YOUR ULTIMATE CHILDREN’S PARTY GUIDE – GENEVA
by Sarah Scaddan
A parent’s guide to throwing an excellent children’s party in Geneva whilst inflicting minimum pain on the parents.
Impossible I hear you say. Not so. Or maybe I am looking back through rose-tinted glasses? I did calculate the other day that I have organised nearly 30 children’s parties since living here, and my children are showing no sign of stopping. They are party obsessed. As soon as one birthday is over, they start planning the next, taking in the highs and lows from the last party, and how 12 months extra maturity may affect their audience. I have a family of scrupulous event organisers.
Finding your way (or filling the brief of pedantic children) can be tricky in Geneva, however anything is possible if you put in a bit of time, speak a little french (or google translate like a demon) and breathe deeply. To help, we have composed a list of options covering most age groups and activities.
PARTY VENUES FOR TOTS IN GENEVA
My kids favourite – L’ile de Tortuga play centre
Situated near Annemasse in France, L’ile de Tortuga is a crazy, loud indoor play centre with a pirate theme.
Benefits for parents: easy parking, will totally wear the kids out, seriously unhealthy snacks and drinks are provided and four different formulas available. Each party has a use of a private party room for 2 hours. 8 – 40 children can be invited. 40 !!. I would need a tranquilizer.
AGES
3-12 years old officially, I would recommend 3-9 only.
COST
Starts at €16 per child
Note: kids must wear socks.
MORE INFO
On this site.
OTHER OPTIONS
- Pyjama Party
- Vitam Ludic
- Jour de Reve, Satigny
- Bubbles Club Geneva
- Orchestraland La Praille
- Gymboree Grand Saconnex
- Baby Gym World, La Praille
- Tot Up Petit Lancy
- Kids Up Meyrin
- L’oiseau Bleu, Troinex
- Kiddie Club Geneva
- The Kids Club Geneva
- Geneva Dulce Academy
- Bibi Cafe
- Pirate Party at Bains des Paquis
- Happy Kids Parc
CHILDREN’S PARTY ANIMATORS AND CLOWNS – GENEVA
My kids favourite – Once Upon a Time Parties
A team of party organisers who work in English or French and can cater for all your home party needs. Their themes include Princesses, Pop stars, Football Frenzy, Pirates and Pamper Parties. The organisers turn up on the dot, bring all props and a sound system with them, give it their all organising games and activities and then disappear.
Benefit for parents: 90 minutes of pure entertainment, you can just sit back and drink wine. Glitter or face painting included.
COST
Starts at 350chf for up to 20 children.
MORE INFO
On this site.
OTHER OPTIONS
- Paint Somebody Happy face painting
- Bubble Show
- Anodynes Face Painting
- Party Time Kids
- Geneva Party
- Martulina – clown
- Dimitri – clown
- Pirate Party at Bains des Paquis
CINEMA AND BOWLING OPTIONS
My kids favourite – Ciné 17
Definitely the comfiest cinema experience in Geneva, kids love it because of the luxurious reclining chairs. The cinema can be booked for a private party, or just book in a small group and still use the lobby for a cake moment.
BENEFITS FOR PARENTS
The entire cinema can be booked at short notice.
Ciné 17 has the best programme of English language children’s films in Geneva.
COST
Dependent on day, group and film.
MORE INFO
On the CIne 17 website.
OTHER OPTIONS
- Arena Cinema La Praille
- Bowling La Praille
- Bowling Meyrin
SPORTING PARTIES FOR CHILDREN – GENEVA
My kids favourite – Fluosports, Plan les Ouates
Situated in a uninviting business park in Plan les Ouates, this unusual party venue organises sporting activities in the dark using fluorescent lighting. Kids don fluorescent vests and face paint, and can play dodgeball, ping pong, football and basketball.
BENEFIT FOR PARENTS
Party animators are on hand so no effort is necessary. Water and fluo cupcakes are included.
COST
Starts at CHF250 for 10 children.
MORE INFO
On this site
OTHER OPTIONS
- Roller Slalom
- Ice Skating party Plan Les Ouates
- Le Five Annemasse
- Swiss Bubble Football
- Paddle tennis at 4Padel
- Intersoccer
- Jamaa Boxing, Acacias
- Vitam Park Swimming
- Self Defence Class
- Playball
- Dulce Academy
- Rollers Golf minigolf
- Harmony Veyrier swimming party
- 372 – swimming party in your own pool
CLIMBING AND BOUNCING CHILDREN’S PARTIES – GENEVA
My kids favourite – Filenvol
Filenvol is situated half way up the Salève. It is a series of nets, slides and trampolines suspended in the trees, and is truly exhausting. Parties get the use of a private space for the duration of the party, for drinks, snacks and cake.
BENEFITS FOR PARENTS
Unless your children are very little, there is really no need to join in. Climbing up into the trees is a serious workout so I would recommend staying in the bar area at the bottom ; ) There are hammocks dotted around the place which on a sunny day, are comfy enough for you to have a little snooze and forget you are at a child’s birthday party. The children receive a detailed safety briefing in advance.
AGES
No limit.
COST
Two packages available, starts at from €75 for four children.
OTHER OPTIONS
- Arkose Genevois
- Happy Kids Parc
- Vitam Ludic
- Forest Land Divonne
- R’Jump Léman
- Elevation, Neydens
- Parc Adventure, Onex
- L’ile de Tortuga play centre
- Totem Versoix
FURTHER AFIELD
BAKING AND COOKING PARTIES FOR CHILDREN – GENEVA
My kids favourite – Cuppins
Cuppins in Geneva has a lovely downstairs area that you can hire for children’s parties. Children make and decorate cupcakes, get to eat a few and take some home for their dinner.
BENEFIT FOR PARENTS
All organised for you and the staff help the children realise their ideas. Plenty of cake eating opportunity. Drinks are included, as are invitations and a recipe.
AGES
5-14 years old.
COST
Starts at CHF25 per child.
MORE INFO
On this site
OTHER OPTIONS
- Mini Chef
- Cooking experience at La Recreation, Geneva
- Pouly Bread making party
- Saveurs Sans Faim, Grottes
- Cookery classes at Julian’s Kitchen, Eaux-Vives
- Cupcake making at Un R De Famille
- Cupcake making at Melazic
- Baking or macaroons at Wolfisburg
- Cooking courses
NATURE AND SEASONAL OUTDOOR PARTIES FOR CHILDREN – GENEVA
My kids favourite – Le Hameau du Père Noël
Le Hameau du Père Noël is magical place for children around Christmas time, but all year round the venue is open and can be hired for parties. You can choose from a ‘gourmet leprechaun’ party or a ‘curious leprechaun’ party. Both involve a chocolate fountain and crepes, and the curious leprechaun includes a treasure hunt.
BENEFITS FOR PARENTS
Children can discover or rediscover the Hameau du Pére Noël without queues and crowds.
COST
Starts at €104 for 8 children.
Note: Parties are only on Wednesday or Sunday afternoons, or weekdays during school holidays.
MORE INFO
On their site.
OTHER OPTIONS
ARTS AND CRAFTS PARTIES FOR CHILDREN – GENEVA
My kids favourite: Graffiti party at Emilie Fashion Academy.
Emilie Fashion Academy is the ultimate party venue. We have enjoyed their slime parties, fashion shoot parties, karaoke parties and they are all fabulous. The kids have a lot of freedom to choose how they want to party, and Emilie and her professional team manage their requests fantastically. New is their graffiti party, were resident graffiti artist teaches them to make their own tags and create their own unique work of art. It is not a cheap option, though.
BENEFIT FOR PARENTS
Emilie is a meticulous organiser, really all you have to do is show up and pay the bill. She’ll even set up a bar for parents. Hell yeah. Children take home a professional photo from the party and a goody bag, and the parent has a USB stick of all photos.
AGES
3-15 years old.
COST
From CHF950
MORE INFO
On this site.
OTHER OPTIONS
- Ateliers 123, Thonêx
- Slime party at Emilie Fashion Party
- Atelier du Pommier, Grand Sacconex
- Atelier Maison Potter, Pinchat
- Creating Natural Cosmetics
- Atelier Shishiné, Geneva
- Painting and drawing at Life of Art, Geneva
- Maison de la Creative
- Art Time, Geneva
- Veronicart, Chêne Bougerie
- Cosmetics and crafts at Un R De Famille
- Bazar D’Azurs art and crafts
- Creative party at Creative Monsters, Chavanne de Bois
- Jewellery Making at your home
SCIENCE, VIRTUAL REALITY AND EDUCATIONAL CHILDREN’S PARTIES – GENEVA
My kids favourite – Virtual Room Geneva.
A cross between an escape room and a 3D cinematic experience. Kids can be in teams of 2, 3 or 4 and although they are in their own separate booths, they embark on their virtual adventure together and can talk to each other, throw, bend, walk around and collaborate. The future.
BENEFIT FOR PARENTS
Make sure you book yourself in too and have your own little adventure. So much fun.
COST
CHF180 for 4 players.
MORE INFO
On this site.
OTHER OPTIONS
- Futurekids Robotics/Lego
- Addictlab
- Lego party Bricks4kidz rive gauche and rive droite.
- Exploracentre workshop
- Robotics party
PAINTBALL AND GO KARTING PARTIES FOR KIDS – GENEVA
My kids favourite – Paintball Paradis, Gaillard.
Shooting each other with paint pellets seems to make everyone happy. Paintball Paradis is hidden from the main road and looks a bit derelict when you get there. Have no fear, all kids are kitted out in impressive safety equipment and there are many courses to choose from.
Note: Each party is given a table to use for cakes and snacks, you do however have to provide everything yourself.
BENEFITS TO PARENTS
Children get a good safety briefing, each session takes a long time so there is no need to entertain the children yourself. Phew.
AGES
From 8 years old.
COST
Starts at €27 per child. Choose from two or three paintball sessions during the party (two is enough).
MORE INFO
OTHER OPTIONS
- On Kart Leman, Viry
- Paintball Vernier
- Yatou Paintball Vernier
ESCAPE ROOMS AND LASER TAG CHILDREN’S PARTIES – GENEVA
My kids favourite – Laser Games, Geneva
My kids are always besides themselves with excitement when they get invited to a party here. Who knows why?
BENEFITS FOR PARENTS
There is a bar, and the option to feed children pizza so you don’t have to worry about dinner later. If you are looking to invite the whole class, not many places will take a big group. Laser games will.
COST
From CHF16.50 per person.
MORE INFO
On this site.
Other options
- Vitam Ludic
- Laser Game Evolution, Annemasse
- Forest Land Divonne
- Yatou Laser Tag, Vernier
- Escape Game
- Trip Trap Escape Room https
- Secret Chamber Escape Room
- Challenge the Room, Annemasse
- SENSAS
FASHION, DANCE, DISCO, BEAUTY PARTIES FOR CHILDREN – GENEVA
My kids favourite – Bath bomb party at Lush, Geneva
There is little information on their website, but if you pop into Lush in La Praille or Balexert, you can organise a bath bomb making party for a small group. A member of staff takes charge and guests make their own creations and take them home to try out.
BENEFITS FOR PARENTS
You have a nice window to go shopping.
AGES
8 upward
MORE INFO
OTHER OPTIONS
- Art Time Geneva
- Emilie Fashion Academy
- Disco at Veronicart, Chêne Bougerie
- Disco at Jour de reve, Satigny
- Zumba party at Un R De Famille
- Creating Natural Cosmetics
- Photo shoot with Fotolandia
- Disco at Black Tap, can hire the basement with DJ
HORSE RIDING AND ANIMAL PARTIES FOR KIDS – GENEVA
My kids favourite – The Vivarium, Meyrin
I’ve spent many a rainy Sunday afternoon at the Vivarium, one of the few places open all weekend. It’s a cool little place where you can get up close and personal with various snakes, lizards and creepy crawlies. Their party packages offer a one-hour guided visit of the Vivarium and the opportunity for everyone to handle a snake. A maximum of 15 children can be entertained, and invites are provided.
BENEFITS FOR PARENTS
Unlike some venues where there are 85 parties all happening at the same time, here there will only be you. Parties are restricted to Wednesday, 14 :00 to 16 :30, Saturday and Sunday 10 :00 to 12 :30 or 14 :00 to 16 :30
AGES
From 6 years old.
Note: two adults need to be present.
COST
From CHF250
MORE INFO
On this site.
OTHER OPTIONS
- Le Refuge de Darwyn, Sezenove
- Ecurie de Richelien, Versoix
- Pony Club Presinge
- Pony Club Le Gambade, Laconnex
- Blackyland Ranch, Sezonove
- Musee De Leman and Aquarium, Nyon
There will certainly be gaps in this list. Please do email info@thingstodoingeneva.ch if you would like to be added or have a suggestion. We’d love to hear from you.
I am text block. Click edit button to change this text. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
I am text block. Click edit button to change this text. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
