A Guide to a Joyful Summer in Geneva for Parents of 2-5 Year Olds
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STAYCATION JULY 2017 a guide to a joyful summer in Geneva for parents of 2-5 year olds Edition 2017 Written by Olga Sokolik This guide was created to help make summer in Geneva a little bit easier (and fun!) especially for those with children aged 2-5 years. Some of the options are suitable for younger and older kids too - adults included! At least one activity has been proposed per day for the duration of the summer holidays. Additionally, at the end you'll find a list of "When it rains" places, as well as air-conditioned options for when heatwaves hit. Even though Geneva has a lot to offer to younger kids, this guide also includes places that are up to 1.5h drive away from the city. There is no better time than summer to check them out! You can stick to the planner or simply use it as inspiration, or a guide to new places. I wish you a great summer staycation! Olga Sokolik Parentville.ch Find what you need, share what you know Without written consent from the owner of Parentville.ch, no portion of this copyrighted ebook may be reproduced or copied. The publisher and the author do not assume, thereby disclaiming, any liability to any individual for any loss or damage caused by inacuracy. Copyright © 2017 Parentville. All rights reserved. Book design and production by Parentville.ch Written by Olga Sokolik www.parentville.ch BEFORE YOU START In order to make the guide easy to use, each activity has been linked to a specific date. Some actvities can be done all summer long (yippee!), however if an activity is only available on a specific day or date range, it is clearly marked with the following icons: This icon means the This icon means the activity is a one day event/activity is only event - so available for a limited specific to that date. time only. Clicking on a map will open a Google map link on your smartphone, tablet or computer. Follow @Parentville on Instagram to discover the photos! Or search the hashtags: #gvawithkids #gvatripswithkids #parentvillerecommended S a t u r d a y , D A Y 1 J u l y 1 s t Filenvol Kick the summer off at the outdoors trampoline parc, placed in the middle of the forest close to Salève. Trampolines big and small, are hung between the trees. To go down you either jump, run, or SLIDE. It might be slightly scary at first but highly enjoyable within 5 23 km minutes! #parentvillerecommended On the trampoline labyrinth kids need to opening hours: 9-18h be accompanied by an adult, but for the Chemin du vallon smallest oned, a separate trampoline has Monnetier-Mornex, France been added facebook.com/Filenvol BACKUP PLAN Paddling pool at Parc la Grange Plage du Hermance Boat trip to Nyon S u n d a y , D A Y 2 J u l y 2 n d Swiss Vapeur Parc and Aquaparc A family day trip to the other end of the lake to experience the rides on Swiss trains replicas. The train-miniatures park is surrounded by Alps and Geneva lake, that both add to this very 109 km Swiss experience. It's an absolute thrill for kids of all ages! #parentvillerecommended Alternatively, you can visit the biggest Aquaparc Swiss Vapeur Parc in the region. It's at the other end of the road Route de la Plage, 1897 Port-Valais from the Vapeur Parc. With many sections swissvapeur.ch adapted to the youngest visitors, and a big outdoors space, it is a great place for a Sunday Aquaparc no matter the weather. Route de la Plage 122, 1897 Le Bouveret aquaparc.ch BACKUP PLAN Tour de Plage Picnic at Jardin Botanique Pro Natura Dardagny Plage du Perroy M o n d a y , D A Y 3 J u l y 3 r d Maison de la Créativité The creativity house is the most magic place for children in Geneva. It's not only about bricolage activities, it's about exploration of all things possible, though the exposition changes twice a year. in Geneva The house is surrounded by a beaytiful parc that also provides kids with creative tools to play #parentvillerecommended with leaves, mud, and what not. opening hours: July 3-7, July 10-14 Be sure to pencil it in, you will not regret! 14:30 - 17:30h entry: 3-5 CHF 7, chemin Calandrini 1231 Conches maisondelacreativite.ch BACKUP PLAN Ludobus Rouge Parc Bastion Espace Quartier Sécheron Plo Plage Ludobus Bleu Parc des Chaumettes T u e s d a y , D A Y 4 J u l y 4 t h PLO Plage Plo Plage - the beach in Plan-les-Ouates, is situated on a large pedestrian path behind the Velodrome school. Opened on weekdays 3-7 July, and 10-14 July. The program varies from one day to another and in Geneva includes: a 20m long water slide, giant mist blowers, accrobranche, and circus-based #parentvillerecommended activities. Also deck chairs, a bar, and "surprise opening hours: 15-18h workshops" for children, among other activities. entry: free of charge Caution: the slide is accessible for kids aged 5+ but behind Ecole Velodrome there's plenty of fun for smaller munchkins, too. Chemin de la Mère Voie 60, 1228 Plan-les-Ouates plan-les-ouates.ch BACKUP PLAN Stroll in Jonction Ludobus Rouge Espace Quartier Sécheron Picnic in La Grange Ludobus Bleu Parc des Chaumettes W e d n e s d a y , D A Y 5 J u l y 5 t h MAMCO A guided tour of the Museum or the temporary exhibition, adapted to kids aged 2+, accompanied by an adult. Children (and adults) will have the possibility to follow a playful and interactive 25- or 45-minute in Geneva (depending on the age) guided visit that will help them discover the diversity of the #parentvillerecommended contemporary art. opening hours: Wednesday 15h15 You can combine the tour with a visit to the playground at the Plaine de Plainapalis, entry: free of charge Rue des Vieux-Grenadiers 10, 1205 Genève mamco.ch BACKUP PLAN My life as a Zucchini Ludobus Rouge Carouge, 14h-18h Espace Quartier Sécheron Maison de la Créativité Ludobus Bleu 14h30-17h30, 3-5 chf Parc des Chaumettes Tour de Plage T h u r s d a y , D A Y 6 J u l y 6 t h LUDOBUS Ludotheque is a toy library and very often an indoor play area for kids. In summer Ludotheuqes pack some bags and travel the city in 2 Ludobuses. You can find them in parks from May till the end of September, during the week. in Geneva The ludobus fun is completely free of charge. #parentvillerecommended You can find their location in the "backup plan" section for each day. opening hours: 15:30-19h entry: free of charge different locations each weeks BACKUP PLAN Ludobus Rouge Maison de la Créativité Espace Quartier Sécheron 14h30-17h30, 3-5 chf Ludobus Bleu Tour de Plage Parc des Chaumettes F r i d a y , D A Y 7 J u l y 7 t h Bain Bleu For a small canton, Geneva has an impressive amount of outdoor and indoor swimming pools. You are very likely to find one easily reachable from your home. Trying something different every now and then is good, and when else than in summer? in Geneva This is why today's proposition is a privately owned spa with a swimming pool by the lake. #parentvillerecommended Not as crowded as cantonal and communal opening hours: 9-18h pools, a good restauarnt, kid's swimming lessons, Quai de Cologny 3, and a luxury feel. 1223 Cologny bain-bleu.ch Pack your bathing suits and splash away! BACKUP PLAN Maison de la Your local swimming pool Créativité 14h30-17h30, 3-5chf Jardin Botanique Tour de Plage S a t u r d a y , D A Y 8 J u l y 8 t h Yatouland Aquatique A new attraction, first time in Geneva! A popular inflatable castles center, Yatouland, is opening an aquatic, outdoor park. It opens today, on July 8th! Placed on Stade du Vernier, it covers 2k square in Geneva meters of fun for kids aged 3-12. Water play, inflatable castles and slides, #parentvillerecommended trampolines, food truck (no picnics allowed). opening hours: July 8th - August 20th If your kids need to more than heat to burn some Wednesday to Sunday energy, it might be the best place to go. 11-18h closed in case of bad weather entry: 15 CHF (1 child+1 adult) Avenue Louis-Pictet 17 1214 Vernier yatouland.com BACKUP PLAN Maison de la Bois de la Batie Créativité 14h30-17h30, 3-5 CHF Alimentarium, Vevey Tour de Plage S u n d a y , D A Y 9 J u l y 9 t h Bains de Paquis One adult plays with kids while the other has a massage? Or no massage, just the beach? Can we throw in a lunch and a view on Jet d'Eau, Geneva Old Town, and the lake? All of this in one of the most traditional Geneva summer spots - Bains de Paquis. in Geneva You can top it with a stroll to a playground in #parentvillerecommended Perle du Lac, or switch the lunch on the premises opening hours: weather with the Hamburger Foundation restaurant dependant nearby. entry: 0-2 CHF Bon appétit and have a lovely Sunday! Quai du Mont-Blanc 30 1201 Genève bains-des-paquis.ch BACKUP PLAN Excevenex Plage Lavaux Hermance Tour de Plage M o n d a y , D A Y 1 0 J u l y 1 0 t h ACCROBRANCHE Accrobranche - accrobatics on trees! It's one of a kind obstacle course, with tunnels, nets, and zip lines.