The month of May is here with so many exciting family events you’ll be spoilt for choice. Here’s our initial list of events taking place in Geneva, Vaud and nearby France but remember to keep checking our blog as we will be updating this post with more events each week:
- You can read our previous post to find all the best child-friendly places to enjoy a delicious and stress-free Sunday brunch with your little buttons.
- Stuck for ideas on a Sunday? Find some ideas and suggestions here !
- Spring is a fantastic time to explore Switzerland and its picturesque villages. Read our previous post for suggestions about great days out with the kids.
- When the sun is out, why not take the boat across the lake to visit the medieval village of Yvoire in nearby France?
- A bit further away but definitely worth a visit is the French village of Pérouges, it’s a great family day out!
MAY BANK HOLIDAYS
Spring is in the air, bank holidays abound. What better time to book a short family break or weekend getaway? Here’s some child-friendly destinations we’ve tried out so far on a short weekend break — please do share your own recommendations for a great family holiday!
Papiliorama in Kerzers (CH); Ballenberg Open Air Museum (CH); Bern (CH); Thun (CH); Pérouges (France); Lyon (France); Versailles (France); Dijon (France); Aosta (Italy); LEGOLAND in Windsor (UK) and many more charming places to see in Switzerland.
Monday 1st of May: Labour Day, bank holiday in France.
Thursday 25th of May: Ascension (jeudi de l’Ascension), bank holiday in Geneva, France and Canton Vaud.
SWISS MOTHER’S DAY – Sunday 14th May 2017
One of the perks of being an expat mum in French-speaking Switzerland is being able to celebrate Mother’s Day many times over as French, Swiss and UK Mother’s Day never coincide. So go on, let them spoil you rotten, ‘coz you’re worth it! And if they seem a bit lost for ideas, here’s a few hints you could casually drop to help them out…
Sunday 12th May 2017: Brunch Fête des Mamans at the Château de Coppet, held on the private terraces of this beautiful manor house. The price is 50CHF per person (free for children under 10) and it includes the entry tickets to the Jardins en Fête garden exhibition. You can reserve your places in advance at info@jardinsenfete.ch or +41 22 776 59 25. Please note that the brunch will be cancelled in case of rain.
Sunday 12th May 2017: Brunch de la fête des Mères at the restaurant of the Arboretum (VD) from 11.30am until 2pm. PLaces must be booked in advance at info@arboretum.ch
Sunday 12th May 2017: Croisière “Fête des mères” with Mother’s Day lunch on Lake Léman, click here for full details and boat departure times. The price is 58CHF for adults and 29CHF for children aged 6 to 12, a first class ticket might be required on some cruises so you will need to factor that in.
TOY & BOOK LIBRARIES
On those gray, drizzly days when nothing seems to placate your little buttons, remember you can visit your local ludothèques for a bit of free play and some light relief.
Public libraries are also a great place for your children: many host free events, workshops, story-times (usually in French but many times in other languages too). The bibliothèques in Geneva, Lausanne and neighbouring communes hold too many kids events each month to list them all here so here’s some links you can check regularly:
Geneva public libraries events & activities
Carouge public libraries events & activities
Lausanne public libraries events & activities
LUDOBUS
The toy library buses called LUDOBUS are back in Geneva! From the 8th of May until the end of summer the red and blue ludobus will be travelling to different parks in Geneva to keep the little ones entertained in the afternoon from 4pm to 6.30pm (from 5.30pm to 7pm during the summer holidays). FREE ENTRY, activities are free for children.
You can click here to download the exact dates and locations for both ludobus covering Servette; St-Jean; Petit-Saconnex; Plainpalais; Jonction; Acacias; Pâquis; Grottes; St-Gervais; Eaux-Vives; Champel and Cité.
MAY 2017 EVENTS LISTINGS:
- Tuesday 2nd; 9th; 16th; 23rd and 30th May 2017: Chinese Painting classes for adults at Life of Art in Geneva. The classes will run every Tuesday afternoon from 1pm until 3pm. Each class costs 65CHF per person – all materials aare supplied. To book your Chinese Painting Workshop, please email Life of Art at info@life-of-art.ch or call 022 525 5232.
- Wednesday 3rd May 2017: “Les pieds dans l’eau”, part of the Mercredis Family at the Musée d’art et d’histoire in Geneva (Rue Charles-Galland 2). Children aged 6 to 10 accompanied by an adult are welcome every Wednesday at 3pm to discover all about the museum collections in a fun, interactive way. FREE ENTRY, no advance booking required.
- Wednesday 3rd May 2017: Jours d’ouverture aux familles at the Maison de la Créativité in Conches (7, chemin Calandrini). These family activities will take place in the afternoon from 2.30pm to 5pm (on Saturday 25th of February the centre will also be open in the morning from 9.30am until midday). Entry is 3 CHF per adult and per child aged 2+.
- Wednesday 3rd May 2017: Les mercredis à la Villa Freundler, free Wednesday activities for children at the Villa Freundler in Plainpalais (Place de Saint-François 4). Activities include games, creative workshops, sports and they will run from 1.30pm to 6pm. FREE ENTRY, no advance booking necessary, children must be accompanied by an adult/carer.
- 3rd-7th May 2017: La Fête de la danse, a fantastic event for all dance-lovers who’d like to try a workshop, see a show or join a Bollywood spin! With plenty of locations and events in Geneva, Yverdon and Lausanne, this is a great festival for all ages. Click here for full details of the events planned in Geneva, and here for those planned in Lausanne.
- Thursday 4th May 2017: Le marché du jeudi soir in Carouge. This great weekly event will run until the 22nd of December 2017 on the Place du marché in Carouge. From 5pm until 9pm this bustling neighbourhood market will be accompanied by live music bands and gourmet tastings! FREE ENTRY.
- Thursday 4th May 2017: Les ateliers du Léman – fabrique ton koinobori at the Musée du Léman in Nyon (Quai Louis Bonnard 8). Suitable from age 6, the workshop will teach kids how to make their own Japanese “koinobori” celebratory fish using recycled materials and it will run from 4pm until 5.30pm. These creative workshops for children take place on the first Thursday of every month and only cost 5CHF per child. Places must be booked in advance at 022 316 42 50 or by email at info@museeduleman.ch
- 4th-7th May 2017: Carnaval de Lausanne, a wonderful family fest with Guggenmusiks, live music, pony-rides and parades where the kids will be able to flaunt their carnival costumes. The carnival takes over Lausanne’s city centre until Sunday 7th of May. Entry is free for all and the events include dance shows, live music, kids activities, the Guggenmusiks concert-apéro and the carnival parade at 2.30pm on Sunday. Click here for the full programme.
- Friday 5th May 2017: “BALADE EN FORÊT – Visite à petits pas” free guided tours for children aged 3 to 5 accompanied by an adult at the Musée d’art et d’histoire in Geneva starting at 10.30am. No previous booking required, FREE OF CHARGE.
- Friday 5th and 12th May 2017: Art Jamming, organized by Life of Art at La Fabrique bistrot in Geneva. But what is Art Jamming exactly? It’s a new way to get creative whilst socializing and making new friends! Art jamming is all about creating art in a fun environment, with great music to inspire you and drinks at hand. In a group of about 10 people, our in house artist/teacher will create a painting in front of you, guiding you step by step through the different stages and techniques so that you can follow at the same time on your own canvas. So even if you are a beginner you can still join in the fun. It’s a 2 hour workshop where all materials are supplied and you get to take home your canvas. Meet and greet at the Bistrot La Fabrique, just opposite the Life of Art studio, at 18:00. For more information and to reserve a place contact Lisa Anderson at Life of Art on +41 22 525 5232 or by email at info@life-of-art.ch
- 5th-14th May 2017: Printemps Carougeois – Carouge’s spring festival will kick off with an impressive line-up of concerts, dance shows, workshops and kids’ shows. There will be two theatre shows for children and one “Atelier danse jeune public” (kids’ workshops) in French. Take a look at their online programme for full details.
- Saturday 6th May 2017: Marché de Printemps, spring farmers’ market at the Panier Gourmand, Domaine d’Avenex in Nyon (VD). From 9am to 5pm you will be able to stock up on local meat and fish from Lake Leman, season produce, cheese, plant seedlings and much more. Free entry.
- Saturday 6th May 2017: Léman Nature – Art et nature – Les échassiers : Cigognes et Cie at the Musée du Léman in Nyon (Quai Louis Bonnard 8). Suitable from age 6, the workshop will teach kids about storks, herons, including other wading birds and it will run from 9.30am until midday. These nature workshops for children take place on Wednesday & Saturdays and only cost 22CHF per child for the whole morning. Places must be booked in advance online at www.leman-nature.ch
- Saturday 6th May 2017: Atelier Pizza, from 10.45am to 11.30am at Signal de Bougy. For ages 5 to 12, let your little ones learn the ropes of authentic pizza making with a professional pizzaiolo, they will also be able to eat up their yummy creations once they’re cooked. The workshop costs 20CHF per child, places must be reserved at signal.bougy@gmvd.migros.ch or +41 58 568 31 50.
- 6th-7th May 2017: Geneva Marathon for UNICEF a key event of the city’s spring calendar with its 42,195 km route from Geneva’s most beautiful sights to its countryside. Click here for more info about the races (half marathon, la Genevoise, junior races etc.) and how to register. Don’t forget the Village Marathon at the Jardin Anglais: 300 m2 of pure fun with a dedicated area for little ones aged 4 to 12, where they will be able to take part in fun games and activities — all of them FREE OF CHARGE. Open from 10am until 8pm on Saturday 6th and from 10am until 2pm on Sunday 7th of May.
- 6th May-18th June 2017: the Café des Jardins at the iris Gardens in Vullierens (VD) re-opens for the season and they will be offering their delicious Sunday brunches on Sundays and Bank Holidays, with the first seating at 10.30am and the second one at 1pm. The menu includes sweet & savoury dishes as well as a selection from their BBQ. The price is 55CHF per person and 28CHF for children aged 4 to 12, drinks and entry to the gardens are not included in the price – bookings must be made well in advance at 079 844 68 60 or cafe@jardindesiris.ch. Find out more about these beautiful iris gardens in our previous post and check their official website for their upcoming spring Sunday brunches.
- 7th May until end of September 2017: the Musée Départemental des Sapeurs-Pompiers in Gex (France) re-opens this Saturday from 9am to midday and then from 2pm to 6pm in the afternoon. The museum is open every Saturday from 9am to 12pm and from 2pm to 6pm until the 26th of September, as well as every Wednesday and Sunday in July and August from 2pm to 6pm. Entry tickets are 5 € for adults and 3 € for kids. Musée Départemental des Sapeurs-Pompiers – 380 avenue des Alpes – 01170 Gex – FRANCE (Tel : 04 50 20 86 97).
- Sunday 7th May 2017: Fête de Printemps de l’Arboretum the annual spring festival at the Arboretum national park is a great day-out for the whole family. From 10am until 5.30pm there will be specialist guided tours for birds lovers, activities for children, games and scrumptious food stalls!
- until 7th May 2017: Festival La Cour des Contes in Plan-les-Ouates has a programme packed with fantastic shows and events for all ages (and many are free!), so take a look at their official programme online to find out more about it and reserve your places. Places can be booked in advance at 022 884 64 60 or by email at culture@plan-les-ouates.ch
- Sunday 7th May 2017: Free entry to all museums and exhibitions in Geneva, a special initiative organized by the city of Geneva offering free access to permanent and temporary exhibitions on the first Sunday of every month.
- Sunday 7th May 2017: “Cap sur l’Océanie avec Tohu Wa Bohu” story-time songs and music for children at Geneva’s MEG museum (in French). Suitable for toddlers from age 2, the first session will take place from 3pm to 3.45pm in the museum’s foyer, and the second one from 4pm until 4.45pm. FREE ENTRY, no advance booking required. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
- Sunday 7th May 2017: Kachina – Poupées-esprits du Nouveau Monde, workshop in French for children aged 5+ accompanied by an adult at the MEG museum in Geneva (Musée d’ethnographie de la Ville de Genève, Boulevard Carl-Vogt 65-67). Children will learn to make their own wooden dolls. FREE ENTRY, but places must be booked in advance at 022 418 45 55 (from 9am to 11am and only in the 5 days prior to the event). The workshop will run from 2pm until 4.30pm.
- Sunday 7th May 2017: Petits Rendez-Vous for children: “Le Petit Rendez-vous dont vous êtes le héros” at Geneva’s MAMCO, conducted in French and English. These are free, interactive guided tours for kids aged 5 to 10 accompanied by an adult. The tours start at 11.15pm. FREE entry, no advance booking required.
- Tuesday 9th May 2017: Comptines et jeux de doigts story and song time in French for little ones aged 18 months to 4 years-old at the Nyon Jeunesse public library (Chemin de Crève-Coeur 3) run by Liz Moscarola. You can choose from 2 sessions: the first one for little ones aged 18 months to 2 y.o. will start at 9.30am and the second one for toddlers aged 3 to 4 will start at 10.30am. FREE ENTRY, no advance booking required.
- Tuesday 9th; 16th; 23rd and 30th May 2017: Chinese Painting classes for adults at Life of Art in Geneva. The classes will run every Tuesday afternoon from 1pm until 3pm. Each class costs 65CHF per person – all materials aare supplied. To book your Chinese Painting Workshop, please email Life of Art at info@life-of-art.ch or call 022 525 5232.
- Wednesday 10th May 2017: “Plantes succulentes et cactus” – Ateliers Verts du Jardin Botanique in Geneva for kids aged 10-13 (in French). What better place than Geneva’s beautiful botanical gardens to learn more about nature, micro-organisms and plants ? These fantastic workshops take place on Wednesday from 2pm to 4.30pm and cost 15CHF per child. Places must be booked in advance at 022 379 70 68. Click here to download the full programme.
- Wednesday 10th May 2017: Photography Treasure Hunt at the Geneva Botanical Gardens starting at 3pm. Read all about it in our latest post!
- Wednesday 10th May 2017: “Costumes”, part of the Mercredis Family at the Musée d’art et d’histoire in Geneva (Rue Charles-Galland 2). Children aged 6 to 10 accompanied by an adult are welcome every Wednesday at 3pm to discover all about the museum collections in a fun, interactive way. FREE ENTRY, no advance booking required.
- Wednesday 10th May 2017: Jours d’ouverture aux familles at the Maison de la Créativité in Conches (7, chemin Calandrini). These family activities will take place in the afternoon from 2.30pm to 5pm (on Saturday 25th of February the centre will also be open in the morning from 9.30am until midday). Entry is 3 CHF per adult and per child aged 2+.
- Wednesday 10th May 2017: Les mercredis à la Villa Freundler, free Wednesday activities for children at the Villa Freundler in Plainpalais (Place de Saint-François 4). Activities include games, creative workshops, sports and they will run from 1.30pm to 6pm. FREE ENTRY, no advance booking necessary, children must be accompanied by an adult/carer.
- Wednesday 10th May 2017: Léman Nature – Insectes at the Musée du Léman in Nyon (Quai Louis Bonnard 8). Suitable from age 5, the workshop will teach kids about field and stick insects and it will run from 2pm until 4.30pm. These nature workshops for children take place on Wednesday afternoon and only cost 22CHF per child. Places must be booked in advance online at www.leman-nature.ch
- Thursday 11th May 2017: Le marché du jeudi soir in Carouge. This great weekly event will run until the 22nd of December 2017 on the Place du marché in Carouge. From 5pm until 9pm this bustling neighbourhood market will be accompanied by live music bands and gourmet tastings! FREE ENTRY.
- 11th May-20th August 2017: Ma vie de Courgette L’Expo at the Musée de Carouge (Place de Sardaigne 2). If you have seen this exceptional movie you will want to know more about how it was made and this exhibition is all about that: discover how Céline Sciamma and Claude Barras went about making what is probably the best movie of 2016! Kids will love to watch how the stop-motion animation and the puppets were made, so don’t miss it. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 2pm until 6pm.
- 11th-28th May 2017: Mapping Festival in Geneva. A multi-genre art festival focused on audiovisual arts and digital culture. Free up some time in your diary for their exciting programme of installations, clubbing parties, live performances, architectural mapping, as well as workshops and conferences.
- Friday 12th May 2017: Art Jamming, organized by Life of Art at La Fabrique bistrot in Geneva. But what is Art Jamming exactly? It’s a new way to get creative whilst socializing and making new friends! Art jamming is all about creating art in a fun environment, with great music to inspire you and drinks at hand. In a group of about 10 people, our in house artist/teacher will create a painting in front of you, guiding you step by step through the different stages and techniques so that you can follow at the same time on your own canvas. So even if you are a beginner you can still join in the fun. It’s a 2 hour workshop where all materials are supplied and you get to take home your canvas. Meet and greet at the Bistrot La Fabrique, just opposite the Life of Art studio, at 18:00. For more information and to reserve a place contact Lisa Anderson at Life of Art on +41 22 525 5232 or by email at info@life-of-art.ch
- 12th-14th May 2017: “Jardins en fête” at the Château de Coppet (VD). Stock up on your spring seedlings at this wonderful garden festival, in the beautiful setting of Coppet Castle. With over 120 exhibitors you’ll find anything you need for your garden: seeds, plants, garden furniture and decorations. Open from 10am to 6pm, entry is 12CHF for adults and free for children under 16.
- Saturday 13th May 2017: Parent & child art workshop at Life of Art in Geneva. The workshop will run from 1pm until 3pm. Feel free to contact the school’s founder Lisa Anderson for more information and to reserve your place: tel. +41 22 525 5232 or by email at info@life-of-art.ch
- Saturday 13th May 2017: Genève-Plage (Quai de Cologny 5, Port-Noir) reopens for the season at 10am. No better place to be with your little swimmers on a hot, sunny day so make the most of the swimming-pools, water slides, sandpit and play area – don’t forget your sun cream! You can find out more about it & other lidos in our previous post.
- Saturday 13th May 2017: “Petit Baigneur”, kids workshop from age 6 at the Musée du Léman in Nyon. Children will learn how to make their own paper dolls, the workshop will run from 3pm to 4pm and the price is just 5CHF per child.
- 13th-14th May 2017: Festival Capes et Epées at the Chateau de Morges (VD). A great festival for all budding knights and princesses out there, with fencing and martial arts demonstrations. Open from 10am until 5pm on both days, entry is free for children under 6.
- 13th May-8th October 2017: La ville est à vous returns for its 14th edition, kicking off in Philosophes with street parties, second-hand sales and activities for children. Take a look at the official website for all upcoming weekends and join in, because the city belongs to you! Here’s the list of all the upcoming street parties in Geneva: 13th-14th May: Philosophes; 4th-5th June: Plainpalais; 10th-11th June: Sécheron; 17th-18th June: Pâquis; 26th-27th August: Vieusseux; 2nd-3rd September: Schtroumpfs; 9th-10th September: Jonction; 16th-17th September: Geisendorf; 7th-8th October: Eaux-Vives.
- until 14th May 2017: Morges Tulip Festival. Spring wouldn’t be spring without the Morges Tulip Festival with its 120,000 tulips of 300 varieties, blossoming along the lakeside promenade of the Parc de l’Indépendance in Morges. The first varieties start blooming around mid-April (weather permitting) and there are plenty of activities planned for the duration of the festival. Find out more here.
- Tuesday 16th; 23rd and 30th May 2017: Chinese Painting classes for adults at Life of Art in Geneva. The classes will run every Tuesday afternoon from 1pm until 3pm. Each class costs 65CHF per person – all materials aare supplied. To book your Chinese Painting Workshop, please email Life of Art at info@life-of-art.ch or call 022 525 5232.
- Wednesday 17th May 2017: “BALADE EN FORÊT – Visite à petits pas” free guided tours for children aged 3 to 5 accompanied by an adult at the Musée d’art et d’histoire in Geneva starting at 10.30am. No previous booking required, FREE OF CHARGE.
- Wednesday 17th May 2017: “Place aux enfants !”, part of the Mercredis Family at the Musée d’art et d’histoire in Geneva (Rue Charles-Galland 2). Children aged 6 to 10 accompanied by an adult are welcome every Wednesday at 3pm to discover all about the museum collections in a fun, interactive way. FREE ENTRY, no advance booking required.
- Wednesday 17th May 2017: Jours d’ouverture aux familles at the Maison de la Créativité in Conches (7, chemin Calandrini). These family activities will take place in the afternoon from 2.30pm to 5pm (on Saturday 25th of February the centre will also be open in the morning from 9.30am until midday). Entry is 3 CHF per adult and per child aged 2+.
- Wednesday 17th May 2017: Les mercredis à la Villa Freundler, free Wednesday activities for children at the Villa Freundler in Plainpalais (Place de Saint-François 4). Activities include games, creative workshops, sports and they will run from 1.30pm to 6pm. FREE ENTRY, no advance booking necessary, children must be accompanied by an adult/carer.
- Wednesday 17th May 2017: Art & Nature, décoration de galets at the Musée du Léman in Nyon (Quai Louis Bonnard 8). Suitable from age 5, the workshop will teach kids how to paint their river pebbles and it will run from 2pm until 4.30pm. These nature workshops for children take place on Wednesday afternoon and only cost 22CHF per child. Places must be booked in advance online at www.leman-nature.ch
- Thursday 18th May 2017: Le marché du jeudi soir in Carouge. This great weekly event will run until the 22nd of December 2017 on the Place du marché in Carouge. From 5pm until 9pm this bustling neighbourhood market will be accompanied by live music bands and gourmet tastings! FREE ENTRY.
- Friday 19th May 2017: La Fête des Voisins in France & Switzerland is a great opportunity to organize a street party and get to know your neighbours better! Check the official website for more details on your local area.
- 19th-21st May 2017: “Fête de la Nature”, a yearly tradition in the Suisse Romande and a perfect way to spend a lovely weekend with your little ones enjoying the beautiful natural setting Switzerland has to offer. Take a look at the programme to decide which of the 200 free events and activities you’d like to register for in Geneva, Vaud or the rest of Suisse Romande. From guided forest walks to bird-watching the choice is yours.
- 19th-21st May 2017: Mai au Parc Festival at the Villa Bernasconi in Geneva (Route du Grand-Lancy 8). Don’t miss the kids show in the Mongolian yourte tent and the funfair La Fête à Toto – check the official website for full programme details and exact times. FREE ENTRY.
- 19th May-4th June 2017: Festival Poussière du Monde, puppet shows, world music and dance under two giant Mongolian yourtes at the Parc Bernasconi in Grand-Lancy. Check their official website for full details of their kids shows. Tickets are 25CHF for adults and 10CHF for children aged 12 and older, places are limited so advance booking is highly recommended.
- Saturday 20th May 2017: Caves Ouvertes Genève, a wine-lovers dream: board one of the free shuttles and let yourself be driven to the best vineyards of the Geneva region to sample their exquisite wines. Discover Geneva’s best wine cellars from 10am to 7pm — bottoms up!
- Saturday 20th May 2017: Léman Nature – Les animaux qui font peur at the Musée du Léman in Nyon (Quai Louis Bonnard 8). Suitable from age 6 but children should be accompanied by an adult, the workshop will teach kids about snakes, spiders, including other creepy crawlies and it will run from 9.30am until midday. These nature workshops for children take place on Wednesday & Saturdays and only cost 22CHF per child for the whole morning. Places must be booked in advance online at www.leman-nature.ch
- Saturday 20th May 2017: Nuit des Musées in Canton Vaud, organized by the Association des Musées de la Riviera vaudoise. This is a unique opportunity to visit the museums of the Vaud riviera by night and take part in some exciting free activities. From 5pm to midnight entry and all museums’ activities will be free of charge, take advantage of the free shuttle service that will be made available to connect all participating museums.
- Saturday 20th May 2017: Jours d’ouverture aux familles at the Maison de la Créativité in Conches (7, chemin Calandrini). These family activities will take place in the morning from 9.30am until midday and in the afternoon from 2.30pm to 5pm. Entry is 3CHF per adult and per child aged 2+.
- 20th-21st May 2017: La Nuit des musées de Genève & Family Day– a fantastic event for the whole family. Over 30 museums and galleries in Geneva will be opening their doors on Saturday night for a series of very special events whilst Sunday 21st will be dedicated to families and young visitors, with a plethora of workshops and events. Click here to download the full programme.
- 20th-21st May 2017: “Fête de la Nature” at the Muséum d’histoire naturelle, Genève (1, route de Malagnou), including plenty of activities at the Parc de Malagnou. Click here to see the full programme of activities for Sunday 21st of May 2017. FREE ENTRY.
- 20th-21st May 2017: Weekend en fanfare, free music festival in Geneva. Make the most of the free concerts that will take place on Saturday 20th from 11am until 5pm and from 10am until 6pm on the Place du Molard, but they will be cancelled in case of rain. On Sunday, the free concerts will be held at the Victoria Hall from 7.30pm until 10pm. FREE ENTRY.
- Sunday 21st May 2017: Ateliers « Jouets caméléons » for children aged 7 to 11 at Geneva’s MAMCO with Vanessa Riera, head costume designer on the Oscar-nominated movie “Ma vie de courgette”. There will be 3 workshop sessions: the first one from 10am to 11.30am (for children with disabilities and their carers); the second from 2pm until 3.30pm and the third from 4pm to 5.30pm. Places can be booked on the day or in advance at visites@mamco.ch – by phone at 022 320 61 22.
- Sunday 21st May 2017: Rendez-vous au jardin, open day at Prangins Castle with cooking and gardening workshops, guided tours and much more. FREE ENTRY, open from 10am until 5pm.
- Sunday 21st May 2017: If your children are very sporty, they will enjoy the Fête du sport in Ferney Voltaire on Sunday 21st of May. This a great family event where everyone will be able to try out a new sport, including badminton, bubble bump, gymnastics, volley-ball, zumba, VTT, self-defense, diving, climbing, fencing, football, handball, aquabike, aquagym, laï muoï, tennis, ping pong, judo and swimming. There will also be workshops, tournaments and more fun activities for all! FREE ENTRY. The event will run from 10am until 6pm at the Centre sportif Henriette-d’Angeville – Avenue des Sports – 01210 Ferney Voltaire – FRANCE.
- Tuesday 23rd and 30th May 2017: Chinese Painting classes for adults at Life of Art in Geneva. The classes will run every Tuesday afternoon from 1pm until 3pm. Each class costs 65CHF per person – all materials aare supplied. To book your Chinese Painting Workshop, please email Life of Art at info@life-of-art.ch or call 022 525 5232.
- Wednesday 24th May 2017: Jours d’ouverture aux familles at the Maison de la Créativité in Conches (7, chemin Calandrini). These family activities will take place in the afternoon from 2.30pm to 5pm (on Saturday 25th of February the centre will also be open in the morning from 9.30am until midday). Entry is 3 CHF per adult and per child aged 2+.
- Wednesday 24th May 2017: Les mercredis à la Villa Freundler, free Wednesday activities for children at the Villa Freundler in Plainpalais (Place de Saint-François 4). Activities include games, creative workshops, sports and they will run from 1.30pm to 6pm. FREE ENTRY, no advance booking necessary, children must be accompanied by an adult/carer.
- 24th-28th May 2017: Festival Agapé in Carouge, a line-up of free events, shows, movie screenings and story times for little ones aged 2+. Click here to download the full programme. FREE ENTRY.
- 24th-28th May 2017: Animai Festival at the Jardin du Rivage in Vevey (VD). A fantastic (and what’s more free-of-charge!) kids festival filled with creative workshops, fun activities, live concerts for your little ones. Visit the official website for full details of what’s on each day.
- Thursday 25th May 2017: “Fête du Printemps” organized by the Maison du Quartier de la Jonction at the Parc Gourgas in Geneva. From 10am to 8pm there will be live music, DJ sets, activities for children — including bouncy castles, workshops, face painting, ludobus from the toy library. There will be a free circus show for kids at 3pm and a colourful “Lâcher de ballons” at 4.30pm. FREE ENTRY.
- Thursday 25th May 2017: Le marché du jeudi soir in Carouge. This great weekly event will run until the 22nd of December 2017 on the Place du marché in Carouge. From 5pm until 9pm this bustling neighbourhood market will be accompanied by live music bands and gourmet tastings! FREE ENTRY.
- 26th-28th May 2017: Fête de l’oiseau in Gex (France), a fantastic medieval festival the whole family will enjoy. FREE ENTRY. From Thursday 26th until Sunday 28th of May in the late afternoon, there will be medieval parades, archery tournaments, live music and fireworks. Click here for more info and to download the full programme.
- Saturday 27th May 2017: Fête de l’Espoir at Geneva’s Stade du Bout-du-Monde (Route de Vessy 12). This is one of the city’s best music events, filled with child-friendly activities, great live music, football tournaments and more. The event is free of charge and open to all, so visit their official website for full details of the day’s programme.
- Saturday 27th May 2017: Lecture d’un conte – 3 extraits du Petit Prince, story time in French from “The Little Prince” book at Signal de Bougy. Depending on the weather, the event will be held at the amphitheatre or at the Salle Mont-sur-Rolle. There will be 3 sessions, the first at 10.30am, the second at 11.30am and the third one at 12.30pm. FREE ENTRY, no advance booking necessary.
- 27th-28th May 2017: Fort l’Ecluse Plaisir des Enfants, a superb family event in Fort l’Ecluse (Pays de Gex, nearby France). From 10am until 6pm children will be able to take part in photography workshops, magic shows, games, donkey rides, story times, puppet shows et much more! FREE ENTRY.
- 27th-28th May & 3rd-5th June 2017: Les Grandes Medievales d’Andilly, an absolutely spectacular medieval fest in Andilly (France) perfect if your little ones are going through their “knight” or “princess” phase. The costumes and historical reconstructions are amazing, and the tournament shows will have you mesmerized. Read about a previous edition we attended in our previous post — just a word of warning: if the weather turns rainy you will need your wellies as the fields get quite muddy.
- Sunday 28th May 2017: enjoy a unique tour of the city on the Geneva Historical Trams leaving from the Rive tram stop. A great way to see the city with young children — they will love riding the old city trams! During the summer, on the first Sunday of every month these “Trams touristiques” will be circulating from Carouge to Nations, Gare Cornavin, Eaux-Vives and the city centre. Tickets for a single ride are 6CHF and 10CHF for a day pass, children aged 6 to 16 pay a reduced fee.
- Sunday 28th September 2017: Les Puces de Nyon, very scenic flea market in the pretty lakeside town of Nyon (VD). Grab a fab bargain or a delicious Italian ice-cream!
- Tuesday 30th May 2017: Chinese Painting classes for adults at Life of Art in Geneva. The classes will run every Tuesday afternoon from 1pm until 3pm. Each class costs 65CHF per person – all materials aare supplied. To book your Chinese Painting Workshop, please email Life of Art at info@life-of-art.ch or call 022 525 5232.
- Wednesday 31st May 2017: Jours d’ouverture aux familles at the Maison de la Créativité in Conches (7, chemin Calandrini). These family activities will take place in the afternoon from 2.30pm to 5pm (on Saturday 25th of February the centre will also be open in the morning from 9.30am until midday). Entry is 3 CHF per adult and per child aged 2+.
- Wednesday 31st May 2017: Les mercredis à la Villa Freundler, free Wednesday activities for children at the Villa Freundler in Plainpalais (Place de Saint-François 4). Activities include games, creative workshops, sports and they will run from 1.30pm to 6pm. FREE ENTRY, no advance booking necessary, children must be accompanied by an adult/carer.
- Wednesday 31st May 2017: “Les batraciens” at the Musée du Léman in Nyon (Quai Louis Bonnard 8). Suitable from age 5, the workshop will teach kids about amphibians and it will run from 2pm until 4.30pm. These nature workshops for children take place on Wednesday afternoon and only cost 22CHF per child. Places must be booked in advance online at www.leman-nature.ch
ONGOING:
- Just a quick reminder about the iconic Carrousel des fables at the Conservatoire et Jardin botaniques in Geneva: it’s a great activity for the little ones on a sunny day, to be coupled with a visit to the free mini zoo and the park’s playground! And when the little munchkins get a bit peckish, you can grab something delicious at Le Pyramus restaurant, located right next to the playground.
- until 18th June 2017: “Les portes de la fantaisie”, a great exhibition suitable for ages 4 to 11 at the Espace des Inventions in Lausanne (Vallée de la Jeunesse 1). The exhibition will introduce your little ones to the fascinating world of architecture.
- until 15th July 2017: “T’es sûr-e ?”, a fantastic new exhibition suitable from age 7 at the Espace des Inventions in Lausanne (Vallée de la Jeunesse 1). The exhibition will teach and amuse your little ones with fun science experiments. Alongside the exhibition there will also be a series of fun workshops for ages 7 to 12 called “Le Club des petits inventeurs”, from 2pm to 5pm on selected days. Click here to download the list of activities.
- The permanent exhibition “Noblesse Oblige” at Prangins Castle is a great day-out for the whole family, take a step back in time with your children to see how a noble Swiss family lived in the 18th century! Find out more about this fantastic family exhibition in our previous post.
