Debrecen4U April 28, 2026

University of Debrecen Kindergarten Celebrates with a Newly Renovated Courtyard

The children of the University of Debrecen Kindergarten have concluded an eventful week. The oldest groups showcased their skills in a playful gymnastics competition, while the highlight of the week was a family sports day, during which they were able to enjoy the institution’s brand-new playground facilities at both locations, modernised at a total cost of HUF 45 million, as reported by unideb.hu.

The University of Debrecen Kindergarten places strong emphasis on a healthy lifestyle and talent development. In this spirit, a playful gymnastics competition was organised on 21 and 22 April as part of the “Talent Development in the Heart of the Great Forest” (NTP-TEHETSEG-25-0089) project.

Members of the four participating groups competed in relay races, target throwing and balance tasks. At the end of the programme, every child received recognition, highlighting the joy of movement and the importance of shared community experiences.

The most spectacular event of the week was Friday afternoon’s sports day, which this year was organised around an exciting space theme under the title “Journey from Earth to the Moon.”

After a joint warm-up, families embarked on the space mission together: they transported oxygen, battled aliens, and at the Moon station completed challenges using slowed movements simulating weightlessness. The brave “astronauts” collected stamps and, at the end of the mission, were even able to plant their own flags on the surface of the Moon.

“There has been a tradition of organising a sports day here for around ten years. Previously, it was held on Saturday mornings, but this time we invited families for Friday afternoon so that, together with parents, we could fill the kindergarten yard with a sense of carefree joy,” said Melinda Pente Szabóné, head of the institution.

The sports day also served as a ceremonial handover, as a large-scale infrastructure development was completed at both kindergarten sites. The head emphasised that no development of this scale had taken place in the yard for approximately 15 years. Old, worn and potentially hazardous equipment has been replaced with modern, safe and functional play structures.

“At the two sites, we installed a total of 14 new pieces of playground equipment—including play towers, sandpits, see-saws, spring-mounted toys and a nest swing. We placed special emphasis on safety, installing modern, impact-absorbing rubber surfacing over approximately 260 square metres, while the covered terrace received new paving over 60 square metres. As part of the development, we also placed eight new benches, and carried out a full repair and inspection of previously closed equipment, so that children can now use all facilities safely,” said Krisztián Szabados, Managing Director of Régió Terv Kft., detailing the works.

Thanks to the development, the 181 children across the kindergarten’s eight groups can now spend their everyday lives in even higher-quality surroundings.

The event’s guest of honour was Tibor Dombi, assistant coach of DVSC and a former standout of the Hungarian national team. The seven-time Hungarian champion footballer expressed his admiration for the developments. “I didn’t have such beautiful play equipment when I was in kindergarten, but to be honest, I was only ever interested in football. I encourage every child: if they can’t get onto the climbing frame, they should always have a ball at hand! I trust that these facilities will support their physical development, and that many excellent athletes will grow up here,” added the Debrecen icon.

Source: dehir.hu | Photo credit: unideb.hu