European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - January 06, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse Bel Cujow a Good selection of cheese is available in the town s cheese shops. Mechelene continued from Page 7 some battling at Waterloo. Electric eyes trigger mechanical Ferris wheels and a stuffed Gorilla bounces from a Vine like a bungee jumper at the end of his rope. There Are so Many Steiff Brand stuffed begin to think soft furry animals without buttons in their ears must be sick. Some stuffed toys Are arranged in settings like their real life counterparts in the natural history museum. There s a Model of Noah s Ark on mount Ararat where it supposedly settled after the flood disembarking by threes of every animal you figure it out. You can see a 1938 Flanders monopoly game in which Antwerp s Meir and Brussels nieu Straat replace Boardwalk and Park place. Nearby is a Simpson s 3-d chess game and toys fashioned by kenyan children from recycled trash. Barbie s on Parade. And one doll will smile laugh or cry if you just turn her head a la the girl in the exorcist. When planning the museum about 11 years ago owners sought to make it child Friendly avoiding the stifling atmosphere Young people tend to associate with museums. The Only exception is occasional signs depicting running children with a slash Mark through them. Play stations break up the Monotony of More than 2,800 Square Yards of toy displays. Your children Wilt love tiny tables stocked with Lego bricks bins of stuffed animals and hand puppets foosball and bumper Pool games. Last year the museum attracted More than 118,000 visitors. A shop offers such Small toys As marbles and Novelty Pencil erasers that should satisfy children without costing mom and dad a Fortune. Parents will find the trip nostalgic As they attempt to find their Lego blocks from a collection dating from 1969 through 1983. Or they May prefer to Camp out at the museum cafeteria while the children do their thing. Cafes stand in front of the buildings surrounding the town Square above. These schoolgirls Are prepared to await a bus in the rain. Is photos by Dave Casey 8 stripes Magaz be january 6, 1994
