Events for Kids and Families in Berlin, May 9-11th 2014

This weekend is full of interesting events, so take a deep breath and...

Friday: Kabalat Shabbat for Families 

As usual, there are two Kabalot Shabbath - one in Bambinim (Fürstenwalder Str, at 4 pm) and one in Rykestr. (at 6 pm). 

Homemade Challah @ Bambinim 

Also on Friday, a street party in Treptower Park to commemorate the "Soviet" V-Europe Day, and "Israel Day" in Wittenbergplatz with some sort of an entertainment programme organised by the Deutsch-Israelische Gesellschaft. 

Saturday/Sunday 

Lots of street parties and fairs will take place at the weekend. In the "Fest der Nationen" in Prager Platz, you can enjoy some regional and ethnic specialities and also see the big firework show on Saturday at 10:30 PM (U9 Günzelstr., Fr. from 2 pm; Sat-Sun all day). 

Fest der Nationen (credit: Berliner Woche)

The spring fair in Hasenheide continues this week as well, with rides and food stands and other fair elements. Fireworks on Saturday at 10 pm (Neuköllner Maientagen, Hasenheide, U7 Südstern or U7/U8 Hermannplatz, admission free, rides for a fee). 

Neuköllner Maientagen

Another party is first and foremost for kids: In Washingtonplatz, organised by Radio Teddy, again both for Sunday and Saturday. The Hits4Kids party will include Maya the Bee and Vickie the Viking (Hauptbahnhof, admission free). 

 

Korea, Roma/Sinti and also the Fire Brigade on Saturday (and many other activities) 

There are also some recommended events on Saturday only. There are, apparently, two religious holidays in this multicultural city. The first one is the Korean Lotus Lantern Festival (연등회 연등축제 in Korean, Lotuslaternenfest in German). The Gardens of the World celebrate it with traditional music, shows and much more, on Saturday from 6pm. The actual parade will be at 9:30 pm. (Sa from 6 pm, Gärten der Welt , Eisenacher Straße 99, 12685 Berlin; Bus 195 from Bahnhof Marzahn or 194/195 from S Mahlsdorf; Admission fee: €6/2.5)

Lotuslaternenfest

Not only the Koreans celebrate this weekend. The Roma and Sinti of Berlin celebrate Herdelezi (St. George's Day). The street party will take place in Boddinstraße near Rathaus Neukölln on Saturday from 2 pm (free admission). 

But for some toddlers, real excitement is neither Korean culture nor Roma festivals - it is the fire brigade! The Berlin Fire Brigade will have its annual run up the stairs of the mighty Park Inn Hotel in Alexanderplatz, all 41 floors of it. The actual race starts at 11:00, but there will be engines and gear in the square long before that. 

The Fire Brigade Run (source: Morgenpost)

Comics fans can also rejoice on Saturday, the "Free Comics Day". Participant stores will give away copies of comics and some will also hold events. Further Details

The Spandau Citadel will hold its Children Museum Day: Free admission and all kinds of cool activities for kids aged 4 and up. Cool pictures from previous years

Further events on Saturday

Re-Opening party of the Prib Art School in Mitte (U Bernauer Str), including craft activities, etc. 

Plants, music and more in the Regenbogenfabrik on Saturday afternoon. 

The Kaffeeklatsch in Markthalle IX will dedicate itself to Mother's Day

Sunday: Mother's Day 

Mother's Day is a bit of an invented holiday, mostly for those who sell chocolate and flowers, but who cares. 

And the archetypical mom, so says Hollywood, is the Jewish Mother. The Jewish Museum has an especially nice offer for this Mother's Day : A family-oriented tour through the exhibition about the Creation of the World, followed by buffet breakfast and creative activity. Registeration: g.struve@jmberlin.de , Further Details, EUR 25 for adults, under 18 for free. 

If you (or your children) understand Hebrew, there is a Hebrew-language children theatre on Sunday, organised by Kumsitz. For children aged 2-9. Registration: yeladim.berlin@gmail.com , Child: EUR 10, Adults: EUR 4. 

On Sunday evening, you can also join a Yom Haatzmaút party on a boat on the Spree. Barak Balistic will provide beats and all seems quite awesome. 

But there are also other cool events on Sunday, for example the Spielfest in Mauerpark (in addition to the regular events that take place in Mauerpark on Sundays), or an open day at the Konzerthaus in Gendarmenmarkt. I think I have warned before: busy weekend ahead! 

Next Week: Lag BaOmer 

Next week will be Lag BaOmer. I know already of three events for kids (a parade by Chabad, an event at Rykestr and one in Bambinim), news will follow. In the meanwhile, enjoy your weekend! 

Events for the Weekend, 21 - 23 March 2014

Spring Fair

This lovely weekend marks the beginning of the street fairs and outdoor events in Berlin, and brace yourself for non-stop events till the end of September.

The first such event is the "Frühlings-Spar-Volksfest" (Saver's Spring Fair). The fair will have rides and stands. The "Saver's" part refers to the fact that the rides will cost only EUR 1, and that admission itself is free.
Where: The fairground near the Spandau Citadel (U7 Zitadelle)
When:  March 21st - 30th , Mon-Fri 3 - 10 , Sat. 2 - 11 , Sun 12 am - 10 pm

Springtime for Germany (can't avoid a cheap pun when I see it)

Music Festival in the Sony Centre

The Sony Centre will host the Herzgrün Festival, another spring-themed event. The artists and concerts come from a variety of styles and genres, including a special children concert. The event is for free, but it is advised to reserve tickets in advance.

Main children event is "Herzlichen Glückwunsch kleines Huhn", on Sunday, at 3:30 pm.

Fri/Sat/Sun - all day.


Spring in the Forests

Berlin's natural education centres, the Waldschulen, offer all kinds of activities to celebrate the spring.

In the Waldschule Bucher Forst, you can take a guided tour to see the awakening forest on Sunday (in German, for a fee and advanced registration required, further details).

The Ökowerk in Grunewald will offer an array of activities, including a "paper chase"/"treasure hunt" game where the children can learn the basics of Geocoaching. Here, too, advanced registration is required. You can also try your luck in Plänterwald, in another scavenger hunt. 


Model Weekend at the FEZ

If building tiny models of airplanes, cars or trains is your children's hobby (or - let's face it - your adult hobby), the FEZ is full of events for you this weekend.

model aeroplane in FEZ

Also On...

On Saturday, 2 - 5, a flea market for children stuff at the Heilige Maria Magdalena Kita, on Weiskopffstr. 12-13, 12459 Berlin .

Seed and plants exchange on Saturday (from 3 pm) at the Leila shop (which was by the way featured on the Guardian this week).


Upcoming - Easter Holiday: Music Day Camp in English (w/ HE and DE)

In just a month, schools will take their Easter holiday (this year between April 12th and 27th).

You can, of course, take the school's own Hort offering. However, there are a few interesting offers , for  private courses and camps.

The first that landed on my desk (who has a desk nowadays, not to mention things that land on it? Well, nevermind) - is a musical day-camp, "Music Theatre Workshop" for kids aged 6 to 9, in Friedrichshain. By the end of the camp, the kids will perform a musical. Further details.

Events for Families in Berlin, 28 Feb - 2 March

Friday - Kabbalat Shabbat

The regular family-oriented Kabbalot Shabbat will take place, including the one organised by Bambinim in Fürstenwalder Str 25 and the one in Rykestraße.

Bambinim East, every Friday at 4 pm

Purim Puppet Theatre on Sunday

The Bubales are a Jewish-themed puppet theatre. On Sunday, you can join to see the "Persien sucht die Superkönigin" Purimspiel. Tickets for the show at 4 pm are already fully booked; but you can still get tickets for the 2:30 show, at Rykestrasse Synagogue. Purchase the tickets till Friday at  bubales@gmx.de 

Bubales at Rykestrasse

Many Opportunities to Put on a Costume 

Purim is just around the corner, at the same time as the German Fasching, the carnival.

The FEZ organises the "Robbers, Witches and Legendary Creatures" festival throughout the weekend, including many activities for kids: magicians, games, crafts and more. Both Sat. and Sun., further details.

Dreadful Pirates at the FEZ

The Zoo will also have a carnival this weekend, on Saturday, from 1 pm, at the Hippo House.

On Sunday (3 pm), at the Georg Büchner Bookstore in Prenzlauer Berg (Wörther Straße 16, 10405 Berlin), there will be a special "Medieval Fasching" for children aged 4 and up. Children should come dressed up, and pre-registration is recommended.

Another children carnival will take place in the Berlin Republik restaurant (Schiffbauerdamm 8 10117 Berlin) from 2:30 pm . Free entry

Flea Market for Pets in Tierheim Berlin

The Berlin Animal Shelter (Tierheim Berlin, Hausvaterweg 39 D-13057 Berlin) runs a flea market this weekend. All benefits go to support the shelter, which cares for pets and farm animals. Further Information

Flea Market for the Animals (source: dpa) 

A second flea market will be in Statthaus Böcklerpark in Kreuzberg and will include second-hand clothing and toys, alongside food.

Also in Kreuzberg, also on Sunday, you will find (from 12:00) the Naschmarkt, a Slow Food market for all kinds of sweet delicacies. At Markthalle IX.


Purim 2014 Preview

We already know about a few Purim events for Purim 2014 in Berlin. I have already mentioned the Purim-themed puppet theatre at Rykestrasse this Sunday, and I am sure many events will be published in the next few days.

Todanke and Kumsitz are organising a Purim party for kids on Saturday, March 15th. Entrance fee is EUR 10 and if to rely on previous years, it is going to be one of the family-oriented highlights of the Jewish year in Berlin. Registration: todanke.berlin@gmail.com or yeladim.berlin@gmail.com

For adults, on Saturday the 15th, there is going to be at least one party: Shake it like Ludwig @ Basement. But I am sure I will have more info next week.

Events for Families in Berlin, Feb 21st-23rd, 2014

Kabbalat Shabbat

Every Friday, there are Kabbalat Shabbat ceremonies in different parts of town, including for families.

Today, at 5 pm, there is a Kabbalat Shabbat in the family room at the Rykestrasse Synagogue. Bambinim will have their weekly family event for families at 4 pm in Fürstenwalder Str (details)


Clothes Iron Curling

While the Winter Olympics might be mostly notorious for controversies this year and Berlin itself enjoys the mildest winter in decades, winter sport can be still exciting! On Saturday, the skating rink in Lankwitz (Leonorenstraße 37, see map) will host the "Clothes Iron Curling Tournament". The name actually says it all: the athletes compete in sliding clothing iron over ice. The event is for charity, for HIV children in Jamaica.

Further details (G)

You forgot to add softener again! 

Cooking Course at Bambinim, Pies in Neukoelln

On Sunday Bambinim will start a cooking class for children (in German), from 6 years. Further details 

And if you prefer to eat British style savoury pies as baked by the masters, Pieoneers are organising a "Pie Sunday", at 4 pm, in the Gift Scottish Pub. Not specifically for kids or families, but sounds yummy nevertheless (Facebook details)


Winter Event at Ökowerk

The Ökowerk is located in the middle of the Grunewald forest. On Sunday, the centre will offer a variety of events about nature in the winter, including "GPS Treasure Hunt" and creating Native American crafts.


Reminder: Fasching and Purim

Next week we'll celebrate Fasching, the German equivalent of the carnival. It is not a big event in Berlin as it is in the Catholic areas of the Rhineland and in fact, this year, the official Carnival Parade was cancelled due lack of funds (I guess Secretary of Culture Andre Schmitz was too busy with his tax avoidance to finance this joyous children event).

However, if you're new to the city and/or the German culture, you might be stumped or worse - forget to get a fancy dress for your kids for their kita or school events. So here's a reminder, and since Purim is around the corner, you should get prepared in any case.

If you want to take photos with the costumes, consider GalitTi's special offer for Purim and Fasching : 30 professional pictures for EUR 39 (Hebrew, here).

Princess Bride by GalitTi

Events for Families and Kids at this Weekend

Kabalat Schabbath

Every Friday night, there are several family-oriented Kabbalot Schabbath in Berlin.

Today:
- At 4 pm, there is a weekly event at the Friedrichshain branch of Bambinim, on Fürstenwalder Str. (see pic below)
- At 5 pm, there is a family Kabalath-Schabbath at the Rykestrasse Synagogue.

Family Concerts at the Philharmonie

There are several family oriented concerts in the Philharmonie at this weekend. The first one, on Saturday at 3 pm, is a "Fairy Tale Concert", based on the Grimm Brothers' "Drummer" (German Wikipedia). The second one, on Sunday at 3:30 pm, is a "Clown Concert" with Clown Filou and the Kammerorchester Unter den Linden. Tickets for both are usually in high demand.

Clowns on Concert, at the Philharmonie

Vietnamese New Year @ FEZ

The Vietnamese Community of Berlin celebrates the Têt festival this weekend, roughly equivalent to Rosh Haschanah (or New Year's). But neither German Jews nor the German Christians have fancy dragons to show off. The FEZ will celebrate the Têt with the largest East-Asian community in Berlin, and with you, too.

Vietnamese New Year (Têt) at FEZ

Israeli Brunch with Puppet Theater on Sunday

On Sunday, Bambinim will be offering brunch for families in the "Western" branch on Brandenburgischer Str. The brunch will also include puppet theater for younger kids, cooking class for older kids and massage for parents (details).

International Restaurant Day

The "Internation Restaurant Day" has nothing to do with established restaurants. It is rather a special social event, in which anyone can open a pop-up restaurant and feed the masses with their delicacies. You can be a restaurateur for a day, or just visit one. See on their homepage.

Chocolate  Jazz-café 
Porvoo, Finland
Restaurant Day 19 Aug 2012
Photo: Kimmo Lind

Indoor Football Tournament

If your children were born between 2001 and 2008, are not members of any football club and would like to play Association Football (soccer), they can participate in a tournament on Sunday, organised in Zehlendorf by FC Victoria 1889. For more details.