Gotha Winter Break: Fun for Kids & Teens – Programs & Activities 2026
- Gotha, Germany – Residents of Gotha and surrounding areas have a range of options for keeping children and teenagers engaged during the upcoming winter break, February 16th to...
- The KJZ BIG PALAIS is extending its operating hours to accommodate families during the school holiday.
- The program kicks off with a carnival celebration on Monday, February 16th, featuring games, music, and participatory activities.
Gotha, Germany – Residents of Gotha and surrounding areas have a range of options for keeping children and teenagers engaged during the upcoming winter break, to . Two primary initiatives, led by the city’s Kinder- und Jugendzentrum BIG PALAIS (KJZ BIG PALAIS) and the RoboThek at the Stadtbibliothek “Heinrich Heine,” offer a blend of recreational and educational activities.
BIG PALAIS: A Mix of Games, Outings, and Social Interaction
The KJZ BIG PALAIS is extending its operating hours to accommodate families during the school holiday. The center will be open from on , and from from through . This extended schedule aims to provide a safe and supervised environment for young people, offering a variety of activities designed to foster social interaction and creativity.
The program kicks off with a carnival celebration on , featuring games, music, and participatory activities. will host a large-scale Mau-Mau card game event, emphasizing communal play. The Kinderclub, geared towards younger children, will open its doors on , providing a dedicated space for younger attendees. A trip to the ice rink in Waltershausen is planned for ; details regarding participation can be obtained directly at the KJZ BIG PALAIS. The week concludes with a barbecue on .
Beyond the core winter break program, the KJZ BIG PALAIS also announced upcoming events, including a continuation of the Kinderclub on , and a table tennis tournament for teenagers aged 14 and above on . A billiards tournament for the same age group is scheduled for .
RoboThek: MINT Education and Robotics Workshops
Complementing the recreational offerings of the KJZ BIG PALAIS, the RoboThek, located within the Stadtbibliothek “Heinrich Heine,” is offering a series of workshops focused on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education, with a particular emphasis on robotics. These workshops are designed to introduce children and teenagers to technical concepts through hands-on learning.
The RoboThek’s program begins on , with a workshop titled “Mach die Welt zur Fernbedienung mit dem Makey Makey” (Make the World a Remote Control with Makey Makey), aimed at children aged eight and above. This workshop will explore how everyday objects can be transformed into interactive controls, fostering creativity and problem-solving skills. , will host a two-day workshop, “Roboter in Bewegung – Entdecke die Welt des mBots!” (Robots in Motion – Discover the World of mBots!), for children aged ten and older. Participants will build and program their own robots, gaining foundational knowledge of robotics principles.
The RoboThek program culminates with “Sphero Winterspiele – Robo Challenge” (), a series of winter-themed challenges featuring programmed Sphero Bolt robots. This event, designed for children aged nine and above, will encourage teamwork, dexterity, and technical understanding.
Registration and Contact Information
Registration for RoboThek workshops is handled directly through the RoboThek in cooperation with MINT Thüringen. Further information about the KJZ BIG PALAIS programs can be obtained by calling or emailing kjz-bigpalais@gotha.de. A link to the complete holiday program schedule is available on the city of Gotha’s website.