8 Entertaining Ways to Celebrate Oktoberfest with Kids

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October is almost upon us.  Which means it’s time to put out the pumpkins, scarecrows, mums and other fall decorations that we all enjoy this time of year.  But this fall, our family is exploring another “holiday” – Oktoberfest.

Although we live in the United States, Oktoberfest is still widely celebrated here.  Our favorite Vermont resort hosts a traditional Oktoberfest celebration every year complete with beer tastings, German folk music and wursts galore. 

Our local German club also boasts one of the finest Oktoberfest parties around too.  They even carry in the keg of beer with a traditionally dressed child riding on top.  It’s intense.

Despite it’s name, Oktoberfest officially starts at the end of September and runs through the beginning of October.  So this post is a little late.  But we are studying Germany this month for our Geography unit, so I wanted to incorporate some Oktoberfest fun with the kids.  And I can’t wait to share some of the things that we are doing as a family to celebrate.

What Exactly does Oktoberfest Celebrate?

The original Oktoberfest was held in 1810 to celebrate a royal wedding.  Think back to the Prince William and Duchess Kate’s wedding back in 2011 and you’ll get the idea.  But this wedding was between the crown prince of Bavaria – who later became King Louis I – and Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen.  

Unlike our current one-day wedding tradition, this wedding was a five-day festival that concluded with a horse race on a large open green.  The following year, the race was combined with a fair.  In 1818, the fair set up booths to serve food and drink.  You can see where this is going.  Eventually, by the 20th century, these booths had transformed into large plywood beer halls complete with a stage and plenty of seating.  

Today, about 6 million people – including kids – enjoy the Oktoberfest bedlam in Germany.  This is proven by the estimated 2 million gallons of beer that is consumed during this festival. 

Although the main attraction continues to be breweries, other entertainment has been added over the years to make the celebration more family friendly.  You can find amusement rides, carnival games, traditional music and folk dancing.   

When is Oktoberfest Officially?

Although its name seems to indicate that the answer to this question is quite obvious, it actually isn’t.  Although Oktoberfest has “Oktober” in it, the festival starts at the end of September.  The dates do shift each year based on the calendar, but generally speaking Oktoberfest is held later September until early October.  

In the United States, though, unless you are actually German, we tend to celebrate Oktoberfest through the month of October.  I consider it more of a fall festival – so it can be celebrated any time in the fall.

When should you celebrate it?  If planning your own Oktoberfest gathering, choose a fall weekend.  I’m thinking sweaters or a light jacket is in order, so you might want to aim for early to mid October.    

Is it Family Friendly?

Absolutely.  As I always say, most celebrations can be made family friendly especially when celebrated at home.  Although many traditional Oktoberfest celebrations focus on the beer, you can focus on pretzels, folk dancing and alpine hat wearing.  You can even learn a few new German words while you’re at it.  Really, it can be a lot of fun for kids to explore a new culture through this celebration.

Be Sure to Dress the Part

One of my favorite parts about traditional Oktoberfest celebrations is the outfits.  Who doesn’t want to don an alpine hat?

For your celebration, find some alpine hats for everyone to wear.  If you want to get really festive, you can get a dirndl dress or leiderhosen.  They even have versions for the kids! (affiliates)

8 Ways to Celebrate Oktoberfest for Kids

Make Your Own Pretzels

Although this project might sound simple, it actually is on the trickier side.  How hard can it be to combine water, flour and salt?

Turns out it can be difficult, but so worth the effort.  Nothing beats the taste of homemade pretzels.  But don’t underestimate how long this project will take.  Set aside an afternoon and don’t rush.

The pretzel actually has an interesting history.  Pretzels were made by monks as early as the 7th century.  They were handed out to pupils as “little rewards”.  And at one point, the baking of them even fended off the Ottoman Turks.

Their twisted shape is said to represent the Trinity – the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.  And the interlocking loops can symbolize undying love. 

Whatever meaning you want to take from the pretzel, they are definitely a food eaten during Oktoberfest.  Bake some at home using this favorite pretzel recipe.  Add a homemade honey mustard dip and enjoy while they are still warm.  

Create a Gingerbread Heart Pin

During one of the summers that I spent in Germany, I went to a local fair in Hamburg.  There I purchased my first Lebkuchenherz or also known as gingerbread heart.  Somehow, I brought it home without breaking.  It hung – still packaged – in my room until I moved into my first apartment.  I think I finally threw it out then.

But I loved the memories of my European summer that gingerbread heart reminded me of all of those years.  Lebkuchenherz is heart shaped gingerbread that showcase the German words and sayings.  They are sold at Oktoberfest festivals in Germany and have become synonymous with the celebration. 

Although you can bake your own gingerbread hearts to enjoy, you can also craft this gingerbread heart pin.  My favorite part is you can make them personalized.  Craft them before your celebration and you (and your guests) can wear them.  It’s a great replacement for name tags if you have new faces in your group.  Check out the tutorial for making your pins here.

Play Folksy Musical Chairs

Fall back on the party game classic musical chairs, but add a folksy twist.  To play, set up two rows of chairs – one less than the number of players.  Search your favorite music streaming app (ours is Spotify) for German folk music.  There should be a play list (or two) that you can use.

When the folk music song starts, players walk around the chairs.  When the music stops, players find a chair to sit in.  The player that doesn’t get to a chair is out.  Then, remove one of the chairs.  Continue play until there is one player remaining.

Pass the Daschund

A take on the classic hot potato game, this version involves passing a stuffed daschund.  Growing up, the only dog that my grandmother would own was a daschund.  We screamed German from a mile away. (affiliate)

No daschund?  You could also pass a stuffed lion since it is the official animal of Bavaria.  Or even a horse or pony, since horses are representative of Oktoberfest.

To play, sit players in a circle.  Start the music (I recommend using German folk music to make the game feel more like Oktoberfest).  When the music starts, pass the beer stein.  The player holding the stein when the music stops is out.  Continue play until there is only one player left.

Learn Steps to a German Folk Dance

Have you ever seen a classic German folk dance?  Complete with leiderhosen, dierndls and swishing skirts, German folk dancing is a beautiful art.  And stages across Oktoberfest festivals feature dancers of all ages displaying their talents.  

Learn how to perform some of the classic German folk dances – including the famous Zweifacher.  Find a YouTube video and get to work with your family and friends to learn some of the classic dance steps. 

Weave a Bavarian Placemat

One of the most memorable crafts of my childhood was weaving placemats.  I distinctly remember making one for our Kindergarten Thanksgiving feast.  I think they even laminated them so I could take it home and continue using it for months.  (I’m sure I eventually spilled juice on it and it seeped through the laminated covering.  But for a couple of weeks it was lovely.)  

Add some Bavarian colors to your Oktoberfest tablescape with paper woven Bavarian placemats.  The traditional colors of Bavaria are light blue and white.  Check out this easy paper weaving placemat tutorial here.

No time to make Bavarian paper placemats?  You can always purchase a set of Oktoberfest placemats to add a festive touch to your tablescape instead.  Choose from the traditional Bavarian colors or even a beer and pretzel motif. (affiliates)

Make German Potato Salad

One of the German specialties that I grew up with as a kid was German potato salad.  And although we didn’t serve it at an Oktoberfest celebration, my Mom did make it all summer long to go long with our American barbeques.

I am starting to think that Oktoberfest might be a good time to bring out this family recipe again.

So what makes a German potato salad different than an American one?  Actually lots of things and it really varies by region.  According to The Tasting Table, German potato salads can be served warm (ours was always cold), with vinegar, onions, mustard and other spices.

After looking into our family recipe a bit more, it seems it comes from the Bavarian region.  Mainly because it has bacon and bacon grease, red onion, a little sugar.  And I’m pretty sure my Mom diced some pickles on top. 

Since I’m making myself hungry just writing about it, I will have to publish the recipe soon.  For now, you can check out our family’s secret recipe for summer pasta salad here.

For your Oktoberfest celebration, find your favorite German potato salad (preferably with bacon) and serve it (warm or cold) at your meal.  It’s sure to add a German touch.

Decorate with an Oktoberfest Banner

If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you’ll know that one of my favorite decorations is the party banner.  I love printing my own and assembling them for all kinds of celebrations.  They are easy to make, add a major pop to your party decorations and can be saved year to year.   (I literally have a bag full of them in the closet).

So, why should Oktoberfest be any different?  Add this Free Printable Oktoberfest Banner to your Oktoberfest decorations.  It’s perfect to hang across a dessert table, decorate a dinner party or even give your mantel a festive touch.

Check out your Free Printable Oktoberfest Banner here.

Not sure how to make your own banner?  You can find my favorite banner making tips here.  They really are pretty simple to construct and a craft that the entire family can help with.

So are you ready to celebrate Oktoberfest with your family?  If you love all of these ideas, be sure to pin them below so you can find them when your ready to celebrate.

Happy Celebrating,

Natalie