Visits to playgrounds don’t always mean boring swings and monotonous slides—in Berlin, they can be truly extraordinary. This is proven, for example, by the city’s largest playground, featuring a Dracula slide, international themed areas, and a real climbing paradise for kids. Next on our list is a playground that transports you to the world of the Middle East: The 1,001 Nights Playground is located in the heart of Volkspark Hasenheide in Neukölln and is entirely modeled after the famous stories from “1,001 Nights.”
At the 1001 Nights playground, the oriental fairy-tale theme runs through nearly the entire grounds. Children can play on a “flying carpet,” go on an imaginary journey with a large sandplay ship, or explore the various wooden structures. Small playhouses, some of which are arranged like an oriental village, complete the themed world.
There are plenty of opportunities here for climbing and balancing. Climbing walls, nets, climb-and-slide combinations, balance beams, and a wobbly bridge provide plenty of variety. Of course, classic playground favorites like slides, swings, and seesaws are also included. Things get a bit more unusual with a tire swing, hammocks, a climbing pyramid, and the so-called Emerald Carousel.
Especially in the summer, it’s also worth a visit because of the water play area. Here, kids can let off steam at a water pump with a channel and play with water and sand to their heart’s content. Thanks to the numerous large trees in Hasenheide, there are also shaded areas and benches around the playground for a quick break in between.
But the family outing doesn’t have to end after the playground. Very close by is the Hasenheide Animal Enclosure, home to fallow deer, Heidschnucken sheep, and donkeys, among other animals. There’s also a small petting zoo with geese, ducks, chickens, sheep, and goats. The Volkspark also offers opportunities to play soccer and volleyball, as well as a rose garden, a rhododendron grove, and a small pond.
You’ll find the playground on Karlsgartenstraße in 12049 Berlin, right in the middle of Hasenheide. From the Hermannplatz subway station, you can walk to the park and easily combine your visit with a stroll through Hasenheide. Especially convenient for families:The playground is open to the public and there’s no admission fee.
