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If the tastes of a nation are formed from birth, there’s no better evidence to support this theory than by means of a stroll through the aisles of a German toy store.
In the department dedicated to the needs of infants, a pretzel-shaped toy serves as a teething ring. Preschoolers can enjoy shopping just like mommy with the tiny box replicas of well-known brands of oatmeal, yogurt and butter. Pretend picnics and outings to beer gardens can be re-enacted with the aid of cloth or plastic replicas of kid favorites such as fish fingers and fries or a cutting board brimming with cold cuts. And don’t forget the condiments! Replica sets of mustard and ketchup keep those virtual bratwursts tasting as they should.
The budding homemaker can fit out his or her kitchen with tiny pots and pans, cheese graters and spatulas. And should the future host or hostess make a mess, miniature vacuums and washing machines make light work of the clean-up process.
Today’s product of choice is the Haba Wiener Schnitzel mit Pommes, fabric food garnished with a squirt of ketchup and a slice of lemon, of course. The play set comes in at around 12 euros—coincidentally, the price you’d expect to pay for the real thing.
Travel tip: Make way to the Allgäuer Berghof, a four-star family wellness hotel and restaurant in Gunzesried-Ofterschwang where kids are the guests of honor. This family-friendly place offers play rooms, a spa with slides and direct access to a ski area. Its restaurant offers a child-friendly buffet at lunchtime, and the food makes its way to the table by means of a tooting steam train.
