“Behind the mountains, under the bridge and through the wall…” – here lies ’Miniverset’, a 10,700 sq. ft. new exhibition where children aged 1-5 years and their parents can learn about science through play.

“Children are natural born scientists. Every day they discover new things and learn about the world through play. ’Miniverset’ is a fun, inspiring and safe environment that nurtures children’s basic understanding of science, while they are busy having the time of their lives,” says Kim Gladstone Herlev, CEO, Experimentarium.

Miniverset is designed and built by Experimentarium. Danish foundation Nordea-fonden has supported ’Miniverset’ with DKK 22.2 million. Nordea-fonden supports activities, which promote good living in Denmark.

“Miniverset will create a shared enthusiasm about the marvels of nature among young children and their parents,” says Henrik Lehmann Andersen, CEO, Nordea-fonden.

Playful science

Experimentarium is already famous for making science both interactive and intuitively playful for children and adults alike. With ’Miniverset’ Experimentarium has taken this one step further with an exhibition made especially for toddlers and preschoolers.

In ’Miniverset’, the children are free to play and interact with the colorful and inspiring environment in ’Miniverset’ – and grown-ups both can and should play along.

In some parts of ’Miniverset’ science is tied to classic children’s games. This makes it easy for the children to get started. In other parts of ’Miniverset’ the children play while experiencing natural phenomena such as wind, light and reflections.

According to Denmark’s first Professor of Play, Helle Marie Skovbjerg, playing is a natural way to explore and understand the world around us:

“We have all played, and we all know that sometimes the desire to play just overwhelms us, so that we just have to play. Playing falls easy for us, and when something looks easy we call it ’child’s play’. Playing is a natural way for children and adults to experience and explore the world – we are in fact born to play, “says Helle Marie Skovbjerg, Professor and PhD, Design School Kolding.

What’s inside ‘Miniverset’?

’Miniverset’ consists of seven areas: ‘The Farm’, ‘The Hospital’, ‘The Hideout’, ‘The Shadow Forest, ‘The Mirror Sea’, ‘The Wind’ and ‘The Storm Construction’.

• At ’The Farm’, vegetables and fruit are harvested and the animals produce meat and eggs. The produce is sold in the farm shop and made into yummy food in the kitchen. These are classic children’s games, which also furthers a basic understanding of math through counting and combining shapes and colors.
• The cuddly teddy bears in the ‘Hospital’ badly needs to see the doctor and to be cared for. The teddy bears have bones in their bodies to give the children an understanding of the skeleton. In the X-ray machine you can see if the teddy bear has broken his leg or arm.
• At ’The Hideout’ the little mole must hide from the fox on a beautiful green meadow nestled up to a mountainside with caves. Here you play dress-up and hide-and-seek and learn about prey and predators and the food chain at the same time.
• In ’The Shadow Forest’ it is always dusk. As the sun sets light and shadow are in constant play. Maybe it’s a little scary at first, but there’s also a nice campfire where you can sit down and talk about how shadows can only exist if there is also light and that the two things are connected.
• “All children are attracted to mirrors and use them to become more self-aware. ’The Mirror Sea’ is a magical underwater world filled with reflections. Sometimes you are upside down, suddenly you multiply or completely disappear.
• You can’t see the wind, but you can feel it. The wind pushes things around and makes them fly. ’The Wind’ consist of two wind machines located in an autumn forest. Here you can experiment with shapes, weight and materials and see how they behave in the wind. Some things fly away, while others tumble around making somersaults.
• In ’The Storm Construction’ you build with large foam blocks. But can your building withstand the brute forces of nature? You must build stable constructions to weather the storm – it’s strong winds will come before you know it.
• Take a breather in the cozy reading nooks. Here you can read the children’s books developed for ‘Miniverset’. The books are populated by the fun animal characters that the children meet in ’Miniverset’ as they explore. The books help the children to anchor their experiences and develop their vocabulary.
• Miniverset also has a large area with cloakroom, stroller parking, picnic tables and a nursery room. 

Facts about ’Miniverset’

• Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Mary of Denmark inaugurated ’Miniverset’ 19th April, 2018. ’Miniverset’ opens for guests 20th April, 2018.
• Miniverset is designed and built by Experimentarium and Nordea-fonden has supported ’Miniverset’ with DKK 22.2 million.
• ’Miniverset’ is designed specifically for the youngest children (1-5 years) and their grown-ups. Older siblings may participate.
• ’Miniverset’ will be part of the permanent exhibitions at Experimentarium, Tuborg Havnevej 7, Hellerup. Experimentarium is located just north of Copenhagen and is easily accessible by public or private transportation from Copenhagen.
• Admission to ’Miniverset’ is free when admission to Experimentarium is paid or with a valid annual card or Copenhagen Card. For admission fees please see: experimentarium.dk

For further information:

Christian Juul Yssing

Press Officer, Experimentarium

M: 41 39 17 08

E: christiany@experimentarium.dk

About Experimentarium

Experimentarium is Denmark’s leading science center. We have been stimulating minds since 1991 – exploring the world of science and technology with millions of curious children and adults. Our ambition is to transform the way our visitors experience and perceive the significance of science and technology.  Experimentarium is a commercial non-profit foundation with 160 employees.