Amitola, Eltern Kind Cafe, Friedrichshain
Here in Berlin we have something fabulous. Something that saves many a frustrated parent on a rainy or super cold afternoon, a chance for a place to go where you can either sit, slowly building your senses back whilst your child for once entertains his/her self at a slight and much needed distance from you (let's face it, us parents ALL need this every once in a while!), or a place where you can meet fellow parents who are just as desperate for a respite from their own 4 walls of home. I introduce you to the 'Eltern Kind Cafe' phenomenon. I don't believe it is a purely Berlin thing, I'm sure there are plenty spread around Germany and also in other countries but all I know is that I have heard the words ''now, why isn't there anything like this where I come from?'' leave the lips of many an Expat, Berlin based or visiting parent.
Dotted around Berlin, these little vista's of baby and toddler heaven invite parents in and for free or a small fee (at some you pay €1 per child over 1 year of age or something similar) your child can play to their hearts content with the plethora of toys on offer. You are of course expected to buy a drink or two and perhaps even some food at these places plus a number of them feature intimate second hand children's clothing/toy shops to encourage another reason to dig a little deeper in to those pockets but it's all in a worthwhile cause and more often then not the prices are reasonable if not a downright bargain and the food tasty. Who can put a price on a chance for a couple of hours hands free on a Winter's afternoon after all?
Amitola Second Hand Shop Section, Friedrichshain
A selection of the cafe's also provide regular family courses (baby massage, PEKIP etc etc) and some even English language kids events (check out those based in areas popular with Expats like Prenzlauer Berg and Friedrichshain for example.) The cafe's are also good places to meet other mum's (and often dad's post Kita (nursery/daycare) kick-out time)so if you don't know any other parents here and you're eager to build a parent network or need the chance to practise your German, this may also be the location for you!
Amitola, Eltern Kind Cafe, Friedrichshain
I've put together a small selection of some of the Eltern Kind Cafe's I've been to in the UK for those of you based here or thinking of visiting with young children (you don't see that many kids older then 4 at these places generally, they are more aimed at 6 month olds upwards through the toddler years and that's it).
What is their for rainy days for families where you're based at little or no cost?
Friedrichshain
Amitola www.amitola-berlin.de
Knilchbar, Krossener Straße 8, www.knilchbar.de
Paul und Paula, Richard-Sorge-Straße 25, www.paul-und-paula.de
Kreuzberg
Kuchenkiste, Oppelner Str. 34 www.kuchenkiste.de
Pankow/ Prenzlauer Berg
Cafe Schönhausen, Florastraße 27
Onkel Albert, Zionskirchstraße 63, www.onkelalbert.de
Das Spielzimmer, Schliemannstraße 37 www.das-spielzimmer.net
If you live in Berlin or are thinking about visiting this wonderful City, head on over to my new Facebook page 'Berlin with Kids' to share & discover even more family related activities and classes going on in and around Berlin.
I love to read your comments so please feel free to let me know what you think...
Reminds me a bit of a place that existed for a while in my hometown called Family Connections. It was basically a playground inside for poorer families to use. It was in an old government building, and the one person who was there in the office when it was open was paid for by taxes. All the toys were donations. It really was an ingenius idea. Anyone with a toddler understands how nice it is to let them run around and throw toys all around somewhere that's not your house.
ReplyDeleteI hope that café you've found stays in business.
They do great business here and do seem to make money. The place in the photo's has renovated twice already (I do their pics for their publicity materials and website) so they can't be doing too badly!!!
ReplyDeleteI thought those pics looked awfully professional!
ReplyDeletewell I'm glad they do! Must have done my job ok then :)
ReplyDelete