If you’re still in a post-holiday daze, recovering from ringing in the new year with family and friends, you will understand and forgive the late posting of our monthly listings (apologies for that!). January is usually a slow start for everyone, so please remember to check our listings regularly as we will be adding new events every week.
This month, you’ll find listings for January & February 2018, enjoy!
SKIING & SLEDGING:
This is also the season to enjoy some great skiing & sledging with your little buttons, see our previous post for some advice on ski-schools for kids and great winter sledging spots.
PATINOIRES
Christmas is not far off and if you’d like to delve deep into the winter spirit, you can grab your ice-skates and join the fun at the ice-skating rinks that are already open for the season, including the patinoire des Vernets and the patinoire des Charmilles in Geneva; the patinoire des Bastions in Geneva (opening on the 18th of November 2017); the patinoire de Carouge (opening on the 19th of November 2017); the Patinoire de Montchoisi and the Patinoire de la Pontaise in Lausanne and the patinoire du Flon in Lausanne (opening on the 5th of November 2017).
The patinoire in Grand-Sacconex will offer free “Cours d’initiation au patinage” open to all every Wednesday from 1pm to 2pm and every Sunday from 11am until midday . Bookings to be made in advance at the ice-rink – tel. 079 079 958 84 48. Patinoire Grand-Sacconex – Campagne du Château – 1218 Le Grand-Saconnex (GE).
PATINOIRES IN CANTON VAUD & NEARBY FRANCE
There are some great ice-skating rinks in Canton Vaud as well (our family’s favourite is La Patinoire de Terre Sainte in Coppet with its dazzling views over the château), so if you’d like to have a go you can find the complete list here.
- Open until March 2017: the Patinoires in Lausanne include the Patinoire de Montchoisi, the Patinoire de Malley, Flon Patinoire and the Patinoire de la Pontaise. See the official Lausanne website for more details.
- The patinoire de Nyon-Rive reopened for the winter season at the end of October. This year, the ice rink will be open 7 days a week! Click here for exact opening times. ENTRY IS FREE, ice skates for children can be hired for just 3CHF (5CHF for adults).
- For those of you in and around Divonne-les-Bains (France), the Central Park café has opened a small ice-skating rink for the winter season! You need to hire special skates for 5 euros per child/person. To top it all off, the café will be serving fondues and raclettes, perfect in the run up to Xmas. The Central Park café is right next to a fantastic playground, find out more about it in our previous post.
SUNDAY BRUNCH & INDOOR PLAY CENTRES
You can also check our previous posts to find all the best child-friendly places to enjoy a delicious and stress-free Sunday brunch with your little buttons or the best indoor play centres in Geneva, Vaud and nearby France. And if the Sunday blues hit you don’t fret, we’ve got some great tips for that too!
TOY & BOOK LIBRARIES
On those gray, drizzly winter days when nothing seems to placate your little buttons, remember you can visit your local ludothèque for a spot 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 sometimes 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
JANUARY 2018 LISTINGS:
- Public libraries in Nyon, Rolle & Gland (VD) are now free of charge! Make the most of these wonderful public libraries, especially the children’s sections in Nyon & Gland, which are jam-packed with great books in French, English, Spanish, Italian, German and other languages! All libraries also offer a rich programme of child-friendly activities, story times etc.
- Bibliothèques de Nyon
- Bibliothèque de Rolle
- Bibliothèque de Gland
- Wednesday 17th January 2018: Le MAH à tout petits pas – Mercredi Family pour les tout-petits 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; 2.30pm and 3.30pm. No previous booking required, FREE OF CHARGE.
- Wednesday 17th January 2018: “Les secrets de Ferdinand”, part of the Mercredis Family family workshops 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 at 3pm to discover all about the museum collections in a fun, interactive way. FREE ENTRY, no advance booking required.
- Wednesday 17th, 24th & 31st January 2018: 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 5.30pm. Entry is 3CHF per adult and per child aged 2+.
- Wednesday 17th January 2018: “À chacun son totem“, creative workshop for ages 6+ (children must be accompanied by an adult) conducted in French at the MEG museum in Geneva (Musée d’ethnographie de la Ville de Genève, Boulevard Carl-Vogt 65-67). The workshop runs from 2pm to 4pm, tickets are 8-12CHF and must be purchased online ahead of the day as places are limited.
- Wednesday 17th January 2018: 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.
- Sunday 21st January 2018: “Yoga-Visite”, parent-child yoga workshop for ages 6+ (children must be accompanied by an adult) conducted in French by Espace Colibri at the MEG museum in Geneva (Musée d’ethnographie de la Ville de Genève, Boulevard Carl-Vogt 65-67). The workshop runs from 10am to midday, tickets are 8-12CHF and must be purchased online ahead of the day as places are limited.
- Sunday 21st January 2018: Fête de la requette au Salève in nearby France. The day will run from 10am to 4pm and activities will include igloo-building workshops, games, treasure hunts and much more! Entry tickets are 5 euros for adults (per each activity) and 3 euros for children.
- Wednesday 24th January 2018: “Qui est le plus beau?”, part of the Mercredis Family family workshops 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 at 3pm to discover all about the museum collections in a fun, interactive way. FREE ENTRY, no advance booking required.
- Wednesday 24th & 31st January 2018: 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 5.30pm. Entry is 3CHF per adult and per child aged 2+.
- Wednesday 24th January 2018: 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 24th January 2018: “DU NUAGE À LA GOUTTE D’EAU. ÇA VA RINCER!”, part of the “Science Wednesdays” (“mercredis des sciences”) fun series of workshops in French for all ages at the Musée d’histoire des sciences in Geneva (Parc de la Perle du Lac, 128 rue de Lausanne). A fun way to discover more about clouds and rain & other weather phenomena! The free workshop starts at 3pm.
- until 24th January 2018: “La Grande Odyssée Savoie Mont Blanc 2018“, husky dog race in nearby France. Click here for full programme details.
- 26th January – 17th February 2018: Festival Antigel in Geneva. A great festival covering multi genre music concerts, theatre performances, brunches, sports and dance-offs. Click here to download the full programme.
- Saturday 27th January 2018: 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+.
- 27th January-4th February 2018: Festival International de Ballons à Château-d’Oex, the world-famous hot-air balloons festival is back this year to celebrate its 10th anniversary with more breathtaking contests from the world’s best pilots! The Night Glow event will take place on the 2nd of February at 6:58 PM. Full program to be discovered soon !
- Sunday 28th January 2018: “Casquette perso“, creative workshop for ages 6+ (children must be accompanied by an adult) conducted in French at the MEG museum in Geneva (Musée d’ethnographie de la Ville de Genève, Boulevard Carl-Vogt 65-67). Learn to make your own personalised basketball cap! The workshop runs from 2pm to 4pm, tickets are 8-12CHF and must be purchased online ahead of the day as places are limited.
- Sunday 28th January 2018: Les Puces de Nyon, very scenic flea market in the pretty lakeside town of Nyon (VD). Grab a fab bargain or a delicious crêpe bretonne!
- 30th January-3rd February 2018: Fête de l’Energie in Gland (VD) with great family activities from theatre shows to fun workshops, pony rides, cinema, petting farm games and much more! FREE ENTRY, click here to download the full programme of activities.
- Wednesday 31st January 2018: “Pour qui sont ces serpents..?”, part of the Mercredis Family family workshops 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 at 3pm to discover all about the museum collections in a fun, interactive way. FREE ENTRY, no advance booking required.
- Wednesday 31st January 2018: “DU NUAGE À LA GOUTTE D’EAU. ÇA VA RINCER!”, part of the “Science Wednesdays” (“mercredis des sciences”) fun series of workshops in French for all ages at the Musée d’histoire des sciences in Geneva (Parc de la Perle du Lac, 128 rue de Lausanne). A fun way to discover more about clouds and rain & other weather phenomena! The free workshop starts at 3pm.
- Wednesday 31st January 2018: 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 5.30pm. Entry is 3CHF per adult and per child aged 2+.
- Wednesday 31st January 2018: 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.
FEBRUARY 2018 LISTINGS:
CARNIVAL CELEBRATIONS: take a look at our latest post for all the upcoming Carnival celebrations in Geneva, Vaud, Switzerland and nearby France.
- Saturday 3rd February 2018: Le MAH visite spectacle – Family pour les tout-petits free guided tour & puppet show for children aged 3 to 5 accompanied by an adult at the Musée d’art et d’histoire in Geneva starting at 10am, 11am and 2.30pm. Tickets are 5CHF per person and previous booking is required at +41 (0)22 418 25 00 (Monday to Friday, from 9am to midday) or by mail at adp-mah@ville-ge.ch
- Sunday 4th February 2018: 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 4th February 2018: “Le baby Bazar – Grand Bazar” free music workshop for babies and toddlers aged newborn to 2 at Geneva’s MEG museum (in French). The workshop run by Espace Musical will take place from 2pm to 4.30pm to 4.45pm, with a short pause from 3pm to 3.30pm. FREE ENTRY, no advance booking required but places are limited. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
- Sunday 4th February 2018: “Le Râmâyana” shadow theatre for children aged 6+ at Geneva’s MEG museum. The show will start at 4.30pm in the Auditorium. FREE ENTRY, no advance booking required but places are limited. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
- Sunday 4th February 2018: “Cap sur l’Europe 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.
- Wednesday 7th February 2018: “DU NUAGE À LA GOUTTE D’EAU. ÇA VA RINCER!”, part of the “Science Wednesdays” (“mercredis des sciences”) fun series of workshops in French for all ages at the Musée d’histoire des sciences in Geneva (Parc de la Perle du Lac, 128 rue de Lausanne). A fun way to discover more about clouds and rain & other weather phenomena! The free workshop starts at 3pm.
- Wednesday 7th February 2018: “Chasse au lion”, part of the Mercredis Family family workshops 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 at 3pm to discover all about the museum collections in a fun, interactive way. FREE ENTRY, no advance booking required.
- Wednesday 7th February 2018: 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 7th February 2018: 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 5.30pm. Entry is 3CHF per adult and per child aged 2+.
- 12th-16th February 2018: Geneva school holidays.
- 12th-16th February 2018: Jours d’ouverture aux familles at the Maison de la Créativité in Conches (7, chemin Calandrini), open from 2.30pm to 5.30pm during the Geneva school holidays. Entry is 3CHF per adult and per child aged 2+.
- Wednesday 14th February 2018: “DU NUAGE À LA GOUTTE D’EAU. ÇA VA RINCER!”, part of the “Science Wednesdays” (“mercredis des sciences”) fun series of workshops in French for all ages at the Musée d’histoire des sciences in Geneva (Parc de la Perle du Lac, 128 rue de Lausanne). A fun way to discover more about clouds and rain & other weather phenomena! The free workshop starts at 3pm.
- Wednesday 14th February 2018: 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.
- Saturday 17th Febuary 2018: 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+.
- Sunday 18th February 2018: “Yoga-Visite”, parent-child yoga workshop for ages 6+ (children must be accompanied by an adult) conducted in French by Espace Colibri at the MEG museum in Geneva (Musée d’ethnographie de la Ville de Genève, Boulevard Carl-Vogt 65-67). The workshop runs from 10am to midday, tickets are 8-12CHF and must be purchased online ahead of the day as places are limited.
- Sunday 18th February 2018: “Cuisine LAB Kids”, parent-child cookery workshop for ages 6+ (children must be accompanied by an adult) conducted in French by Espace Colibri at the MEG museum in Geneva (Musée d’ethnographie de la Ville de Genève, Boulevard Carl-Vogt 65-67). The workshop runs from 10am to midday, tickets are 8-12CHF and must be purchased online ahead of the day as places are limited.
- Wednesday 21st February 2018: “À chacun son totem“, creative workshop for ages 6+ (children must be accompanied by an adult) conducted in French at the MEG museum in Geneva (Musée d’ethnographie de la Ville de Genève, Boulevard Carl-Vogt 65-67). The workshop runs from 2pm to 4pm, tickets are 8-12CHF and must be purchased online ahead of the day as places are limited.
- Wednesday 21st February 2018: 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 21st & 28th February 2018: 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 5.30pm. Entry is 3CHF per adult and per child aged 2+.
- Sunday 25th February 2018: “Tambours voyageurs“, music & world drums workshop for ages 6+ (children must be accompanied by an adult) conducted in French at the MEG museum in Geneva (Musée d’ethnographie de la Ville de Genève, Boulevard Carl-Vogt 65-67). The workshop runs from 2pm to 4pm, tickets are 8-12CHF and must be purchased online ahead of the day as places are limited.
- Sunday 25th February 2018: Les Puces de Nyon, very scenic flea market in the pretty lakeside town of Nyon (VD). Grab a fab bargain or a delicious crêpe bretonne!
- Wednesday 28th February 2018: 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 28th February 2018: 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 5.30pm. Entry is 3CHF per adult and per child aged 2+.
ONGOING:
- until 3rd June 2018: “Ça coule de source“. A great exhibition of an hydraulic structure’s construction site, inspired by the recent discovery made by archaeologists around the site of the ancient roman Aqueduct of Nyon. This exhibition will also show how the Romans managed and consumed their water sources. Pipes, taps, fountain plates, gargoyles, hydraulic facilities, coins and spillways illustrate the water’s course from the source, through its transmission across town, its distribution, use and disposal.
- until 1st July 2018: “Ma petite histoire de l’art” a great new art exhibition suitable for ages 4 to 10 at the Espace des Inventions in Lausanne (Vallée de la Jeunesse 1). Open Wednesdays to Saturdays from 2pm until 6pm, and on Sundays from 10am until 6pm. Tickets are 7 CHF for adults and 5CHF for children. Entry is free on the first Saturday of every month.
- until 15th July 2018: “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. Open Wednesdays to Saturdays from 2pm until 6pm, and on Sundays from 10am until 6pm. Tickets are 7 CHF for adults and 5CHF for children. Entry is free on the first Saturday of every month.
- until 6th January 2019: due to its outstanding success and by popular demand, the exhibition “Fourmis la grande exposition” at the Muséum d’histoire naturelle, Genève (1, route de Malagnou) has been extended until the 6th of January 2019! Discover the fascinating, unknown universe of these tiny insects. FREE ENTRY only on the first Sunday of every month.
- 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.
