Through November 8, 2026
Iss was?!
Hands-on exhibition for children aged 4 to 12 about where food comes from, smelling, tasting, and digestion, with a milking cow, grain mill, and play shop.
Kinder- und Jugendmuseum München
Hands-on museum for children aged 4 to 12 in Messestadt Riem, with changing themed exhibitions and the youth area "Museum machen".
Opening hoursAdmission from €5.50 Wheelchair accessible Café
Current exhibitions
About the museum
The children's museum was founded in 1990 by decision of the Munich city council, initially as a mobile program in a retired city bus that traveled to neighborhoods, playgrounds, and festivals. In 1995 it found a temporary home in the former station restaurant at the main station. This makeshift space of about 600 square meters became home for almost three decades, during which more than two million children and adults visited the exhibitions.
Since 2001 the museum has been run by a nonprofit association working on behalf of the cultural department of the state capital. Munich's children's museum was among the first of its kind in Germany and has so far developed almost 40 hands-on exhibitions on topics from children's everyday lives, such as air, soap bubbles, building, music, or nutrition. Educational guides support visitors as they try things out and experiment.
After a long search for a location, the museum moved in 2024 to the former Bauzentrum (building center) in Messestadt Riem. The new building offers considerably more space, a large entrance area, a café, and better accessibility. In addition to the changing main exhibition for ages four to twelve, it permanently houses the participatory area "Museum machen" (Making a Museum), where children and teens aged ten and up research, exhibit, and share knowledge themselves.
Highlights
- Changing hands-on exhibitions for touching, exploring, and tinkering
- Currently "Iss was?!" about smelling, eating, and tasting (until November 8, 2026)
- "Museum machen": dedicated floors where young people aged 10 and up run a museum
- Museum café run by children and teens
- Children's birthday parties in the exhibition
Permanent exhibitions
- Museum machen – Participatory area on the fifth and sixth floors where children and teens aged 10 and up research objects, design their own exhibitions, and run the museum café.
- Founded
- 1990
- Operated by
- Pädagogische Aktion/Kinder- und Jugendmuseum München e.V. (im Auftrag des Kulturreferats der Landeshauptstadt München)
- Director
- Peter Suttner, Andreas Ernstberger (Geschäftsführung)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €5.50 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | €5.50free up to age 3 · Admission per person from age 4; younger children free. |
| Groups (10+ people) | €4.50 per personOrganized groups (max. 25 children, at least 2 accompanying adults) must register; during school holidays, admission only with registration. |
| Families | €16Familienbande (family ticket): up to 5 people, of whom no more than 2 adults; each additional person €4.50. |
Payment in cash or by EC debit card; no credit cards. Children's birthday party in the exhibition: admission plus €25 for the reserved birthday table (optional tableware package €10).
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The new building is wheelchair-accessible. For visitors with disabilities, the museum recommends calling the organization office in advance to discuss options. Dogs are not allowed, except for assistance animals on a leash.
Kids & families
Great for kids & familiesRecommended for ages 4+
| Time needed | approx. 1.5 hrs |
|---|---|
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 3 |
| Family ticket | €16 · Familienbande (family ticket): up to 5 people, of whom no more than 2 adults; each additional person €4.50. |
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
- Kids’ birthday parties
Exhibitions for children from about 4 to 12 years (age recommendation for each exhibition); younger siblings are welcome. Hands-on and research stations and workshop areas; "Museum machen" (Making a Museum) from age 10; children's birthday parties from age 4.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Messestadt West
U2 to Messestadt West.
By car
Parking available
Only very few public parking spaces in the immediate vicinity, some of them paid; arriving by public transport is recommended.
Amenities & dining
- Café
Museum café on weekends and during school breaks, run by children and teenagers, with free small snacks and drinks; "Brotzeiteck" (snack corner) for food you bring yourself.
Events & venue rental
Children's birthday parties in the exhibition with a reserved table for up to 10 children (2.5 hours, registration required); birthday boxes available to borrow for parties at home.
Plan your visit
| School programs | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Individual visitors and families do not need to register; groups of 10 or more should register by email or phone (Mon–Thu 10:00–14:00). On school-day mornings, guided programs for school classes and daycare groups. "Museum machen" for children aged 10 and up during the school term Fri 14:00–17:00 and Sat/Sun 10:00–17:00, during school holidays Tue–Sun 10:00–17:00. |
