Excursion tips for the summer and selected holiday activities for families with children in the Ruhr area
Are your children bored on holiday in the Ruhr region? Not on the Industrial Heritage Route! Many of our locations offer a wide range of activities for all ages. There's plenty to discover and experience along the route, such as the Zollverein industrial park swimming pool, the Great GPS Treasure Hunt at the route's anchor points, and the many hands-on activities for a family day out.
We present some experiences from the huge range of holiday offers at Ankerpunkte on our homepage.
Excursion tips for the summer holidays
July 15st - August 26th
Factory swimming pool at Zollverein
A refreshing swim in the middle of a total work of art: where coal was once baked into coke, swimmers can cool off in the bright blue factory swimming pool from Saturday, July 15, 2024. From July 15 to August 26, 2025, one of the most impressive bathing locations in Germany will be open daily from 12:00 p.m. to 20:00 p.m.
GPS treasure hunt on the Industrial Heritage Route
Fancy a treasure hunt on the Industrial Heritage Route? Simply download the official Geocaching app and find a geocache at any of the 27 anchor points. These are small boxes that can be found using the app's coordinates and puzzles.
July 11st - August 24th
Outdoor summer cinema in the Duisburg-Nord Landscape Park
From July 11 to August 24, the popular Stadtwerke Summer Cinema will once again draw film and industrial culture fans of all ages to the Duisburg-Nord Landscape Park. The program features exciting blockbusters, entertaining family fun, and cinema classics. Screenings include How to Train Your Dragon, Elio, and Wicked.
24 July
Glückauf-Day summer holiday program:
On Thursday, July 24, 2025, an exciting summer holiday program awaits elementary school children at the LWL Museum Zeche Zollern. From 10:30 a.m. to 15:00 p.m., young and old can learn more about the miners' daily work, underground work, and the workings of a hard coal mine on a children's tour called "The Miner's Path." Afterwards, there will be a colorful hands-on program in the courtyard, featuring a wheel of fortune, touch boxes, a hot wire, a steam engine, a paint spinner, an ergometer, a weather model, and much more.
13 July
Mine Safari: Medicinal herbs and magical plants
During mine safaris at the Nachtigall mine, even the youngest children can discover the secrets of nature. Interested naturalists aged six and over can embark on a two-hour safari through the industrial museum. Participation costs three euros plus admission. From 15 p.m.
July 13 & August 31
Children's Day at the Bochum Railway Museum
On July 13th and August 31st, the Railway Museum kicks off its school holidays with a day full of activities and entertainment for the whole family. Younger visitors are the focus and can look forward to numerous games and rides on historic vehicles. The history of technology is conveyed in an easy-to-understand and playful way, for example, with explanations on a large steam locomotive or a ride on the quaint narrow-gauge railway. The popular little rail bus, also known as the "Schweineschnäuzchen," will shuttle between the museum and the Bochum-Dahlhausen S-Bahn station throughout the day.
20 August
Holiday cinema in the Henrichshütte
By popular demand, the LWL Museum Henrichshütte's holiday cinema will be showing "Ostwind" on August 20th at 15 p.m. The film is about the relationship between the young girl Mika and the horse "Ostwind," who becomes unpredictable after an accident – a thrilling experience! Participation is free.
06 August
Zollern in Motion - Holiday program for primary school children
On Wednesday, August 6, 2025, the LWL Industrial Museum Zollern Colliery welcomes you for games, fun, and exciting discoveries! All elementary school-aged children are cordially invited to participate in the free holiday program. It starts at 10:30 a.m. with the children's tour "The Miner's Path" – followed by plenty of exercise and puzzle-solving fun: stilt walking, sack races, sidewalk chalk, a Zollern quiz, and a hula hoop workshop will keep you in the holiday spirit until 15:00 p.m.
03 August
Big family Sunday at Zeche Nachtigall
On Sunday, August 3, 2025, the LWL Museum Zeche Nachtigall invites you to a free hands-on program on Big Family Sunday. From 11:00 a.m. to 17:00 p.m., you can experience exciting activities like blacksmithing, crafts, and a ride on the Muttentalbahn – all completely free of charge. Come along to Nachtigallstraße in Witten and spend a varied day full of fun and discovery!
24 August
Beauty of Steel - turning old into beautiful: Upcycling from scrap
Old metal becomes art! Family Sunday at the LWL Museum Henrichshütte in Hattingen on August 24th, from 10 a.m. to 18 p.m., is all about creativity, recycling, and the spirit of discovery. Starting at 13 p.m., the free creative program "Beauty of Steel – Turning Old into Beauty" invites you to join in: Imaginative works of art are created from scrap metal. For curious kids, there's the popular "Rat Tour" at 14:30 p.m. – an exciting guided tour for accompanied children ages 7 and up. Participation costs €2 plus museum admission.