Family Vacation to Denmark: The Perfect Destination for Unplugged Play
Denmark, the sovereign state home to Greenland, is world-renowned for Lego and Hans Christian Andersen. With play ingrained in their culture, Denmark provides the perfect setting for a family getaway.
Lego House, Billund: An Interactive Wonderland
In Billund, Denmark, the Lego House is an immersive experience for children who prefer building blocks to digital devices. Children of all ages can get lost in the color and creativity of this interactive playground. The Lego House is designed to inspire, with building stations, interactive displays, and even a restaurant where meals are ordered using mini Lego models. Screens are notably absent, making it an oasis in our digital-focused world. It’s a refreshing reminder of the joys of unplugged play.
Denmark’s Play-Centric Culture: A Tool for Learning and Growth
Denmark is a nation with a deep appreciation for play and imagination, viewing them as tools for fostering resilience. The play-centered approach is evident from the forest kindergartens, where children spend their days in natural exploration, to the afterschool clubs designed to nurture curiosity and creativity. Play is an integral part of Denmark’s national curriculum, underscoring the belief that imagination is worth protecting.
Exploring Denmark’s Dedication to ‘Good Play’
Denmark is known as the ‘homeland of play’, a title supported by Lego’s philosophy of ‘det gode leg’, or ‘good play’. This concept encourages children to follow their curiosity and learn through trial and error. The question then arises, is this simply a nostalgic charm, or could it be a deliberate counter-model to the screen-saturated childhoods seen elsewhere?
Unleashing Imagination at Hans Christian Andersen’s House
In Odense, the childhood home of famous author Hans Christian Andersen, visitors can step into the magical world of his fairy tales. The house, now a museum, brings his stories to life through interactive exhibitions. The highlight for families is Ville Vau, a make-believe land where children can explore, create, and immerse themselves in imaginative play.
Stoking the Creative Fire: The Benefits of Play
Spending time creating alongside our children has significant benefits. Neuroscientist Ruth Feldman found that coordinated play between parent and child releases oxytocin in both, particularly during tactile activities such as art and music. This sense of safety and connection brought about through creative play can be powerful. As parents, we have the opportunity to foster imagination not as a luxury but as a slow-nurtured skill.
Take a Detour: Three More Danish Attractions for the Family
1) Forest Tower (Skovtårnet), near Copenhagen
The Forest Tower offers a unique perspective on nature. This architectural marvel takes visitors on a spiraling walk through the treetops of Gisselfeld Castle’s forest, encouraging visitors to see their surroundings in a new light.
2) Restaurant Remouladen, Vejle
Restaurant Remouladen showcases Danish cuisine with a modern twist. Their menu features traditional ingredients in innovative dishes, offering a taste of Denmark’s culinary evolution.
3) Økolariet, Vejle
The Økolariet, a hands-on sustainability centre, allows visitors to explore environmental issues through interactive displays. From generating energy with mini wind turbines to watching food waste turn into compost, the Økolariet brings climate action to life.
