By Sara Orlos Fernandes
When this van rolls through the neighborhood, the day is saved for many children. Especially in the summer holidays, the “play wagon” provides variety when it stops in Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg.
Behind white “Sprinter” doors is a colorful world of games that has been making children’s hearts beat faster since 1979.
The two vans change location every day, drive to places like the Weberwiese, the Volkspark Friedrichshain or the Görlitzer Park. Then the children and caregivers set up a play landscape together and play, romp around and climb into the evening.
Best friends Elena (6) and Emma (6) like to let off steam here Photo: Stefanie Herbst
This is how giant marble runs or a water town are created. Sometimes vehicles are built from old prams. Motto: anything but boredom!
Let it dangle: Theo (5) comes to Friedrichshain from Schöneweide for the toy wagon Photo: Stefanie Herbst
The parents are particularly grateful for the offer now. “There aren’t that many holiday offers. It’s nice that something like this exists,” says one mother.
When the weather is good, around 80 children up to the age of twelve come every day. Kindergarten teacher Veronika (44) is also regularly at Petersburger Platz with her daughter Elena (6): “I love the project. We were there for the first time, Elena was one and a half. The kids love it.”
Papa Paul (34) with son Linus (4) from Friedrichshain: “The project is unique and a great alternative to the playground” Photo: Stefanie Herbst
Initiator Volker Hedemann (79) was there from the start when the car was created 43 years ago by a parent initiative in the GDR. “In 1979, the first gaming mobile stopped on the lawn behind the Kosmos cinema,” says Hedemann. The club name “Spielwagen 1035 eV” refers to the old GDR postal code for Friedrichshain.
The mobile is financed largely from taxes, with a few donations on top of that. For example, the grandfather of a small regular visitor has been contributing 100 euros every month for years.
Selma (4) from Prenzlauer Berg painting with Papa Ben (40): “We like to come here. Selma meets her friends here and the program is very varied” Photo: Stefanie Herbst