KITA21 Award for Kita Mühlenhof: Buy Less, Appreciate More

KITA21 Award for Kita Mühlenhof: Buy Less, Appreciate More

The award at a glance: Our Kita Mühlenhof in Wandsbek was awarded KITA21 status on 13 October 2026 – for the first time and at Level 1. It was recognised for its project "Little Everyday Heroes Think Big: Buy Less, Appreciate More – Our Contribution to the Environment". The children compared their bedrooms, experienced a toy-free period, returned deposit bottles together and donated toys.

"What do I actually really need?" Many adults only ask themselves this question later in life. At our Kita Mühlenhof, even the youngest children have been searching for answers – not through bans, but through their own experiences. For this project about consumption and appreciation, the Kita has now been awarded KITA21 status.

A Special Day for Kita Mühlenhof

On 13 October 2026, the new KITA21 Kitas were honoured at the GLS Bank in Hamburg's city centre. 26 Kitas from Hamburg applied this year, and 24 received the award – including three of our Kitas: Kita Mühlenhof, the neighbouring Kita Mühle and Kita Treudelberg in Lemsahl-Mellingstedt. You can read how our Kita Mühle is learning to save electricity with its "Energy Heroes" in our article on the KITA21 award for Kita Mühle.

For Kita Mühlenhof, this is the first KITA21 award – we are very proud of the team and the children. The Kita receives a certificate and a plaque. And because the children are the real everyday heroes, KITA21 also provides templates for medals and "Future Shaper ID cards" that can be handed out to the children.

What Is KITA21?

KITA21 is an initiative of the S.O.F. Save Our Future – Environmental Foundation. It honours Kitas that put Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) into practice in everyday life – children should understand connections and experience that they can make a difference themselves. The programme is under the patronage of Carola Veit, President of the Hamburg Parliament.

The award is given in several levels. For Level 1, a Kita carries out, among other things, a project lasting at least four weeks, and at least one staff member attends the KITA21 basic training course. The level is valid for one year, after which the Kita can apply again – also for a higher level.

We explain more about what ESD means and why it fits so well in a Kita in our guide ESD in the Kita.

The Project: Little Everyday Heroes Think Big

The application grew out of the monthly focus topics that we work with in all Stadtküken Kitas, and which are closely linked to the KLIMAfuchs project of the S.O.F. Environmental Foundation. Kita Mühlenhof took on the topic of consumption – a topic that connects directly to the children's world.

The Starting Point: Photos from the Bedroom

To begin with, the children brought in photos of their bedrooms. Looking at them together, they discovered similarities and differences, talked about needs and wishes – and began to uncover the first connections between consumption and the use of resources.

The Toy-Free Time

Then it got exciting: for a while, the usual toys were put away. What sounds unfamiliar at first gives children a lot of room. Without ready-made toys, creativity, imagination and problem-solving skills are called upon – and the question "What do I really need?" becomes something they can experience in a very practical way.

Out and About in Everyday Life

The project continued beyond the Kita as well:

• At the supermarket: The children visited the supermarket together.
• Returning deposit bottles: Together they took deposit bottles back.
• Donating toys: Toys were donated to the "Kaufhaus mit Herz".

For the jury, these are fine examples of how children can experience sustainable action in everyday life and discover their own ways to make a difference.

[!FACT] The jury particularly highlighted that the Kita based its project on the children's interests and experiences. It also praised the active involvement of families and external partners, and the fact that the team regularly exchanges ideas on Education for Sustainable Development.

What Remains: Appreciation in Everyday Kita Life

According to the jury, the combination of projects, lasting learning opportunities and first measures for the resource-saving management of the Kita shows that sustainability is already visible in several places at Kita Mühlenhof. The regular team discussions on ESD ensure that the topic does not end with the project, but continues to grow together with the team, parents and kitchen and housekeeping staff.

We also describe how important close cooperation with families is in our article on working with parents in Kindergarten.

Buy Less, Appreciate More: Ideas for Home

The projects at Kita Mühlenhof can easily be transferred to family life. These ideas cost nothing and children enjoy them:

1. Bedroom check through children's eyes: Look around the bedroom together: What do you like to play with most? What has been lying in the corner for ages? ➔ Result: Your child discovers for themselves what is really important to them.
2. Send toys on a break: Pack away some of the toys in a box for a few weeks and bring them out again later. ➔ Result: Old toys become exciting again – without buying anything new.
3. Free play with everyday items: Cardboard boxes, cloths, clothes pegs, chestnuts – they can become dens, shops and entire worlds. ➔ Result: Creativity instead of a toy shelf.
4. Donate, swap, pass on: What is no longer needed can go to other children. Let your child choose what they would like to pass on. ➔ Result: Things get a second life – and your child experiences that sharing brings joy.
5. Return deposit bottles together: A little outing with a big learning effect. ➔ Result: Children understand that bottles and packaging have value.

Kita Mühlenhof: From Nursery to School Entry

Kita Mühlenhof is located in Wandsbek on the grounds of an old water mill, with a large, tree-filled outdoor area right by the building and the Botanical Garden nearby. Children are cared for here from nursery age until they start school, in two nursery groups and two Elementar groups. Nature, mindfulness and participation shape everyday life – you can find out more in our nature-based education.

Conclusion: Little Everyday Heroes, Big Idea

The KITA21 award recognises what is lived at Kita Mühlenhof: children learn to appreciate things instead of always wanting something new – with curiosity, their own experiences and plenty of imagination. We warmly congratulate the team, the children and the families. If you are looking for a Kita where sustainability is part of everyday life, get to know Kita Mühlenhof and our other locations.

FAQ

What was Kita Mühlenhof awarded KITA21 status for? For its project "Little Everyday Heroes Think Big: Buy Less, Appreciate More". The children explored consumption – with photos of their bedrooms, a toy-free period, supermarket visits, returning deposit bottles and a toy donation to the "Kaufhaus mit Herz".

What is toy-free time in a Kita? For a limited time, the usual toys are put away. The children play with what is there and develop their own ideas. This fosters creativity, imagination and problem-solving skills and makes the question "What do I really need?" something they can experience.

What does KITA21 Level 1 mean? Level 1 is the entry point to the KITA21 award: the Kita has begun to put Education for Sustainable Development into practice, has carried out a project lasting at least four weeks, and at least one staff member has attended the basic training course. The award is valid for one year.

Which other Stadtküken Kitas are KITA21? Besides Kita Mühlenhof, our Kita Mühle in Wandsbek and Kita Treudelberg in Lemsahl-Mellingstedt were also awarded KITA21 status for the first time in October 2026.

👤 About the Author

Arianne Vogt writes in the Stadtküken guide about topics related to everyday Kita life, early childhood education and nature-based education. Her aim is to explain educational concepts to parents in a clear and practical way.

Sources

• KITA21: Wer wir sind
• KITA21: Die Auszeichnung
• KITA21: Die Kriterien
• Jury decision of the S.O.F. Save Our Future – Environmental Foundation on the KITA21 2026 award (Kita Mühlenhof, 25.09.2026)