The island of Usedom is an ideal destination for families with small children. The tourist board of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania honours family-friendly accommodations, providers of leisure facilities and even municipalities with the official signet “Crowned Gustav”. The cheeky fish with its crown is awarded to eligible enterprises for three years.

With 42 kilometres of white sandy beaches, the shallow Baltic Sea and more sunshine per year than anywhere else in Germany, Usedom is a fantastic place for a family-holiday. The beach is ideal for building sand castles, cavorting in the sand and seawater or collecting bags full of shells. It’s fun to walk above the waves on one of the five piers while eating delicious ice cream.

While the adults admire the villas and mansions built in Resort Architecture style, their youngsters will love the climbing and experimenting facilities in the green spaces. Another attraction is the Climbing Forest of Neu Pudagla or Usedom’s largest playground, the Piratenpark (Pirate Park) in Trassenheide. And Usedom has even more to offer for children: lunch in a children’s restaurant, small size bathrobes and bicycles for hire, island safaris, the Butterfly Farm or 600 square metres of in-door miniature glowgolf. When it’s windy an exploratory walk along the shore or flying kites are popular leisure pursuits. In the winter, skaters of any age can turn pirouettes either on frozen lakes and ponds or on the artificial ice rink at the pier in Heringsdorf.

The following attractions are particularly suitable for families with children:

The Phänomenta in Peenemünde

Physics does not have to be boring; the Phänomenta tucked away in Usedom’s north-westerly corner can easily prove this statement to be true. In this interactive exhibition visitors may touch, try out and wonder. For instance they can lift a Trabi with one arm, stand in a soap bubble or blow out a candle with a drumbeat. The Phänomenta is open to visitors from April till October. www.phaenomenta-peenemuende.de

Glowgolf in Peenemünde

Adventurous explorers will love the 600 square metre indoor miniature golf, will gladly go for a treasure hunt along the 18 holes course and immerse themselves into the world of pirates. In the darkest depth of the sea and on the shore visitors meet lurking sea monsters and pirates in 3D, illuminated with fluorescent and black light. This is a great experience for the whole family.

www.glowgolf.de/standort/peenemuende

Spielzeugmuseum in Peenemünde (Toy Museum)

With its 20,000 exhibits dating from three centuries, the Toy Museum Peenemünde takes you back to your own childhood. Another highlight is the cinema with non-stop shows of children’s films from former times.

Schmetterlingsfarm in Trassenheide (Butterfly Farm)

Europe’s largest Butterfly Farm (5,000 square metres) is located in Trassenheide. Hundreds of butterflies inhabit this tropical paradise. Their colours and shapes are sensational. Furthermore the habitat of the butterflies itself is spectacular. The ripe fruits on the banana trees are within one’s grasp. A comprehensive exhibit of insects from around the world shows impressively the diversity of the invertebrates. www.schmetterlingsfarm.de

In Trassenheide the adventure park “Die Welt steht Kopf” (The World turned upside down) and “Wildlife Usedom” are open to visitors. www.weltstehtkopf.de www.wildlife-usedom.de

Horse Riding

A good horse is all you need to be happy. All equestrians, whether advanced or beginner, will find their dreams come true on the island of Usedom. Riding through the woods, along the beach, attending lessons or passing the exam of the “Small” or the “Large Horseshoe” makes children happy. 18 equestrian farms welcome horse lovers of all ages. www.usedom.de/themen/activ-natur/reiten.html

Piratenpark Trassenheide (Pirate Park)

The largest playground of Usedom apart from the beach is to be found in Trassenheide. On 13,000 square metres of the Hotel Seeklause children enter the world of pirates. Imaginative facilities for climbing, sliding, swinging, running and jumping ensure that children enjoy themselves.

Their parents may relax in the hotel. www.piraten-insel-usedom.de

Thermal Baths on Usedom

Two public swimming pools, the Bernsteintherme in Zinnowitz and the OstseeTherme in Ahlbeck, insure an enjoyable time in case the sun hides behind the clouds. The variety of swimming facilities for children such as children’s pools, slides, diving platforms and different saunas as well as wellness and beauty facilities for adults ensure a fun outing. www.bernsteintherme.de

www.ostseetherme-usedom.de

Miniature Golf in Koserow

The 36 hole course is suitable for all degrees of difficulty and will keep young and old mini-golfers happy for a good while. The proprietor will gladly organize festivities such as birthday parties, barbecues and nighttime golfing for visitors. www.minigolf-koserow.de

Kletterwald Usedom in Ückeritz (Climbing Forest)

In the woods near Ückeritz courage and skill are required, as the Climbing Forest Usedom is one of the largest in Germany. With 50 more or less difficult climbing elements from one metre to 15 metres above the ground children (from six years on) and adults will certainly have a good time. www.kletterwald-usedom.de

Waldkabinett and Gesteinsgarten at the Forestry Office in Neu Pudagla (Forest Cabinet and Rock Garden)

The Forest Cabinet at Neu Pudagla shows how fascinating nature can be. Visitors can learn about petrified wood or bog oak and learn how to distinguish between male and female mushrooms. The Rock Garden allows a journey back in time as far as the last glacial period 13,000 years ago. No matter whether visitors dip into igneous, sedimentary or metamorphic rock; they all are witnesses of an icy past. www.forstamt-neupudagla.m-vp.de

Windmills in Benz and Pudagla

One of the last post mills standing at its original place in MecklenburgWestern Pomerania is open to visitors in Pudagla. The picturesque smock mill in Benz has always been a tourist attraction. Both mills show how corn was ground to flour in the old days. www.muehle-benz.de

Wisentgehege Insel Usedom in Prätenow (European bison Enclosure)

The European bison is Europe’s largest mammal. These majestic animals can be watched in the out-door enclosure at Prätenow in the Mellenthiner Heide (Mellenthin Heath) from Easter until the end of October. www.wisentgehege-usedom.de

Tropenhaus in Bansin (Palm House)

The smallest zoo of Germany presents snakes, common marmosets, spiders and parrots. The advantage of being small: visitors can get closer and even touch the animals. www.tropenhaus-bansin.de

Kunsteislaufbahn in Heringsdorf (Artificial Ice Rink)

The square at the beach promenade of Heringsdorf, which during the summer months hosts the theatre tent “Chapeau Rouge”, becomes an artificial ice rink in wintertime. Skating, curling or playing ice hockey in the fresh winter air makes an enjoyable outing. www.eisarena-insel-usedom.de

Sternwarte in Heringsdorf (Astronomical Observatory)

Everybody reaches out for the stars now and then. At the Astronomical Observatory in Heringsdorf children and adults can get even closer by gazing through the telescope. Experts show and explain the signs of the zodiac, far away planets and the Milky Way. www.sternwarte-usedom.de

Tierpark in Wolgast (Zoo)

Wolgast is the gateway to the Sunny Island of Usedom. Its zoo is populated with more than 400 animals of 52 species. Guided tours, pony riding or show feedings are highlights for children’s birthday parties. www.tierparkwolgast.de

Surf Schools, Beach and Water Sports

Usedom’s beach is perfectly suitable for all beach and water sports either practiced for fun or professionally: beach-volleyball, sailing, surfing, kiting, water skiing or wakeboarding. Teachers and guides can be found at the sports areas of the beach in Karlshagen, Trassenheide, Zinnowitz and the Three Imperial Spas. The aquatic sports centres at the shore of the Achterwasser Lagoon, e.g. in Ückeritz and Lütow likewise have much to offer to sporty guests.

Island Cinemas

Even if Usedom is Germany’s Sunny Island, what is there to do if it really ever rains? How about a visit to the Clubkino in Zinnowitz or the drive-in cinema in Koserow?

Photo: Usedom Tourismus GmbH