Copenhagen post; Active Children

Kids Corner | Inspire your kids with the spirit of games

Kids and parents alike chasing their passions in Sparta Politiken Mini Marathon that held in May

What a wonderful couple of weeks it has been sharing the triumphs and tears of the global athletes at the London 2012 Olympic Games. The boys saw many of the various sports, and I watched as their enthusiasm and patriotism for both Great Britain and Denmark grew as the Games progressed. 

I remember clearly as a child running endless laps around the garden as my father timed me and my cousins whilst we aimed to emulate Linford Christie and co. (As an adult, I now think he was being kind to us and that my nine second 100-metre sprint was possibly fictitious on his part.) 

And I hoped that the spirit of the Games would infect the children in much the same way and was delighted one day to find them perfecting forward rolls in unison as they watched the gymnastics. I was ever so slightly less delighted upon realising that at the peak of each roll their aim was to emit wind from their bottoms, but their giggles showed they had no such inhibitions. 

As I hear them charge around the garden being Mo Farah, I feel a sense of responsibility and a need to bottle their excitement for sports, and thankfully Copenhagen has lots to offer in this respect. Just last week, my eldest spent five days training with hundreds of school-age children at a Danish football camp. He had an amazing time and came home exhausted but eager to return each morning to his new friends and a very well organised yet fun training programme.

Of course, the weather does dictate and each sport has its own season, so it is worth investigating what happens and when. Not that a little rain ever put anyone off in Copenhagen! We will continue with the various sports we already know and love, but I will use the Olympic moment to encourage the children to try new activities in this new school year ... although maybe not air-propelled gymnastics.

Contact your local council for information regarding the activities available in your area, but here are some other suggestions.

Sparta Politiken Mini Marathon - In May, the two eldest joined in with the Sparta Politiken Mini Marathon at the stadium in Østerbro. It was our fourth year competing in the races and one of the best family days in our calendar. The little ones go first with their one kilometre races staged according to their birth year – parents are free to run alongside and it can get pretty competitive as they vie to be the first off at the starting pistol! The older children run a two-kilometre race that takes them out of the stadium and around a course before returning to their moment of glory at the finish line. You do not need to be a member of Sparta club to join the marathon, and it takes place in May each year. Just go online and fill in the application, or alternatively sign up on the day for a little extra charge.

Saturday 18 May 2013 (80kr); Apply online at www.sparta.dk

www.kulturogfritid.kk.dk -Invauable resource detailing all the sport to be found in Copenhagen as well as many other leisure time activities.

'Do nothing' is an art in this fast-paced world. So teach your kids to appreciate the leisure moment

Danseplaneten - This is a dance school very close to the international schools offering a range of dance styles for all ages. The International dance class is on Thursday afternoons. See its website for more information.

Waterfront Shopping Centre, Hellerup; www.danseplaneten.dk

Hellerup Idræts Klub - This sports club, which is set in the heart of Hellerup, offers football, tennis and handball for adults and children. Enquire for more information.

Hartmannsvej 37, 2900 Hellerup 

CrossFit Copenhagen - Max effort cross training for adults, but children can now join in specialised classes at the weekend.

www.crossfitcopenhagen.dk

Nørrebro Klatreklub (Climbing club) - Membership costs 390kr for children, 890kr for adults.

Nørrebrohallen at Bragesgade 5, Cph N; www.nkk.dk

Kids Corner: Copenhagen Post

Enjoy fresh-picked strawberries from Vejborggaard

Every year at the start of the long summer holiday, I request the same task of my children: that they write or draw a list of all the things they hope to do together whilst not at school. Of course, the usual requests for the zoo, the safari park and fishing for crabs during long days at the seaside are included, and those we do. I don’t think it hurts every now and then to allow them to indulge their tastebuds too, and I am always amused by the many gastronomical treats that make the list. I am one very willing chaperone.
Maybe we should make a start on our lists.
Paradis You will probably already be very familiar with Paradis, an ice cream shop that specialises in fresh Italian ice cream. The first Paradis shop was opened in 2000 by Thor Thorøe in Aarhus, following his return home from a period working in a gelateria in Rome. Using the Italian ethos of a daily production using fresh natural ingredients, each Paradis shop has an ice cream manufacturer working tirelessly in the production room behind the store to produce as much fabulous ice cream as is needed every day. My elder boys are divided between creamy and fruity: one always chooses the sublime pistachio alongside another chocolatey flavour, while the other always has fruit sorbets – most typically peach and blueberry scoops. The little one can have anything that won’t stain the front of his clothes!
Many Cph locations; www.paradis-is.dk
Somonds Bolcher When the weather dictates something warmer than frozen treats we love to visit Somonds Bolcher where one can stand and watch as fifth-generation master craftsmen use century-old techniques to hand-make traditional sugar sweets. Tucked away just two minutes walk from Norreport station is where you can find the door to a sugar-coated past and it is well worth a trip. From the viewing gallery you can watch as molten sugar is crafted into spectacular confectionary before visiting the shop to have your selection weighed out on old-fashioned scales. We are always mesmerised when we visit and I believe it’s a real must-see here in Copenhagen.
Nørregade 24 & 36; open Mon-Thu 09:15-17:30, Fri 09:15-18:00, Sat 10:00-14:30, closed Sun;www.soemodsbolcher.dk

Vejborggaard fruit farm Of course, not every treat has to involve sugar. Take trips to The Halifax burger bar (www.halifax.nu), drink smoothies at 42 Raw (www.42raw.com) and try brunch at Granola (Værndemsvej 4, Cph V, open Mon-Fri 09:00-17:30, Sat 09:00-16:00). Or how about getting back to nature with a visit to a pick-your-own farm, our ultimate favourite being Vejborggaard, 30 minutes north of the city. Spend time picking fresh strawberries and other seasonal fruits at your own pace, surrounded by beautiful countryside. It is pure pleasure on a warm

summer’s day to let the children go free, collecting red jewels as they wander off in search of the ‘perfect’ strawberry. Mind-blowingly delicious on their own or indeed crafted into some homemade ice lollies, I too am eagerly looking forward to our first visit this month.

Roskildevej 203, Freerslv 3330 Gorlose;www.vejborggaard.dk
This section was contributed by Sally McWilliam, who has lived in Copenhagen for four years with her family. During this time, she has established a website,www.scandineighbour.com, in which describes many of the wonderful places to visit within the region. Sally is also a co-founder and author of the new English blog for Aarstiderne, www.soiltostove.com.
Original Article printed in the Copenhagen Post on the 17th June 2012

Kids Corner: Copenhagen Post

Kids Corner | Artistic ways to spend time with your child

Article written for the Copenhagen Post In Out magazine in May.

Some of the fondest memories I have from my childhood days are those that stem from hours spent being creative with my mother. She must have had endless patience because I can clearly remember that my sister and I were never the neatest of artists, yet I walked away with a love of art that I try hard to instill in my own children. There are plenty of art supply shops in the city – we mostly use Panduro and Søsterne Grene for paints and canvases (www.pandurohobby.dkand www.grenes.dk). Then, when we are not busy at home, there are plenty of places to visit in and around Copenhagen to fire up their interests even more.

Creative Space
Creative Space is a ceramic painting workshop we have visited many times since it opened just over a year ago on Gammel Kongevejen in Frederiksberg. Upon entering it can be quite hard deciding which pottery pieces you fancy painting, given the vastness of choice. Once you have chosen, you will be shown to your table and given a box of equipment to use. The equipment box is such a good idea that I have

recreated it at home for myself: a wicker box containing a wide selection of paint brushes, sponge applicators and cloths, as well as a paint pallet  – all neatly packed up for your convenience. There is no limit on how much of each colour you can take to paint with, and children are readily encouraged to make their own choices. Once completed you patiently say goodbye to your masterpiece, which first needs to be fired before collection a couple of days later.

Gammel Kongevej 154, 1850 Frederiksberg; open seven days a week; www.creative-space.dk
Louisiana Museum of Modern Art
Gl Strandvej 13, 3050 Humlebæk; closed Mondays, under-18s free adm; www.louisiana.dk
Louisiana, the modern art gallery in Humlebaek, has a three-floor children’s art space, with a different theme on each level, including painting, claymodeling and drawing. The staff are on hand to assist any young Picassos and there is an ever-changing subject matter for the children to explore. We always make a visit to the children’s section before a stroll through the rest of the gallery, having learnt from painful experience that paint does not dry instantaneously, nor does it remove itself from car upholstery.
Statens Museum for Kunst
Statens Museum for Kunst in the centre of town is also very committed to introducing children to art and utilises all methods to inspire their young subjects. On the first Sunday of every month, children are welcomed into the museum to participate in various activities; whether they wish to get stuck in or take part in a tour, the staff are fully focused on encouraging them to do so. The museum’s website provides a comprehensive guide to the children’s activities and a preview of activities coming up, so make sure to check back regularly.
Sølvgade 48-50, 1307 Cph K; closed Mondays, under-18s free adm; www.smk.dk
In a few short weeks the summer holidays will once again begin and we will all be searching for activities to stimulate, inspire and likewise tire our children. Galleries will be visited, painting will be done, and the patience will be worth it. Our own project is to finish the canvas Earth painting that we began last July and have worked on each holiday ever since. It is big, bold and full of life – just like the three little boys who painted it!

Kids Corner: Copenhagen Post

Keep yourself and the kids entertained while waiting for the sun to come out

Thank goodness the days seem to be growing longer and the sun has returned to brighten the landscape. It’s beautiful but not yet warm enough for the outside activities to be in full force.
Now is the perfect time to explore the museums and attractions that may not be a usual part of the family repertoire: a cultural breath of fresh air before the warm weather allows us to cast aside our coats once again.
It is worth noting that all the mentioned museums can cater to children’s parties - something a little different to enthrall excited children.

Danmarks Tekniske Museum
Tucked away in the north of Zealand lies Danmarks Tekniske Museum. Founded in 1911, the museum holds a large collection of vehicles, including over 30 full-sized aeroplanes and many enchanting cars. We have visited the museum a few times now, which adds a comforting amount of familiarity and an increasing fondness for our favourites. The collection is housed inside an enormous hanger that you enter via the small, but nicely-presented coffee and gift shop.
It is quite something to enter the building and see so many different vehicles, some suspended, others so large you simply can’t fail to be impressed. Whenever we go there is always a steady throng of visitors, but never so many that it feels busy or that you cannot take time over the exhibits, and there always seems to be a calmness surrounding the rooms.

To be perfectly honest, the majority of the visitors are male, aside from the mothers of the boys (that’s me) or grandmothers, but then this is every little boy’s dream museum. It is like landing in the playroom car box, only of course everything is life-sized.
Something to bear in mind is that the hanger is not heated, so in winter, and I tell you this with experience, it can be absolutely freezing. I recommend layering up if you go in the colder months. We love this unassuming museum and will most certainly go again another day, when it rains so heavily you can hear the drumming on the corrugated ceiling, reassuring you that coming to visit was a great idea.

Fabriksvej 25, 3000 Helsingør; adults: 50kr,    children: free adm; www.tekniskmuseum.dk

Orlogsmuseet
Orlogsmuseet, the Danish Naval museum in the centre of Copenhagen, is also a good standby in the case the weather is lousy. It’s perfect for adventurous children, only too happy to release their inner pirate aboard the numerous ships in the basement. As part of their summer programme, the museum invites pirates to come and give a character reference in between voyages. It’s in Danish, but there is plenty of buccaneering action in between to entertain.

Frederiksholms Kanal 29, 1220 Cph K; adults: 60 kr, under-17s free adm; www.orlogsmuseet.dk

Zoologisk Museet
A five-minute drive away from many of the international schools is a wonderful museum that beautifully reinforces the curiosity that emerges after a visit to see the live animals at the Zoo. It is called the Zoological Museum, Natural History Museum of Denmark. Part of the University of Copenhagen, the Zoo Museum (as we know it) houses an extensive collection of over 10 million specimens, all presented in modern exhibitions. The children will love the ice wall that hosts the Woolly Mammoth, and the Darwin exhibition upstairs is fascinating for children and grown-ups alike.

Universitetsparken 15, 2100 Cph Ø; adults:75kr, under-16s    40kr; www.zoologi.snm.ku.dk

Written for The Copenhagen Post 02.04.2012 to see the original article click here