoon.

Contrary to what the name suggests, not a classic petting zoo, but a rescue station for domestic, farm, and wild animals. For families, it’s primarily interesting as an educational visit on animal welfare – less as a “feeding cows” experience.

From November to March, the ice sports facility on the dune next to the Heringsdorf pier transforms into an open-air ice rink – a popular activity for winter vacations with children. In addition to ice skating, curling, figure skating, and ice hockey are possible; ice skates and skating aids for children can be rented on site, and a snack bar provides refreshments in between. Groups of 15 or more can book the rink Monday to Friday between 8 AM and 2 PM outside regular opening hours – registration at 0152 54971925 or info@eisarena-insel-usedom.de.

Season start and opening hours vary annually. The 2025/26 season ended on March 1, 2026, reopening expected in November.

After an excursion, a break is essential – preferably with cake and a view of the Baltic Sea.

• Holzofenbäckerei Böder – traditional bread and rolls from the stone oven, Tue–Sat. During high season, pre-ordering is recommended, as a queue often forms on site.
• Café & Konditorie Wehnisch, Ahlbeck – classic cakes and ice cream, with colorful sprinkles for the little ones, of course.
• Karls Kneipe, Ahlbeck – down-to-earth cuisine where even picky children’s plates are emptied. Located directly at the playground, so parents can sit in peace.
• Genusswerk Pier14 – Café with fresh bread, pasta, and pizza.
• Uwes Fischerhütte & Alte Fischhalle, Ahlbeck – fish directly in the dunes, uncomplicated for the whole family (keep an eye on the seagulls).
• Neppermin Fischpalast – fish restaurant with a playground, lawn for romping, and a terrace with sunset views.
• Domkes Fischeck – directly at the main tower playground in Ahlbeck

After a full day of excursions, everyone looks forward to a temporary home with enough space for peace and quiet. In our family apartments with separate bedrooms and a private kitchen, the day ends relaxed. . Baby Travel cot and picture book are part of our amenities. Learn more on our page about family-friendly holiday apartments on Usedom.