Kiddie Fun in Frankfurt

Q: Is there much to keep children occupied in Frankfurt, Germany? We will be spending four days there with our children, aged 8 and 11, and would appreciate any suggestions. - Sara Livington

A: Even coming from Africa, I am sure your children will enjoy the Opel Zoo, which is the only one in the city and is located in a forest. The zoo does not keep its animals in cages, but sensitively designed enclosures. It is home to lions, tigers, hippos, elephants and zebras, and there is a petting area. A play area includes a miniature railway system, slides and trampolines. For space to play and escape the city, head for the Palmengarten. It has a wonderful park section with a lake and fountains. To get a great view of Frankfurt's skyline, take a ride to the 8th floor observation platform at the Zielgalerie centre, and then check out the scale model of the Old Town at the Historical Museum. Have a drink at the apeflwein (apple wine) museum cafe and then visit the children's museum. Every day at 5pm you can hear the 40-bell Glockenspiel at the Old Nicholas Church play German folk songs. If the weather is warm enough, you can go swimming at one of the dozen or so public pools in the city - the one that the kids will like most is the Rebstock facility, which has a wave pool, a big water slide and hot tubs. If it's cold, take them to the Eissporthalle, an ice rink with two arenas and an in-line track. For details of these and many more attractions, visit the Frankfurt Tourism Office, either in the Old Town or at the main train station. Make sure you get a Frankfurt Card, which gives you an unlimited pass for public transport and discounts off entrance fees to museums. (10 May 2009)