What do the questions Why do otters sleep holding hands? and How is your favourite chocolate made? have in common? The answer is simple - curiosity. It is curiosity that lies at the heart of the educational visits organised by Kraš for primary school pupils from across Croatia.

During their visit to Croatia’s sweetest factory, the little Znatiželjci - pupils from the third to the sixth grade of primary school - have a unique opportunity to discover how chocolate is made, while also learning about the history and development of Kraš and its products. Every year, more than 1,300 pupils, accompanied by their teachers and teaching assistants, visit the Kraš factory in Zagreb as part of this educational programme.

They learn how cocoa beans are transformed into chocolate and even discover how to taste chocolate properly, becoming “professional” chocolate tasters. One of the highlights of every visit is a tour of the production line where the world’s thinnest - and children’s favourite - Životinjsko Carstvo (Animal Kingdom) chocolate bars are made. To make the experience even sweeter, every young visitor receives a selection of Kraš’s treats to take home.

Every tour is filled with students’ questions, ranging from how much chocolate is eaten at the factory to where Kraš products can be found around the world. Questions like these remind us of something truly important: curiosity is what drives the world forward.

That is why Životinjsko Carstvo (Animal Kingdom) has long been an essential part of this story and a trusted ally of curious minds of all ages. More than just a chocolate bar, it is a tool that inspires children's curiosity, helping generations learn about the animal kingdom while developing their attention and spirit of exploration. Through a collection of more than 250 animal stickers, children discover fascinating facts, such as how bees communicate by dancing and how squid move using jet propulsion.

The story continues through the Znatiželjci online platform, where curious minds of all ages can keep exploring fascinating facts about the animal world. The platform’s content has been developed in collaboration with scientists Dr Ivana Buj, Assistant Professor Marko Ćaleta, PhD, and Dr Zoran Marčić, whose engaging answers to the Znatiželjci community’s questions are available on the platform’s website and Kraš’s social media channels.

Initiatives like these demonstrate the importance of experiential learning in nurturing children’s curiosity. As a socially responsible company, Kraš continues to invest in projects that encourage education, curiosity, and the development of younger generations - making learning both fun and delicious. Primary schools interested in organising a visit are welcome to send their enquiries to [email protected].