Life in Bornheim - Childhood and Youth

For a long time, childhood in Bornheim was shaped by simple living conditions, close community life, and a great deal of freedom of movement. Children grew up in manageable structures in which neighbors, family, and village life determined everyday life. Play often took place outdoors – in courtyards, on streets, in meadows, and in the surrounding vineyards.

Festivals, church celebrations, and the Kerwe were a natural part of growing up and integrated children early into community life.

Today, everyday life for children in Bornheim is different: structured play, education, and organized physical activity are more prominent. A central place for early childhood development is the Catholic kindergarten St. Laurentius, which was founded in 1983 and, since 2016, offers space in four groups for around 100 children aged 2 to 6. Together with the after-school care center “Die Piraten” (“the pirates”) it forms a network of early childhood care and education in the village center.

Several playgrounds within the village area are available for movement and social interaction. The playground in Gartenstraße, with its climbing tower, slide, zip line, swings, and sandbox, invites children up to about ten years old to play. The facilities in Birkenstraße and at Steinsteg also offer play, climbing, and sand areas for younger children. In addition to traditional playgrounds, other open spaces allow for free play and social interaction within the village.

Sport has also changed. While in earlier generations movement mainly took place through free play and seasonal work, today organized sports clubs shape the everyday lives of many children. Particularly strong is the promotion of handball at SV Bornheim 1930 e.V.: in the handball department, several girls’ youth teams are active – from minis through E, D, and C youth teams to women’s teams. They regularly take part in leagues, tournaments, and the multi-day “Storchencup,” where many girls’ teams from the region participate.

Despite changing conditions, one thing remains the same: childhood in Bornheim is closely connected to the village. Community, play, movement, and shared activities continue to shape growing up – in new forms and with a wide range of opportunities.