40 Best Rainy Day Ideas for Zurich (for kids & adults!)

Rainy days in Zurich are a perfect excuse to try the many wonderful indoor activities this city has to offer. From interactive museums to indoor water parks to animal habits, there’s something for everyone. Here are our favorite indoor activities in and around Zurich for both adults and kids.

Note: Prices and opening times may change without notice. Please check the relevant websites for current info.

Science & Technology

1. Technorama – Swiss Science Center

This science discovery museum has four floors packed with hands-on exhibits, from wind tunnels to giant marble runs to optical illusions. Lots to learn and experience for all ages.

They also offer biology, chemistry and physics workshops for both children and adults. Read our Technorama review.

Website: www.technorama.ch

Location: Technoramastrasse 1, 8404 Winterthur. From Zurich 30 mins by car, 40 mins by train

Cost: Adult CHF 33 / Child 6-15 years CHF 21

Open: daily 10:00 to 17:00

2. Kulturama – Museum of Mankind

Kulturama is an interactive museum, demonstrating the history of mankind and explaining how the body works through dozens of colorful, interactive displays, including fun activities for kids.

The topics range from skeletons, to cell division, to how the brain works, to the five senses and much more. Read our Kulturama review.

Website: www.kulturama.ch

Location: Zurich city – Englischviertelstrasse 9, 8032 Zürich

Cost: Adult CHF 14 / Child 6-15 years CHF 9

Open: Tue,Thu,Fri 13:00 – 17:00 / Wed 13:00 – 20:00 / Sat & Sun 13:00 – 18:00

3. Umwelt Arena

Learn about sustainability, the environment, and energy issues in this huge arena filled with educational exhibits and activities, many hosted by Swiss companies.

We loved testing a variety of scooters, bikes and electric cars on the testing track. Great way to learn about ways to improve your environmental impact. Read our Umwelt Arena review.

Website: www.umweltarena.ch 

Location: Zurich city – Türliackerstrasse 4, 8957 Spreitenbach

Cost: Adult CHF 21 / Child (6-15) CHF 16

Open: Wed-Sun 10:00 – 17:00

4. FocusTerra

Free earth science exhibit at ETH University in Zürich. It’s a small space but packed with lots of interactive exhibits about the origin, history and dynamics of planets. We particularly liked the model showing how glaciers formed the Zurich region landscape.

This place is more interesting for adults and older children with an interest in geology and earth science. But small kids will be happy to find lots of buttons to push. Read our Focus Terra review.

Location: Zurich city –  Sonneggstrasse 5, Zürich

Cost: free

Open: Mo-Fr 9:00 – 17:00 / Su 10:00 – 16:00 / closed Sat

Website: focusterra.ethz.ch

Transportation

5. Swiss Museum of Transport – Lucerne

A quick day trip from Zürich, the Verkehrshaus Luzern is the best and biggest museum in the transportation category. This enormous place is dedicated to all modes of transportation (planes, trains, automobiles, water craft, space, etc).

It has lots of kid-friendly interactive exhibits to both educate and entertain. Fun for kids and adults. Read our Swiss Museum of Transport review.

Location: Lucerne – Lidostrasse 5, 6006 Luzern. From Zurich 45 mins by car, 1h05 by train/bus

Cost: Adult CHF 35 / Child (6-15) CHF 15. Discounts for Swiss Travel Pass, Coop Hello Family Club, Museumpass, and more.

Open: daily 10:00 – 18:00 (closes at 17:00 in winter)

Website: www.verkehrshaus.ch

6. Zürich Tram Museum

Museum in Zürich city housing several historical models of Zurich’s trams to explore and a few amusements for children. Read our Zurich Tram Museum review.

Location: Zurich city – Forchstrasse 260, 8008 Zürich

Cost: Adult CHF 12 / Child (6-15) CHF 6. 

Open: Mon, Wed, Sat, Sun 13:00 – 18:00

Website: www.tram-museum.ch

7. Dubendorf Aviation Flab Museum

The “Flieger Flab Museum” documents the history of military aviation in Switzerland, from the beginning to present day.

It has many aircraft on display, flight simulators, and some interactive exhibits that children will enjoy. Read our Dübendorf Aviation Museum review.

Location: Überlandstrasse 255 Dübendorf. From Zurich 15 mins by car, 25 mins by train.

Cost: Adult CHF 15 / Child (6-15) CHF 6. 

Open: Tu-Fr 13:30 – 17:00 / Sa 9:00 – 17:00 / Su 13:00 – 17:00

Website: www.afc-fliegermuseum.ch

8. Bagger Museum

If you or your kids loves construction vehicles, this is the place for you! The museum has many tractors and other construction vehicles on display.

For the kids, there are ride-on construction vehicles, a mechanical digger to play on, a sandbox for digging, and real trucks to climb on. Read our Ebianum Bagger Museum review.

Location: Müliwisstrasse 1, 5467 Fisibach. From Zurich 35 mins by car, 1h by train.

Cost: Adult CHF 15 / Child (7-15) CHF 10

Open: Wed 13:30 – 17:00 / Sat, Sun 10:00 – 17:00

Website: www.ebianum.ch

Animals

9. Zürich Zoo

This large zoo has a wide variety of animals and a strong focus on natural habitats for them. There are plenty of indoor spaces, making it fun to visit in all seasons, including the Masoala rainforest, elephant park, primate habitat, and large aquarium with fish, reptiles and birds. Read our Zürich Zoo review.

Website: www.zoo.ch

Location: Zürichbergstrasse 219, 8044 Zürich / From Zurich center 15 mins by car, 20 mins by train.

Cost: Adult CHF 26 / Child 6 to 16 CHF 13 / under 6 free / Family ticket CHF 71 (online prices)

Open: daily year round 9:00 – 18:00 (closes at 17:00 in winter)

10. Dinosaur Museum Aathal

Tons of fossils, dinosaur bones, life-size dinosaur models, dioramas and informational displays spread throughout this surprisingly large museum. Great for kids. Read our Dinosaur Museum review.

Website: sauriermuseum.ch

Location: Zürichstrasse 69, 8607 Aathal CH / From Zurich center 25 mins by car, 35 mins by train.

Cost: Adult CHF 21 / Child (5 to 16) CHF 11 / under 5 free / Family ticket CHF 58

Open: Tues-Sat 10:00 – 17:00 / Sun 10:00 – 18:00 / closed Mondays

11. Zürich Zoological museum

This free museum is hosted by the University of Zurich, housing over 1500 preserved animals and dozens of fossils. There are interactive displays throughout the museum, so you can learn more through audio and video.

They show short educational films and occasionally run special activities for kids on weekends. Read our Zürich Zoological Museum review.

Website: www.zm.uzh.ch

Location: in Zürich city center – Karl-Schmid-Strasse 4, 8006 Zürich 

Cost: free

Open: Tues-Sun 10:00 – 17:00 / closed Mondays

12. Winterthur Natural History Museum

This small natural history museum has clever interactive exhibits and lots of charm and is unusually affordable for Switzerland.

Although it’s smaller than the Zurich Zoological Museum, we enjoyed this slightly more as it has more than just animals and more interactive elements for kids.

Read our post about Winterthur Natural History museum.

Location: Museumstrasse 52, 8400 Winterthur / From Zürich 25 mins by car, 30 mins by train

Cost: Adult CHF 5 / under 16 with adult free

Open: Tues 10:00 – 20:00 / Wed-Sun 10:00 – 17:00 closed Mondays

Website: https://stadt.winterthur.ch/naturmuseum

Swimming

13. Indoor Pools in Zürich

Zurich has many indoor swimming pools that are fun on any cold weather day year round. Most of these indoor pools have a lap pool and shallow “non-swimmer” pool for play time.

Some have fun extras like waterslides, splash pads for small children, heated outdoor pools with massage jets, and saunas.

Our favorite in Zurich city is the Alstetten pool, which has diving platforms, a water slide, heated pools with massage jets and bubble loungers, and bouncy pads at designated play times.

Website: www.bad-altstetten.ch

Location: Dachslernstrasse 35, Zürich ZH

Open: Mon,Wed,Fri 6:00 – 21:00 / Tue, Thu 8:00 – 21:00 / Sat,Sun 8:00 – 18:00

Cost: Adult CHF 8 / Youth (15-19) CHF 6 / Child (6-15) CHF 4 / under 6 free

See all our favorite indoor pools near Zurich.

14. Alpamare Water Park

Alpamare is a large indoor water park south of Zürich. It has about a dozen water slides, a wave pool, and a heated outdoor pool surrounded by a no-so-lazy river.

For small children (under 6), it has a paddling pool, splash pad and small slides. For adults, they have a wellness area with sauna, steam bath, and massage treatments.

This place is extremely popular, especially during the school holidays, so expect to wait in line. 

Website: www.alpamare.ch

Location: Gwattstrasse 12 Pfäffikon SZ / From Zürich 30 mins by car, 40 mins by train

Cost: 4h ticket – Adult CHF 43.70 / Child (6-15) CHF 35.15 (online prices)

Open: Mon-Thu 10:00 – 21:00 / Fri-Sat 10:00 – 22:00 / Sun 10:00 – 21:00

15. Säntispark

If you don’t mind traveling a bit farther, we like Säntispark near St Gallen a bit more than Alpamare described above. It has more amusements for smaller kids but still lots of exciting slides for big kids too.

It has a few relaxing pools with massage jets for adults, including in the main price. Plus more wellness areas and treatments for an extra fee.

Website: saentispark-freizeit.ch

Location: Wiesenbachstrasse 9 Abtwil / From Zürich 1hr10 by car, 1hr30 by train

Cost: 2h ticket – Adult CHF 31 / Child (6-15) CHF 21 / Discount for families and students

Open: Mon-Fri 9:00 – 22:00 / Sat-Sun 8:00 – 22:00

See more indoor water parks.

16. Hürlimannbad & Spa

This thermal bath and spa is right in Zürich city, a convenient option if you want to relax and warm up on a cold day. Our favorite part is the rooftop infinity pool with a view of Zürich city, particularly nice at sunset.

We also like the Roman-Irish spa ritual, in which you visit a series of rooms including steam baths, pools with massage jets, quiet lounge rooms, and more.

Although children are allowed, it’s not our favorite with kids as all spaces are quiet and focused on relaxing. With kids, we suggest Thermalbad Zurzach, about a 45 mins drive north of Zürich.  It has a rowdy lazy river that kids will love, a regular pool and splash pool for little kids.

We also like Solo Uno thermal baths near Basel, which has cool features like a lazy river, scented steam baths, warm rain room, cold waterfalls, etc. See also thermal baths with kids.

Location: in Zürich center – Brandschenkestrasse 150, 8002 Zürich

Cost: Adult day pass CHF 39 / Roman-Irish Spa Ritual CHF 65 (ages 16+)

Open: daily 9:00 – 22:00

Website: www.aqua-spa-resorts.ch

Sporty

17. Winterthur Skills Park

A huge warehouse filled with trampolines, a freestyle skate course, pumptracks, parcour obstacles, big air jumps, and a Ninja warrior style obstacle course.

Rent or bring your own scooters, skateboards, roller blades and freestyle bikes (and helmets!). Then practice your skills and experiment with new tricks.

It’s even fun just observing the many talented kids and adults jumping and flipping all over the place. Read our Winterthur Skills Park review.

Website: www.skillspark.ch

Location: Lagerplatz 17 8400 Winterthur / From Zurich 30 min by car or train

Cost: Aged 3-24 CHF 15 / Ages 20+ CHf 20 / Adult spectator CHF 3

Open: Daily from 10:00. Closing times vary by day.

18. FLIP LAB Rümlang

FLIP LAB is a 3.000m² trampoline park north of Zürich, near the airport. They have a variety of zones focused on different types of jumping and parcours.

Rather than a day pass, you book a time slot for 30 – 120 mins. Trained instructors are always in the facility to give tips and help you safely jump.

Website: www.fliplab.ch/zurich/

Location: Oberglatterstrasse 35, 8153 Rümlang / From Zurich 20 min by car, 30 mins by train

Cost: CHF 16 – 48 depending on how much time booked / Spectators free

Open: Mon-Tue 14:00 – 19:00 / Wed 13:00 – 19:00 / Thu-Fri 14:00 – 21:00 / Sat 10:00 – 21:00 / Sun 10:00 – 18:00

19. Minimum Bouldering Gym

The bouldering hall at Minimum is a good place to practice your climbing skills. They have dozens of climbing routes with a variety of difficulties, but none that require ropes and harnesses.

Children are welcome, but it’s not a playground and they must be supervised by adults. Minimum offers bouldering courses for adults and children. Read our Minimum review.

Website: minimum.ch

Location: Flüelastrasse 31, 8047 Zürich

Cost: Adult CHF 22 / Youth 13-24 CHF 17 / Child to 12 CHF 10

Open: Mon-Fri 8:00 – 23:00 / Sat-Sun 10:00 – 20:00

20. Kletterzentrum Gaswerk climbing gyms

Gaswerk has three large indoor climbing gyms near Zürich. Each gym has dozens of routes of varying difficulty as well as self-belay routes and bouldering walls. The Greifensee location also has a indoor ropes parcours course attached to the ceiling.

They offer drop-in use, abos and classes and rent equipment onsite. They require participation in a one-time training course before using the facilities on your own. They offer a large variety of courses from beginner to advanced. 

Website: www.kletterzentrum.com
Cost: Adult CHF 33 / Youth 14-20 CHF 14.50 / Child to 13 CHF 10 (more expensive on Sun and holidays)

They have three locations near Zürich:

Erlebnispark Milandia Griefensee
Im Grossriet 1, Greifensee
Open: Mon,Tue,Wed,Fri 10:00 – 22:00 / Thu 7:30 – 22:00 / Sat-Sun 9:00 – 20:00

Schlieren
Kohlestrasse 12b Schlieren
Open: Mon,Tue,Wed,Fri 11:00 – 23:00 / Thu 7:30 – 23:00 / Sat-Sun 9:00 – 20:00

Milandia Wädenswil
Rütihof 2, Wädenswil
Open: Mon,Tue,Wed,Fri 11:00 – 23:00 / Thu 7:30 – 23:00 / Sat-Sun 9:00 – 20:00

21. FIFA Museum

For football fans and newbies alike, this beautiful museum is filled history, videos, memorabilia, games and hands-on activities for all ages.

Kids will enjoy the fun activity book, with puzzles and quiz questions to answer at various stations throughout the museum. The giant human-sized pinball arena is a hit with everyone, as you rack up point kicking soccer balls into the machines. Read our FIFA Museum review.

Website: www.fifamuseum.com

Location: Seestrasse 27, 8002 Zürich

Cost: Adult CHF 24 / Child 7-15 CHF 14 / under 7 free / discounts for students, families, seniors

Open: Tues – Sun 10:00 – 18:00 / Closed Mondays

22. Indoor Playgrounds

Indoor indoor play halls are a great place for kids to run off extra energy on bad weather days. These places typically have trampolines, climbing equipment, bouncy castles, slides, and ball pits among other amusements.

Near Zürich, our favorite for little kids in Springding and for older kids Trampolino or Monkey Town.

See our list of indoor playgrounds near Zürich

23. Indoor Racquet Sports

Zurich has several indoor tennis courts that are open to the public. You can reserve them online at GotCourts.

There are several indoor sports complexes (not private clubs) around Switzerland that have indoor sport courts, like badminton, tennis, squash, etc. Near Zürich, we like Sihlsports in Langnau. 

Amusements

24. Adventure Arena

Adventure Arena has 20 rooms, each with a short mental and/or physical challenge that your team tries to complete in the allotted time (usually about 3 mins).

You bounce from room to room, trying different games until you complete them. In two hours, we were able to solve eight rooms and enjoy every minute of it. Best for adults, teens and kids 8+. 

Website: www.adventure-arena.ch

Location: Stettbachstrasse 2, 8600 Dübendorf

Cost: 2 hr ticket – Adult CHF 35 / Child (under 16) CHF 25 / more on weekends

Open: Wed – Sun – times vary by day, check current opening times

25. Escape the room

Escape the room games are a classic and there are lots to choose from in the Zürich area. Most recently we did the Submarine room at The Escape near the Zürich main station and really enjoyed it. All instructions there are in both English and German. We’ve done a few at ActionWorld west of Zurich, including the Tomb, which a group of six teens liked.

The cost usually ranges from CHF 35-50/person for a 1 hour game. Most games are best done with 2-4 people. Some Escape Rooms offer team challenges where large groups (like for a birthday party) can split into multiple teams and work in different rooms trying to beat the other teams.

Here a few escape rooms in the Zürich area:

• The Escape
• ActionWorld
• ROOM Escape Room
• Adventure Rooms

26. Bowling

Bowling can be a fun diversion when we have a long streak of bad weather. In the Zürich area, we like Fun Bowl Stockmatt in Affoltern am Albis, about a 20 min drive from Zurich. It’s clean, friendly, and festively lit, a comfortable place for families. They have bumpers to help small kids can enjoy the fun.

Website: www.funbowl.ch

Location: Zurichstrasse 183, Affoltern am Albis

Cost: starting at CHF 6 per round

Open: every day 14:00 – 24:00

27. Laser Tag

We usually save Laser Tag for birthday parties. But it’s also fun for small groups for an impromptu activity any day of the week.

In Zürich city, we like Laser Arena, which is located in the Enge neighborhood near Sihlcity. If you go with a big group, you can request that you are on the same team or split so you compete against each other.

On Wednesday afternoon, they have a special for kids – 3 games for CHF 25.

Website: laser-arena.ch

Location: Brandschenkestrasse 178, 8002 Zürich

Cost: Starting at CHF 15/game / discounts for groups and parties

Open: Wed to Sun / times vary by day – see opening times

28. Go Karts

Go-Karts are a special treat, driving loops around a curvy track up to 55km. We’ve hosted and attended a few birthday parties Kartbahn Spreitenbach, just north of Zürich city.

It’s an exciting track and the modern electric carts are really fun to drive. Kids over 130cm tall can drive the go-karts. 

Website: kart.ch

Location: Industriestrasse 166, 8957 Spreitenbach

Cost: CHF 19-26 per person per race / Discounts on Monday and your birthday

Open: Mon to Sat / times vary by day – see opening times

Food

29. Hot chocolate at Sprüngli café 

It’s always a treat on a cold day to sit in a beautiful café and enjoy Swiss hot chocolate and pastries in a cozy setting. Zürich has many fun cafes but if you want an old world feel, the Sprüngli café is a good choice.

We suggest their grand cru hot chocolate with chocolate foam. They have lots of beautiful pastries, but we typically get their chocolate truffle brioche, which chocolate baked inside. For groups larger than four or weekend brunch, best to reserve a table a few days in advance.

Website: spruengli.ch

Location: Paradeplatz, Bahnhofstrasse 21, 8001 Zürich

Cost: hot chocolate starting at CHF 7.90

Open: Mon-Fri 8:30 – 18:30 / Sat 9:00 – 18:30 / Sun 9:00 – 17:00

See our list of Best Hot Chocolate in Zürich.

30. Lindt Home of Chocolate

At this beautiful chocolate visitor center near Zürich, you learn lots about how chocolate is made and the history of chocolate, particularly in Switzerland.

The self-guided tour includes an audio guide, with a special version for children. There’s lots of delicious chocolate to sample on the tour.

We also like their workshops, where you get to make chocolate bars and other chocolate treats. Read our Lindt Home of Chocolate review.

Website: www.lindt-home-of-chocolate.ch

Location: Schokoladenplatz 1, Seestrasse 204, 8802 Kilchberg

Cost: Adult CHF 15 / Child CHF 10 / under 7 free – Reserve tickets here

Open: daily 10:00 – 18:00 / until 19:00 in summer April-Oct

For tourists, you may enjoy a guided tour of Zürich that includes a visit to Lindt.

See more chocolate factories we love.

31. Appenzeller Cheese Factory

An easy day trip from Zürich to this cheese factory and visitor center in Appenzell region. Learn about Swiss cheese making in a fun way with interactive displays and watch live cheese making on the factory floor.

The tour includes a sampler of the cheese made here. Kids will enjoy the games inside the museum and outdoor playground. See our Appenzell Cheese Factory review.

Website: www.schaukaeserei.ch

Location: Dorf 711, 9063 Stein

Cost: Adult CHF 12 / Child CHF 7 / under 6 free

Open: daily 9:00 to 17:30

Art Museums

32. Wow Museum – Room for Illusions

This fun museum has various “rooms of illusions” with all sorts of optical illusions and interactive activities. We loved the photo rooms, where you can capture animated GIFs of you inside weird environments, like the one here.

People of all ages, from young children to teens to adults, will have fun here. It’s very sensory oriented and doesn’t require much explanation, which means young kids can easily engage and enjoy the experience without understanding what’s really going on. Read our WOW Museum review.

Website: www.wow-museum.ch

Location: Werdmühlestrasse 10, 8001 Zürich

Cost: Adult CHF 23 / Child (6-16) CHF 16 / Child (2-5) CHF 5 / Family ticket CHF 73

Open: Mon, Wed-Sun – varying hours, see website / closed Mondays / best to book ahead

33. Kunsthaus – Zürich Art Museum

Zürich Kunsthaus is the largest art museum in Switzerland. Its collection range from Middle Ages to contemporary art, including many Swiss artists as well as more household names like Monet and Picasso.

It’s free to visit their collection on Wednesdays and the temporary exhibitions are discounted on Thursday evenings. They host many tours and workshops, also for children.

Website: www.kunsthaus.ch

Location: Heimplatz 1, Zürich

Cost: Collection ticket Adult CHF 23 / Free for youth under 17 / Reduced admission Thu 18:00 – 20:00 CHF 10 for collection & exhibition

Open: Tue-Sun 10:00 – 17:00 / Thurs open until 19:00 / Closed Mondays

34. Museum Rietberg

Museum Rietberg is one of the largest art museums in Switzerland, focused on non-European art and culture, both traditional and contemporary.

In addition to their interesting and beautiful exhibits, they offer creative courses for adults and hands-on workshops for families and children. Every Sunday 11:00 – 16:00, they have a drop-in “Open Workshop” where children 5+ (with an adult) receive instruction on various artistic techniques and experiment with the provided materials (CHF 15/child). See their upcoming program.

Website: rietberg.ch

Location: Gablerstrasse 15, 8002 Zürich

Cost: Adult CHF 18 / Free for youth under 16 / Free with Swiss Museum Pass & Zürich Card

Open: Tue-Sun 10:00 – 17:00 / Thurs open until 20:00 / Closed Mondays

History & Culture

35. Swiss National Museum (Landesmuseum)

The Swiss National Museum in Zürich has a vast collection of artifacts, including weapons, textiles, and artwork, which can help you understand what life was like in Switzerland throughout many centuries.

The museum offers a range of fun activities for kids, including dressing up in traditional Swiss costumes, trying on knight’s armor, and exploring the castle’s ramparts. They also offer a free “Family bag” and “Discovery suitcase” for families, both of which include puzzles and fun activities for children to compete during their museum visit.

Website: www.landesmuseum.ch

Location: Museumstrasse 2, Zürich – next to Zürich main station

Cost: Adult CHF 10 / Free for children under 16, Zürich Card, Swiss Museum Pass, Raiffeisen Members

Open: Tue-Sun 10:00 – 17:00 / Thurs open until 19:00 / Closed Mondays

36. Mühlerama – Flour milling museum

This industrial mill built in 1913 hosts a museum about the cultural history of flour milling, with many interesting multimedia displays. In a short guided tour, you can see the original mill in action, grinding and sifting flour.

Each person gets a cup of grain that you can grind on various stones and hand powered machines, making you very thankful that you can simply buy flour at the store.

Kids will enjoy the tall slide that was originally used to transport bags of flour to the main floor. They also have a puzzle game spread throughout the museum.

Although many of the exhibits will interest children, it’s best for kids over 6 supervised by adults. All information is available in English and German. 

Website: www.muehlerama.ch

Location: Seefeldstrasse 231, 8008 Zürich

Cost: Adult CHF 16 / Youth (6-18) CHF 9 / Free with ZürichCARD, Swiss Museum Pass and Raiffesien card

Open: Tue-Sat 14:00 – 18:00 / Tues open until 21:00 / Sun 10:00 – 17:00 / Closed Mondays

37. Lenzberg Castle

This beautiful castle near Zürich is one of the oldest and more important hilltop castles in Switzerland. It has rooms set up to show what it would be like to live in the castle in different eras.

For kids, the historical exhibits include interactive elements that encourage child to learn. There’s also a slightly scary dragon and play castle with dress up clothes, crafts, and and toddler corner. See our Lenzburg Castle review.

Website: www.schloss-lenzburg.ch

Location: Ellsworthweg, Lenzburg, Canton Aargau

Cost: Adult CHF 14 / Child 4-16 CHF 8 / under 4 free

Open: only April thru October / Tue-Sun 10:00 – 17:00 / Closed Monday

Entertainment

38. Theater in English

Zürich has many theater companies that offers family-friendly events, from plays to musical theater to classical music and opera. Most performances are in Swiss-German but here are three theater companies that perform in English:

• Simply Theatre Academy
• English Theatre Group of Zug
• Close Encouters Youth Theatre

See our full list of theater & music companies in Zürich.

39. Movies in English

Movies are perfect for a rainy day, but a little tricky in Switzerland if you don’t speak German. Happily Zurich has several theaters, include Arena Sihlcity and Kitag Corso and Abaton, that consistently show movies in English.

Most movies will show in the original language on one screen for the first two weeks, maybe longer if the movie is very popular. Kids movies may only show the first weekend in the original language, so don’t delay.

Look for the E/d/f symbol next to the movie title, the capital letter E indicating the spoken language will be English. The large letter is the spoken language and the small letters indicate subtitle languages.

40. Music concerts

If you enjoy classical music, the Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich offers many performances in their beautiful concert hall. One Sunday a month, they have a family concert matinee, with a fun program geared towards children, often with storytelling.

For kid-friendly events in Zurich and around Switzerland, we find these websites helpful (in German):

• LolaBrause.ch, Event calendar for kids and families covering all of Switzerland
• kikuka.ch
• Playshuttle.ch, Newsletter with current events and ideas