Traveling through Germany and need a break from sightseeing to keep the kids sane? We’ve got just the activity for you! The Dynamikum is an interactive science and technology museum where kids can let off some steam while learning all about it!
In this article:
- Why Visit the Dynamikum?
- What to Do
- Rating Our Experience
- Dynamikum Visitor Tips and Information
- Where to Eat
- Things to Do Nearby
- How to Get to the Dynamikum
Why Visit the Dynamikum?
When we travel, we’re always looking for kid-friendly places to go. Sprinkling in something just for the kids sends the message that traveling is for everyone. Our grandson loves science and, of course, anything where he can get involved, so we seek out museums, open-air experiences, and just about any kind of transportation to keep him engaged. The Dynamikum is one of those places!
Have you heard of the Dynamikum? It’s a super cool museum for kids (and adults, too!) where you can learn about science and technology in a fun and interactive way, very similar to the epic Exploratorium in San Francisco. Imagine doing experiments, solving puzzles, racing, and moving around to learn about math, physics, mechanics, and more!
It’s a great way to get your body involved in the learning process and truly understand the concepts. We’ve been checking out experiential museums in our area, and we’ve already been to some amazing ones in Europe, like the Speyer Technik Museum, the Technoseum in Mannheim, and the Geoskop Museum in Lichtenberg Castle.
What to Do
Let me tell you about my recent trip to the museum. It was so much fun! As soon as we got there, we were excited to try out all the interactive stations. There were so many options that we didn’t know where to start! We spent a lot of time at some of the stations that caught our eye, and we had a blast trying to improve our skills.
The very first station we went to set the stage, we were going to have a blast. It was an air hose that pushed balls around, and we had to try and make the ball go through a raised hoop. It was challenging, but we had so much fun trying to master it.
One of our favorites was a room where we could race different animals on a film and racing apparatus. We were over the moon when we beat the penguin, but we couldn’t beat the shark – it was just too fast! We spent a lot of time at this station, trying to race each animal at least three times.
We also loved playing with the pendulums, vibrations, curves, rotation, reaction times, balance, and spinning tops. There was just so much to do, and we couldn’t remember every single activity we tried!
Rating Our Experience
I would definitely give Dynamikum a 5-star rating. The museum has a lot of fun exhibits spread over two floors, and most of the stations were open when I was there.
The staff was friendly and spoke English, which was helpful. The best part was that all the activities and exhibits had laminated placards that explained the science behind them and the activity itself, and they were available in both German and English.
All of us had a blast trying out all the activities, which ranged from low-tech to high-tech. One of our favorites was the long, big and round springs, which created a series of waves. It was so much fun!
For me, as a former elementary school teacher, I found it really educational with so much technology incorporated into the activities. They were fun and dynamic and involved electricity, hydraulics, movement, sound, and optical illusions.
The only thing I didn’t try was a little wooden house on a roll. Even the thought of rolling made me a little nauseous, but that’s just me.
The museum wasn’t very crowded when we visited; we even had the place to ourselves for a while. There were a couple of small school groups, but they were having so much fun zooming around that they never got in the way of our fun.
I saw many adults having a great time, even without children. They were jumping on the bouncy structures, racing the animals, and building things.
It was great seeing the adults get involved, but the joy and excitement of the kids playing the activities was priceless. Overall, I highly recommend the Dynamikum Science Center to anyone looking for a fun and educational experience. I can’t wait to go back again!
Dynamikum Visitor Tips and Information
When planning a visit to the museum, I recommend going in the afternoon after the school groups have left. Depending on your interests, you may need around one to two hours to explore all that the museum has to offer.
Address: Fröhnstraße 8, 66954 Pirmasens
Opening Hours: Tuesday through Friday: 9:00 am—3:00 pm, Saturday and Sunday: 11:00 am—5:00 pm. Remember it’s closed on Mondays!
Cost: Adults 11 Euros, Children older than 5 is 9.50 Euros
Make sure to check out the Dynamikum website before going to make sure you get the latest info.
Where to Eat
During our visit, we noticed that there was café on site, as well as a small park just across the street. We decided that next time, we’ll have a picnic since AJ loves picnics. The park had colorful shapes for jumping around and a few benches where we could sit and enjoy our lunch.
This time, however, instead of eating at the museum, we explored downtown Pirmasens and stumbled upon Kuchems Brauhaus, a cozy spot to warm up from the chilly weather. We all ordered warm drinks and enjoyed a delicious lunch. I opted for the Cordon Bleu, which was the perfect dish to warm me up on a winter day.
Things to Do Nearby
Visiting Pirmasens won’t be on everyone’s list, but there are a few really cool things to do there. We couldn’t resist visiting the WAWI Chocolate Factory and Outlet Store and going downtown for lunch. There’s also a shoe museum we’re just kicking up dust to visit next time we’re in the area.
Other Places Not Too Far Away
- Japanese Garden in Kaiserslautern
- Lichtenberg Castle (about 30 min. north of Ramstein)
- Trier, the Oldest City in Germany
- Speyer Technik Museum
How to Get to the Dynamikum
Fastest Drive – Take Autobahn 62 towards Pirmasens and take the Turnstrasse exit. Follow the signs to Pirmasens/Centrum Messe. Continue on this road until you take a right at Schachenstrasse.
Scenic Route – Take Highway B270 to Pirmasens. Once in the city, B270 turns into Turnstrasse. Follow that then take a right turn on Schachenstrasse.
Unfortunately there’s no train service, so driving really is your only option unless you feel like taking a pretty long bus ride.
Conclusion
If you are visiting the area around Pirmasens, take a break and let the kids loose at the Dynamikum. It’s fun, yet educational. It’s the perfect place to unwind!
Author Bio: Corinne Vail is a travel photographer, food lover, and a perpetual traveler who has been travel writing for over 14 years. For many years she lived overseas in Germany, Japan, Turkey, South Korea, and the Netherlands teaching the children of the US. military. She’s visited over 90 countries, and she’s not stopping anytime soon.