Munich Kids

A Munich Kids reader offered this very useful tip.

There is a diaper service in Munich.  It’s called Windelservice Muenchen. 

Vern nice owners. They speak German and some English.  Cloth diapers. Collection is once a week, with delivery of new diapers.  Website is soon to be in English.

 Address: Plinganserstrasse 6, 81369 Munich

Phone:  089-120 22 897

Website:  http://www.windelservice-muenchen.de/

Doesn’t it always seem like the kids get sick on  weekends or holidays when your regular pediatrician is not available?  There is a clinic that is open on weekends and holidays.

The Children’s clinic of Schwabing (Bereitschaftspraxis der Muenchner Kinderaerzte in der Kinderklinik Schwabing)  is open on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from 9:00 am - 8:00 pm. 

Address:  Parzivalstrasse 16, 80804 Munich

Telephone:  089/ 3068 2589

Nearest Public Transportation: U2/U3 Scheidplatz; U3 Bonnerplatz

There is an answering service in Munich (and throughout Bavaria) to connect you with medical attention after normal business hours.  (The hours that the answering service is available vary somewhat from city to city, but generally covers evenings and weekends). 

Most likely, you will need to be able to explain your medical problem to the operator in German.  If you are unable to provide the necessary information in German, find a neighbor or friend who can help you.  After describing your problem and giving your address, the service dispatches an on-call physician in your area to your home.   The doctor is equipped to provide you with basic care and advice. 

We have used this service on two occasions.  One time was at 2:00 in the morning.  In both instances, a doctor arrived at our home within 45 minutes of the call. 

Note:  This service should not be used in case of emergencies.  In case of medical emergency, dial 112. 

Phone:  01805-19 12 12

Phone calls are charged at 14 cents/min by Deutsche Telekom.

Do you know the phone numbers for emergenices in Munich?  Keep this information handy somewhere. 

Emergeny Medical Services: 112

Fire:  112

Police:  110

Emergency call regarding poisoning:  089/ 19 240

You love Munich.  You love the biergartens with the plates of roasted chicken and sausages and giant pretzels.  You love taking your visitors to Hofbrauhaus for schweinebraten or schnitzel. But there seems to be something missing…For some folks it’s Oreo cookies, Poptarts, and Kraft Macaroni & Cheese, for others it’s McVities biscuits, Branston pickles, and jammie dodgers.  It’s those cravings for the food you grew up with, that you will never find on any local market shelf, no matter long you search. 

Well, in case you haven’t discovered it yet, there is an easier solution than moving back home or having your relatives send you expensive care packages of your favorite goodies.  An online service, called “Food from Home” delivers your favorite American and British foods to your door.  They are based in Dusseldorf, but deliver throughout Germany.  Delivery cost is only 5 EUR for up to 30 kg of items.

They also sell English language magazines and newspapers.

Have a look at their website for a complete list of products.

Website: http://www.foodfromhome.de

Munich’s Botanical Gardens (Botanischer Garten) are a real treasure that you should visit at least once while you are in Munich.  You can visit anytime throughout the year, as the flower beds are replanted seasonally, and there is a series of glassed-in green houses for indoor plants. 

The gardens are on the grounds of the Botanical Insititute and they neighbor the park grounds of the Nymphenburg Castle to the south.  It truly is a beautiful site (and sight!).

There is a  sunken formal garden laid out in front of the Institute buildings.  An attractive waterlily pond divides the formal garden of the Schmuckhof.  Additional collections include a spring garden, ecological and genetic selection, peony and iris beds, Bavarian native plant community, moor and heather garden, and a lovely arboretum that includes trees from around the world.   There is also a very picturesque cafe that opens onto the rose gardens.

The gardens are a very beautiful and peaceful place to spend an afternoon, even with three small boys in tow!  Actually, the kids loved the Botanical Gardens.  The only difficulty is in trying to keep them from straying off the paths.  Importantly, the gardens are wheelchair and stroller accessible. 

There are special collections and exhibitions throughout the year, as well as special programs for children.  Check the website for current information.

Entrance fee is 3,00 EUR for adults.  Children up to age 12 are free. 

Address:  Main entrance at Menzinger Strasse 65

Telephone:  178 61 310

Website: http://www.botmuc.de/index.html

Nearest Public Transportation:  Tram 17 (can be taken from Hauptbahnhof) goes directly to the main entrance - stop is called Botanischer Garten