Ich liebe Tucherland

Oh yes, I love Tucherland.  Almost as much as Liam does.

What is Tucherland, you ask?  If Heaven were a playground on Earth, it would be called Tucherland.  In the video I'm including below, I randomly say the place is 3000 sq. ft., but anyone who knows me knows I am awful with measurements... try almost 4000 square meters, which is like 40,000 sq. ft.

Shush.  I was just talking about the little stage area, okay?  Let's just go with that.

Tucherland is located about an hour from us over in Nürnberg -- a drive that is well worth it when you consider the prize.  This place is amazing.  Indoors, you have a large play area for the littlest of tykes; about a dozen different multi-story playmazes where kids can run, jump, and climb their way up to slides, tunnels, rope ladders, and ball pits.  One wall is lined with trampolines; there are multiple ball fields, bouncy castles, tricycle and go-cart tracks, rock climbing walls, and even a treacherous obstacle course that runs overhead in the building where you can strap on a harness and go through what might be almost comparable to the Ranger obstacle course (Zeke will have to confirm or reject that comparison once he gets to go to Tucherland).  There's also some great food and drinks at reasonable prices.

And you can't wear shoes.  Not even the adults.  I actually went in a public bathroom in my socks.  Truth be told, I think that place was cleaner than anywhere I've been.  Maybe the Asian culture's preference for "socks only" in the house is a stroke of genius.

All the equipment is safety-tested and rated up through adult-sized folks, so parents are strongly encouraged to get down and play with their children... although there is also a huge section of beach-style lounge chairs and massage recliners for the parents who would like to rest up while the kids wear out.

During the summer, Tucherland also offers an outdoor space (approx SIX TIMES LARGER than the indoor space!) -- there's a zip line/jump tower, several ponds and pools, a golf course, an area for kids to practice driving, and then your typical outdoor play offerings.

So awesome.

Oh, and once per month they open the place only to adults 18 and older for an entire night -- you get to play on all the equipment without worrying about crushing a first-grader.  Also once per month, for 25 euro (around 32 bucks), you can drop your kid off for a sleepover in Tucherland.  They're well-supervised, given food and bevs, and allowed to sleep wherever their little bodies decide to crash.  I can just picture Liam, Currywurst in one hand and gummi bear in the other, fast asleep in the middle of a ball pit.  I couldn't imagine something like that happening in the States... but for some reason, it sounds both acceptable and safe here.

Enjoy the following video, with your very own tour guide:  Liam Michael.  If you end up coming to Germany to visit, there's a good chance he'll want to take you there so you can have your very own taste of Tucherland!