Brought to you by Parentville.ch
The month of December is filled with fun and joy! Even those who don’t celebrate Christmas will find plenty of interesting activities. Read on and don’t forget to book the events or shows you would like to take part in as a family, as places are limited for some, and they will disappear quickly!
NOËL A CAROUGE
It’s hard to describe Christmas in Carouge in just few sentences, as this district has events big (and small!) planned for the Christmas period! Its charming buildings will be turned into an advent calendar; there will be carriage rides, a big carrousel, an ice skating rink, pony rides, a Christmas market (December 7th to 9th), workshops for kids, theatre shows, concerts, and much more.
WHEN
December 1st till 24th
WHERE
Various locations around Carouge
MORE INFO
You can find the whole program in a downloadable pdf here.
MAKE YOUR OWN DRAGON
To add some diversity into the Christmas season, why not take a challenge and make your own dragon? Fondation Baur offers a workshop for children aged six and above in its Chinese section. First, children will be taken to see the dragons in the museum’s rooms, and discover their meaning and secrets. After that, they will be invited to create a dragon of their own! The whole activity will last approximately an hour and a half.
WHEN
Sunday, December 2nd; 16h
WHERE:
Fondation Baur
8 rue Munier-Romilly
1206 Geneva
TICKETS
CHF 20 per child (free for the accompanying adult).
MORE INFO:
Please register in advance at mediation@fondationbaur.ch. More details are available here.
LA POUPEE CASSEE
This show, for kids aged four and above, tells the story of a little Mexican girl, who grew up to be an internationally famous painter: Frida Kahlo.Lively, curious and a little daring, Frida loves to climb trees and do acrobatic feats with her capuchin monkey. She lives a carefree and happy childhood in the lush garden of her home, Casa Azul, surrounded by laughter and birdsong. An ideal life, if not for the growing pain in her right leg caused by Polio, and in her back because of a bad bus crash. By taking us back-and-forth between Frida’s past and present, adulthood and youth, reality and dreams, comedian and puppet, this new creation of TMG, accompanied by the music of Pierre Omer, is a colourful celebration of resilience, seen through the artistic universe of one of Mexico’s most iconic artists
WHEN:
From December 5th to 23rd. Please check this website for the show’s precise timings.
WHERE:
Théâtre des Marionnettes Genève
3 rue Rodo
1205 Geneva
MORE INFO:
Additional information can be found here.
THE SNOW QUEEN
When it’s too cold, wet, and dark to spend time with kids outdoors, the theatre is always a good option. Each year the Simply Theatre group in Versoix prepares a seasonal show, and this year’s winter season will begin with the English-speaking musical production of “The Snow Queen”. This adaptation of the timeless classic by Hans Christian Andersen will transfer children into an enchanted world.
WHEN
Until December 11th
WHERE
Simply Theatre Studios
23a Centre Choiseul
Avenue de Choiseul
1290 Versoix
MORE INFO
For more information, please visit Simply Theatre’s website.
RECRÉCRÉA AT BIBI CAFE
Bibi Café is not only the most child-friendly café in the region (and a personal favourite for lunch), but also a space for workshops and activities designed for 
kids (and, sometimes, their parents).
On December 1st, Bibi Café will host Recrécréa, with a creative “upcycling” workshop. This is a great way to implement planet-friendly activities into kids’ lives and show them how all we need for creative arts and crafts is already right there, in our recycling bin.
A different activity will be offered at Bibi Café on the same day, at 4 pm. You can find out more about it here.
WHEN
December 1st, at 10am (2-5 year-olds), and 11am (4-8 year-olds).
WHERE
Bibi Café
Espl. Des Récréations 27
1217 Meyrin
PRICE
CHF 20 to take part in one workshop; CHF 27 for a workshop and a meal. More information is available here.
MAMCO FOR K
IDS
Museums in Geneva are becoming increasingly child-friendly. And Geneva’s contemporary art museum, Mamco, is always ahead of the game! It’s a brilliant place to come with kids, even when there are no special activities or events going on. To make your little ones’ museum visit even more fun, check out the card game available at Mamco’s gift shop – it is sure to make an outing to any museum full of laughter!
On Wednesday, December 5th, Mamco will offer special activities for two age groups. For little ones aged two to four (with an accompanying adult), an artistic awakening workshop entitled “Mirror, tell me.” It will be held in French, and last approximately 20 minutes.
For older children aged five to ten, the museum has prepared an interactive guided tour entitled “Dans ma maison je mets…” Children must be accompanied by an adult, and the tour will last about 45 minutes.
WHEN
December 5th, at 16h15
WHERE
MAMCO
Rue des Vieux-Grenadiers 10
1205 Geneva
MORE INFO
More information about MAMCO’s program can be found here.
NOËL AUX BASTIONS
A real Christmas market will come to Geneva this year, and it is looking great: street food, fondue chalet, carrousels, face painting, ice skating, carriage rides, and… a kids chalet for arts and crafts, workshops, and other fun activities. Younger guests can dive into DIY projects, play or just read Christmas stories in a comfortable and well-heated yurt.
All special activities available are listed on Parentville’s full agenda for December.
WHEN
December 6th to 31st
WHERE
Parc des Bastions
Promenade des Bastions 1
1205 Geneva
MORE INFO
You can also find the full program here.
PETITES HISTOIRES.COM
Directed by Kader Attou, a prominent name in French hip-hop dance, Petites Histoires.com mixes performance, emotion and music in a new and unexpected way, designed for children aged eight and above. For Petites Histoires.com, Kader Attou imagines a show composed of many small pieces. Some tell stories, others are more abstract. Real life events as well as the news have always nourished the work of the choreographer, who conveys stories through music and dance.
WHEN
December 8th, at 20h
WHERE
Salle du Lignon
Place du Lignon 16,
1219 Le Lignon
MORE INFO
For tickets and more information, please click here.
SWISS FOOD ACADEMY
Noël Aux Bastions is shaping up to be a great event for people of all ages! The Swiss Food Academy is among those who will provide fun activities for the kids.At 14h, children are invited to decorate their Christmas trees with… Christmas flavours! Then at 16h, it will be time for a story, accompanied by a healthy Christmas snack (so that you don’t feel guilty about the vast amount of chocolate to be consumed during the rest of your visit!)
WHEN
December 8th and 9th.
WHERE
Parc des Bastions,
Yourte des enfants 2
1205 Geneva
MORE INFO
For more info please check here.
MEG WORKSHOP
The Ethnographic Museum of Geneva is always ready to welcome children and to engage with them in a fun and educational way. On December 16th, all children aged six and above are invited come create their own tunic. They will also learn a lot about the meaning of clothes: they cover our bodies, but they also protect us, and give us an identify. Brands, logos or colourful patterns? Ties, or superhero crests? Turtleneck or V-neck?
There’s some fun in store for adults, too: you will discover objects and clothing used for protection presented in the exhibition “Afrique. Les religions de l’extase,” together with your kids. After this visit, you will take part in a workshop to create your own protective shirtdress.
WHEN
December 16th, from 14h
WHERE
MEG
Boulevard Carl-Vogt 65-67
1205 Geneva
MORE INFO
Prices range from CHF 8 to CHF 12. Please make sure to reserve in advance, either on the Museum’s website or directly at the MEG’s ticket office.
You can visit Parentville.ch to discover the full program for December, and make the best of the season with your kids!
