The Labyrinth Kindermusem, Berlin

The Labyrinth Kindermuseum in Berlin is located a little way out of the city centre but it is very easy to reach by public transport and is well worth the trip. We visited with a four year old and a two year old and they were absolutely enchanted, we spent hours here.

Despite the name, it's no museum in the traditional sense. There are no display cases and 'do not touch' signs. Instead, the large room is stuffed full with hands-on activities and interactive experiences. Every six months or so the theme of the exhibition changes. When we visited the theme was "Ganz weit weg - und doch so nah" ("So far away, and yet so near") which is running until the 30th March 2014.

It is an amazing journey through the homes and lives of children across the world, experienced through all the senses. The room is organised into different areas, each crammed full of exciting and inviting activities. There are rails and rails of dressing up clothes, packed with outfits from across the world, with staff on hand to help the children dress themselves in the costumes.

There is a market stall with play food and a real yurt, full of cushions and books for storytelling.

In a pretend school, children can complete geographical and language puzzles and play with themed toys, and upstairs there are more puzzles and crafts. Next to a small area with wooden toys suitable for younger toddlers is an amazing construction area where children can put on a high visibility vest and hat before using sections of pipe, foam blocks and sheets to actually build themselves a home.

You need to take your shoes off while you are there, but I was able to borrow some special shoes from a basket so that the children could do a spot of shoe cleaning.

The Labyrinth Kindermusem was an absolute highlight of our trip to Berlin, and I am so envious that we don't have something like this near us. I'll leave you with a short video of Harry exploring some of the different play food in the yurt - we spent ages in here!

See the Labyrinth Kindermuseum website for more details. In particular it's worth checking the opening times, as during term time the attraction is not open every day for individual visitors. Admission currently costs 4.50  € and a family ticket is available. 

We were kindly provided with complimentary access to the museum.