Adventure on Three Levels: Details on EXPLORADOM Cologne
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(eap) EDUTAIN AG has announced further details about its coming new family edutainment center “EXPLORADOM”, which is scheduled to open in spring 2026 in a former car dealership in Cologne’s Ehrenfeld district. The concept envisages combining education, experience, and the working world under one roof across three levels. “We are not simply renovating; we are building FOR Cologne. For the people, the families, and above all the children,” emphasizes Janine Jaensch, Executive Board member of Edutain. “The EXPLORADOM is a place for experiences where learning is fun, play brings people together, and families recharge their batteries. We are giving a building rich in history a new shine and turning it into a meeting place for all generations.”
An atrium is planned as the central point of entry to the offering, which is to house, among other features, a multi-level climbing tree, a slide from the second floor down to the ground floor, as well as movement-oriented, hands-on exhibits (see visualization). Overall, an experiential world will be created across three levels, in which the guiding principle “digital meets analog” is to be implemented. It is planned that well-known highlights and classics from the Odysseum will return in a new form and be combined with selected content from EXPLORADO.
The planned experience areas include hands-on zones for discovering and building, as well as themed play worlds and knowledge stations that show how a city functions – from industry and energy to transport. In later development phases, these themes are to be further expanded and made tangible on a larger scale.
“We are combining our experience from 20 years with formats that have not yet existed in this form in Germany – step by step and with a focus on what families really need. In this way, we are creating a place that rethinks education and experience and makes everyday life easier for modern families – a place where there is always something to discover and where shared time turns into unforgettable experiences,” Jaensch said.
Catering options are also part of the concept. A family restaurant is intended to offer a high-quality and healthy range of food for different age groups. In addition, a café is planned to be operated in cooperation with a local roastery and bakery. Furthermore, the EXPLORADOM sees itself as a multifunctional destination that connects leisure and the working world: working parents are to be able to use modern co-working areas while their children enjoy the experiential offerings. For companies, spaces for meetings, conferences, or events are also planned. ■
