Time to Play

Now that we're in a routine with my job and the kids are at school full-time, I personally feel like I'm returning from a vacation and now it's time for "real life" to set in. I've been carrying my camera around less, and doing more social talking around the water cooler at work rather than with moms' on the playground. This also means that Friday's are once again time to say "TGIF", and our weekends are our playtime. But at least there are plenty of places to play...

Fun with a water bottle rocket

One great resource for kids in Basel are "Robi-Spielplatz". They are playgrounds and much more, designed to be a place for kids to go after school, or during school holidays. Older kids are unaccompanied, and I think it's a good solution for parents with pre-teen or teenage children that need someplace to go after school. Some teenagers and adults are onsite as counselors. I took the kids to one of these for an afternoon this summer, and I loved that it was very hands-on, creative and offered something for everyone. For older kids, there was a woodshop, a skate park, and a dirt bike track. There was also plenty for all ages: a trampoline, crafts and a room filled with couch cushions and pillows for jumping galore. (I think it's universal that parents tell their kids not to jump on the furniture at home.) Kids were also building a new tree house outside -- literally building with hammers and nails. This must give kids a huge sense of accomplishment, and a reason to keep coming back to play. Mixed in were some farm animals like chickens, goats and a donkey. No wonder Pippi Longstocking ("Pippi Langstrumpf") is a popular figure around Basel -- there are lots of opportunities for freedom and discovery. I also get the sense that playing here is much more simple than in the U.S. Think handmade rope swings, balance beams from logs, paper airplanes and water play in streams. 

I've realized that my position as a mom has changed my thinking on weekend activities. A good family place to visit on the weekend typically includes a playground or "spielplatz". (OK, normally there is a good beer around for the adults too.) Anyway, we're having a lot of fun playing. Word hard, play hard, right?