The Best Mountain Playgrounds in Wilder Kaiser with Kids: A Parent’s Guide

The thing that stood out to me most during my research was the sheer number of mountain adventure worlds and playgrounds dotted across the region. These aren’t your typical playgrounds with a slide and a swing — they are huge outdoor adventure areas built around nature, imagination and exploration.

From water play and barefoot trails at Hexenwasser, to magical forests at Ellmi’s Zauberwelt and castle adventures at KaiserWelt Scheffau, each mountain playground has its own personality and is designed to make the mountains accessible and exciting for children.

After spending several days exploring Wilder Kaiser with our boys, I wanted to put together the guide I wish I’d had before we visited — breaking down exactly what each playground offers, which ages they suit, how to get there, what facilities are available and which ones we think are worth prioritising.

Because when you’re travelling with young children, knowing whether a place has a zip wire, water play, a toddler-friendly area, a decent walk from the cable car or somewhere to grab lunch can make all the difference.

So here are the best mountain playgrounds in Wilder Kaiser with kids — tried, tested and explained from a parent’s point of view.

1. Hexenwasser Söll

Best for: Water play, nature adventures and families who love exploring

Cable car: Hochsöll cable car from Söll
Best suited to: Toddlers through to older children
Time needed: Half day to a full day

Hexenwasser is probably the most well-known of the Wilder Kaiser mountain adventure worlds, and it’s easy to see why. It’s not just a playground at the top of a mountain — it’s a huge outdoor adventure area with lots of different experiences spread across the hillside, meaning children can explore, play and discover something new around every corner.

The biggest attraction here is definitely the water play. There are so many different water stations where children can experiment, splash and get hands-on, making it a brilliant choice on a warm summer’s day.

There is loads here to keep children entertained, including:

💦 Water play stations – from moving water around channels to pumping, paddling and experimenting with different water features. This is where many children could happily spend hours!

🛶 Raft-style water activities – little boats/rafts that children can pull themselves along using ropes, which are a really fun addition and something a little different from a normal playground.

🪢 Zip wires – perfect for children who like a bit of adventure and want to do something a little more exciting.

👣 Barefoot trail – one of the highlights of Hexenwasser, where children (and adults!) can experience different natural surfaces under their feet. It’s a simple idea but one that children absolutely love.

🥚 Egg ball runs – make sure you buy one of the wooden eggs when you arrive! These can be used on the egg runs around the Simonalm area and are such a fun little activity to add into your day. It’s a small extra cost but definitely worth doing.

🏖️ Small sand play area – there is also a little sand play area near one of the mountain restaurants, which is a lovely extra stop if children need a quieter activity. It’s slightly away from the main cable car area, so it’s worth exploring further rather than staying in the first section you reach.

🌿 Nature trails and discovery areas – part of what makes Hexenwasser special is that it’s not one large playground. Instead, there are lots of smaller areas to discover as you walk around the mountain.

There are also several places to stop for food, making this an easy full-day adventure. You can grab lunch or a drink at one of the mountain restaurants while taking in the views, and there are plenty of places to pause when little legs need a rest.

Our top tips for visiting Hexenwasser:

• 💦 Bring towels and a change of clothes — the water play is one of the biggest highlights and children will almost certainly want to get involved.

• 👟 Take cheap water shoes — we found these really useful around the little pebble pools and water areas, as they made exploring much more comfortable for little feet.

• 🥚 Buy the wooden egg — it’s a small extra cost but adds another fun activity to your day.

• ⏰ Allow plenty of time — there is much more here than just one playground, so don’t rush your visit.

Would we recommend it?
Absolutely. Hexenwasser really sums up what makes Wilder Kaiser such a fantastic family destination. The mountain itself becomes the playground, and there is something here for children of all ages — whether they love water, climbing, exploring or simply getting stuck into something new.

2. Ellmi’s Zauberwelt Ellmau

Best for: Imaginative play, adventure trails and children who love to explore

Cable car: Hartkaiserbahn from Ellmau
Best suited to: Toddlers through to primary-age children
Time needed: Half day to a full day

Ellmi’s Zauberwelt was one of our favourite mountain adventure worlds in Wilder Kaiser because there was just so much for children to discover. It’s the kind of place where you arrive thinking you’ll spend an hour or two, but there are so many different play areas that you could easily make a full day of it.

Located at the top of the Hartkaiser mountain above Ellmau, the whole area has a magical forest theme, with lots of different play zones spread around the mountain. It feels less like one big playground and more like a series of little adventures waiting to be discovered.

There is loads here to keep children entertained, including:

🤸 Trampolines – always a winner with kids and a great way to burn off some energy.

🛝 Adventure play areas – with climbing, balancing and wooden play structures to explore.

🪢 Zip wires – perfect for children who love a little bit of adventure.

🏖️ Sand play and water play – great for younger children who enjoy sensory play.

🚗 Ride-on cars with a full track – one of those simple additions that children can spend ages playing with.

🌳 A treetop adventure area – where children can climb and explore amongst the trees.

⚪ Ball runs – make sure you buy the wooden balls for these! They are a small extra cost but add another fun activity as you make your way around the adventure world.

There is also another play area away from the main restaurant area, so it’s worth exploring beyond the first section rather than turning around once you’ve seen the main attractions.

As well as the play areas, there are themed trails and plenty of opportunities for children to explore the forest, making it a lovely mix of structured activities and imaginative outdoor play.

There is a mountain restaurant at the top too, which makes it easy to stop for lunch or a drink while enjoying the incredible views.

Our top tips for visiting Ellmi’s Zauberwelt:

• ⚪ Buy the balls for the ball runs — children will love using them as they explore.

• 🧥 Take layers — mountain weather can change quickly, even on sunny days.

• 👟 Wear comfortable shoes — there is more walking and exploring than you might expect.

• ⏰ Don’t just stick to the first play area you find — there are more activities to discover further around the mountain.

Would we recommend it?
Definitely. Ellmi’s Zauberwelt is a brilliant all-rounder and probably one of the best choices if you’re visiting Wilder Kaiser with children who love variety. There’s enough here for toddlers to enjoy, but also plenty to keep older children entertained too.

3. KaiserWelt Scheffau

Best for: A mix of playground fun, adventure and exploring the forest

Cable car: Brandstadl gondola from Scheffau
Best suited to: Toddlers through to older children
Time needed: Half day to a full day

When I was researching the different mountain adventure worlds in Wilder Kaiser, KaiserWelt was one that I wasn’t completely sure about. A lot of the information made it sound like it was better suited to slightly older children, with more of a focus on climbing, exploring and adventure.

However, when we visited, we were pleasantly surprised by just how much there was for younger children too. In fact, we found there was a great mix of activities that meant everyone could enjoy it — from toddlers wanting to play, to older children looking for more adventure.

As soon as you get off the gondola, there is already a fantastic playground area before you even reach the castle entrance, so children can start playing straight away.

There is loads here to keep children entertained, including:

🏖️ Sand play area – a lovely shaded area with a small play structure, making it perfect for younger children and a great place to take a break from the sun.

🤸 Multiple trampolines – always a favourite with children and a brilliant way to burn off energy after the gondola ride.

💦 Small water play area – a simple but fun addition, especially on warmer days.

🚗 Large ride-on carts – these were a huge highlight for our boys. Our 4-year-old was just about big enough to ride independently (and he is quite tall), whereas our 2-year-old needed us to push him around. It’s worth knowing that younger children may need some help from an adult, but they are great fun and definitely one of the activities children will want to repeat.

Once you’ve explored the playground area, head through the castle entrance and into the KaiserWelt forest adventure area.

🏰 Castle entrance and themed adventure area – a fun start to the forest section and something children will love.

⚪ Ball runs – don’t forget to bring your wooden balls! If you already have one from another Wilder Kaiser adventure world, you can reuse it here. The ball runs are dotted around the castle area and are another simple activity that children love as they make their way through the adventure world.

🌲 Forest exploration – children can wander through the trees and discover different play areas along the way.

🪵 Wooden play structures and adventure elements – perfect for climbing, balancing and imaginative play.

What we liked about KaiserWelt was that it gave families flexibility. Younger children can happily spend lots of time around the main playground area, while older children can head further into the forest and explore more of the adventure sections.

There is also a mountain restaurant nearby, making it easy to stop for lunch or a drink while enjoying the views across the Wilder Kaiser mountains.

Our top tips for visiting KaiserWelt:

• 🚗 Don’t miss the ride-on carts — but be aware smaller children may need an adult to push them.

• ⚪ Bring your wooden ball for the ball runs — you can buy one if you don’t already have one, but they are reusable across several Wilder Kaiser attractions.

• ☀️ The shaded sand area is perfect on hot days when younger children need a break.

• 👟 Wear comfortable shoes — especially if you want to explore beyond the main playground.

• ⏰ Allow more time than you think — it’s easy to underestimate how much there is for different ages.

Would we recommend it?
Definitely. If you’re visiting Wilder Kaiser with children of different ages, KaiserWelt is a brilliant option because it has something for everyone. We initially thought it might be one to save for when the kids were older, but actually there was plenty to keep younger children entertained too.

Astberg Going

Best for: Animal lovers, younger children and a more relaxed mountain adventure

Cable car: Astbergbahn from Going
Best suited to: Toddlers through to younger children (although the views make it enjoyable for all ages)
Time needed: Half day

Astberg has a slightly different feel from the other Wilder Kaiser mountain adventure worlds. While places like Hexenwasser, Ellmi’s Zauberwelt and KaiserWelt are packed with different activities and adventure areas, Astberg is much more about enjoying the mountain, seeing the ponies and taking in the incredible views.

The main attraction here is definitely the pony area, making it a lovely choice for children who love animals. There is something really special about seeing ponies up on the mountain, surrounded by the incredible Wilder Kaiser scenery.

There is also a small playground area, which is a nice extra and gives children somewhere to burn off a little energy while you enjoy the surroundings. It’s not on the same scale as some of the larger adventure worlds, but it’s a lovely addition to the day.

The playground includes:

🤸 A trampoline – always a favourite with children.

swing A swing – a simple but welcome addition.

🚂 A little train – perfect for younger children.

🧗 A small climbing structure – giving children a chance to play while taking a break from exploring.

Things to enjoy at Astberg include:

🐴 Pony experience – the highlight for many children, especially little animal lovers who will be excited to see ponies on the mountain.

🏔️ Amazing mountain views – Astberg has one of the most beautiful settings in Wilder Kaiser, with fantastic views across the surrounding peaks.

🌿 Open spaces to explore – perfect for children who enjoy being outdoors, running around and taking in the scenery.

🚶 Family-friendly walks – a great place to combine a little exploring with a relaxed mountain stroll.

One thing to keep in mind is that Astberg is less about ticking off lots of activities and more about enjoying a slower-paced mountain day. It’s a lovely option if you want to mix a little play, animals and fresh Alpine air without needing a full day of high-energy activities.

There are also mountain restaurants nearby, making it easy to stop for lunch, a drink or an ice cream while enjoying the views.

Our top tips for visiting Astberg:

• 🐴 Choose this one if your children love animals — the ponies are the main attraction.

• 📸 Take your camera — the views here are some of the best in Wilder Kaiser.

• 🧥 Take layers — it can feel cooler once you’re higher in the mountains.

• ⏰ Set expectations — this is a quieter mountain experience rather than a huge adventure playground.

Would we recommend it?
Yes, especially for families looking for a gentler mountain day. Astberg is a lovely choice if your children love animals, you want some beautiful views, or you’re looking for a more relaxed experience alongside the bigger adventure worlds in Wilder Kaiser.