Once again Parentville is here to prove that there is no such thing as a dull period in this region! Never. Make yourself a cuppa of something warm before you start reading about this year’s extremely family friendly November in Geneva.

When I say Geneva, I mean the canton, not the only the city. There’s plenty going on in Thonex, Meyrin, Vernier, and other municipalities of the canton. They are all easily accessible with public transport – even the “campagne genevoise”.

SOUND AND LIGHT SHOW
Till November 21
Park Bastion
For ages: 0-100

We can’t wait for this event! On the occasion of 18th Wright Colloquium, the Wright Foundation will organise a magnificent mapping spectacle – a sound and light show.

The scene will take the form of the facade of the Uni Bastion central, the oldest building of UNIGE in Parc Bastions. The theme of this year’s edition is gravity and universal attraction.

3 weeks, 3 shows a day, the first one at 18h – long enough before bedtime to let the kids enjoy it too. I assure you this is an unforgettable experience for them. They can watch a mesmerising show, dance to the music and stock up on new images to fuel their imagination.

Find out more about this event by visiting the website of the 18th Wright Colloquium.

The History of Science Museum
till September 15 2019

A new exhibition in the Science History Museum was launched in October. It is all about machines that help us carry weight. Come and find out how they differ, how they work, and how to put them in use. The devices presented are those used to carry specific weights. Don’t miss this possibility to come and try lifting some of these weights to find out how simple machines work.

Also, don’t forget to note down the 3 dates of exhibition-related kids workshops: November 21, and February 13. If you can’t make it on these dates, the Science History Museum organises kids activities almost every Wednesday. It can make for a beautiful day with a walk by the lake, activities in the museum, and picnic in the park – or is this a bit too ambitious?

FYI: the museum is not very accessible with strollers/wheelchairs: there are steps, and no lift to take you up to the first floor.

The Art of The Brick
Till January 6
Palexpo

You still have several months to visit the Lego sculptures exhibition in Palexpo, and get inspired for life. Just remember that with Halloween, Escalade, and Christmas, time will fly fast and before you know it all Lego will be packed and on the plane back to the US. Oh! Did I mention Bricks 4 Kidz is hosting Lego workshops in Palexpo? Yep! 1h workshop will be available on the following days at 14h30 and 16h: November 4, 11, 17, 18. More details about the workshops here.

AUTOMNALES
November 2-11
Palexpo

Like every year in November, Automnales in Palexpo is where you can go to stay dry, warm, and have some fun. A fall festival of Geneva has plenty of fun waiting for the kids: from a “school on the farm”, through the inflatable playground, laser games, escape games, all to the Wednesday the 7th of November with a introduction to scrabble, and some organizational tips for kids. Also not to forget the accompanying International Dogs competition and Cat World Cup, that all kids will love!

My tip: check the parallel expos to find an event crafted for your family: dogs, cats, Japan, dance, lake, or mountains. Absolutely #parentvillerecommended !

ARIANA MUSEUM OF CERAMICS
November 3
Musee Ariana
For ages 2-4

When a museum of ceramics host activities for kids aged 2-4, I’m instantly intrigued. Small kids and porcelain sounds exciting, doesn’t it? Enrol your child to one of the 3 sessions in the Ariana Museum this month and see for yourself!

This month kids will explore optical illusions (fr. trompe-l’oeil) while discovering fruits and vegetables in the museum’s collection. They will also have the chance to create their own optical illusions!
Reservation required.

MOUSTACHE – THEATRE SHOW
November 3-4
Salle du Lignon

The city of Vernier is becoming more and more famous for its rich cultural program, including the offer for children. In November kids are invited to discover the world of moustaches through a puppet show! A world where houses, trees, pebbles, clouds, stars, birds, dads, moms, grandpas, grannies, Marcel’s little sister, Archibald’s cat and even the sleeping princesses have whiskers that grow! One character doesn’t have it though, he runs and tries to catch one. In other words, it is a show about identity and differences. For children aged 5+ and their families. You can find the hours, prices, and more details about this show on this website.

CAT WORLD CUP
November 3-4
Palexpo

Are you a cat person? A unique Cat World Cup will be taking place in Palexpo during the Automnales. This Autumn Swiss World Cup was created on the occasion of the 85 years of the Cat Club Geneva. Many activities await cat lovers: cage decorating, presentations of breeds, games around the cat universe, and guided tours.

LES CONTES SPONTANES
November 4
Theatre le Caveau
For ages 5+

This show is different each time because the story depends on the public. As the actors come on stage they have nothing to tell, they need the audience to make the story, and so it is the children who decide on the characters, an era, a place, the emotions, and more.

The actors create a unique show filled with laughter, sharing, and cooperation. The stories that emerge are accompanied by original music. For more details check out the show’s website.

EXPAT EXPO
November 4
Starling Hotel

Although it is not a kid-oriented event, it is an interesting expo for the English-speaking (not necessarily native) community in Geneva. Parents can discover businesses, projects, and brands created by fellow expats, and kids can enjoy bouncy castles, face painting, and balloon sculptures. Whole families can also enjoy the live shows prepared for the expo, including Bollywood dance. You can find info about all the stands, and accompanying events on the Expat Expo official website.

UN R DE FAMILLE
November 4
Family Brunch and a Pop-up dressing

A Sunday brunch hosted by the best family friendly restaurant in the city, where kids will play under a watchful eye of a nanny. The brunch will consist of a buffet filled with fresh, local, and seasonal produce. Un R de Famille is well known for its good quality cuisine. Kids up to the age of 2 don’t pay, and those aged between 2 and 14 pay 2 chf per year of age. Cost for adults is 35 chf. Reservation is required (by phone only: 022 328 22 23). A bit more details can be found on Facebook’s event page.

The restaurant is fully accessible to people with reduced mobility, but it is better to inform the restaurant when you will arrive, so they can prepare the ramp.

ICE SKATING FEAST
November 4
Vernets, Vergers

Ice skating feast is coming up, so sharpen your blades, get your warm clothes out of the basement, and have some sliding fun! It’s the best winter sport that you can always practice without leaving the city, and this event is great to start the adventure!

People of ages and levels will have the ability to try out figure skating, ice hockey, and other activities! You can also just watch demonstrations of various ice sports. A DJ will be there throughout the day to assure the festive atmosphere.

The Festival will take place at both Vernets, and Vergers skating rinks. For more details click here.

BLACK MOVIE – GRAND CINEMA FOR THE LITTLE ONES
November 7-20
Various locations
Ages 4+

To cultivate one’s dreams and overcome one’s fears is Black movies Automnales’ mantra for November. Grand Cinema for the little ones is the autumn edition of the annual Black Movie, which usually takes place in January. It is addressed to children aged 4+. Throughout four months, 19 short films from 15 countries will be presented during projections in different locations, including Grütli, Grand-Lancy, Meyrin, Bernex, Onex, Plan-les-Ouates, and Chêne-Bourg.

Each month the films will be exploring a different theme, in November: soil. 6 short films from the Czech Republic, Japan, Iran, India, and France telling stories about digging up bones, planting candy in hope to see a tree emerge, and more.

CHRISTA DE CAROUGE
Wednesday, November 7 14h
Musée de Carouge
Ages 4-11

As a part of the “Christa de Carouge” exposition, the Museum of Carouge proposes a children’s workshop. Led by Atelier Nolita, children will play with the graphic lines of the Christa de Carouge’s clothes. It will start with discovering the exhibition, after which aspiring artists aged 4-12 will create textile objects themselves.

PAS DE CHATON, DANCE
Thursday, November 8
Pas de Chaton, Plainpalais
Ages 3-5

How about a free dance session for your little one? Pas de Chaton, a new dance school for kids, will be hosting an open day, during which kids aged 3-5 will be able to try their courses. Participation is free, but donations are welcome (they will all go the Association Dansehabile). The courses aim to develop the rhythm, coordination, and corporal expression of the child. These courses prepare the children for the technical learning of classical and modern dance that they can start at the age of 6 (the school also offers classes for those aged 6+).

Dance Games Course for 3-4-year-olds will start at 17h15 and last 45 minutes. The Pre-dance course for 4-5-year-olds will begin at 18h15 and also last 45 minutes. More details on Facebook.

THE NIGHT OF THE TALE
(La Nuit du Conte)
November 9
Various locations

The storytelling night on an autumn evening, cuddling with parents while listening to the tale – it seems like a perfect night for me! This event was created back in 1995, and since then traditionally takes place on the second Friday of November in all Switzerland. The goal is simple: to promote reading on a daily basis by bringing children and adults together around the pleasure of storytelling. In Geneva, storytelling event will take place in Ferme Sarasin (Grand-Saconnex), the Natural History Museum, Maison de Quartier in Carouge, Maison Verte & Quartier in Grottes, Maison Onésienne, Foyer Béthel, Résidence Butini, and Crèche Rondin-Picotin.

The entry is free of charge. You can find the whole program here.

GENEVA DOG SHOW
November 9-11
Palexpo

Are you a dog person? If yes, around 5000 dogs of 250 breeds and 27 countries will be waiting for you in Palexpo! The Geneva Dog Show is a competition with many categories. Check the program, but if you want to go just for the sake of the dogs’ cuteness, it doesn’t matter which day and what time you’ll get there. More activities will, of course, be happening on the weekend, including kids/parents workshop on Sunday at 11h (biting accidents prevention).

AUTUMN BOOK SALE
November 9-11
The Library in English

The traditional autumn book sale will take place in November! This is an must-attend event for all those looking for books in English for their kids, and themselves. On the sale: second-hand books, CDs, DVDs, and games.  At the Sale there are thousands of second-hand English-language books – adult, junior, fiction and non-fiction. Also available: children’s books in French and other languages! The tea-room will be opened during the sale, so you can enjoy your new book quickly with a cuppa tea.

EXPLORACENTRE – THE GRAND OPENING
November 10
Ages 3+

A new, absolutely fabulous place is opening up in Geneva! Destined for kids aged 3+, Exploracentre is a perfect mix of a museum, play centre, and a science paradise. Unlike in a museum, everything can be touched, as in a play centre everything is playful, and as in science paradise, it is all about science. It is Parentville’s top pick for this month and months to follow!

FAMILY-FRIENDLY SHOPPING BRUNCH
November 10-11
Mes Pulls Font La Manche
Café les Volontaires

Mes Pulls Font La Manche proves that shopping, brunch, and kids can go all together hand in hand! It’s a travelling vide-dressing accompanied by drinks and food. On November 11th it will also be partnered up with a tasty brunch made with love with seasonal produce, and a nanny to entertain your kids. Hundreds of clothes, a “you set the price” corner, many creators. All this in a lovely Café les Volontaires. You can find all about this event here.

LES CREATIVES
November 13-25
Various locations

The 14th edition of this national festival of women and feminism is looking absolutely brilliant! For 13 days many events will take place across the canton, including 3 events for the young public.You can find the program here, or read forward about the events for young audiences. On Sunday November 18 at 11h and 15h, a spectacle in the Manège d’Onex. On Saturday 24 at 11h, kids aged 6+ are invited to very feminine stories by Vi Indigaïa in Café Nénuphar in Vernier (storytime will be followed by brunch!). On November 25 the famous Bulle d’Aire will take over with two activities: sound painting at 9h30, and Music box at 10h30.

HÄNSEL AND GRETEL
November 14
Maison de Quartiers de Chêne-Bourg

Famine reigns in the country and misery hardens hearts. Hänsel and Gretel are abandoned in the depths of the forest and discover a curious little gingerbread house. They nibble with delight, unaware that it belongs to a terrible witch, who eats children…

This traditional tale belongs to our cultural heritage and is rich in a multitude of teachings. Embellished with simple, sober and colorful decorations for the best effect, it will speak to both the small and big! More info on ColorMyGeneva.

FILMAR
November 16 – December 2

A 20th cinematic odyssey in Latin America will be happening again in Geneva! A special program, FILMARcito, will be offered to young viewers and families. Be sure to check their website soon – the detailed program will be announced on October 30 on this website.

LA FABRIQUE DU MONDE
November 17
Forum Meyrin
Workshop for ages 8+

An ongoing exhibition “La Fabrique du Monde” proposes somewhat topographic activities for children aged 8+ around the sculpture “L’Enfance de plie” – a landscape work placed in front of the “l’école des Boudines.

The workshop for children will start with the tour of the exhibition and then move outside to the “L’enfance du pli”. Children will make a map of an imaginary landscape. While the world is all about 3D, the activities will help kids transform 3D into 2D.

On other days, everybody is invited to come and explore this intriguing landscape-piece-of-art, to run on the curves, and see how they play synchronously with the surrounding mountains.

OSR FAMILY-FRIENFLY CONCERT
November 17
Victoria Hall

It is never to early to introduce children to the beautiful interiors of the Victoria Hall, and the wonders of classical music. Orchestre de Suisse Romande invites families to a 1h concert of melodies by Bartók, Stravinski, and Ravel. You won’t have to stress too much about your children’s childhood behavior, as this event is for them! You can find all needed info here.

DISCO ON ICE
November 17
Vernets

Ice skating again. This time it’s ice skating rink in Vernets, with a disco starting at 19h30. Ice skating fun accompanied by a dj and games of light. More details here.

DANCE WORKSHOP
November 18
Maison des Compagnies, Meyrin

How about a dancing Sunday morning with your little ones? A fun workshop that allows exploration, creation and improvisation. Guided by two dancers-pedagogues, step by step, the adult-child duos freely explore different body languages, letting their imagination and their senses run wild. A truly unique experience! Just beware prior registration is needed! You can find out all about it here.

PETITS CHANTEURS À LA GUEULE DE BOIS
November 21
Salle des Fêtes de Thônex

A big charity show “Chansons douces ou autres vers d’oreille » (eng. “Sweet songs or other ear worms”) needs your attendance! This annual show organized by the association “Un Enfant Un Cadeau” aims to bring christmas joy to disadvantaged children with your help. Come as a family and instead of a ticket, present a new and unwrapped gift at the entrance. It will later be offered to child in need. More about this project here.

FATHER AND CHILD WORKSHOP
November 24
TotUp

The founder of TotUp creche was very quick to respond to a need of activities for fathers and their children. Most places are usually filled with women and their kids, where dads can feel awkward. TotUp has started organizing The 3h workshop includes sport activities, cooking class, and a lunch, and a small-talk time. More info on TotUp’s website.

THE SNOW QUEEN
November 24 – December 7
Simply Theater

When it’s getting too cold, wet, and dark to spend time with kids outdoors, the theatre is always a good choice. Each year the Simply Theater prepares a seasonal show, and we are safe to say that this year’s winter season this year will begin in this English-speaking theatre in Versoix with their winter musical show – “The Snow Queen”. This adaptation of timeless classic Hans Christian Andersen’s story will transfer children into the enchanted world. Please visit the Theatre’s website for show timings, ticket info, and to reserve your seat online.

WINTER MARKET
November 25
Ecolint –  La Grande Boissière

The traditional Ecolint Winter Market will take place this year in the La Grande Boissière and its Art Center. A great occasion to start collecting Christmas gifts, and get into the seasonal spirit around the various stands, activities for the whole family (DIY, competitions, electronic games), and by supporting charities chosen by the school through various student art projects. Students of the school will also provide musical entertainment, while food stands will be there to fill your tummies. All the raised funds will go to the Parent Teachers Association Fund and school-supported charities. I have no idea where I found that info, no mention on Ecolint’s website just yet.

LIVRES-MOI TES HISTOIRES
November 25
Theatre le Caveau
For ages 5+

The title of the show in eng is “Bring Me Your Stories”, and it is literally what it is all about! Bring your picture books, drop them on the scene, and the actor will improvise the stories based on the pictures! This impro shows are funny, touching, and surprising for both children and adults. It’s a brilliant way to transmit the love for theater to the kids! The show is amusing, comical, and absolutely interactive!

Good news! There are so many Halloween activities for kids and families this year that it was impossible to put them all in one time, on one page.

The initial list by Parentville has been posted already on Things To Do in Geneva. Don’t you know that website? Well, now you do, and so you won’t miss a thing ever.

Parentville and Things To do in Geneva are on the same mission – to prove that Geneva is everything but boring, so hold on tight!

Here are the Halloween activities for kids in Geneva and around
(that are not on the list over at TTD in Geneva)
I wish you all a spooky time!

October 12-31
Swiss Vapeur Parc, Port-Valais (Valais)

If you’ve never been to the Swiss Vapeur Parc, this is the occasion you cannot possibly miss. And if you have already visited this fun park, it is the great occasion to go back! On the occasion of Halloween the park is decorated with 2500 pumpkins, and other spooky elements, the staff is wearing costumes, and the whole atmosphere is Halloween-y enough for the bigger kids, but not scary enough for the small ones!

Check out the prices, and book your tickets on their website.

October 20 – November 4
Parc Dino, France

A long-ish drive from Geneva, Dino Parc in the French Jura will celebrate Halloween for several days. Many activities, contests, and plenty of scary decorations! Check out more details here.

October 27
Kids Fun Parc, Etoy (Vaud)

A magic show on Saturday at 15h and 17h. Apart from that games, activities, balloons. Few more details on the parc’s website.

October 28
Musée du Fer et du Chemin de Fer, Vallorbe (Vaud)
(eng. Iron and Railway Museum)

The Halloween party in the heart of the old forges of Vallorbe! Step back 300 years and discover the Great Forges as you’ve never seen before. With a torch in hand, follow the illuminated path and meet the craftsmen of the past!
A true Halloween day (and evening) with workshops, activities, and a fondue to enjoy with friends! Please check this link for details regarding prices and registration.

October 30
Swiss Food Academy, Charmille

A fun, creative culinary workshop for children under a thoughtful eye of Wendy De Marbeson, VivaVeg’s chef. During this workshop kids will decorate pumpkins and create one deliciously spooky recipe. Swiss Food Academy’s workshops are always #parentvillerecommended! Price: 10,- per child (including the “goûter”). For more information click here. For registration please contact Swiss Food Academy via [email protected] .

October 31
C L’Aventure, Annemasse (France)

A special Halloween evening with music and dance, as well as a costume contest! For more details please visit their website.

October 31
L’Ile de Tortuga, Annemasse (France)

A Halloween special evening from 19h00. The park will of course be decorated accordingly to the scary occasion. Come with your costumes, enjoy the buffet, and some special entertainments and shows created for this evening. Reservation are required either on site or by phone +33.4.50.92.66.04.More details: click here.

October 31
Jayland, Gland (Vaud)

This indoor play center also organizes a Halloween event, at 16h on October 31. On the agenda: the best costume contest. Many special games and activities will be prepared for this event. Please remember to make a reservation! For the details regarding prices and reservations, please visit Jayland’s website.

November 2
Prevessin (France)

Just across the border, in Prevessins-Moens a fun Halloween evening will take place in the Salle Gaston Laverriere. It will start at 18h30 and last till midnight. Many activities, games, and of course a halloween costume contest are planned. Buvette (drinks) and snacks will be served on the site. Prices? Kids 3 EUR, adults 5 EUR.

November 3
Fête de la Courge
Association le Terreau, Quai de Seujet 32, Geneva

A fest destined to the families of the St.-Gervais-Voltaire-Seujet district. On the agenda: bricolage, pumpkin sculptures, and of course costumes! A pumpkin soup will be made and served during the evening. More details here.

November 3
Kids Club, Coppet

A Halloween party designed for the kids by the entertainment professionals! Various games, DIY projects, and also snacks will be waiting for the little ones. The number of places is limited, so please book our place asap. For more information please visit Kids Club website.

November 4
Hotel d’Angletterre

Halloween Afternoon Tea (from 15h till 18h) in this hotel is becoming an urban tradition in Geneva. While adults enjoy the menu of their choice (Traditional Afternoon Tea, Champagne Afternoon Tea, or Brunch), children will be delighted to enjoy all the spooky fun the hotel had prepared for them: trick-or-treating, themed activities, and more.

For prices and reservations please visit the hotel’s website.

Did you know that the commonly used name for the October school break is « vacances de patates »? In the past, October school break was needed, so that families could all work in the field to gather the potatoes and other veggies of the season. Now, that most families don’t work in the fields, what should we do without the potatoes to gather? Read below.

Musee d’Art et d’Histoire de Geneve (aka MAH)

6th year in a row Mah organised a series of activities for children aged 3+ during the holidays. You can find the detailed program by clicking here.

The History of Science Museum

A new exhibition in the Science History Museum is launching this October. It is all about machines that help us carry weight. Come and find out how they differ, how they work, and how to put them in use. The machines presented are those used to carry certain weights. Don’t miss this possibility to come and try lifting some of these weights to find out how simple machines work. Check it out here.

The Natural History Museum

What are the common points between bats and glow worms? Find out during a Wednesday workshop for ages 6+ (the youngest will have to be accompanied), that will run from 14h till 17h. An afternoon dedicated to the fascinating world of these animals of the night! From 6 years old. Check out more details here.

Ice skating

The season is opened! You can now skate in Meyrin, Vernets, and Sous-Moulin. The ice skating rink in Charmille will open on October 23. Also Balexert will have an ice skating rink this year. Click on the name of each rink (« patinoire ») to check the opening hours.

Maison de la créativité

The most amazing kids area for all those between 0 and 6 years old, will open its doors during the October school break every day from 14h30 till 17h30. You can check all the details on their website here. #parentvillerecommended

Cats in the library

Launched in 2017 by the Lausanne festival BDFIL, the exhibition « Chats » is a tribute to Théophile Alexandre Steinlen (1859-1923), a Swiss artist whose illustrations are well known, notably the famous Chat Noir.
To enrich your visit, the Bibliothèque de la Cité offers a playful guide for digital tablets (available on site) where the black cat with big eyes of the poster will walk you through the exhibition to introduce young audiences to the history of Steinlen and artists who have been inspired. The exhibition will run till January 27, 2019. More details here.

Théâtre des Marionnettes
October 23 to 28

Shakespeare for babies! All thanks to Agnès Limbos who offers three works of the great writer in English for children aged 1+: Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, and Midsummer-night’s Dream.The understanding of the language is not necessary to appreciate this show full of humor and mischief. Info and reservations on the website of the Théâtre des Marionnettes.

Decorating Carouge for Christmas

Come help cut, glue, build and assemble the decorations that will bring Christmas joy to the streets of Vieux-Carouge during the Christmas festivities. Enroll by sending an email to [email protected]. The workshops will take place somewhere in Carouge (no info on the website but you can ask via the email). They will run from October 22nd til the 26th, from 14h till 18h and from 19h till 22h.

Bibi Café

A great treat from the Bibi Café (the only truly family friendly cafe in the region) and its partners! They all invite you to discover different workshops, ateliers, and courses for kids, completely for free. Just bear in mind that the regular hot menu will not be available at that period, other propositions will be put in place. No need to register, no need to purchase a ticket. Just come, grab a coffee, and enjoy! #parentvillerecommended
Wednesday, October 25:
– 10h Bricolage with Récrécréa.
– 14h30 A workshop during which children will discover the book « Un dimanche avec Miki » under the thoughtful eye of Vanoa from Les mots de mon histoire.
Saturday, October 27
10h30 Alexandra Célérault, the author of the children’s book « Je Suis une Etoile et Toi Aussi« , will be hosting an activity focused around her book.

I am happy to announce the tenth month of 2018 at a « kid friendly October »! Lots of Lego®, theater shows, movies, and other fun for the whole family. Save this link to your home screen now, and have info on the go wherever you go. Easy, right?

Oh! And please let me know in the comments, if you would like a monthly recap like that every month!

Just remember some of these events require a ticket, or a reservation, as the number of places is limited.

« ☞ » – book in advance
« ♥ »  – #parentvillerecommended.

TOP PICKS:

♥ The Art of the brick.
October 4, 2018 – January 6, 2019
An exhibition in Palexpo, presenting extraordinary bricks (Lego®) sculptures. Tons of activities, for big and small, will accompany this event. Bricks4Kidz will be there too, with fun Lego® activities for kids! For the full program click here.

♥☞ Le Petit Black Movie
(September)October – December 2018
Throughout autumn 2018, The Black Movie Festival prepared 19 short movies around four different subjects: one theme per month. October’s theme is « Air ». 4 short films will be played on each date. You can choose between several locations and times: here’s the program of the Petit Black Movie 2018.

♥☞ Rallye du Chocolat
October 6
The biggest chocolate adventure of the year! Book your chocolate passport online, choose your route (« parcours »), visit local manufacturers, taste some chocolate, and take part in a lottery. You can book you passport online, or buy on the day of the event in the Salle communale de Plainpalais. All the details on the website of the Salon des Chocolatiers.

♥ Planète Santé and Hôpital de Nounours
October 4-7, Palexpo
Again Palexpo, but this time we;re talking health 101. Lots of conferences (including ones for pregnant women, parents of small and teenagers). The best thing about Planete Sante is that it will also host the famous, one and only Hopital des Nounours! We don’t need to wait till spring this year. Check the whole program by clicking here.

☞ 10e Festival Suisse de Cirque de Jeunesse
October 5-7, Meyrin
Festival Suisse de Cirque de Jeunesse. In other words a festival of kids’ circuses. Don’t miss it! Check out the whole program here. 

♥ Prenez Place !
October 13-14, 10h-18h, link here.
Over 260 interactive games in the city! All installations were made with recovered materials, in other words they were upcycled, by a Catalan artist Joan Rovira. This interactive exhibition will be spread around the city: Jonction (Plaine de Plainpalais, « Gargot de bicyclettes »), Plainpalais (Rue Jean-Violette, « L’autre vie des objets »), Servette (Avenue Wendt, « L’arbre à jeux, l’araignée, le papillon et le poulpe), Saint-Jean (Rue du Beulet, « Gargot de sculptures »), Paquis (Quai Wilson hauteur Bains des Pâquis, « Les grand imaginaires »), Eaux-Vives (Quai Gustav-Ador en face du jet d’eau, « Gargot de musclette »), Centre Ville (Place du Rhône, « Duo ≠ Duel »).

♥☞ W. Femmes sculptées
October 13-14, La Julienne, Plan les Ouates.
Sculptures, movement, miming, video and live music portray. A show, and workshops for kids aged 5+. Both require a separate enrollment. You can book your place on this website.

☞ Marche de L’Espoire
October 14, 11h – 17h30, for details click here.
For 25 years, Terre des Hommes Suisse has organised a charity walk « Le Marche de l’Espoire » along Quai du Mont-Blanc. It is « the greatest solidarity event of this kind in Switzerland », with around 5k children with their families participating every year. Before the walk every participant has to look for financial support to contribute a certain sum for each kilometer walked. The money is later used It is used to « finance development programmes that help improve the living conditions of underprivileged children and their families in a specific region of the world ».

THEATER SHOWS

AmStramGram Theater.
☞   4-10 October: « Non, Je veux pas », for ages 2+.
☞ ♥ 20 October, for ages 10+: « La nuit au Theatre ». Come with your sleeping bag and spend the night in the theater! A night full of surprises awaits!

Simply Theater
October 6-14
☞ ♥ Oliver Jeffers’ Lost and Found. Book your tickets here.
An adaptation of one of the best books for kids we have ever come across. An must-see in October, obligatory!

Theatre de Marionnettes
October 3-14
☞ « Eclipse », a show for kids aged 2+, combining black light, shadows, puppets, and music to create an outer-space atmosphere. More details (in French) here.

ZOT Compagnie
September 29 – October 28, Carouge
☞ « Hippolyte veut la lune », for kids of all ages. Find out more details about the show and book your tickets by clicking here.

Theatre Topffer
September 30 – October 21
☞ « Farinet ou le faux monnayeur Valaisan ». Here’s your link with details (you can only pay with cash in the theater).

OTHER EVENTS, for you to check

CasaKids
October 2-4
A big sale of 2nd hand, high quality kids clothes (0-14 yo), including the likes of Jacadi, Tartine et chocolat, Ralph Lauren, Moncler, etc. It will take place in the Salle Centrale de la Madelaine (Rue de la Madelaine 10, 1204 Geneva).

Zoo La Garenne
Story time. Dates, and timings on lagarenne.ch.

Cinema Bio
Carouge
Le Vent Dans Les Roseaux,  62 minutes, for kids aged 5+.
Eliette, an eight-year-old girl, lives in a country where the king has banned music. A troubadour from the East has his instruments confiscated. Together they will lead the people to free themselves from tyranny. Here’s your link to Cinema Bio.

Museums
There are several museums in the city offering activities on Wednesdays and on Weekends. Check their websites for exact dates and timings. Museums to check: Ariana, MAH, Mamco, MEG, Centre d’Art Contemporaine, Natural History Museum.

Time and time again I’ve heard people describe the city of Geneva, Switzerland as “boring.”

Take any city of the size of Geneva and think if you can find a special place, important person, or iconic feature for each letter of the alphabet (you can forget the “x”, it’s hopeless for this game). How is it going? Struggling?

This is the (Parentville) unofficial ‘boredom” test for a city. And guess what? Geneva passes it with flying colors!

Geneva is totally not boring.

Geneva is an extraordinary place.

Parentville was created to help with many things, including fighting the common miss conception that Geneva is boring and there’s ‘never anything to do’. So with almost every article we write, every edition of the Staycation guide we publish, and every Instagram pic we post our mission is to show you the opposite.

With « Geneva ABC », our latest publication, we turn to the kids. They should know what a special, ‘not-boring’ place Geneva really is.

The Geneva ABC Guide is also our way to thank all the children for their curiosity, endless energy, and forcing their parents to seek adventures (small and big)! Without you, my young friends, Parentville would not be what it is.

We thought about it really hard for months. We started with our own daughter, whose questions about the city sometimes demanded much thinking in order to cater to her young mind.

“What is UNICEF?” She asked one day.
“Sushi is Japanese food, what food is ‘Genevese mummy?”
“If it’s French speaking here, why do people on the bus speak different languages?”
“What does CERN do?”
“Why does this chair have a broken leg?”

So, we sat down and started writing about Geneva, especially with young ones in mind. In the simplest possible way, without too much detail, but making sure to add open questions and lessons to be learnt.

Just for fun we started drawing pictures about all this stuff we were talking about. Then we realized we could find Genevan “stuff” starting with each letter of the alphabet.

Before we knew it, we created a book. Without even wanting to create a book!

Friends who read it were wowed by our revelations. They told us that it’s a great book for young children both living or simple visiting here. They told us we should tell more people about it.

The mantra behind Parentville is ‘find what you need and SHARE WHAT YOU KNOW”, so here we are sharing it with you all now.

And here it is. The ultimate postcard from Geneva: a book for children of all ages, created with love for this canton, inspired by kids’ curiosity.

If you’d like to check it out in more details, click on the image below.

How to interview a nanny? Most expat parents, sooner or later find themselves in need of a nanny. As soon as they need one, many questions appear in their heads: how to find a nanny, how much to pay, how to make the contract legal. Sounds familiar?

All these questions will soon be answered on Parentville.ch. Today we will tackle a different question: how to interview a nanny?

I asked the experts in the field – Tatadam, to help us navigate the interview. Tatadam is like an uber in the nannying universe (more info at the bottom of the article).

Now back to interviewing a nanny. Here it goes:

• Plan the interview at least several days before the actual baby-sitting days.

• Before the interview, try to find out as much as you can about the person. If the sitter came from recommendations – easy, if not ask her/him for references (and check them).

• Ask baby-sitting relevant questions: relevant experience, or education. Also, if it is important to you: first aid knowledge (choking, accidents, falls, burns, etc.). PS: the law in Switzerland forbids the nanny from giving medicine without parents’ consent (make sure to inform the nanny about it though remember to stay as friendly as possible).

• Find out how the sitter imagines to spend time with your child, ask for examples. Ask about how comfortable she is taking your child outdoors, or on public transport to other activities.

• It is quite important for a family and the sitter to have a common view on child rearing. You can ask her/his opinion resolving conflicts between the kids, sharing toys, punishment, or dealing with tantrums. If you’re anti-screen make sure the sitter knows that. If you’re OK when it comes to cartoons and tablets – make it clear and set limits.

• Make sure she is on the same page as you are when it comes to food: balance between sweets and veggies for example. You can even ask what she/he would do if the child refuses to eat veggies.

• If your child has allergies, be sure to talk it through, make sure the sitter understands what for example are dairy products, and that even a small amount can cause trouble.

• Even details matter in a long term, so do not be afraid to ask the nanny about the details that matter to you. It might for example be the diaper change: how often the sitter imagines to do it, what she/he uses to clean your kid afterwards (wipes, water) and whether she is comfortable to change her habits if needed.

• Don’t be shy to express your concerns about cigarettes and alcohol. Be sure to be clear that it’s up to her/him outside the working hours, but that is a no when they are with your child.

We keep our fingers crossed for you! We hope you will not struggle to find the right person for your family. Once you do, we strongly suggest signing a contract and declare her/him – for both parties sake.

If it all seems like to much of a hassle, you can always turn to Tatadam application and book your sitter there! Tatadam screens all sitters very carefully, so part of the interview is done for you! They also handle all the legal stuff if you don’t have the energy or the time to declare a nanny yourself.

For more answers on hiring a sitter please go to Tatadam’s website and Tatadam Facebook Page. They are ready to answer all your questions!

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I have finally found it! My first cache, and with it, my new favourite thing to do! Drum roll! Ladies and Gentlemen, geocaching in Geneva is a must activity whole year round!

Geocaching is a mind blowing worldwide treasure hunt available 24/7. Remember when all kids and teenagers were chasing Pokemons? In a way, Geocaching is similar, but it’s for people who know how to have fun without Augmented Reality. This is seriously SO much better! This is so much more real!

About

The goal of the game is to find caches, or rather geocaches. These are containers of various sizes and shapes, always with geocaching labels – for safety reasons. They can be big as a lunch box, or small as a lipstick (nanocaches).

You only need the geocache app or a GPS device to help you find the hiding place. Curiosity and determination will become handy as the coordinates make finding the caches only that much easier. At times you will have to stretch your body, fight spider webs, and think outside the box. Each geocache in the app is marked with difficulty level.

Finding

It took us 10 minutes to find the first cache-container. Other times we would give up clueless after 30 minutes. But even when we don’t find the cache, we always find new spots, or details in places we visit daily! So far, we covered our neighborhood, and parks Z has played in for years but still we discovered spots we had no idea existed.

GeoCaches are always hidden outdoors. They are in the city, in parks, forests, you name it. Hidden in, under, behind, or on trees, buildings, electricity boxes, sculptures, bushes etc. To unlock all the locations you will need to upgrade the app. We haven’t so far, as there’s enough of locations for Geocaching in Geneva in our neighborhood within the free version.

Some caches were placed to create a trail, so you can set a goal to find all geocaches from the trail. There are a few of them in Geneva, including a very lovely one in Vernier Village.

Opening

Once you find the treasure – open it! Depending on the size of the container different things are inside. A logbook is always there, and in most cases a pen/crayon is waiting to be used. Grab the pen, and leave a trace in the logbook. Then, mark the cache as found in the app – if will become a smiley face. You can turn he cantons map into a map of smiley faces – at least that is my personal goal.

Hiding

Alternatively, you can play as the creator of new caches in new places. There are official instructions and guidelines on how to do it properly. You can read all about it here: how to hide a cache.

Up for a date?

Using this game you can turn every walk with your kids into an adventure! And what is great activity to continue while away – most destinations are in the game!

How would you like to go and find some of them with me? I’m absolutely up for a date avec or sans enfants. Contact Parentville, so we can set a date!

In case my words did not convince you  just yet, here’s a link to 15 reasons to Geocache.

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A private creche that costs less than a nanny, that provides food, formula, and nappies. A creche that is opened long enough to let you not worry about that last minute meeting at work, or traffic jams. It is not a dream. It is a reality in Grand Lancy, and it is called Totup!

Kristina Babina comes from the family of entrepreneurs, so it was natural for her to follow the entrepreneurial journey. She has always wanted to create a business with an added value for the community. A quick look into Geneva’s parents struggles to find childcare, and she knew a private crèche will be her project.

Let me tell you that many have tried to open a private crèche in Geneva. And many have failed. It is not easy. The law is very strict, it seems almost impossible to meet all the requirements. That did not stop Kristina. Once her mind is set on a goal, she puts all her heart, energy, and time to make it happen.

The premises of Totup are beautifully decorated, with early childhood development needs at heart. The patterns printed on educators’ t shirts boost energy, while the patterns hang under the ceiling in the sleeping room, are calm down and help relax.

Thanks to her determination Geneva now has a private crèche offering every service you could think of. Nappies, formula, outings, speech therapist, a physiotherapist and more. A private crèche that is happy to welcome children with disabilities and is trying to work out a way to include those children from the communal waiting list. A crèche happy to work with your child’s paediatrician, or a therapist who can come work with your kid during crèche hours (reimbursed by most insurers, based on the “at home treatment” prescription).

A cherry on top anyone? A TotUp Club membership providing parents with tons of offers and discounts with brands Kristina partnered up with. Kids clothes, toys, cosmetics, photo sessions, and some fun for adults too.

It’s also another place that can host your child’s birthday party!

Over the summer holidays TotUp will offer something I have been discussing with my friends for the last 5 years: temporary places to fill in for kids who go away for summer. Isn’t it a great occasion for the first contact with the crèche?

Kristin’ʼs TotUp is so successful she is planning to open two more day-cares in the canton of Vaud. And then? Hopefully a school! We canʼt wait!

Be sure to check Totup over on Facebook, or go directly to their website: totup.ch

Want to know other options for childcare in Geneva? The button below will reveal all the secrets!

I have met many parents looking for new, creative ways to spend time with their kids. Almost everybody agrees days with kids are easier when we go outside: to the park, to a museum, by the lake. It’s the time when for some reason we have to, or want to stay at home, that things become complicated. Parentville’s advice: Think out of the Box with a help of a box! Curious?

As opposed to adults, kids are all creative. Their world is not yet as computerized as adults’ lives and they adore using their hands to draw, play, and create. Luckily there are adults who didn’t grow out of the creativity, hands-on phase, and are offering to nurture this childhood passion.

How did it all start?

Let me introduce you to Marie, a very hands-on mother of 3. Her journey started with a blog MiniKipos.ch. On her website she has been sharing creative projects she was doing with and for her children. She also added a section when she shares home décor DIY projects. With time she felt online is not enough.

People are often drawn away from even starting a DIY project with kids, as soon as they see the list of materials they would have to purchase. Sometimes it’s the use of tools we never had in our hands that draw us back. Also, gathering all the bits and pieces for a DIY is time consuming.

A step forward

Marie thought about it, and created TotBox.ch. Once a month you can receive a box with an idea, materials and instructions for a DIY project the whole family can enjoy!

Once you enrol you can also take part in workshops that happen from time to time. We took part in one, and had a truly wonderful time!

How does it work?

Depending on your subscription you will receive 1,3, 6, or 12 packages – one each month. Each will include a bricolage idea together with all materials and an instruction (in French, English, and German). As soon as your first box is delivered to your door, you can start creating! Your hands will be delighted!

Here are some examples of previous boxes: