FAMILY-FRIENDLY THINGS TO DO IN MARCH 2020
by Alana Dunsmore
Keeping the little ones amused during a cold snap is not always easy. No fear, we’re here to provide ideas for fun family things to do. Meanwhile, we can’t wait for more sunny days to relax in the park with an ice cream soon, aren’t you?
Remember to check previous family things to do articles in Geneva in January or February for activities that happen continually. In our efforts to provide a variety of ideas, we don’t always repeat these.
BOOK NOW: HOSPITAL DES NOUNOURS (Don’t miss this!)
This is NOT happening in March, but registration opens on February 29th and it would be a shame to miss it!
Inscriptions opens at 10am on February 29, but the event takes place in April. The goal of this event is to help children to be less traumatised about hospitals and medical procedures. During this event your child can bring their plush toys or dolls in for check-ups. They will have the opportunity to be either the patient or doctor who cares for their toy. Doctors are there to assist the kids and some speak English.
COST
Free (inscription required)
WHEN
April 1, 4 and 5
WHERE
Salle Du Palladium, Rue du Stand 3
MORE INFO
DISCOVER THE CHÂTEAU DE PRANGINS – IN ENGLISH!
For the first time the Château de Prangins provides specific activities in English. This is a must visit as English activities can be rare, as you know. Whether you admire the interior spaces, Swiss chocolate box views or the magnificent gardens, this is a beautiful place to visit.
This castle is very child-friendly. They offer activities designed for kids and parts of the castle are even available to rent for children’s birthday parties. They really are going all out to make your child feel welcome.
One of the services is the addition of guided tours in English available for certain rooms inside the castle, garden and much more. On site is also the Swiss Press Photo exhibition 2020. This is 29th edition of the exhibit which showcases award-winning press photographs covering the key events of 2019.
Check out the link below for more information including how to book activities for children in English. Entry is free for children under 16.
TIP: This site can be reached via public transport from Geneva.
WHERE
Ave General Guiguer 3
MORE INFO
FANTASTIC DINOSAUR GARDEN – FREE EXPO
If your child is captivated with dinosaurs, this must be the event of the year for them!
Schilliger Garden Centre in Gland has a free expo. We’ve been there and the dinosaurs – on loan from Dinoworld in Versoix – are spectacular – complete with roars and movement. The garden centre is very family-friendly and you’ll seen lots of little ones milling around.
Your child will have the opportunity to get up close with these fascinating creatures from the Mesozoic era. CLICK HERE for more information from a previous article.
TOP TIP: The Café Gland coffee shop and restaurant has the most amazing cakes. Claim your FREE hot drink of your choice. This offer is ONLY for Thingstodoingeneva newsletter subscribers – until end of March. Show a copy of our newsletter on your phone to get your hot drink.
SIGN UP – to join our newsletter for exclusive give-aways, invitations to our events and discounts.
WHEN
Until March 28, 2020
WHERE
Schilliger Garden Centre
Route Suisse 40, 1196 Gland – Switzerland
AKADEMINIS – CENTRE D’ART CONTEMPORAIN
At the Centre D’Art Contemporain families are encouraged to visit the exhibits at their leisure.
The museum offers weekly events either Wednesday or Sunday. During this time there will be parent-children creative workshops focused on their current exhibits. The current exhibit is When Language Seeks Its Other. This exhibit is about writing.
The event is FREE but registration is a must and can be done via email at publics@centre.ch or 022 888 3043 (Tuesday-Friday). See below for more information.
WHEN
February through to May
WHERE
Geneva rue des Vieux-Grenadiers 10
MORE INFO
FREE MUSEUMS ON SUNDAY
Have you been wanting to go check out some of the great museums in Geneva but worry you’ll have to cut your visit short if your little ones get bored? We hate wasting money, so we love the idea of FREE open museums on the first Sunday of every month when you can pop in and out of however many museums you want – for free!
Check individual museum websites to confirm they are participating in this event as this does not apply to all the museums. Note some do a similar event on the Saturday instead of the Sunday. For example – The Red Cross Museum.
COST
FREE
WHEN
First Sunday of every month
Where
Various locations
PUPPET THEATRE FESTIVAL – LES CROGUETTES THEATRE DE MARIONNETTES
The weekend of March 7 and 8, Les Croguettes Theatre de Marionnettes will perform the famous story of the three little bears (in FRENCH) at Chene-Bougeries – Salle J.J Gautier. Whether your house is French-speaking, or English, your children will know this classic tale! This is perfect as everyone knows the story, so it doesn’t matter if you speak French or not.
The marionettes company is doing other shows at other locations. See link below for more information, to buy tickets, and to see the full performance schedule.
WHERE
Route du Vallon, Chene-Bougeries
WHEN
March 7 & 8, 2020, while tickets are available
MORE INFO
CITE DES FREAKS – UNE SCENOGRAPHIE FORAINE
Does your little monster like monsters?
The City library is hosting various workshops on the theme of monsters. They even have a cosy monster dome set up for the little ones to use while they explore books on these mysterious but wonderful creatures
WHERE
City Library, Place des Trois-Perdrix 5
WHEN
Until Wednesday March 25
MORE INFO
LE LIVRE DE LA JUNGLE
Another classic one to share with your kids. The Leman theatre will be showcasing the Jungle Book play.
The always popular story of Mowgli who grows up in the jungle with jungle animals as friends and guardians.
There is a reason that this story has been remade into multiple movies from its original air date of 1967 – it’s a great story that kids of all ages can enjoy! Who else will have the Bare Necessities song in their head for the rest of the day?
WHERE
Theatre Du Leman, Quai du Mont-Blanc 19
WHEN
March 23, 2020
MORE INFO
ALBARELLO – ALBARELLI – SAMEDIS DES ENFANTS
The Ariana Museum will be offering a variety of activities allowing your child to have fun while learning. These workshops are intended for children aged 5-7.
The Saturday March 7 activity is themed “Albarello – Albarelli”. Albarello, or albarelli for plural, is a type of earthenware jar. They were originally used for medicinal jars. They would hold ointments or dry drugs.
At this workshop the kids will have the opportunity to create their own Albarelli. Using old or contemporary works to create their own.
Registration is required and must be done before March 16, 2020 by email adp-ariana@ville-ge@ch.
COST
20CHF for one kid
30CHF for two
WHEN
MARCH 28, 2020
WHERE
Avenue de la Paix 10, Museum Ariana
MORE INFO
BOULE D’OR
The wonderful group of Zig, Zag and Zoug brings yet another great performance. This is another classic, but I have to admit I didn’t know what classic story it was until I went to Google translate.
I bet you didn’t know that Boule d’Or is Goldilocks as in Goldilocks from Goldilocks and the three bears!
I love watching my son hide his face in the embarrassing moments or understand more French than me! It’s always wonderful spending a morning with Zig, Zag and Zoug!
PERFORMANCE IN FRENCH
COST
Donation
WHEN
Sunday March 1, 2020 at 10 and 11:30am
WHERE
Route des franchises 54, Maison de quatier de Vieusseux
MORE INFO
MUSEES D’ART ET D’HISTORIE DE GENEVE (WEEKLY WEDNESDAY)
This is another weekly event which allows your children the opportunity to explore a museum. Each week offers a different activity in a fun environment. There are a variety of activities at different times so check all the information. The Wednesday events are free.
Note: no prior registered is required.
WHEN
January 8- April 29, 2020
WHERE
Musée d’art et d’histoire
Rue Charles-Galland 2
MORE INFO
