There is a lot to do!
Robi kids
The four "Robi" playgrounds offer a special adventure environment for children and teenagers. The playground has no fixed equipment: the children and the caretakers build their own equipment. The children also help to set up the changing activity programmes organised on the playground. Self-initiative is the key here. During the summer and autumn vacations the "Robi-Spiel-Aktionen" association organises day-camps and special adventure weeks in Basel and the surrounding area.
Sport kids
A number of public swimming pools, indoor swimming pools, two ice-skating rinks in winter, countless football pitches and some 50 basket ball courts, as well as a large number of other sports facilities are available for use by children (and their parents...). Many of the more than one hundred sports associations in the region have junior sections. Trend sports, such as inline skating and skateboarding can be pursued in indoor and outdoor arenas throughout the year. All activities can be found in the Sportkalender.
Culture kids
Several of the major museums have special programmes with (multilingual) guided tours, theme afternoons and workshops. The following museums are fun for children: the "Spielzeugmuseum" (Toy Museum) in Riehen, the "Papiermühle" (Paper Mill) in St. Alban, the "Naturhistorische Museum" (Natural History Museum), the "Fondation Beyeler" in Riehen, the "Antikenmuseum" (Museum of Ancient Art), the "Museum der Kulturen" (Museum of Cultures) as well as the "Tinguely Museum".
Theatre and circus kids
Both the Basel Theatre and other playhouses in the region present plays suitable for children - and not only during the Christmas season. The "Basler Kindertheater" (Children's Theatre) stages plays for children all year round. In addition, there are a variety of youth circuses in the region which put on shows mostly during the summer months, and in which children can play an active part.
Film kids
Cinemas in Basel present more than just the standard international film productions aimed at children and teenagers. A special film club provides additional cinematic know-how: children aged between 6 and 11 are introduced to the world of cinema at the "Zauberlaterne" (Magic Lantern). Parents are not allowed.
Book kids and game kids
Libraries run by the "Gesellschaft für das Gute und Gemeinnützige", GGG (Association for the Public Good), with their multimedia children's and youth departments are found throughout the city (GGG Stadtbibliothek Basel). Three “Ludotheken” offer the same service with games and toys. And the "Interkulturelle Kinder- und Jugendbibliothek" (Intercultural Children's and Youth Library) offers the widest possible variety of children's literature in many languages.
Holiday kids
The "Dreiland-Ferienpass" (Three Nations Holiday Pass) for 6 to 17 year-olds is valid internationally and offers a boundless variety of fun, sport and games during the summer holidays from July to August. All activities are free or cost only a small charge.
"Kinderferienstadt" (Children’s Holiday City)
In the spring at the spacious and leafy Schützenmattpark, in the summer at the Old Town Wall in St. Alban-Tal, in the autumn at the new Claramatte park in Kleinbasel on the north bank of the Rhine - these are the sites of the "Kinderferienstadt" (Children's Holiday City). Here, with the exception of –supervisors, Basel belongs completely to children. Workshops, circus experience, an introduction to traditional craftsmanship and plenty of sport and fun are offered.
"Colour Key"
Membership of the "Colour Key" offers young people between 15 and 25 years of age a wide variety of leisure opportunities. Members benefit from some 50 free offers - including the zoo, museums and many sporting facilities – and around 200 reduced-entry tickets to parties and concerts.
"Basler Freizeitaktion" (Basel Leisure Initiative)
The "Colour Key" is supported by the "Basler Freizeitaktion", a state-subsidised association for children and adolescents. This association operates several youth centres and local club houses for the young, offering a wide range of fun and craft activities.
Jugendtreffpunkte (youth centres)
The city of Basel has a well-developed network of youth centres, known as Jugendtreffpunkte. They are equipped with a good infrastructure for various activities (games, toys, libraries, Internet corner, courses, music rooms, parties etc.), and represent an important pillar of youth culture.
