FAMILY-FRIENDLY THINGS TO DO + HOLIDAY CAMPS IN FEBRUARY 2020 – GENEVA
by Alana Dunsmore
Are your children going a little stir crazy in this cold weather? Looking for indoor activities to keep them busy during the cold snap? We have compiled a win-win list of activities and half-term camps for February to keep your kids out of your hair.
HOLIDAY CAMPS FEBRUARY HALF TERM
If you’re working or need some time out, we share some of our favourite HOLIDAY CAMPS.
MESSY SCIENCE (NOT AT HOME) – TOTUP
Erupting volcanoes or making your own slime! Oh my, none of that appeals to the OCD side of me, but it does sounds like a kid’s dream!
At Totup your kids will have the opportunity to learn (and make as much of a mess as they want to – in some-one else’s space! Don’t worry, there will be adult supervision.
For ages 3-7 Totup is offering full or half day camp options. Check the link below for all the details.
WHEN
February 10-14, 2020
WHERE
Ave des Morgines 12
Lancy, Geneva
MORE INFO
ONCE UPON A TIME… PAYOT
If your children love books, this one’s for you. Once a month on Saturdays the Payout Geneve Rive Gauche has English story time.
Lisa in the English Department reads a story each month with a different theme every time. This is a free event so it might make it a little less painful when you’re nagged to buy a new book afterwards. The coffee shop in Payot is a good spot to enjoy a Latté (for you) and cookies (for them) afterwards.
Note: Adults are required to stay during the session.
COST
Free
WHEN
February 8, 2020
WHERE
Payout, Rue de la Confédération 7
MORE INFO
payot.ch
‘LOW-STRESS’ FAMILY SNOWSHOEING
The 15th edition of Festiraquettes takes place in the ST. Cergue area in February. It’s an opportunity to explore the beautiful scenery around us through snowshoeing as a family.
This event was started in 2005 by the Geneva section of the Swiss Association of Mountain Guides. It offers you the chance to take part in a 1-2 hours guided tour of the trails in the area.
Choose between two schedule options. One which takes place on Saturday evening or Sunday during the day. Check the website for more information and registration which is required.
Note: Snowshoes will be available free of charge. Also accessible by train.
WHEN
February 29- March 1, 2020
WHERE
Col de la Givrine
MORE INFO
WATCH BASKETBALL (…AND ENJOY A MASSAGE)
We’ve discovered Geneva’s basketball team – a great way to keep my husband and son occupied! My husband will watch mostly any sport, which means my son will want to watch it too because he idolises his dad. Good dad and son quality time!
So, I can either go along or – more likely option – sneak away for a massage or facial. The best thing about it? Entrance is free.
WHEN
February 9, 2020
WHERE
Chemin du Pommier 11
MORE INFO
BLISS FESTIVAL – YES, PLEASE!
Herstreet, the space for women by women – READ OUR ARTICLE about this amazing place, will be hosting a festival called “Bliss Festival”. It promises to be a fun day for the whole family. There will be conferences, family yoga, children’s workshops and various talks on topics including childbirth with doulas and midwives.
WHEN
February 29, 2020
WHERE
Rue des Pierres-du-Niton, 6
MORE INFO
CHASE IS ON THE CASE!
The paw patrol crew will be in Geneva on February 1, 2020 and yes, there are still some tickets left.
If your kids are paw patrol lovers, this will be the event of the year! For one day only your children will be able to watch some of their favourite characters perform another high-stakes rescue mission in Adventure Bay. We are Canadian and this may just be the highlight of the year in our house!
WHEN
February 1, 2020
WHERE
Théâtre de l’Arena
MORE INFO
FABULOUS DINOSAUR GARDEN – FREE EXPO – OUR FAVOURITE!
If all your children talk about are dinosaurs, then this is a must! Until March 28, 2020, the Schilliger Garden centre in Gland has a free expo. Be prepared to be up close with some large creatures from the Mesozoic era. CLICK HERE for more information and if you’re a newsletter subscriber – show a copy of our weekly newsletter on your phone for a FREE hot drink during the month of February – SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER HERE.
WHEN
Until March 28, 2020
WHERE
Schilliger Garden Centre
Route Suisse 40, 1196 Gland – Switzerland
SPOT THE ANOOKI! GENEVA LUX FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS
Have you seen the adorable giant inflatable Anooki characters while walking around Geneva and wondered what it is all about? The City of Geneva decided to move this yearly light festival to January/February so as to not compete with the Christmas festivities. The lights are spectacular!
CLICK HERE to learn more about this unmissable event from a previous article on Things to do in Geneva.
OUR TIP: Also check out the map on the Geneva Lux website to see the two suggested family routes.
WHEN
24th January to 2nd February from 18 in the evening.
WHERE
Different venues around the city