People often associate thermal spas with peace and relaxation. However, they have now become a place where many families can enjoy some time together. While the youngest children have their first experiences in the water, older children explore the slides and play areas or take part in swimming lessons. Many thermal spas in Baden-Württemberg have tailored their offerings to this, making it possible to combine the different interests of different generations.

First encounters with water

The joy of being in and around water often begins in the first few months of life. In Bad Boll, for example, babies can gain their first impressions and get to know water in a playful way during baby swimming sessions with their parents. Over time, interests change. Then shallow pools, play areas, and slides become appealing. At the Bodensee-Therme Überlingen, there’s a toddler area as well as two water slides for children ages six and up: Carl’s Wellenflitzer and Übi’s Silberblitz. Ideal for that first thrill in the water.

The Leuze in Stuttgart also caters to its youngest visitors with its “Kinderland.” Spanning about 600 square meters, it offers swimming facilities for children up to about seven years old, including a wading pool and a non-swimmer pool for slightly older children. An interactive aquarium, a quiet corner, diaper-changing stations, and other family-friendly amenities are also available.

Family days and short breaks

Many spas supplement their offerings with special activities for families. The Keidel Therme in Freiburg, for example, offers a children’s sauna that gently and playfully introduces kids to the sauna experience. There’s also an outdoor playground where kids can run around to their hearts’ content after swimming or using the sauna.

Regular family days also provide welcome opportunities for spending time together. At Solemar in Bad Dürrheim, a family day is held every second Saturday of the month. The program includes water play equipment, a variety of child-friendly activities, and special sauna infusions. Accordingly, families with children are, of course, warmly welcome in the sauna area on these days.

A similar concept lies behind Family Saturday at the Balinea Therme in Bad Bellingen. Here, parents and children can spend time together in the thermal waters. The experience is complemented by the Family Dead Sea Salt Cave. Children ages four and up can play in the soothing Dead Sea salt there while a storyteller reads stories aloud.

Learn to swim and try new things

For many children, the first few meters they swim on their own are among their most special and formative experiences. These moments create memories that last a lifetime. That’s why programs that support learning to swim or provide a space to practice are so important.

At the Solymar Sports and Family Pool in Bad Mergentheim, there is a 55-square-meter parent-child area, a lap pool, and two slides for children and teens ages six and up. This provides a variety of opportunities for people of all ages to enjoy the water. Children’s swimming lessons are also offered at the Solebad Bad Wimpfen. In addition, Saturdays are Family Days there; admission is free for your own children up to age 16.

Special program days add further highlights. These include the “Splash-Splash-Splash Day” at the ThermalBad Überkingen, which takes place twice a year. The program features, among other things, aqua bingo, a kids’ sauna, adventures on a small slide, and various water games.

Water fun meets well-being

From baby swimming classes to special children’s areas, family days, and swimming lessons: Baden-Württemberg’s thermal spas show just how varied family time in the water can be. They create opportunities to enjoy time together, discover new things, and leave everyday life behind for a few hours.

Their particular strength lies in their diversity: While children can experience the water in their own unique, age-appropriate ways, adults can enjoy moments of relaxation. This makes thermal spas places where adventure and relaxation, fun and well-being come together.

Sources:

https://rehaklinik-bad-boll.de/therapie-erholung/mineraltherme/schwimmen-fuer-babys/

https://www.keideltherme.de/angebote/kindersauna/

http://www.balinea.de

https://www.thermalbad-ueberkingen.de/index.php?id=24

https://www.solebad-badwimpfen.de/preise-oeffnungszeiten/preise

https://www.solebad-badwimpfen.de/unser-solebad/kurse-weitere-angebote

http://www.solemar.de

https://www.solymar-therme.de/sport-familienbad.html

https://www.stuttgarterbaeder.de/leuze/kinderland

https://www.bodensee-therme.de/familien