Tips for Christmas Markets with Kids: It Can Be fun!

Last Updated on Nov 12, 2024

Many people think that visiting the Christmas Markets is an adult activity, but that’s absolutely not true. Visiting the markets with children is not only possible but also encouraged! Many markets around the whole continent are fantastic for children and filled with old-fashioned toys, craft stalls, and exciting rides.

Just because your trip will be centered around Christmas Markets with kids you will also need to add additional activities, but don’t worry – even adults will want to take a break from markets.

We visited various markets across Europe with babies, toddlers, and preschoolers and I can say that certain things can surely make or break your trip.

Our Best Tips for Visiting Christmas Markets with Kids (incl. Toddlers)

Dressing warmly goes without saying. Highly recommend bringing a blanket for the stroller unless you have a footmuff.

1. Don’t Visit the Most Popular Markets

The most famous Christmas markets are in Germany, but as a result, they are also the crowdest ones, and especially if you’re traveling close to actual Christmas time I will say that there are other more kid-friendly options out there.

We did visit Colmar with kids (at the time ages barely 3 years and 12 months), one of the most Instagrammable markets, but it was during Easter time when they also have markets, but they’re half as busy as during Christmas ones. I’m rarely the one telling you that the activity isn’t kid-friendly, but I don’t think we would have enjoyed it with even more people in town.

There are various underrated Christmas Markets that are less crowded and much more enjoyable for toddlers! Vienna, Paris, Gothenburg, Innsbruck, just to name a few.

2. Bring a Stroller or Wagon

Before our first trip to Christmas Markets, I read a ton of advice online to leave the stroller at home, because the markets get crowded and as a result hard to maneuver. Don’t listen to this!

It’s safe to say that without a stroller we wouldn’t have made it. Some markets were more crowded, but that’s when the wagon came to the rescue because we could plop the little one (who’s a runner) into the wagon so no one spills hot mulled wine on him.

In between the cold, snow, and rain which is normal at that time of the year, whenever the kids felt like they had enough they simply hid in their wagon under a rain cover. The same goes for walking to and from markets and the hotel – the cover was fantastic when it got windy.

That said, I feel like a small stroller wagon for two kids (we brought Larkdale Coupe) was marvelous, because they could entertain themselves under the cover.

3. Plan Kids Activity at Every Market

You might want to shop and drink gluhwine, but your kids might need a break and might not necessarily understand the magic. Let your kids ride a few fairground rides, or play a game. You might think they’re silly, but your kids will love it (and safe to say my husband secretly loved the crazy maze).

In Paris my kids played a pretty much certain-to-win fishing game and got kids whistle trumpets and it made their visit. In Vienna, they rode a carousel with a Paw Patrol balloon which made me more patient later when we calmly drank our drinks.

I hate to say this, but the kids were annoyed at Italian markets, despite them service amazing food, because there was “nothing for them to do”. Take your kids into the equation when picking the right markets.

Alternatively, if you don’t want to spend money check Google Maps for any playgrounds nearby. Most likely you will find something like we did in Paris or Colmar. We grabbed our food and walked for 3 minutes to let the kids get some energy out so we could eat it calmly.

4. Don’t Skimp On a Hotel

It might be cold, rainy, windy and you don’t want to walk for miles with little kids after visiting Christmas markets. Book a centrally located hotel, right by many markets.

5.Visit Markets Early in the Day

Every market tends to get crowded during the evening when locals get off work, but everything is open and functional all day. We would usually visit one market during the day for some shopping and cookies for the kids, then do something else and in the evening enjoy a light display.

Alternatively, if your little ones still nap you can just visit a Christmas market with kids early in the afternoon.

6. Consider a Christmas Market Cruise

“What” might be your first thought, but hear me out! If you want to hit multiple markets in the season, undeniably you need to either fly, take a train, or rent a car. While it’s not hard or impossible, it’s much more convenient to see the markets and then sleep in the same room (cabin) while you effortlessly move to your next destination.

River cruises are very different from big cruise ships. They usually take max. 100 people including staff and consist mostly of day excursions. Basically, they’re literally like floating hotel rooms in that case.

Many think that European river cruises are for retirees and adults only, and while that’s true for Viking Cruises for example and Avalon only takes kids 8+, there are surely options for families like Arosa for example.