Stroll and Scamper: 8 Courtyards for Kids
The Hackesche Höfe are a paradise for kids. Here, families can stroll at a relaxed pace – parents and children alike have a great time. We'll show you what your family can experience in the courtyards.
No traffic, plenty of greenery, and benches inviting you to linger. The eight courtyards are home to more than thirty shops, cafés, and restaurants. The Hackesche Höfe are practically made for families with children. While the little ones run from courtyard to courtyard or splash around in the fountain, parents have time to enjoy a coffee in peace or browse the shops. No one has to worry about losing sight of the others – and if you do, you'll find each other again in no time.
Strollers Instead of Cars
Let’s start with the best part: there are no cars in the Hackesche Höfe. The entire complex is car-free, giving kids the freedom to explore without parents having to keep a constant watch. That makes for a more relaxed stroll – for everyone. Even with a stroller, you can easily maneuver through the courtyards without constantly having to navigate curbs.
The eight courtyards are, on the one hand, a compact area, and on the other, with their winding paths and passageways, also spacious and full of nooks and crannies. That makes them the perfect playground: there's plenty to discover, enough room to romp around, and anyone who wants to play hide-and-seek will find plenty of opportunity to do so.
A Sweet Welcome: A Must-Stop in Courtyard 1
No sooner have you entered the courtyards than the first stop beckons in Courtyard 1: You won’t get past Canal’s ice cream shop with kids in tow. Ice cream is always a good idea, but in autumn and winter Canal switches to beautifully decorated éclairs.
The range of exciting ice cream creations makes it hard to decide. Ingredients like cinnamon, lemon zest, salted caramel ganache, or roasted pistachios pique the curiosity of grown-ups too. Courtyard 1 is also where you’ll find the stairs to the children’s cinema – but more on that later; for now, it's time to explore the courtyards. With ice cream in hand, you stroll on in good spirits.
Courtyard 3 – Bushes, Benches, and Bright Ideas
Courtyard 3 is one of the greenest. Quieter than the neighboring courtyards, it's a lovely spot for a rest on one of the benches in the small green area. At Promobo you can browse for ages: a shop full of quirky gadgets, design objects, and little things you don't need but absolutely must have. Kids get their fair share of fun here too – and might head home with glass marbles or sand molds, a stuffed animal, or a stamp set. And you parents are sure to find a fun gift here for the next birthday party invitation.
Courtyard 4 – Where the White Mice Dance Around the Fountain
The soothing sound of trickling water: A fountain sets the mood in the fourth courtyard, which is why it's also called the Fountain Courtyard. The water is calming and helps you slow down. Kids splash around or float little boats on it, while parents browse the many shops in the courtyard – and so time trickles pleasantly by.
Already finished off that ice cream from Canal? Courtyard 4 already has the next sweet temptation waiting. Squishy and sweet, for playing and for eating – the perfect combination for kids. That's exactly what Aseli's white mice offer. These sweet little creatures, with their hand-applied eyes, make even grown-ups' eyes light up. In the store of this Berlin institution, plenty of other creatures are running around too – from lions to elephants to dinosaurs.
Diggers Under the Chestnut Tree
The fifth courtyard is dominated by a large chestnut tree. Its trunk is surrounded by a big sandbox. There are always a few diggers at work here; shovels, buckets, and sand molds lie scattered about. The sandbox is framed by a circular bench – where parents can catch their breath while keeping an eye on the little ones as they dig.
This courtyard is also home to a shop that delights kids: the Ampelmann shop, with lots of products featuring Berlin's beloved traffic-light mascot – including items that help keep little ones safe in traffic, such as bike helmets, reflective vests, and school backpacks.
Courtyard 7 – Books and Toys at Levy's
Kids who love to read, marvel, and play should definitely head to Levy's Contor in Courtyard 7. Almost the entire range is aimed at them – once they step inside, and an hour will fly by in no time. Levy's specializes in books and toys that are not only fun but also educational. It's a wonderful place to browse together and find a little keepsake that will bring joy for a long time to come.
This is where kids' eyes go wide: a possible highlight of any family outing is the cinema on the fourth floor of Courtyard 1. It screens one, two, or more current children’s movies every day – two afternoon showings and one in the evening. A great reason for a visit to the courtyards: just check the schedule in advance and plan accordingly.
The Chamäleon Puts On a Circus
Kids love the circus. And contemporary circus is the focus at the Chamäleon Theater: animal-free circus that tells stories or explores an artistic idea. The shows offer a mix of music, dance, and breathtaking acrobatics – many performances are suitable for children too. If your kids are allowed to stay up that late and you want to get them excited about acrobatics and stage magic, take a look at the current program. There are shows almost every day. An evening at the Chamäleon is sure to leave the whole family amazed.
Sometimes you don't need a program at all. The Hackesche Höfe are a place where you can simply relax, stroll, and look around. The architecture of the first courtyard, with its colorful Art Nouveau façade, is a real eye-catcher for kids too – and a good opportunity to share a bit about the history of this special place along the way.
Eight courtyards, one relaxed atmosphere – plenty to see and plenty to do for young and old alike: that's what makes strolling through the city fun.
The Hackesche Höfe are open daily from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., with Courtyard 1 open until midnight (shop opening hours may vary). Rosenthaler Straße 40 / Sophienstraße 6, 10178 Berlin.