Variables in open cluster (known distance, age, and metallicity) fields play an important role in stellar astrophysics because they allow to investigate the interior of stars. Therefore, six Galactic open clusters were selected to search for new variables and to complement data for already known variables. As five of these clusters are younger than 40 Myr, we aim at finding variable high-mass stars such as beta Cephei and Slowly Pulsating B-type stars as well as classical pulsating stars within the instability strip. About 26 000 images (312 h) photometric images were taken at the 0.8 m (Vienna, Austria) and 1.0 m (Hvar, Croatia) telescope using V and I filters. The differential light curves were analyzed with standard time series analysis methods. In total, 11 variables were found in all investigated clusters. For nine of them, we were able to determine their nature and period. In addition, the membership probabilities from the literature were analyzed. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.