THINGS TO DO FOR FAMILIES IN GENEVA – MARCH 2019
To coincide with the start of the spring this month, the city is blooming with family events and festivals.
Here are our top 10 things to do for families chosen by our parenting contributor, Olga from local blog Parentville.
THIS MONTH also don’t miss our interview with the head teacher of a leading international primary school in Geneva about how to ensure your child grows up bilingual.
COULEURS D’ENFANCE
March 1-31
Communes and organisations across Geneva and in neighbouring France organise a whole month of cultural events aimed at children aged zero to siz. During the festival, you will have the chance to participate with your child in many different shows, story times, films, exhibitions and creative workshops. There will also be conferences dedicated to parents and early childhood professionals. Definitely one of the top events this month!
WHEN
1st – 31st March
WHERE
Many locations in the Geneva region.
MORE INFO
More information about the events and fees on this website.
VIDE–DRESSING LA PENDERIE
March 3
This big secondhand clothes sale is the perfect opportunity to boost your wardrobe and your children’s wardrobes.
Organised by La Penderie in Bernex for the fifth year in a row, it features over 50 stands for adults. There will also be 12 stands devoted to children offering clothes, toys and books and early-childhood equipment (“puériculture”). Creative workshops will keep the little ones entertained. The venue is easily reachable by public transport or car (parking at the venue, and also at the P+R Bernex).
WHEN
3rd March, Sunday. 11h-15h.
WHERE
Route d’Aire-la-Ville 22, Bernex.
MORE INFO
You can find out more about La Penderie here, and about the event here.
GENEVA INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SHOW
March 7-17
The iconic GIMS is back for the 89th time this year. Most children love touching and clambering into cars or touching buttons and screens. If you’d rather browse the show alone, Ludikids Nursery will look after children aged between three months and six years. The first hour is free, whilst every following hour costs CHF6.
OUR TOP TIP: It gets very hot inside, so come armed with water and dress lightly. Also avoid weekends and Wednesdays, if you can.
WHEN
7th-17th March
WHERE
Palexpo, 1218 Le Grand-Saconnex
MORE INFO
More information on the GIMS’ website.
MUSIQUE EN FAMILLE
March 9
A fun musical workshop, aimed at children aged between four and eight, and organised around a musical theme. It’s a creative space where everyone is invited to contribute ideas and express their feelings with confidence and without judgment.
WHEN
9th March, Saturday. 14h45-15h45
WHERE
Espace Colibri, 17 Blvd des Philosophes, 1205 Geneva
MORE INFO
For enrolments, fees, and more details check this Facebook event.
BRICKS 4 KIDZ CENTRE OPENING
March 9-10
The popular Bricks 4 Kidz workshops will open their first play centre in Geneva in Grand Lancy! 234 square meters of brick adventures! During this weekend, you are invited to visit the centre, meet the team and discover new activities prepared for children as young as two! Check out the detailed program in the link below. The centre will be divided into a playroom, a robotics room and a space to read and relax.
WHEN
Saturday, 9th of March from 9h30 till 17h30
Sunday, 10th of March from 9h30 till 16h30.
WHERE
Sis Chemin de Compostelle 10 (Rez inférieur), 1212 Grand Lancy.
MORE INFO
Find the detailed program and more details here.
PUPPET THEATRE FESTIVAL
March 9-10
A puppet festival organised by the city of Chêne-Bougeries, in collaboration with the Compagnie des Croquettes, offers shows for children of all ages. The cherry on top is the puppet “parcours” – a trail inaugurated last year, which returns this year with many new surprises.
WHEN
Saturday, 9th and Sunday, 10th of March
WHERE
Chêne-Bougeries
MORE DETAILS
For the detailed program and fees please check this website.
CHILDREN’S STORY TIME
March 9
Every month Payot Rive Gauche invites children of all ages for a one-hour story time in English in the bookshop’s English section. A different theme guides the selection of books every time and the March theme will be “Disney Magic” with Peter Pan and Cinderella. It is a perfect opportunity to explore Payot’s excellent English book choice and enjoy coffee and cake in their café!
WHEN
Saturday, 9th of March at 10h30.
WHERE
Payot Librairie. Rue de la Confédération 7, 1204 Genève
MORE INFO
For more information please consult the website of Payot.
LE TOUT DOUX – CONCERT DE BERCEUSES
March 12
The library in Chatelaine (Ville de Vernier) invites all children up to age four for a lullaby concert by Blandine Robin et Anne-Laure Murer. The event is free of charge, but reservation is required. The library is located next to a bus stop, so it is easy to get to from anywhere in Geneva.
Book your place asap as the number of participants allowed to take part is limited.
WHEN
12th of March, 9h30.
WHERE
Bibliothéque de Chatelaine, Avenue de Chatelaine 81, 1219 Chatelaine.
MORE INFO
For reservation contact details please visit the website of Vernier.
FESTIVAL RAMDAMJAM
March 23-24
The Ethnography Museum returns with their brilliant annual Ramdamjam festival of music and dancing for children between the ages of two and 10. Ramdamjam is a musical celebration of the arrival of spring. For that weekend, artists from all walks of life invite their young audience to experiment with music, dance and traditions associated with the arrival of spring. The festival will offer 10 shows, 8 initiations, 2 musical tales, 3 different guided tours, cartoons, 2 creative workshops, 1 breakfast in music and the participation of more than 30 artists! Do not miss this!
WHEN
The weekend of 23rd and 24th of March.
WHERE
Le Musée d’ethnographie de Genève (MEG)
Boulevard Carl-Vogt 65, 1205 Genève
MORE INFO
The whole program and fees are to be found on this website.
ATELIER CINÉ AU FESTIVAL DU FILM VERT
March 24
As part of Meyrin’s Film Vert Festival, Soft-Kids is offering a DRAW-MY-LIFE workshop for children aged 6-12. Kids will have an hour and a half to create an awareness film on an ecological subject important to them. They will start with a storyboard, go through creation, and finish with editing. The public will be invited to watch these short films at 15h.
WHEN
24th March (Sunday)
WHERE
Soft-Kids. Rue des Cordiers 2, 1207 Geneva, Switzerland
MORE INFO
Registration: contact@meyrin-durable.ch, more details at the Festival’s website.
