Looking for an October camp for your kids? You’re in the right place. Many parents have no other choice than to work and find a camp but this year there are also many who had to cancel their trips last minute due to this year’s chaos. This list aims to help you find the right camp for your child. The list does not include those camps that were full at the time of creation of the article (eg. Gavotte, Blackyland).

Ready? Let’s do it!

OTHER OPTIONS:

Gymboree (Grand-Saconnex) offers half and full day camps for 3-6 year olds. You can check out the info here, or enroll here.

Addict Lab (Ferney Voltaire) – fascinating camps based on STEM and Arts activities. Half days and full days in Ferney Voltaire (France). Check it out here.

Espace Opera (Eaux-Vives), for kids as young as 3. They offer a week full of performance-related fun. Click here to know more.

Kids Up (Meyrin) specialises in circus gymnastics. You can choose between half days and full days for kids ages 4 and up. More info here.

Simply Theatre (Versoix) – theatre in English for kids in Vesroix. Check it out here. 

Despite the uncertainty of the Covid-19 situation, it looks like for now, many events are taking place in September. Some are well known, many are already beloved by Geneva families. Bear in mind, that due to Covid-19 restrictions, most events have participants limits, can be cancelled at the last minute, and require prior booking.

Just as a reminder, so that we can all stay safe:

• if you or anyone in your household is not feeling 100% well – stay at home.
• wear the mask properly (cover your mouth AND nose),
• disinfect your hands frequently, especially when out and about.

Now, let’s have some fun!

LE PETIT BLACK MOVIE
Throughout the month, various locations.

Le Petit Black Movie is the Black Movie Festival for kids. It takes place every year From September till December. Every month, in various locations across the canton, a different theme of short movies is screened. Depending on the month, kids will watch 5-7 short movies from around the world. Many communes are involved, so there is a chance you’ll find screenings in your neighborhood. Find out more here.

Journees du patrimoine
12-13 September, Various locations

The 27th Swiss edition of the EHD takes place the 2nd weekend of September. In Geneva, expert guides will be mobilized on the weekend of September 12 and 13 to introduce visitors to many prestigious sites around the theme « Verticality ». It’s an opportunity to visit many fascinating, normally closed, places. Browse through their program to find something that will make the weekend fun!

LA RUE DE JEU
September 26th & 27th, Plan-les-Ouates

Workshops, board games, skill games, giant games, space for teens and 0-4 years old, but also shows (theater, magic, music) and a merry-go-round. Full schedule to come. The entry is free. A bit more info here.

POLYJUNIORS
September 19th & 20th; Ferme de la Gavotte

Polyjuniors is a festival for families. It brings together local companies and service providers to showcase their novelties and share their worlds through activities. Fun and educational workshops for kids to discover, as well as bouncy castles, and poney rides. Many ideas and practical solutions await parents, too. In program: entertainment, games, shows, sports demonstrations and more. Check it out here.

ALTERNATIBA FESTIVAL
September 26, Parc des Bastions

The festival is the opportunity to get to know the local initiatives that contribute to the reduction of the climate change. Sustainibility, ecology, everything-bio, and so much more. There will also be many stands for parents, and some fun for kids! Check the program here.

CHATEAU DU VULLIERENS – AUTUMN PROGRAM

The activities at the Cateau du Vullierens are always good, but this autumn it all loks incredible! There will be many Wednesday and weekend events, open-air cinema, and a truly wonderful show « Alice au Jardin des Merveilles ». You can check all the upcoming events at the Chateau in Parentville’s agenda – just click here.

Maison de la Creativite
Wednesdays and Saturdays, Conches

Finally! The most amaizng place for children in Geneva has finally opened it’s door after months of closure (due to Covid restrictions). This is a magic villa, where every room offers a different activity – in every room children can do whatever they want, use the objects and material in any way they wish. Isn’t it how childhood should look like? Because of the restrictions a prior booking is required. Simply visit their website for more details.

LUDOBUS
Mon-Thursday, various locations

Summer holidays are over but the Ludobbus is still rolling! A perfect activity with little ones, with lots of toys, games, and sports equipment. You can check its location and dates in Parentville’s calendar.

There are many other events, shows, and concerts for children of all ages happining this month. You can see them all in Parentville’s events agenda, by clicking the button below.

From now on, once per season (let’s see how many seasons will have this year), Oksana Petersen will share with you yummy and healthy recipes that the whole family can enjoy. She invites you all to cook with children using seasonal produce. For this last few weeks of summer (yes, it’s still on!) she came up with some crazy deliciousness! See for yourself below.

THE LAST TASTE OF SUMMER

– RECIPES BY OKSANA PETERSEN

Messy Sweet Apricot Crumble

Apricots from Valais are in abundance now. They are known for the juicy sweet flavour & firmness which makes them perfect for a crumble. Apricots are high in Vitamin A, which is crucial for healthy eyes, as well as vitamin C, which keeps our immune system strong to ward off viruses.

Usually crumble is cooked using highly refined nutritionally poor white flour but this recipe uses much healthier wholemeal spelt flour. Spelt flour nutritionally is far better than white flour. When used in baking, it gives the final product very soft, moist texture. Spelt flour does not provide the same fluffy, light texture as a white one. You could mix 50/50 white flour with spelt flour to retain some of that soft sponge consistency, for example for sponge cakes or cupcakes.

Instead of white sugar, a much healthier alternative of maple syrup is used. The crumble will still taste sweet but without the post cake sugar rush.

Serves 4-6

Ingredients:

5 medium-size Valais apricots;

175g wholemeal spelt flour;

65g cold bio butter;

25g ground almonds (in case of a nut allergy omit the almonds);

50ml organic maple syrup.

Instructions for a child

1. Wash apricots & dry them with kitchen paper.
2. Using your hands open apricots & remove the stone. Throw away the stone.
3. Take a large bowl. Add flour & butter. Using your hands rub the butter into the flour until the mixture looks like breadcrumbs. It takes a little bit of time.
4. Into the bowl with “breadcrumbs” add almonds & syrup. Using a big spoon, stir until all the ingredients are well mixed. Taste a little bit & if it is not sweet enough add a little bit more of maple syrup.
5. Take the baking tray, using our hands scatter apricots chunks onto the bottom of the tray.
6. Take a big spoon, sprinkle the “breadcrumbs” mixture over apricots, making sure all apricots are covered.

Instructions for a parent

1. Cut apricots into small chunks.
2. Weight the flour, butter, ground almonds & maple syrup in different containers.
3. Diced the butter.
4. Preheat oven to 180deg c/ 160deg c Fan / Gas 4.
5. Graze the baking tray with butter.
6. Bake for abt 30mins.

Serving suggestions:

when the crumble is hot, add a bit of vanilla ice cream to a serving portion. A spoon of Gruyere cream is also delicious with the crumble. A homemade custard makes this treat even tastier.

Super Easy Fresh Tomatoes Pesto

Tomato sauce is definitely a kids favourite. We don’t, however, need to either used canned tomatoes or spend time by the stove cooking it to receive a delicious tomato sauce. Here is a Super Easy Fresh Tomatoes Pesto made in minutes. It can be kept in a fridge for a day to save you time.

Fresh cherry tomatoes make pesto really juicy & full of flavour. The chives & fresh basil complement the taste & also give it a yummy smell. Check out Serving suggestions to find out how this pesto might become your favourite sauce this summer.
What kid doesn’t like to use a kitchen gadget that makes a noise?! So prepare blender, food processor or a bullet to have your little ones have fun.

This recipe makes about 1 large muesli bowl.

Ingredients:

500gr cherry tomatoes,(mix red, orange & yellow ones for more colour);

1 clove garlic;

½ handful of chives (or a small onion);

6 fresh basil leaves;

½ tsp salt;

2tbsp olive oil;

2-3 tbsp freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

Instructions for a child

1. Wash cherry tomatoes, chives & basil leaves & dry them with kitchen paper.
2. Into the blender put garlic, salt, basil leaves, tomatoes, chives, salt, Parmesan cheese & olive oil.
3. Mix on full power until the tomatoes are tiny bits.

Instructions for a parent:

1. Prepare a blender, food processor or a bullet.
2. Peel garlic glove.
3. Grate Parmesan.

Serving suggestions

Use it as a sauce for pasta or rice. Add some mozzarella or mix some soft goats cheese & either add it to pasta or spread the mix on a piece of bread. A great accompaniment to a picnic basket as pesto can be used as a dip for any raw veggies, a topping on a loaf of bread or a sauce for a cold pasta salad. If you are preparing a BBQ, you can grill a few slices of bread & top it with pesto for your own version of bruschetta. If feeling creative, grill a few slices of halloumi & top it with pesto. P.S. lots of kids actually like halloumi because it is a bit chewy & lack any overpowering smell or taste.

It’s back to school time! Are you ready?

For many it will be the first day of school. In this article, there is something for everyone. You’ll find an explanation about the first year in the Geneva public school, lists of extracurricular activities, information about the Covid-19 related school rules, and ideas for Wednesday care.

Just a reminder first. On the weekend before the « rentree » you can go up to the school to check the lists of classes, and usually the plan of the building indicating which class goes to which classroom.

Let’s start!

The first year aka 1P

The first year of school is at the same time exciting and scary for children, but for expat parents who don’t know the system, it can be particulary anxious. Below, you’ll find a link to an article that explains many things.

THOSE DAMN WEDNESDAYS

Wednesdays can be put in a few words: kids’ paradise, parents’ hell. They love to have this one day off, especially if they can stay at home, sleep longer, and chill. But, for working parents it’s a tough day.

1. Your best bet is to contact your local Maison du Quartier to see their offer (but hurry up, the places fill up quickly). Other options include:

2. Up to the end of 2P, L’Eco Creche en Foret welcomes children on Wednesdays. They are in Dardagny, but offer meeting kids in Cornavin for your convenince. Here’s the link.

3. The Eco Creche in Plan-les-Ouates also offers Wednesdays in nature, for children up to 8 years of age. You can find out more here.

4. There is also Spell Languages and tehir amazing 4h creative language courses. They include outings, adventures, arts&crafts, and lots of playtime – all designed in a way that kids don’t even realize they’re learning a new language.Find out more here or contact Spell directly.

5. I have recently found on the web a place in Carouge that offers full Wednesday option: Les Atelier d’Alice.

6. It seem that Kids Time Club and TotUp also have options for the youngest students (though it is not clear to me if it’s for the whole day, half day, or just few hours).

SCHOOL VS COVID-19

The Covid-19 measurements for the schools have been announced and are accessible here (in French). The main points for primary schools in Geneva are:

1. No masks for children and they are not asked to keep distance between each other. However, you may want to see how you can find the best kids face mask in case circumstances were to change in the near future.

2. Teachers must keep distance between each other or wear masks. They should also keep 1,5m distance with children (with exceptions).

3. Parents can’t enter not only the building, but also the outside terrain of the school.

Nothing is written about the first day of school, so we will have to wait and see if we can accompagny children up to their teachers on the first day. 1P parents probably already got the information – fingers crossed you guys can enter the school! The same goes to all new students in all schools. Fingers crossed!

AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES

No matter if your child would like to practice acrobatics, guitar, learn a new language, or what not – as always – Parentville has got you covered! The article below will give you contacts to swimming classes, dance classes, STEAM activities, sports, horse-riding, and more!

There is another great resource launched by Geneva. It’s a website with plenty of activities, co-financed by the canton (so not as expensive). You ca browse, choose, and sign up your children online. Check it out: Ge-Decouvre.

Don’t hesitate to contact me if there is any place/activity missing from the list below.

WEEKENDS

E-book: School year does not have to be all overwhelming, busy, and grey. You have the weekends for outings, discoveries, day trips, or more. You can find lots of inspiration in the Staycation Guide. It was designed for summer, but the truth is most places are available all year long, and hikes are best in autumn. You can download it here (you decide how much you’d like to pay).

Calendar: You can also check for events, activities, and festivals in Parentville’s events calendar (in case of another semi-lockdown it will be again filled with online events).

Instagram: Parentville is and will share ideas and outings inspirations on Instagram. Follow us here.

Children hear more than we think. They have more question than we assume. We have already gone through events that triggered conversations about gender equality, climate change, or refugees and wars. Now is the time to explain to them what racism is all about, and what white privilege is. In other words, it is time to talk about Black Lives Matter. Yes, even in Switzerland.

Yes, especially in Geneva – a small yet international city of world-over importance. Home to numerous international organizations and hundreds of NGOs. We live in one of those places on the world’s map that should shine as an example.

To build a better world, we need a better-educated youth. For the world to change, we need more people who are not only non-racist but also anti-racist. No child is too young to learn about racial injustice.

Below you will find links to articles, movies, and books. Take your time to go through it. Save this article and come back from time to time to find new materials. I’m also available via email and social media if you’d like to discuss educating kids on anti-racism in private.

CHILDREN’S BOOKS

IN ENGLISH:

« Saturday« , by Oge Mora.

« Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race« , by Margot Lee Shetterly & Winifred Conkling.

« Ruby. Head High: Ruby Bridges’ First Day of School« , by Irene Cohen-Janca.

« Rosa Parks« , by Lisbeth Kaiser and Marta Antelo.

« The Other Side« , by Jacqueline Woodson.

« Sulwe« , by Lupita Nyong’o.

« The Bell Rang« , by James E. Ransome.

« The Colors of Us« , by Karen Katz.

« The Day You Begin », by Jacqueline Woodson.

IN FRENCH:

« Des amis de toutes les couleurs », by Catherine Dolto.

« Comme un million de papillons noirs« , byLaura Nsafou.

« Josephine Baker« , by Isabel Sanchez Vegara.

« Tichéri a les cheveux crépus » is a book for children from 6 to 12 years old. It was written by Licia Chery, an Genevan artist of Haitan origin. It is a brilliant book against racism and prejudice.

Embrace Race put together a list of their favorite places to get books that talk about race. It even includes picture books. « Looking for Excellent “Diverse” Books for Children? Start Here! ».

The Guardian has also recently published a selection of children’s books « No reader is too young to start: anti-racist books for all children and teens« .

MOVIES AND SERIES

Apart from « The Princess and the Frog » and  « Moana », do you know any movies featuring a main black character? There is also Kirikou, but it’s not that popular (although it is really good!). I swear I digged a lot but couldn’t find much.

The Voice of Black Cincinnati compiled a very resourcful list. Not all the movies they mention are on Netflix outside the US, but they can be found elsewhere. Read it here: « Best Black Kids Movies on Netflix« .

There is also this great website with 26 New York Times mini-films for students.

OTHER RESOURCES:

One of the places you can visit online for multiple resources is the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Their website offers separate advise for teachers and parents, including tips on how to talk to children about race. They explain in detail many terms we hear often now, but we may not truly understand.

Multicultural Kid Blogs has compiled an impressive list of resources for teachers and parents. Subscribe to their newsletter, or follow MKB on social media, to have an easier access to all the articles they will be posting on that topic in the future.

You may have seen this link on social media, as it has been widely shared. The vast majority of materials shared in this Google file is for adults, but there is also a section for white parents to raise anti-racist children, that offers links to books, movies, and podcasts.

EDUCATING OURSELVES

To teach children well, we must first learn a bit ourselves. It will also help answer the questions children will surely have. Nowadays, it gets just logging to any social media, to be faced with many resources, quotes, discussions, from which we can learn a lot. Don’t hesitate to ask your black friends to explain you the white privelege and racial injustice.

BOOKS

This book list from Time.com mentions many good titles. Chcek it out here: « Several Antiracist Books Are Selling Out. Here’s What Else Black Booksellers and Publishers Say You Should Read ».

The Hate U Give, a film based on the YA novel offering an intimate portrait of race in America.

Becoming, a Netflix documentary following Michelle Obama on her book tour

Dear White People, a Netflix series about being black at a predominantly white college

Hidden Figures, a film about the brilliant African American women of NASA

Remember the Titans, story of a newly-integrated football team

I would love to hear from you!

Please, share with me books, movies, podcats, YT channels, and other resources that can help white people raise anti-racism, and not only not racist, children. For the better future.

Laustine Your Dreams pyjamas have a great story fueled by women on every step of the process. The designs are cute, the fabrics soft, the brand is as eco friendly as it can be (and has a plan to become even more eco!), and on top of that, their pyjamas are affordable.

15 MORE

PYJAMAS

Their nightwear is timeless, soft, confortable and easily washable. These clothes embrace classic lines and simple details. They are made with 100% cotton interlock, which is why the fabric is amazingly soft and stretchy at the same time.

They have several styles, each available in the same range of colors. This allows parents to create perfect combinations. The summer and winter models remain the same. The light pink and the light blue line will also stay forever, as a part of  the permanent collection.

What changes is the print. twice a year Laure and Faustine sit down to draw a new pattern, and choose additional colors. This, I am sure, will simplify shopping for pyjamas for years to come: whenever we go their website everything there will match, what’s already in our closets (assuming it’s Laustine Your Dreams).

Sadly, my daughter has just outgrown her last Laustine PJ set. I keep my fingers crossed the brand’s size range will soon go beyond kids of the age of 6.

ECO-FRIENDLY

Since the very beginning, they’ve wanted to grow the company while respecting our fragile planet on every step of the way.

The packaging, they gave it a thought too. They don’t use poly bags. The tissue paper used for packaging is is completely acid free, FSC Certified, and printed with soy-based ink (it makes it easier to recycle paper). All clothes are sent in 100% compostable packaging made with corn.

They have also introduced organic cotton to their range. The entire summer collection (« Summer tortue ») is made with soft, organic cotton (GOTS cotton)!

IN GENEVA

I asked them to share their favorite family-freindly places in Geneva. Here’s what they come up with:

– the patisserie Mage in Malagnou, for a nice coffee and pain au chocolat. From April to October you can sit outside and kids can play. A perfect plave for Sunday mornings.

– La Maison de la Créativité in Conches, and the Signal de Bougy which are just perfect places for kids;

– Swiss Vapeur Parc in le Bouveret – a great destination for a day.

– Petit Lay restaurant in Megeve – food is good, place is kids friendly with a big garden and games for the kids.

Is this article sponsored? Kind of. I received one set of Laustine Your Dreams pajamas to try, fell in love with it and wrote it. No other gifts or payments were involved.

RELATED ARTICLES:

Paid partnership with Prêt à Parler.

There is one word that describes the process of getting comfy in a new city or country – integration. Yes, folks, I’m sure you hear this word now more frequently than ever before. It’s a journey that won’t look the same for everyone and will vary from location to location. Many cultural differences play a significant role, but there is also the language. Yes, this bloody French. (But don’t worry, Prêt à Parler can help).

SCRABBLE

For many expats, French looks like it may have been invented by someone playing scrabble with their eyes closed. So many combinations of letters that make the same sound, so many letters we don’t pronounce… A language with so many rules and exceptions, that head starts to spin. And then, there’s this bloody “r”.

LE CORNET

Here’s a funny thing: French is not the same everywhere. You may know the French café au lait but… that does not exist in Geneva! Here we say un renversé. In a shop in France, when asking for a bag, you’d say le sachet but… Surprise, surprise! Not in Geneva! Here it’s a un cornet – but don’t use it in that context in France unless asking for an ice-cream waffle. The list goes on. Phew!

BANK ROBBERY

The bad news is, without French, you will never feel 100% at home. For those coming here only for a short time, it won’t feel like a vital skill, but one will soon conclude how practical it is! It is even more useful for parents with kids in public crèches and schools. Being able to speak with the teachers, other parents, will prove to be a useful, anxiety-busting skill.

I remember how stupid I felt when my 4-year-old daughter invited a friend over. I had no idea what they were talking and giggling about. For all I knew, they may have been planning a bank robbery. (They weren’t, but one can’t risk it, right?)

PRET A PARLER

This leads us to Prêt à Parler, a Geneva-based French online school for busy people like you and me. Isabelle Nicolas-Johnson, an expat herself, started this brilliant company a few years ago. Even though her mother tongue is French (born and raised in Quebec, Canada), she also needed to learn new expressions to better communicate with the locals.

POLITENESS

As she explained to me recently, French in Geneva is exceptionally polite in comparison with the French spoken in Montreal, where she has lived for over 7 years. I’m also sure you noticed that every invoice you receive, even the simplest, is composed with more text than needed. That is because they are packed with polite expressions which are important to understand in order to respect the way things are done here. Think Permis C, Swiss naturalisation, and that kind of thing as you will have to send a formal letter sooner or later!

BONJOUR

There is a French-Swiss movie, “Bienvenue en Suisse”, which is about French people coming to Switzerland to claim an inheritance. In one scene, they need to ask a question to a local stranger, but they start with « Excusez-moi » – wrong! The stranger quickly interrupts them by saying “En Suisse, on dit bonjour”.

FIDE EXAM

All of the “Super Profs” at Prêt à Parler have been thoroughly trained to prepare people to pass the infamous FIDE exam – don’t worry, it’s not as bad as it sounds, and they even make it look easy! For those of you who haven’t heard about it yet, it’s a mandatory French-language exam for everyone requesting a permit C or Swiss naturalization. The exam is divided into 4 parts: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Its content is based on everyday life situations, which people need anyway while living here!

My husband is currently preparing for his FIDE exam with Prêt à Parler and he is very happy with his lessons and the progress he made since he started. I already wrote about the advantages of their great French online programs in this article.

COVID & FRENCH

Since Covid-19 arrived in Switzerland, it became clear to me how fundamental French is when living in Geneva. Had it not been possible to quickly find the correct local info on the COVID-situation, because of the language barrier, I’d probably be covered in grey hair by now! Being able to watch press conferences of the Swiss and Geneva authorities really made me feel safe and at home in Switzerland. Reading local newspapers also gives me the same comforting and reassuring feeling.

NETFLIX

And now, after Prêt à Parler posted about it on Instagram, I am diving into French Netflix series! I hope I will learn more everyday expressions and get to the next level by dipping my toes into… French slang! Netflix is my oyster!

How about you? Do you feel that you need French to make your life in Geneva easier? Or maybe you already speak French and would like to share how it changed your Swiss-life experience? Don’t be shy; share your experience or questions in the comments!

* This article is a result of a paid collaboration between Parentville and Prêt à Parler.

What a year! We’ve had two additional months to spend daily with kids. Two months! 2! I feel your pain! Another two months are coming, so whether you need them or just want them, I have prepared this list of what I think are the BEST summer camps in Geneva. I explained more about the selection process at the bottom of the page.

Companies listed below organize the most inspiring, adventurous, and quality summer camps!

Ready? Let’s cut to the chaise.

SPELL LANGUAGES
PLAINPALAIS AREA
ages 3-14

Every year the Spell team goes the extra mile to design language camps in the form of unforgettable adventures! This year they have prepared some of their camp weeks in collaboration with the Natural History Museum in Geneva!
You can choose between 5 languages (English, French, German, Spanish, Russian) and 21 themes. Parentville is particularly excited about the ABC Geneva theme, that is based on « ABC Geneva » children’s book. During the summer camps with Spell, your child will play, learn, discover the region, spend time outdoors, and go on trips! During that time Spell’s devoted, energetic, and always-smiling teachers, will make sure every child is having a good time!

Price:
From 450 CHF

Contact:
Browse through all their adventures and find out the details on Spell’s website.

BUBBLES KIDS CLUB
EAUX-VIVES
Ages: 4+

Bubbles Kids Club had a spot-on idea for this year’s summer camps! They will take kids on imaginery trips around the world! Each week has a different country as a theme, and all activities will help kids discover new cultures and new places on the map. These multi-activity camps offer a vast range of activities: outings, creative fun, and outings. Bubble seeks to promote the development of social and emotional skills: courage, respect, empathy, and forgetting self-confidence and guarantees a caring and positive atmosphere. Your child can join the camp on a full day or a half day basis.

Price:
590 CHF/full week of full days
80 CHF/half day

Contact:
Visit Bubble’s website.

ESPACE COLIBRI
PLAINPALAIS
ages 4-10

Eight weeks of high-quality camps designed by passionate professionals, who always assure kids’ emotional wellbeing and fun! This year Espace Colibri offers a unique program, with a different theme every week and yoga every day. All the great fun is provided by high-level education professionals. Small groups allow for engagement and meaningful connections. I am certain children will leave with full heads and hearts!

Price:
295 CHF for a week of half days.
490 CHF for a week of full days.

Contact:
Find out more on Espace-Colibri.ch

ADDICT LAB
Ferney Voltaire & at home
ages 7+

AddictLab is organizing 3 weeks of half-day STEAM camps in its fascinating Lab in Ferney. All activities are evaluated and linked to the 17 sustainable development goals (SDGS) of the United Nations. Addictlab’s mission is to mix creative disciplines. Design, draw in 3D, 3D print, paint in virtual reality, learn about solar panels – and so much more. But that’s not all. There are also online camps, 1h courses, and fun kits to take home, with AddictLab staff always ready to help via Zoom if needed. If you follow Parentville on Instagram, you may already know that we are massive fans of AddictLab – a place where creativity meets technology and sustainibility.

Prices:
75 CHF / half day.
from 295 CHF/ full week of half-days
25 CHF for 1h Lab Workshop

Contact:
To get more details about these brilliant options, visit Addict Lab’s website.

PLANET CLIMBING
LANCY
ages 6-14

From the beginning of July to the end of August – fun weekly camps to let your child explore and enjoy his/her natural attitude towards the verticality with a fun approach! Your kid will enjoy guided and fun activities from 08h30 to 17h00. Extra child-care hours on demand.
Fun climbing related activities at Planet Climbing will be followed by outdoor animation in collaboration with external partners (“acro-branche”, parkour introduction, fluo sport room and more).
Groups of 8 kids per week max.

Price:
136 CHF for a single day
590 CHF for a full week (Mon-Fri).
*Discount of 15% on the full week price for at least 4 bookings at the same time (family / friends).

Contact:
Details, booking instructions and more on Planet Climbing website.

Ecole Vivante
Meyrin
ages: 4-15

The Ecole Vivante invites you to discover the workshops that have been most successful with members of the school. During a week, in small groups of maximum 8 children, they will be able to participate in up to 4 workshops per day, supervised by the team of the Ecole Vivante. The workshops offered: Japanese calligraphy, painting, theatre, pastry, board games, wargame, folk dance, DIY, outdoor game, and more.
Children will also be able, for those who wish, to offer an activity or share their passion. The Ecole Vivante team will support them in order to organize the setting up of their workshop.

Price:
400 CHF for a week of full days.

Contact:
You can find out more here.

ILL Campzone
Lancy
ages: 3-12

CampZone is an extension of Institut International de Lancy. Welcoming children from all schools, CampZone has a wide range of activities for children ages 3 to 12, including:  horse-riding, indoor climbing, basketball, football as well as Theatre & Song, mountain adventures, and much more. For the younger ones , multi-activity camp and Bricks 4 Kidz are offered.
CampZone also offers unique ½ day language booster camps in English and French where children 8 – 12 can have a fun and feel more comfortable with the language.

Price:
Prices vary per activity for full day and ½ day camps (8h30 – 18h00)

Contact:
You can find out more here.

Lovell International Camps Gstaad
Gstaad
ages: 2-18

‘Back to Nature’ Lovell International Camps AG have been offering family run summer camp programs in Gstaad for children, since 1973.  Four separate camp programs are offered, based upon the age of participants. They offer boarding and day camper options, combining language instruction, in English or French with a wide variety of sports, excursions and outdoor activities in order to provide a well-balanced holiday and learning experience for each child. Lovell Camps promotes programs through outdoor education, physical education, environmental education, water and mountain programs. There are a wide variety of sports and activities offered including, tennis, golf, horse riding, rock climbing, mountain biking, football, dance, arts and crafts, etc. Campers will also participate in a numbers of excursions and special events including; rafting or canyoning, scuba diving, high ropes courses, wake boarding, hiking, cookouts, carnival nights, crazy water days and discos.

Contact:
For more information on our programs visit www.lovellcamps.ch.

The camps presented above were carefully selected by Parentville. They were all contacted and agreed to pay a little fee to appear in this article. Please, understand that Parentville needs starts generating some income – bloggers have bills to pay, too.

The camps listed below are good camps, too!

OTHER CAMPS

Bricks4kidz Geneva. All about Lego.

Ferme la Gavotte. All about animals.

Blackyland Bernex. All about poneys.

Ecolint. All about sports, crafts, and other activities.

College du Leman. All about multi-activities.

MusicTogether. All about music.

La Bull d’Aire. All about music.

Simply Theatre. All about performing arts.

Ask Bilingual INCLUSIVE camp. For kids with special needs and not only.

Ecole d’Opera. All about music and theatre.

MSM Camps. All about sports.

TechLabs. All about STEM.

Les Enfants Terribles. All about self-development.

After 8 weeks of everything being closed, Geneva starts reopening shops, restaurants, museums, sports structures, and other fun places.  Below, you’ll find a list of places that are already open, and those that will open soon. For those of you, who still prefer to practice social distancing there are still forests, mountains, rivers, and self-picking farms!

ALREADY OPEN

Self-picking farms (fr. auto-cueillette) – we have plenty of them in the region! The rule is simple: go to the field and pick flowers/vegetables/fruit on your own. A great way to spend time outside while easily keeping the social distanc of 2 meters. Here’s Parentville’s list of self-picking farms in the region.

Kids Time Club (Eaux-Vives) – their downstairs incrdibly beautiful playarea is already open! New rules: no shoes allowed in the playground, and only 5 adults can stay there at the same time.Everything is disinfected twice a day. For more details please contact KidsTime Club directly.

Elisa Gassert play space –  as it’s partly a cafe, it is already open, but attention. It will close again between 18th and 24th may. If you haven’t yet heard about this place, check out what I had to say about it here, and check their Facebook page for even more detailed info.

Centre d’Art Contemporain –  Open from the 16th of May. Online activities will still be available for those who don’t feel safe just yet. The number of simultaneous visitors will be limited and disinfectant will be made available at various locations throughout the building. Full details of our sanitary measures are available here.

OPENNING SOON

MAH (Musées d’art et d’histoire) – The MAH opens on May 21, 2020, with the exception of the regional archeology hall and room 2-15, which remain closed due to works and assemblies. The upper level of the fine arts collection and that of Archeology now impose a unique sense of visit. Access to the rooms on the ground floor will be limited so as to comply with the imposed gauge. More detailed info here.

MEG (Musée d’ethnographie) – it will open on May 21. You can find their detailed safety plan here (in English).

Natural History Museum will be open to the public again on Thursday, May 21. However, access to the Natural History Museum will be limited to the permanent galleries on the ground floor, 1st and 2nd floor only, further accompanied by the implementation of route restrictions and a limited number of people per gallery. You can find more information about their restrictions here.

Science History Museum will open its doors to the public on Thursday, May 21.  You can find more information about their restrictions here.

Musee Ariana – the reopening  will take place on Thursday May 21, in compliance with the sanitary measures dictated by the Federal Office of Public Health to protect visitors and collaborators. Here’s the link to all the measures Ariana will practice.

Maison Tavel – it will open on June 16, after the completion of electrical work. More details here.

EXACT DATE UNKNOWN

Maison de la Creativite – everyone’s favorite place for playtime! sadly, for now there is no information about reopening. Given that this special and creative space place is all about free movement, tactile play, and filled with children AND adults, it can take some time before they figure out how to restart the fun.

BIO PARC GENEVE – one of the most precious and valuable animal parks in the region should reopen on June 8th. They need our support to survive and help the animals they take care of, so please, plant to visit them! Here’s Bioparc’s website, and more recent news here on their Facebook page.

Ferme la Gavotte – the farm remains closed. Cuddles with sheep and poneys may again become possible around June 8th. Stay informed by visiting their website from time to time.

Jardin Botanique – it should reopen on the 8th of June (if Covid-19 numbers allow), and until further notice, we won’t know what measures will put in place, if the carousel will turn, and how many kids will be allowed to play in one of the best playgrounds. Here’s the website of Geneva’s most beautiful park.

Bois-de-la-Bâtie animal park is still closed. If everything goes well it will reopen like all other Zoo’s around June 8th. Here’s their website if you’d like to track the details yourself.

CERN (exhibition sites) remain closed until further notice. There is no indication on when the Globe and Microcosm could open again (you can read their full information here).

PARC AVENTURE in Evaux is also one of the places that remains closed and can’t yet give any information about possible opening dates. Here’s the Park’s website.

THEATRES

Theatre des Marionnettes de Geneve (details); no information.

Theatre AmStramGram (website) – shows are cancelled for this season. Fingers crossed for 20/21!

Simply Theater (website) – all shows for this season are cancelled, the courses may restart after June 8th. Enrollments for summer camps have begun!

SWIMMING POOLS

The Federal Council will permit the opening of the swimming pools on June 8th if the situation allows it. There is not much information about how it will look like and what protective measures will be put in place.

RELATED INFORMATION:

There are three things kids miss the most when they can’t go out: friends, sports, and adventures. While I can’t help you with the first two, I have an idea of how to turn your place into an adventure field! It’s called an „escape game”!

Below you’ll find instruction and printables to a game I did for My daughter, plus a link to an online shop with ready-to-print games for ages 7+.

ESCAPE KIT

But as it turns out, a simple escape game is not so hard to DIY. We did it, tested it, and now we can share it with you!

EQUIPE SUPER-MICRO

For this game, I used some activities we have been trying out at home (for example this one with paper towel), plus some inspiration from the Activity-Mom website. For the moment the opening letter is available in French only (thank you Spell Languages for proofreading!), but the puzzles should be doable for English speakers as well.

The goal of the game is to find a tablet and crack its new password, but you could easily use an old smartphone. In the beginning, they receive a letter from the head of the Super-Micro team, with an explanation of what happened and how to proceed.

Each puzzle gets kids closer to the location of the tablet and reveals the password’s numbers. You’ll find detailed instructions in this downloadable pdf.

MATERIALS NEEDED:

• an egg,
• paper towel & markers;
• baking soda;
• iron;
• two blank a4 pages;
• toilet paper roll.

PRACTICAL INFO

Recommended age: 4+ (with adults’ help), 7+ (supervision recquired with ironing);

Language: French.

Downloadable here.

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