“We want to return the birthday box,” says Rebecca Klan, placing a large plastic box next to the entrance counter. Eva Ludwig is on duty today, volunteering for about two hours, managing all rentals and assisting those returning borrowed items. The birthday box includes, for example, three colorful sacks for sack races, a giant Mikado, cans for tin can tossing, silk scarves, a tug-of-war rope, and a parachute.
Klan and her two children, aged four and five, also borrowed a knight’s castle and a disco ball. She says:
“The great thing about the Ludothek is that you don’t need to own all these things at home; you can try something new more often. After a week, many things aren’t as interesting anymore, and you’re glad you didn’t buy them.”
A Staple for Nearly 40 Years
The Ludothek in Kreuzlingen has been around since 1986, supported by a local association. It was initially housed in the Bärenkeller but moved to Kult-X near the Swiss border in 2019. It offers over 800 games—both indoor and outdoor. In addition to board games like “The Settlers of Catan,” “Max Mäuse-Schreck,” “Zicke Zacke Hühnerkacke,” “Lotti Karotti,” “Carcassonne,” and “The Crazy Labyrinth,” there are wooden games, ride-on ponies, go-karts, unicycles, puzzles, pirate ships, a workbench, and much more.
In 2023, nearly 100 customers were counted, with 65 percent coming from Kreuzlingen and only two percent from Constance. A third of the clientele comes from Switzerland, including from Tägerwilen and Bottighofen. The toys can typically be borrowed for four weeks, with the cost per game ranging from one to ten francs. An annual membership fee of 30 francs is required, with residents of Kreuzlingen paying ten francs less due to financial support from the city.
Regular Game Nights for Adults
Once a month, game nights for adults are held on a donation basis and are very popular.
“I haven’t attended a game night myself,” Eva Ludwig chuckles.
The 52-year-old volunteer, a trained business economist who worked in management, left her career to raise her 14- and 16-year-old children. Once a month, she takes a Thursday afternoon shift at the Ludothek. The shared motto that unites everyone: use and share.
Although this approach fits well into today’s sharing economy and aligns with the current zeitgeist, it remains an insider tip. “We would love to have more volunteers and more people using our services,” admits Ludwig. The team is active on Facebook and Instagram, but the goal is to significantly improve advertising efforts.
However, this is a delicate balancing act; with more advertising, more people need to be managed, which requires more volunteers. Currently, about ten dedicated members contribute their time and energy as much as they can.
“There are no strict rules; we are all flexible and work together to keep the Ludothek running.”
Ten Volunteers Rotate Duties
The work is not just about managing the rentals; maintaining and repairing the toys is also demanding. After returns, parts must be counted, and missing pieces often need to be replaced. “It can be quite frustrating at times,” Ludwig admits. One of the volunteers handles the bookkeeping. A look at the statistics reveals that the most popular items are Fisher-Price toys for toddlers, dollhouses, balance bikes, tandem tricycles, and wooden marble runs.
Rebecca Klan also volunteers at the Ludothek and has borrowed items like a Barbie car, ride-on animals, stepping stones, an obstacle course, and a karaoke game, in addition to the birthday box. She also highly recommends the puppet theater. The collection also includes a keyboard, a table football game, and even a popcorn machine. Despite the wide range of offerings, there are limits. Ludwig explains:
“We deliberately chose not to include video games. It just doesn’t fit with our concept.”
A Look at the Statistics
Statistics show that in Germany, nearly 32 percent of the population regularly play video games, with about 15 percent playing almost daily. Interest in video games spans all age groups, but is particularly pronounced among 18- to 29-year-olds (54.5 percent). Older adults aged 65 and over also play regularly (25.9 percent). Preferences differ between generations: younger players favor PCs and consoles, while older players tend to use smartphones and tablets. Consoles are significantly more popular in households with children than in those without.
Physical board games remain very popular in Germany across various age groups. Adults and seniors often play traditional games like chess, checkers, or cards, while younger people increasingly prefer modern board and card games that focus on strategy. Families especially value board games as a shared activity that fosters social interaction and communal experiences. The Ludothek also offers numerous “Games of the Year.”
The “Game of the Year” award is one of the most prestigious awards in the world of board games. Since 1979, it has been awarded annually by a jury of game critics and game experts for outstanding board and card games. The prize aims to promote games as a cultural asset and make them accessible to a broad public. The award-winning games are characterized by high game quality, innovation, and appealing design.
“We’re Proud of That”
The Ludothek is an important part of Kreuzlingen’s cultural offerings and regularly participates in city events. In addition to game streets and city festivals, it also offers a vacation program for students. “Not every city has a Ludothek—and we’re proud of that.” Her motivation for participating? She simply enjoys it and sees her volunteer work as a meaningful activity.
The Ludothek is—this becomes clear after a visit—more than just a place to borrow games. It’s a meeting place for families, where children and adults alike find joy in playing. “The kids love playing here and choosing games,” summarizes Eva Ludwig.
“It’s a place where they can move freely and express their creativity. What could be better?”
Opening hours of the Ludothek Kreuzlingen:
Thursdays between 4:30 PM and 6:00 PM
Saturdays between 9:30 AM and 11:00 AM
Website: Ludothek Kreuzlingen
Closed during Swiss school holidays.
