6 questions for Albert Schmidbauer

1. You are a successful entrepreneur - did you fulfil a childhood dream with IKUNA? What motivated you to develop it?

   Yes - IKUNA is actually a piece of a childhood dream come true. I wanted to create a place where children can discover, play and marvel freely again - just as we used to do as a matter of course - I grew up here. At the same time, it was important to me to create an antithesis to the digital world. IKUNA was born out of the conviction that real experiences, nature and exercise are essential for healthy development - both physically and mentally.
    

2. What makes IKUNA unique? How do you explain the philosophy behind it to a child?

   IKUNA is more than just an amusement park - it's a space for real adventure. Our philosophy is simple: "Get out of the screen and into life." For a child, I would say: you can be anything here - explorer, adventurer, researcher. And the best thing is that you don't need a mobile phone, just your curiosity. For adults: IKUNA combines nature, exercise and shared experiences in a way that brings families closer together again.
    

3. If you were eight years old: Where exactly would you be found at IKUNA and why?

   Of course: in the AQUANIX water playground. Where movement, adventure and discovery come together - splashing around, pumping up water, building dams. As a child, I was always fascinated by places where you don't just consume, but get active yourself. That's exactly what AQUANIX is: a place where children can create their own little world - full of energy, imagination and fun.
    

4. What do parents and children want more than ever today?

   Time - real, undivided time together. Children need spaces where they can develop freely without being constantly judged or distracted. And parents want places where they can let go of their children with a good feeling - safe, meaningful and inspiring. I think we often underestimate how valuable shared experiences are for development and relationships.
    

5. What do you dream of? 
   In my private life, I wish above all for good health, time with my family and the opportunity to continue doing things that are meaningful. My vision for IKUNA is to develop it into a leading European centre for nature-based experiences and family development - a place that inspires and perhaps even triggers a small rethink of how we organise our leisure time and childhood.
    

6. Do Peter Pan and Albert Schmidbauer have anything in common?

   Perhaps more than you might think at first glance. I believe in retaining a certain childlike curiosity, lightness and imagination - regardless of age. The difference is: I don't want to stay in "never-never land", but use this attitude to create real places and projects that bring joy and added value to other people.