Zermatt with Kids: The Complete Summer Guide
Planning a family summer in the Swiss Alps? Zermatt is one of the most rewarding places in Europe to visit with children. It is car-free, framed by the unmistakable Matterhorn, and packed with adventures that suit everyone from toddlers to teenagers. This guide covers the best things to do in Zermatt with kids in summer, how to plan by age, and the practical tips that make a family trip run smoothly.
Why Zermatt is brilliant for a family summer holiday
A few things make Zermatt especially easy and fun with children:
It is car-free. With no traffic in the village, kids can wander more freely and the clean mountain air is part of the appeal.
Everything is geared to the mountains. Funiculars, gondolas and cable cars carry families up to playgrounds, lakes and trails without a long slog.
There is something for every age. Gentle playgrounds and lake days for little ones; ropes courses, biking and Via Ferrata for older kids and teens.
The Matterhorn is always watching. That iconic peak turns even a short stroll into something memorable.
The best things to do in Zermatt with kids in summer
Forest Fun Park
A favourite for adventurous families, the Forest Fun Park sits in the woods above the village with more than a hundred rope-course elements and ziplines set among the trees. Routes are graded by difficulty and height, so younger children can take on the gentle courses while older kids and teens tackle the high wires. Helmets and harnesses are provided, and it is a brilliant way to burn energy on a sunny day.
Leisee lake and the Wolli Adventure Park
Take the funicular up to Sunnegga and you reach Leisee, a small mountain lake with a shallow, kid-friendly shore, a water playground, a play raft and picnic and barbecue spots nearby. The neighbouring Wolli Adventure Park adds slides, climbing frames and water features. It is one of the easiest half-days you can plan with little ones, all with the Matterhorn as a backdrop.
The Gornergrat railway and Gorner Gorge
The cog railway up to Gornergrat is an adventure in itself, climbing through forest and alpine meadows to a panorama of glaciers and peaks - the Matterhorn included. Back down in the valley, the Gorner Gorge is a fun, easy walk on wooden walkways above rushing turquoise water, and a favourite with children.
Mountain carts, dirt scooters and kick bikes
For a dose of speed, families can ride mountain carts and dirt scooters down the trails between Blauherd and Sunnegga. These are generally suitable from around age nine, depending on the activity, and are a guaranteed hit with energetic kids and grown-ups alike.
Family hikes and hanging bridges
You do not need to be a serious hiker to enjoy walking in Zermatt. Several trails are gentle enough for young children and even pushchair-friendly, with cafes and playgrounds along the way. The themed Wonderland Trail and the suspension hanging-bridge walks add a sense of adventure while rewarding small legs with big views.
Mountain biking for families
Zermatt has a network of marked bike trails ranging from easy valley paths to more challenging mountain descents. Older children who are confident on two wheels will love the family-friendly routes, and bikes can be hired locally.
Via Ferrata and climbing for older kids
Tweens and teens looking for a thrill can try a guided Via Ferrata, where fixed cables and steel rungs let you scramble safely along rock faces, or have a go at rock climbing with an instructor. These are best done with proper supervision and the right equipment.
Rainy-day activities
Even in summer the weather can turn, so it helps to have a back-up plan. The Matterhorn Museum (Zermatlantis) tells the story of the famous first ascent in a fun, hands-on way. Beyond that, kids love Swiss chocolate making, pizza making, pottery workshops and indoor sports, all of which keep spirits high when the clouds come in.
Zermatt with kids, by age
Different ages enjoy Zermatt in different ways. Here is a quick guide:
Toddlers and little ones (3-5): playgrounds, the Leisee water play area, short walks and lake days. This is the age range of our gentlest camp group, the Discoverers.
Young children (5-8): ready for more, with sports, easy hikes, the Forest Fun Park and plenty of games and crafts, much like our Adventurers.
Tweens (9-11): mountain carts, longer hikes, biking and lake days suit this independent, curious age, the heart of our Explorers group.
Older kids (12-14): Via Ferrata, mountain biking and climbing offer the right level of challenge, as enjoyed by our Rovers.
Teens (15-17): the most adventurous activities and skill-building, the focus of our Squad.
Practical tips for visiting Zermatt with children
Getting there
Because Zermatt is car-free, you drive or take the train to Tasch, park at the Matterhorn Terminal and hop on the shuttle train for the roughly 12-minute ride up to the village. From there, electric taxis and your own two feet do the rest.
When to go
July and August are the warmest, busiest months and the best time for lake days and high-altitude trails. Booking accommodation, and any camps or activities, a couple of months ahead is wise, as Zermatt fills up in peak summer.
What to pack
Mountain weather changes quickly, so pack layers, a waterproof, sturdy shoes, sun cream, hats and refillable water bottles. Even on warm days it can be cool at altitude, especially first thing and late afternoon.
Prefer to have the days planned for you? Try a Zermatt day camp
If you would rather your children spend their days on guided adventures, while you explore, relax or work, a day camp takes care of everything. Connect Summer Camps runs day camps in Zermatt for children aged 3 to 17, from 9am to 4pm, with lunch, a lift pass and equipment included. Drop-off and pick-up are in Church Square, in the heart of the village.
Every child joins an age-specific group: the Discoverers (3-5), Adventurers (5-8), Explorers (9-11), Rovers (12-14) and the Squad (15-17). Every leader is first-aid trained, reference-checked and police-checked, with small group ratios for close supervision.
A sample week at camp
To give you a flavour, here is what a recent week looked like for our Adventurers and Explorers:
Monday: Leisee Lake rafting and the adventure park, followed by chocolate making.
Tuesday: astro-turf games and time at the Forest Fun Park.
Wednesday: a hanging-bridge hike, a ride on the Gornergrat railway and a walk through the Gorner Gorge.
Thursday: trampolines and crafts, the Wonderland Trail, and pizza making.
Friday: the Furi forest playground, tennis and art activities.
Camps run weekly from early July to the end of August and tend to book up quickly. Take a look at our 2026 dates and prices, browse the frequently asked questions, or get in touch to plan your child summer in Zermatt.