Located just 20 minutes outside Zurich, Umwelt Arena is a fantastic indoor destination for a family day out in Switzerland. Perfect for rainy days or when the kids need to burn off energy, this impressive multilevel arena features dozens of interactive exhibits on sustainability and the environment. Families can ride bikes, scooters, and even electric cars inside the arena, making the experience both educational and fun. With so much to explore, plan for at least three hours during your visit.
Arena Track – Ride, Drive, and Explore
One of the top highlights of Umwelt Arena is the arena track, where children and adults can test a variety of vehicles. After arrival, take the elevator down to the track level and scan the provided QR code to sign up for riding slots. There are separate slots for bikes and e-scooters, and for electric vehicles. Equipment is marked with colored tags to indicate age suitability: 5 and up, 10 and up, and adult. Helmets are provided, and younger children under five can ride with a parent in cargo e-bikes or scooters designed with seating for little passengers. Our four-year-old daughter loved riding in the electric cargo bike with a front basket seat, while our seven-year-old son had a blast trying the larger four-wheel, go-kart-style bikes. The arena also offers a driving experience in e-vehicles, including the compact Microlino. In two-seater cars, children can accompany an adult driver—remember to bring your driver’s license for verification. There is also a small play area for toddlers (five and under) with balance bikes and mini scooters.
Sustainability Exhibits and Hands-On Learning
Beyond the track, two more floors are filled with interactive exhibits focused on sustainability and environmental impact. Our kids enjoyed exploring a giant mouth while learning about food waste, zooming down the energy-generating slide, and trying a simulated car driving experience. Many exhibits are designed for hands-on engagement, with buttons to push and levers to lift. Most signage is in German, so we used a translation app, Google Translate, to understand the information.
Treasure Hunt for Kids
At the ground-floor entrance, families can pick up themed treasure hunts from a bookshelf. There are different versions based on age, each containing 10 questions written in German. Answers are found across various stations in the museum, making it a fun and educational way to learn about sustainability. Once completed, the treasure hunt can be returned for entry into a prize drawing—a great incentive for kids to stay engaged during the visit.
Family-Friendly Dining Options
Umwelt Arena has a self-service restaurant serving Swiss cuisine, along with desserts, snacks, and drinks. The restaurant caters to families with baby chairs and child-sized portions such as pasta or chicken nuggets. Guests can choose between indoor seating—one area overlooks the arena track—and outdoor terraces. For those bringing their own food, there is a picnic area on the top floor near the slide, with tables and stools for a casual meal.
Tickets, Parking, and Amenities
The museum offers a family ticket and discounts for COOP grocery store cardholders (20% off). Parking is available in an underground paid lot, with elevators leading directly to the ticket counter. The facility includes a gift shop next to the entrance and lockers for storage (refundable with a 2 CHF coin deposit).
Final Thoughts
Our family genuinely enjoyed our time at Umwelt Arena. Highlights included riding the variety of vehicles on the arena track, exploring creative exhibits, and discovering new ways to live sustainably. While the German signage added some challenge, using Google Translate made it manageable. For families seeking a fun, educational, and weather-safe day trip close to Zurich, Umwelt Arena is a top recommendation.