The Tinderbox, Where Children's Dreams Come to Life in Denmark

As I open the door to The Tinderbox, I find myself finding in a new world, with my years magically disappearing.  I am a child again!  Magic is everywhere, cows sword fight with princesses and kings engage in a game of chase across a swinging bridge.  This is The Tinderbox, a children's cultural center beside the Hans Christian Andersen Museum in Odense Denmark where children bring their own stories to life.

 

It all starts here, in the dressing room of The Tinderbox, the dressing room of all dressing rooms.  Many of the costumes found in The Tinderbox are those from characters in Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tales and many I don't recognize, perhaps from fairy tales long forgotten, or never read.  Hans Christian Anderson wrote over 120 fairy tales, among those:  The Little Mermaid, The Emperor's New Clothes, The Princess and the Pea, The Ugly Duckling, and the Snow Queen, to name a few of his more popular works.

 

A knight puts on his finishing touches before engaging in a sword fight with a swan or perhaps a nice cup of tea with a pea pod.  Anything is possible at The Tinderbox, including inadvertently getting in the middle of sword fights or games of chase as I discovered.  Fortunately I was unscathed.

Even Hans Christian Andersen himself takes on a new persona at The Tinderbox with exaggerated features, namely his height and large nose for which he was often described as odd looking. 

 

The Tinderbox has life size sets in which children can bring their own stories to life.  Here some princesses are enjoying a nice cup of tea, resting, before they engage in a rowdy game of chase with two cows almost knocking us over!

The Tinderbox also has a stage where families can enjoy an interactive play.  Unfortunately we missed it, but I have no doubt it would be in the keeping of the creative spirit of The Tinderbox.

Another part of the life size set, although I couldn't figure out what the building was on the right.  Any ideas?  I also loved the hanging clouds.               

 

As we made our way to the second level of The Tinderbox we were treated to an impromptu puppet show.  Unfortunately, it was in Danish so I didn't understand the play, but still enthusiastically clapped when it was finished.

The Tinderbox also has a wood carving room.  It is from an old Danish story that is famous among Danish children.  I had never heard of it before, but observed a boy intently whittling a piece of wood.  This was one of the quieter rooms in The Tinderbox, but provided another creative outlet.

 

The Tinderbox also has a large art studio which seemed especially popular with older children.  Our guides said that families often spend hours at The Tinderbox.  Fortunately there is also a restaurant and cafe.

 

Just a few of the creations that came out of the art studio at The Tinderbox.

All to soon, it is time to leave The Tinderbox and I quickly return to my 30-something self again, but The Tinderbox has sparked something in me.  On the plane ride home, I read four Hans Christian Andersen fairy tales, something I haven't done in a long time.  I am, for a short time, brought back to my childhood self again.  I think Hans Christian Andersen would approve.

For more information on The Tinderbox see:

The Tinderbox Homepage

For more information on Visiting Denmark see:

 Top 10 Things to Experience in Odense Denmark

My Top 10 Experiences of Denmark

5 Things You Should Know Before Cycling in Denmark

J Day in Denmark

Please note this tour was complimentary of the Odense Turist Bureau as part of the TBEX Conference