The giant mountain-top playgrounds families travel across the world for, and the free valley and lakeside spots the guidebooks skip. Filter by what your family actually needs.
A big alpine playground at the Bort mid-station, where kids dam a real mountain stream, clamber over nets and ropes and ride marmot and squirrel rockers. It leans towards adventure, so it suits confident climbers best. There is a restaurant right beside it.
The famous one. An 8.5 metre wooden cow you climb inside and slide out of, with bowling and balancing ropes and arguably the best views of any playground here. The cow-themed Lieselotte trail leads down from it.
Many families rate this the best playground in Switzerland. A water maze, a big zipline and an underground obstacle course, all in natural wood, with a restaurant terrace looking over it. It sits above car-free Mürren.
A charming Swiss-themed role-play area beside the alpine flower garden, reached by a vintage cogwheel train from Wilderswil. It is quieter than the big names, with Lily's Puzzle Trail alongside for small legs.
Right by the church, a short walk from the station, with a full view of the Staubbach Falls. Swings, slide, sandpit, climbing and water play, plus picnic tables. No cable car and no ticket, so it is ideal for a first afternoon.
Central and handy, right by the Coop and the main street, with rope obstacles, swings and slides and mountains all around. An easy stop before or after the First gondola.
On the big central meadow where the paragliders land, framed by the Jungfrau. It has a climbing wall, a slackline, slides and a muddy water-play station, with a bistro alongside plus toilets and pram parking. A perfect place to burn energy straight off the train.
Along the Brienz promenade, kids pump turquoise lake water through channels, wheels and gutters, which keeps them busy for ages on a warm day. You can reach it by paddle-steamer from Interlaken, so it doubles as a boat outing.
A local favourite with big views over Lake Thun. It has a large trampoline, a go-kart track, a pump track and a climbing frame, plus a BBQ and picnic tables. It is also the start of the Erich von Däniken trail.
A dragon-shaped slide and a wooden castle beside the St. Beatus Caves on the shore of Lake Thun, with picnic tables and a grill. Pair it with the caves, or just enjoy the view.
A quiet, well-kept village playground a few minutes from Interlaken, with a BBQ area and a covered pavilion that comes in handy when the tops are in cloud. Uncrowded and local.
A central, shaded playground with a water feature, a big sandbox, a soccer field, picnic tables and toilets. A reliable town stop when you just need somewhere for the kids to run.
How we keep this honestMountain playgrounds are seasonal. Most run from mid-June to mid-October, when the lifts are running, and access is often free with a Jungfrau Travel Pass or Berner Oberland Pass. We only list places we would take our own kids. Spotted one that is closed, moved or missing? Tell us.
Playgrounds you can walk between, with a story to follow.
A themed walk down from the Männlichen cow playground, where kids hunt for mountain crystals, try a real alphorn, climb the "Eiger North Wall" and help the chickens. One honest note: it is not suitable for strollers.
Nine puzzle stations where kids collect letters to spell a solution word and claim a small prize. Pick up the puzzle card at Wilderswil station or the top restaurant. The theme changes every year, so it is worth a repeat visit.
Sledging tips, secret playgrounds and the odd marmot selfie. Follow the guide's crew for family ideas across the valley.
@lauterbrunnen_guide on InstagramKids fares in this region are cheap and the right pass can save a family a lot. Build your days and our calculator finds the cheapest option, or tells you honestly when no pass is worth it.