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Oktoberfest With Kids: Safety Tips and Reminders!

Who says you can't have family fun at Oktoberfest in Munich with the kids? Oktoberfest is the world's largest Volksfest and everyone, including families, are most welcome.

The festival first began when Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria married Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen on October 12, 1810. Everyone that lived in Munich was invited to join the festivities, and to honour the crown princess. The location has since been named Theresienwiese (Theresa's Fields) and is now the permanent home and official fairgrounds where Oktoberfest is held (locally the location is known as the Wiesn). This year, the celebrations start on 21st September and end on 6th October.

The Oktoberfest is known the world over for beer kegs and tents, carnival rides, parades, performances, processions and more and tourists across the world flock to Munich every year to be part of the action. And if you want to bring your kids along, there are certain things you need to consider to keep everyone in your family safe and sound.

Get the Official Oktoberfest App

The official Oktoberfest App provides comprehensive maps and information, including emergency exits and useful titbits on where the police can be located on-site. Take note of security points and communicate them clearly with your children. The Munich government has also set up a security point for women and girls called Sichere Wiesn. This is just below the Bavarian statue.

You can take pushchairs, buggies, and nappy bags onto site

Pushchairs and buggies are welcome at the Wiesn from the openning until 6 in the evening, except for Saturdays or during the public holiday on 3rd October when the event will be very crowded. During those times, you can deposit them at the various lugage storage locations at each entrance to the Oktoberfest. Nappy bags need to adhere to the maximum bag size requirements (approx. 8 in x 6 in x 4 in) to be allowed in.

Kids are permitted in beer tents

Everyone is welcome in the tents during the mornings and afternoons. After 8 in the evening, kids under 6 are no longer allowed in, while kids ages 7 to 16 are only allowed to stay if they're accompanied by a parent or guardian. As you can imagine, Oktoberfest gets rowdier and rowdier as the night goes on, and these restrictions are in place to protect children and families.

You can make the most of the mornings and afternoons by taking your kids to large festival tents such as the Braurosl, Hacker Festzelt, the Hofbrau tent, and the Augustiner-Festhalle where you can buy children's meals at special prices. Also, make sure to check out Familienplatzl (Family Square) for child-friendly games, rides, and snacks - there's even a baby changing room and parking spaces for pushchairs.

Tuesday is family day

Family Day at Oktoberfest is every Tuesday, from 10 in the morning to 7 in the evening. During this time, families get to enjoy discounts on performers, food stands, and numerous rides - the Teufelsrad (Devil's Wheel) is even free for kids on Tuesdays.

A budget-friendly holiday with life lessons for the Kids

Oktoberfest presents parents with the unique opportunity to teach kids about Bavarian culture. Munich's warmth towards visitors from all over the world can be observed by staying at one of the budget-friendly camping grounds located just a couple kilometres from Theresienwiese.

A family of four can spend a night at Gptents in the Trudering-Riem district for just £130. Meanwhile, the same size family can stay at the much closer and more salubrious Munich Camping, Glamping & Dorms for £180 per night.

Holidaying on a tight budget is an important life lesson camping can impart on kids. This is especially poignant today considering the soaring childcare costs in the UK, which Save the Children reports are driving families into further debt. Camping is one of the most affordable ways to go on holiday, even for those going to Oktoberfest. Finding both child and budget-friendly options are a must for every family on a Wiesn holiday. If the campsites are full, child-friendly hotel options like the B&B Hotel or the LetoMotel, which fall within the same £100 to £200 price range, could be good alternatives. It's best to book early to get cheaper deals.

While Oktoberfest is known as the best beer festival on the planet, there's no reason why your entire family can't join in on the festivities. Follow the above rules and advice and you shouldn't have anything to worry about in terms of your family's safety.

There you have it, yet another reason for you to visit Munich Oktoberfest. We hope you enjoyed our blog and thanks for reading. PROST!

#oktoberfest #beerfestival #munich #oktoberfestmunich #beerfest #kids #beer #munichsoktoberfest #wiesn #prost #wilkommen #bavaria

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