Summer is the perfect time for family outings—and some of the most beautiful destinations aren’t far from Berlin at all. For example, Berlin’s largest forest high ropes course is only about 30 minutes from Alexanderplatz . However, if you’re looking for a refreshing way to cool off on hot days, you should visit the water playground on Schlossinsel in Lübben (Spreewald) . It’s one of the most popular free family destinations in Brandenburg.
The water playground was designed so that children can experiment with water on their own. Instead of a simple fountain, you’ll find a large play and adventure area featuring a wooden pirate raft, an artificial waterfall, water channels with small locks for damming, splash posts, a slide, a large sand area, small sand excavators, water wheels, and other interactive play elements. Children aged two and up will especially have a blast here, but older children will also find plenty of opportunities to play and explore.
Another plus is that both the water playground and the entire Schlossinsel can be visited for free. However, the water playground isn’t open year-round; it opens for the season every spring and remains open during the warmer months. The Schlossinsel itself is open daily from 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. from April through September ; starting in October, the gates close as early as 8:00 p.m.
The facilities also leave little to be desired. On-site, there are public restrooms—including a family restroom—benches, large lawns for sunbathing, picnic areas, and several dining options in the immediate vicinity. Thanks to accessible paths, the grounds can also be easily explored with a stroller.
If you’d like to extend your outing, you’ll find additional attractions right next door. Just a few steps away are the SpreeLagune with its natural swimming area and small beach, the docking stations for boat tours through the Spreewald, numerous bike and walking paths, and Lübben Castle with its museum. On the castle island itself, a maze, a sound garden, and large meadows also invite you to linger and have a picnic.
