Summer recipes by Oksana

Summer recipes by Oksana

Oksana is back on Parentville with her lovely recipes. Her idea is to provide you with easy, healthy and yummy recipes to prepare with kids. Enjoy!

Summertime is berries time! Whether you purchase them in a supermarket, at a farmer’s market or go pick them yourself – they are the summer fruit to be eaten without limits! If you want to pick berries at the farm yourself, check out this article on Parentville. (check them out here).

The variety of desserts using fresh strawberries & raspberries is endless, from baked muffins to raw cheesecakes. On a hot summer day, however, a light & cold dessert is a real treat. Why not try these super simple, no-baking-involved delicacies: Strawberry Frozen Yogurt Bark & Raspberry Cranachan.

These desserts will delight the whole family using fresh local ingredients, especially as the Raspberry Cranachan can easily be turned into grown-ups only treat.

STRAWBERRY FROZEN YOGURT BARK

This is a very easy recipe that contains only two ingredients: yoghurt & berries. The result is a healthy frozen snack that is so refreshing on hot days & is excellent for sharing.

Firstly, choose your favourite yoghurt, be it Greek, lactose-free, non-dairy or flavoured like vanilla, or even chocolate.

The best berries to use are strawberries or raspberries. If using raspberries, just add the whole berries. The strawberries, however, need to be chopped & added to the yoghurt. For the fussy eaters who don’t like the bits of berries, blend the yoghurt with berries for a creamy smooth texture that actually looks like strawberry white chocolate!

INSTRUCTIONS:

Step 1 (parent).

Line a flat dish with sides with parchment paper and spread evenly with a layer of yoghurt. Make sure the layer isn’t too thin as it breaks easily. Chop the strawberries.

Step 2 (child).

Add the chopped strawberries. Nuts can add an extra crunch. 

Step 3 (parent).

Put the dish into the freezer until the mixture is frozen. Freeze for a few hours until completely frozen. Ours took about 4 hours for an 8″ square pan, but of course, it will depend on the size of your pan. Remove the frozen yoghurt from the pan and peel off the parchment paper. Break into pieces.

Step 4 (child).

Peel the bark off the parchment paper & break it into pieces. Enjoy!

RASPBERRY CRANACHAN

This is actually a traditional Scottish dessert of fresh raspberries folded into cream mixed with honey & oats. It is sure to be a hit with the little ones and adults, especially in the traditional recipe. A splash of whisky is added to the cream, perfect for a nightcap.
It keeps well in the fridge for one day & is really a satisfying snack or a dessert.

Ingredients for 4 servings
2 tbsp medium oats (or gluten-free oats)
300g fresh raspberries
350 g double cream like Gruyere
2tbsp runny honey
4 small glasses to serve

INSTRUCTIONS:

Step 1 (adult)
Add oats into a small pan & cook on medium heat for about 4 minutes, stirring to make sure the oats don’t turn too brown & burn. Set aside to cool.

Step 2 (adult)
Prepare the electric mixer for whipping the cream

Step 3 (child & parent)
Whip the cream until it just set. Add honey& oats & stir well.

Step 4 (child)
Take half off the raspberries & mash them using the folk.

Step 5 (child & parent)
Fill each serving glass with mashed raspberries, followed by cream & topped with fresh raspberries.

Find more inspirational easy healthy recipes selected by Oksana Petersen head over to Nutrition Right.

Gifts for teachers, Geneva.

Gifts for teachers, Geneva.

Giving gifts at the end of the year is not, to my knowledge, a tradition in Switzerland. Most of the Swiss parents I know, don’t practice it. If they decide to offer a thank you/goodbye something for the teacher, it is usually a kid’s drawing or cookies. But. I don’t know every Swiss parent in Geneva and have seen people coming with flowers or small gift to jardin d’enfants, creche, and the school.

It simply means that if you or your child would like to reward or thank their teacher, the possibility is coming soon!  With the heat that is in the forecast for the next week, nobody will be offended if your child’s gift for the teacher is bought rather than home-made.

This brings us to the selection of locally made/locally designed products, perfect for the end of the school year.

 

Click on the picture to find out more about each idea.

 

living geneva

A beautiful notebook by Livingeneva is a great gift! It is beautiful, practical, and  can become a lovely summer diary. You can see it closely here.

grosseille

Beautiful cards by Groseille.

The perfect nod to offer teachers before leaving to bask in the sun!

See the whole range of propositions here.

alex

Beautiful cards and different types of notebooks can make for a great practical and cute gift for teachers. At Petits Papiers d’Alex you can also personalize these notebooks by adding teacher’s name or a personal message. Check it out here.

sensas geneve

Is your child’s teacher an adventurer? Then they may like to start the vacation by experiencing this crazy place! It’s a kind of a escape game with lots of weird and cool challenges on the way. Check it out here.

teachers gift

Teachers get plenty of flowers, cookies, cosmetics, and kids’ artwork. They surely appreciate these gifts. But maybe, what they need is a day at a SPA or a relaxing massage? Plenty of places in Geneva offer SPA gift cards.

Global Happiness in Geneva

Global Happiness in Geneva

Quartier Libre by SIG has become a crucial place on Geneva’s map. Each exhibition they organize is fantastic, but the current one, Global Happiness, is incredibly brilliant, heart touching and thought-provoking.

Global Happiness is a very family-friendly exhibition! Adults will learn a lot, children will have fun. We tested it for you, and all agree to make it #parentvillerecommended outing. 

Brought to Geneva by Helvetas.

HAPPY

Are you happy? What makes you happy? What do we truly need to be happy? And more importantly, what do we need to achieve global happiness? Will a peaceful and safe world improve the wellbeing of everyone, and how?

It sure is not about the money in a general sense. Of course, some level of financial freedom is crucial to cover the basic needs. And funds are needed to make changes all around the world.

SDG

Do you know Sustainable Development Goals elaborated by the UN? Clean water for everyone, education, healthcare, no poverty, end of hunger. Clearly, a lot has changed for the last 30 years, but the world needs to get to these goals faster if we want a happy planet.

This is what’s this exhibition is about.

FUN

It is highly interactive and playful. In the beginning, take the packet of seeds and start testing your happiness at the designated stations. It will record your answers and analyze your happiness level at the end.

You can also take a picture with a happy background or leave a note. Using stickers, you can show what you are willing to cut from your life to bring the world closer to global happiness. There are interactive animations, buttons to press, wheels to turn. Lots to see, listen to and read.

The exhibition looks lovely! It has been prepared in a way that lets visitors benefit a lot from it if they don’t have a lot of time and provides tons of insight for those who want to know more about the topic.

TIMELY

I cannot imagine a better exhibition after a year and a half of a global crisis.

This exhibition is a must-see. It is highly educational for people of all ages. Last year and a half showed how tightly connected we are with people on the other side of the globe. We now know more than ever what we need to be happy: freedom, community, safety, healthcare, social security, our families (in random order).

NOW YOU

Did I convince you to visit The Global Happiness exhibition? When you do, I would love to know your thoughts about it and whether you feel affected by its content.

PRACTICAL INFO

Pont de la Machine 1
1204 Geneva
From 6 May till 17 October
Open every day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Free entry
Wheelchair accessible
French/English/German

 

Merre et Terre is coming to Geneva! Finally.

Merre et Terre is coming to Geneva! Finally.

Merre et Terre is a shop but also so much more than a shop. You can go there to buy lots of  baby-related articles, all organic and planet-friendly. But you can also go for advice, go there to meet other moms. Walk in to be listened, not judged, to join a community, make friends. It is one of these uplifting and heartwarming places that are difficult to describe with words. It is located in Grens (Nyon) but Marianne, the founder, is opening another tsore in Geneva soon!

If I knew about Mere et Terre 9 years ago (as in if my French was good enough to google it) I would probably use cloth diapers, and get solutions for many other problems. Learn from my mistakes, don;t hesitate to go there!

The story

When Marianne gave birth to her first child in 2005, she wanted to use cloth diapers but couldn’t find any in the region. Her midwife was kind enough to give her a couple she found through other families. When two years later, she was awaiting her second baby she tried to find cloth diapers again. And she did, in Lausanne. The lady selling these diapers made Marianne the ambassador of her shop, and this is how it all started.

A couple of leaflets later, parents in the Versoix region were inquiring about the cloth diapers. Marianne saw the interest, the niche and started thinking that there are more interested parents out there for sure.

As she was walking to the birthing house la Grange Rouge in Grens, where she planned to give birth, she saw an empty, free place. Long story short, she gave birth in December and in March this free place became Merre et Terre HQ.

For yeras she has been asked to open also in Geneva and after searching for a perfect location, this dream of many families will come true! Mere et Terre is coming to Geneva: September 2021, Quartier des Grottes!

 

What’s inside

Inside, first of all, you will always find an experienced, gentle and supportive staff. No matter what product you’re looking for they will adapt the offer to your needs. For example not everyone is comfortable with the same baby carrier, not all babies are the same and need different things to reach the same goal (eg babies with reflux can benefit from a different cot setup). I could write for many pages about the products this shop has. 

The important thing to know is that Marianne makes sure the products are eco – from materials, through production, to the end result. Not all bamboo diapers are truly eco – depends on the factory, she tells me. I was impressed with how much thought and work she gives to each product on the shelve: from clothes to cosmetics, from diapers to cariers. 

Cloth diapers are more and more popular but it is still difficult to find answers to all questions, which makes many parents abandon the idea and stick to disposable nappies. If you have questions, if you hesitate, go and ask Marianne or one of her employees (Marianne speaks English). They will tell you all about it, and answer the most troubling questions.

Mere et Terre Geneva

Merre et Terre in Geneva will offer the same asortment of products, the same heartwarming atmoshephere, with a goal to create a community, to build a village parents needs. The staff in the Geneva shop will speak English (yey for acknowledging the international community!).

The shop will occupy half of the premises, while the other part will be used for all kinds of activities. There will be baby yoga by an amazing maternity coach, Debbie. The association Doula Geneve will rent it twice a week to organize meetings for women to talk about different topics (pregnancy, birth, menstruation – and I hope soon also menopause). If you’re up for prenatal hypnose, this will be your place. But if you’re looking more for baby activities, then sign classes should meet your needs. Of course, let’s not forget the babywearing courses. I’m sure there will be more!

Doesn’t it already look like a perfect place?

HELP

Merre et Terre needs a tiny bit of help to assure the smooth opening in September 2021 in Geneva. Their shop in Grens is a proof that this kind of place is appreciated by parents, that mothers need it, and that it offers products and services not easily accessible elsewhere.

For this purpose, there is a crowdunding campaign, with cool perks for you and your baby. Please,  check out the crowfunding website, and consider helping this wonderful project. We need this in Geneva badly!

Click here:

Mère et Terre

May 2021 in Geneva for families

May 2021 in Geneva for families

Spring is here, and as every year (well, second year in a row) places have reopened. There’s more to do outdoors, indoors, and some small festivals, events, and workshops are popping up. A May 2021 round up for families in Geneva is here!

You can always find more family-friendly events, workshops, guided tours, and parenting meet ups in Parentville’s events calendar – IT’S HERE and it is slowly filling up with fun stuff!

Before you jump up please remember that the virus is real and still here. Just because some things are allowed, it doesn’t mean we have to do them. Pick up your autotests from the pharmacy and use them before meeting with others. All that to say: stay  safe and enjoy life.

So, are there really things going on? Yes!

Ready? Here we go!

MOTHERS DAY
May 8&9

Some fun events organized for the occasion:

  • treasure hunt & a creative workshop in Satigny: check here.
  • a guided tour from l’Ile Rousseau to the Old Town following the traces of women important in Geneva’s history. More details here.
  • Winegrower ride in a grape picker trailer, treasure hunt and wine tasting in Soral. You can find out all about it here.
  • « The Mysterious City » treasure hunt in the Old Town of Geneva for families. Check it out here.

FETE DE LA DANSE
MAY 5-9
Geneva City and other municipalities

The Fête de la Danse was redesigned to meet the current safety measures. In 2021, the stages will be replaced by exhibitions in the public space, the lessons turn into a marathon and the festive moments are displayed in the form of a fresco made with your photos! Many fun events around the canton for big and small.

Detailed info here.

 

Global Happiness
From May 6 till October 17
Quartier Libre du SIG

The new Helvetas exhibition follows in the footsteps of happiness, here in Switzerland but also around the world. This exhibition explores an essential question: what makes us happy? Is happiness the same here as it is on the other side of the world? And what does “lasting happiness” look like? Is this happiness that contributes to personal, collective and global well-being and that does not harm the environment, others, or future generations? “GLOBAL HAPPINESS” questions our way of life and prompts us to think about what we really need to be happy.

The Helvetas traveling exhibition is to be discovered at the Espace Quartier Libre SIG in Geneva (Pont de la Machine) from May 6 to October 17, 2021 from 10:00 to 17:00. More info: bonheurglobal.ch

Marché de printemps
May 8
Vernier Village

Curious gardener? Passionate about the vegetable garden? At the spring market of the City of Vernier, you  will be able to find vegetable pieces of rare and endangered varieties. This annual meeting also offers a large assortment of seeds marketed under the ProSpecieRaraara label. To transport your seed pieces, remember to bring a suitable container: bag, cardboard tray, etc.

In addition to various craft stands and activities, sheep will be present to the delight of young and old. Finally, to quench your thirst and awaken your taste buds, plates with flavors of ProSpecieRara products will be prepared for your pleasure from 11:30 am.

Purchasing here is a good deed: a quarter of the sales will be donated to the ProSpecieRara foundation, while the charitable association Lumière pour Haïti will receive 50% of the sale of the geraniums.

More info here.

Ecoute voir
Museum of the History of Science
May 12 2021 – February 27 2022

A new exhibition at the Museum of the History of Science: « Listen to see ». From ear to sound, everything is a matter of waves. Sound is a wave that loves matter. You hear it through your ears but you can also sometimes see it. This physical phenomenon so common in our daily lives is however full of curiosities and mysteries. Come and discover them at the Museum of the History of Science!
Through fun interactive devices,  it offers the visitors to get to know sound better, to discover intriguing ancient scientific instruments and above all to have a good time playing with science.

More about it: here.

Créamobile
PLACE DE LA NAVIGATION, WEDNESDAYS (4-6 p.m.)

The mobile and free Créateliers workshop is back on the Place de la Navigation, every Wednesday until the October holidays! A great opportunity for children and adults to let their imaginations run wild and meet other residents of the neighborhood. No reservation is required.

THEATRE DES MARIONETTES
Ultra Saucisse
May 5-16

The theater show about bullying at schools. It is a story of Charlie, an 8-year-old chipolata, whose quiet and peaceful existence is turned upside down by an unfortunate incident during the school run, is revealed. From then on, Charlie becomes the sufferer – pain of his comrades, whose mockery and abuse are knives stuck in his heart. Nor his parents or his teachers notice his ordeal. Will Charlie manage to extricate herself from the cold room of isolation and humiliation?

On the website the show appears as complete (only 50 spectators are allowed to watch the show) but call them, because places free up every now and then. More info here.

Spectacle de magie
May 14&15
Lancy

« Geneva Magic Cabaret »: two evenings dedicated to magic with the presence of 5 magicians. Come and dream for an evening!
Tickets cost 20 CHF for adults and 10 CHF for children. You can book your place by following this link.

JOURNÉE INTERNATIONALE DES MUSÉES
MAY 16

Plenty of museums, libraries and other cultural institutions in Geneva will celebrate the International Day of the Museums on May 16 2021. It’s a great occasion to visit either favorite museums, or discover new places! Many activities for kids and families will be organized (but for now the link sends to a random page, so best is to check with each institutions). In many places bookings are required and other safety measures against the virus-we-will-not-name are in place.

For more info click here.

Fete du Jardin
Lancy
May 29

It takes place in the heart of Navazza-Oltramare Park, around the communal vegetable garden and under a large tent housing stands selling orderly, seeds and aromatic herbs, as well as fresh produce. Gardening enthusiasts will teach you tips and tricks for gardening on your balcony, window sill or in the ground through thematic workshops (registration required for workshops, places limited). Children will be able to get their hands on the earth or listen to tales around the garden … And for gourmets, food trucks will join in the fun!

All details are on this website.

OTHER EXHIBITIONS:

Espace des Inventions

A new children-friendly exhibition about earthquakes. As always in this museum, very interactive, hands-on, and educational. You can find out all about it here.

Berges de Vessy – Immersion

The Immersions exhibition offers an intimate dive into the amazing aquatic world. Focusing on it’s role, meaning, past and future. Some workshops for ages 6+ and 10+ are accompanying this exhibition. All about it here.

MAMCO – INVENTORY

A new exhibition based on the inventory (done during the lockdown closures). It’s very diverse, and can amuze kids or at least move their imagination. Don’t miss the maze in the wagon and the dark cave you can enter. Mamco also organizes workshops and guided tours for kids. Find out more about it here.

MAH – WALK ON THE WATER

What if  works of art and historical objects were placed in a surrounding that would give them ore context? Paintings with farm animals on wooden sheds, paintings with food in a restaurant-like setting, historical furniture displayed as in a furniture store, or sculptures taking showes? This is how MAH created this exhibition. Entry is free, no registration required. You can learn more about it here.

 

Places and support for moms & babies in Geneva

Places and support for moms & babies in Geneva

Congratulations on your baby! You have become a parent. Now what? I mean, the excitement will ease down, the hormones storm will end up but you’re still stuck with a baby and all you dream about is some adults conversation. But not any conversation right? During the first few months it’s normal to be willing to talk about baby’s development, sleepless nights, and hear how other parets handle this new situation. 

In this article Parentville has gathered some support groups. real-life meetups, and playgroups that has been designed specifically for fresh parents.

Ready? Here we go!

Ecole des Parents

It’s a wonderful association that organizes many things for parents and children. They offer many interesting workshops, support with many family-problems (from homework drama, throuugh parenting teenagers, to dealing with a divorce). They also organize cafés de parents (sadly, online during the pandemic). Many of their activities are designed for young parents. Many are also free, like the playtime in Charmille for kids aged 0-4. It’s a great place to meet other parents, talk to early-childhood specialists that are always present on the site. 

More info: ecoledesparents.ch

Moman d’Amour

It is a heartwarming place in Chêne-Bourg, founded and run by a mom passionate about supporting parents on their journey. Moman d’Amour organizes many types of workshops, baby-massage, support, and meetups in a form of walks in nature. Gaëlle will be more than happy to answer all sorts of questions youm ay have.

Activities are in French. You can find out more about the whole program of activities here: momandamour.com

Doulaccueil

This space is open, without pre-registration, to parents and future parents wanting to share their experiences and ask questions about the perinatal period. Two to three doulas are present to welcome you, give you information and listen without judgment. This period of life is intense and sharing with parents in the same path can be comforting. It’s even more satisfying when it’s done in a comfy place with a healthy snack and a warm beverage.. Come with your experiences, doubts, fears and achievement and don’t hesitate to share about it. Babies and young kids are of course welcome !
More info: amadoula.ch

Au Fil des Sens

To best meet the needs of families and the development of children and parents, l’arcade Au Fil des Sens has been designed as an open space offering three main services: workshops, trainings, and meetings. They organize many wokshops and classes that may interest parents of young babies (and older children too). They also organize coffee-meetups for parents, each time around a different subjcet. This is also where the Doulaccueil takes place (paragraph above).

The activities are mostly held in French. Discover their whole offer: fil-des-sens.com

Balades avec Bebe

A group organized by Catherine Watt that meets around once a month for a walk with prams/carriers somewhere in Geneva. Catherine is one of the best people to talk to about everything pregancy and baby-related. She has helped many parents on their parenting journeys and organizes many other meetings too (eg breastfeeding support group via La Leche League). 

More info: Balades avec bebe.

La Leche League

The breastfeeding specialists are here to help you out, and no, they will never pressure you to breastfeed. They organize meetings of support groups in various languages, including English, Spanish, and French.

More info: LLL Suisse Romande

Gymboree Grand-Saconnex

Gymboree is a legendary place. It is where kids have fun, get tired to later sleep well. It is also where parents can meet in a very friendly atmosphere. You can read more about it on Parentville here. They have a big soft playroom, a smiley clown, and cheerful songs. There are many activities for older children, but for the little ones and their parents the best are the times in the playroom with other parents. 

More about it at gymboreeclasses-dach.com.

Gym Poussette

How about some pram sports with other fellow mamas? Adapted to all levels, and to postpartum bodies trying to recover from the 9 month workout of a different kind. A great occasion to meet with other moms, to make friends, to spend time outdoors, and get back in shape. 

More info: gympoussettes.ch

MAZE CAFE

A Cafe in Geneva centre where adults can eat drink, where older kids can go crazy in the indoorsnplayground, and where even babies have a space to enjoy.

More info: mazecafes.com

Elisa Gassert’s play area

This wonderful play area, straight from a fairy tale is a perfect place to meet other moms. There is a soft space where babies can bubble and enjoy wooden toys. It’s also nice for older kids (let;s say up to age 8), so you can take siblings as well. 

More info: elisa-gassert.ch

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Easter 2021 for families in Geneva

Easter 2021 for families in Geneva

Here we are again: Easter many of us will, yet one more time, spend far away from families. It’s been a hard, stressful year. But let’s not forgotten about positive things that happened along, eg. the contactless payment limit went up from 30 CHF to 80 CHF laughing).

I could now go for 10 pages about comparing last Easter to Easter 2021 in Geneva, but why waste time. Carpe Diem! It is what it is, let’s roll with it, and enjoy the holidays.

Below you’ll find the propositions for a fun Easter holiday in Geneva. Some options are easter-related, some are simply holiday-related. 

Ready? Let’s do it!

CHOcolate treasure hunt in the Old Town

For an unusual Easter celebration, discover the Old Town craftsmen and their chocolate creations, thanks to this very gourmet treasure hunt!

Each step of the game will take you to one of the incredible artisans of the Old Town. At each artisan, you’ll collect delicious Easter chocolates: pralines, ganaches, chocolate bars…

SURPRISE – you may also win the magnificent chocolate egg specially put into play for the treasure hunt participants? Maitre chocolatier Philippe Pascoët and Genève pas cher have teamed up to offer you a design egg weighing 500 gr. worth 70 CHF!

Practical info:

Paid participation
Obligatory reservation: here.
Not pram/wheelchair friendly.

PâKOMUZé

It’s not in Geneva but close enough! PâKOMUZé is a yearly event in the museums of  Canton Vaud during Easter school-holildays. Members of the PâKOMUZé association works hard whole year to make this happen and the museums and cultural institutions provide wonderful activities for children and their families. Many of these workshop take place in Lausanne and farther, but you’ll also find plenty in parts of Vaud close to Geneva. Everybody will find a workshop their child will like – there are plenty for all tastes and interests!

Wouldn’t it be great to have this in Geneva, too?

Practical info:

Some activities are free, some paid.
Some activities require reservations, some don’t.
More info at: pakomuze.ch.

EGG HUNT IN THE CASTLE

Chateu de Grandson (Vaud), the second biggest castle in Switzerland, invites all children aged 5-10 for an Easter Egg Hunt. This amazing castle, has many playful activities all year round, to make the visit more joyful. For Easter, children can see the castle while collecting eggs! It will take place from April 3rd till April 5th. Reservations are obligatory: here.

Wine and easter eggs by TukTuk

For the Easter weekend, 2-5 of April, TaxiBike is organising a ride in Geneva vineyards accompanied by egghunt for kids, and wine tasting for adults!

It’s a fun and unique activity that offers some extravaganza we all need after a year of You-Know-What. All family members will have fun while tasting delicious local products from different wineries and artisan chocolate partners. This visit is also a great opportunity to learn more about Geneva’s countryside and oenology.

Practical info:

Paid activity.
Reservation: taxibike.ch.

LUDOTHEQUE DE LA SERVETTE

Cinema, bricolage and egg hunt  – this is the plan of this fun ludotheque for Easter 2021. Not many details are available online, so it’s best to check with this ludo directly. You can find more info here.

SPRING WITH SEMPE

Around fifty drawings by Jean-Jacques Sempé are shown in the early evening until 11 p.m. on the facades of five emblematic places in the heart of Geneva. This outdoor exhibition has been organized by the Societe de Lecture de Genève. You have till April 7th to enjoy it.

Practical info:

Free.
Masks, distance and all Covid-19 measures apply.
More info here.

DAY TRIPS

How about a day trip to somewhere nice?

Spring is the great time to enjoy:

HIKES

The weather is going to be nice, so don;t forget to enjoy the beautiful swiss outdoors! There are plenty beautiful places in Geneva and around. You can find some ideas in Parentville’s Instagram guide: check it out here.

EASTER FUN AT HOME

As every now and then some of you may have to quarantine or isolate, and others simply like some at-home fun, Parentville will post some crafts and experiments on Instagram – mostly about eggs (it’s crazy how many things one can do with them!). Don’t miss it and start following Parentville on Instagram now.

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Discover the Excitement of Planet Climbing

Discover the Excitement of Planet Climbing

Climbing is a fascinating activity that many kids naturally engage in at home. Why not let them explore this passion in a safe, specially designed environment? Welcome to Planet Climbing, with two state-of-the-art facilities in Geneva: one in Lancy and our new space for one year now in Plan-les-Ouates (PLO).

This is a sponsored article – Planet Climbing offered us a few private classes to try and
review their offer. This article is here only because we’ve been very happy climbing there!
You can be sure that every word on this website comes straight from the heart.

WHY CLIMBING?

Climbing captivates because it’s an inclusive sport—everyone can participate regardless of physical strength. It’s about personal challenge rather than competition, fostering a unique blend of concentration, planning, and physical exercise. Think of it as solving a puzzle with your body, where flexibility and muscle strength improve over time. Climbing is also social; climbers share strategies, support each other, and form a tight-knit community. For kids, it’s like combining logic, sports, and social training into one exhilarating activity.

PLANET CLIMBING

Our modern, clean spaces cater to climbers of all levels. The heart of our facility is the climbing area, featuring separate zones for children with holds tailored to small hands and colorful trails for every skill level. Adults and more advanced climbers will find challenging routes in the main climbing space.

Some additional spaces are present exclusively in Plan-les-Ouates such as:

  • Kilter Board: A versatile training tool for climbers to practice and improve their skills.
  • Mini Kids Room: A dedicated space for young climbers to explore and enjoy in a safe, colorful environment.
  • Sauna: A perfect place to relax and recover after a climbing session.
  • Planet Kitchen: Our on-site restaurant serves delicious, innovative, homemade dishes for everyone!

Planet Climbing ensures that both children and adults can find suitable climbing challenges. The kiddy zone is equipped with holds adapted for small hands and trails for every skill level. The main climbing space offers routes that cater to all abilities, ensuring a comprehensive climbing experience for everyone.

BEYOND CLIMBING

Planet Climbing offers more than just climbing walls:

  • Gym Zone:Build the strength needed for climbing.
  • Yoga Room: Improve flexibility and body awareness.
  • Lounge and Bar: Relax and hydrate after a session.

DEDICATED TO KIDS

Our mission is to inspire a love for climbing in children. We offer group and private courses led by passionate instructors who are experts at encouraging kids to overcome fears and push their limits. Group classes start as young as 2.5 years old, focusing on mobility, with real climbing fun beginning at age from 4 to 16. We also offer parent-child sessions and tailor private classes to meet specific needs.

Every class begins with a warm-up, followed by games and exercises on the wall.  Kids learn clever techniques to make climbing easier and more enjoyable. They play wall games, try yoga tricks, and leave with boosted confidence, realizing how high they can climb.

HOLIDAY CAMPS

Our holiday camps are perfect for immersing children in vertical fun. These camps are not just about climbing; they include outdoor adventures, parkour, yoga, and creative play. Partnering with kids-fun experts, we offer a well-rounded experience. Our camps fill up quickly, so early booking is recommended.

PRACTICAL INFO

Planet Climbing Lancy
Avenue des Morgines 10
1213 Petit Lancy

Planet Climbing Plan-les-Ouates
Rte de la Galaise 13B,
1228 Plan-les-Ouates

Call them: +41 78 201 21 48
Email them: [email protected]

Website: planetclimbing.ch
Instagram: @planetclimbing_gva
Facebook: @planetclimbing.gva

ACCESSIBILITY

Planet Climbing is wheelchair accessible, with adapted facilities to ensure everyone can enjoy the climbing experience.

A loop by the Rhone with perks

A loop by the Rhone with perks

Another day, another stroll. Or a hike. What’s the difference? In this case, there is none. It’s a perfect (long) loop, so you can start at various points. You can also adapt the length if this hike to your liking, but then it won’t be a loop.
You’ll find a map at the bottom of this article – click on it and you’ll understand better what is what.
This hike is very easy to navigate as there are not many paths in the forests by the Rhône river in Vernier. But, if you’re like me and manage to get lost anyway (and call a relative back in Poland who walked this trail a million times), you can help yourself with Google Maps – it works great in this area.
Let’s start!

Passerelle de Chevre

Let’s start at Pasarelle de Chevre (Givaudan side). It’s my favourite pedestrian bridge in Geneva. I love its design, and the steel reminds me of two of my favourite bridges back home in Gdansk. It’s a bit noisy here from the highway, but the river’s view from the Passerelle makes up for the noise.
Cross the bridge and turn left. Walk the path in the direction of Le Lignon – the humongous (in every dimension) building across the river. You’ll get to another bridge.

Passerelle du Lignon

Another pedestrian bridge but one completely different from the Chevres bridge. A fun place for some cool pics! Fun fact: this footbridge is lined with an oil pipeline on its right side and is used to transport petroleum products coming from France to the Vernier storage area.

Ferme du Lignon & the Jardin Robinson

Ok, let’s move one. From the footbridge, follow the path up. You’ll find animals at the Jardin Robinson du Lignon. If you’d like, you can continue farther towards Lignon buildings and reach a beautiful Ferme du Lignon – a great place to purchase fresh fruit, veggies and more (open from Tuesday to Saturday).
Back on the path! Go back down to the footbridge and turn right. Now you will go up and down through the forest until you reach the fun picnic site!

Au Moulin – zone des loisirs

It’s a place that Verniolans love – a picnic zone, barbecues, a pond, wooden platforms on the river, and an outdoor gym, and a clean toilet. This is also another good place to start this loop because of the parking (fills up quickly on weekends).

The last part

From the Zone Au Moulin, continue walking by the river in the direction of The Chevres footbridge. You’ll find a gate opposite the gym area and by the river. Don’t worry, you can open it and go inside. Another 30-40 minutes and you’ll reach the starting point.
On the way, you’ll pass Givaudan – the factory of scents. Your nose will feel it when you’ll get close. If you’re lucky you’ll be able to see the horses from the local stables joyfully eating the grass. This part if the loop is a fun mix of a beautiful forest and industrial elements.
It is definitely a long walk that you can divide into parts. You can start and finish at any point and reach the spots I mentioned by public transport. It is not a pram accessible or wheelchair friendly walk.
To make it more fun try to find some caches along the way – I wrote all about this game, Geocaching, here. Some of them are quite easy to find, and with others, we gave up after several tries.

Click on the map to open the detailed view of the route within Google Maps:

rhone loop walk family

Musee du Leman – Lake Geneva, tsunami, and a submarine

Musee du Leman – Lake Geneva, tsunami, and a submarine

Here at Parentville, we love museums. We believe in their power to fascinate children, broaden their horizons and stimulate their imagination. But we also think that museums need to make some effort to have an impact on kids. Musee du Leman in Nyon is one of the museums in the region to check all the boxes. It’s one of the most family-friendly museums in the area.
Already the location of the Museum is splendid! It overlooks the lake and the Nyon port. The building itself was built in 1756 and was housing a hospital before becoming the Musee du Leman.

INTERACTIVE

Its name says it all. Musee du Leman is all about the Lac Leman, or Lake Geneva if you please (although translating it to Geneva Museum does not work, right?).

In the beautiful rooms of this Museum, you can learn about the history of the lake, the history of sailing on the Leman waters, the geology of the area, the creatures living in the lake, and much more!

Musee du Leman is interactive in the most pleasant way – not so much using screens and fancy tech but in a hands-on way. There are things you can touch, manipulate, or go into. For example, there is a replica of the submarine that once operated on the lake. Yes! There was a submarine, and people could get on it to see the depth of the lake. How I wish it was still possible!

mesoscaphe AKA SUBMARINE

Let’s talk about it for a bit. Long story short, Auguste Piccard had the idea to put “a mesoscaphe” (a fancy name for the submarine that does not go super deep) on the lake. His son, Jacques Piccard, built it for the 1964 national expo in Lausanne. Due to some complications, the submarine (well, a “mesoscaphe”) started operating 2 months after the expo. It dived over 1000 times and carried over 33000 people to the bottom of the lake. The renovated original is currently in the fabulous Transport Museum in Luzern (it’s the best place ever!), but Musee du Leman has a whole section on it too.

AND MORE!

Fish, of course, and all about fishing on the lake. And about the ships. And the tsunami. Oh, yes, that one. There once was a tsunami on our beloved lake, and there will surely be another – we just don’t know when.

Check out the temporary exhibitions, workshops, birthday parties, and school holiday camps (dates for canton Vaud).

ARRIVE IN STYLE

To make it more fun you can get there by taking one of the ships going from Geneva to Nyon! Or combine it with an exploration of Nyon and a picnic.

PRACTICAL INFO

Adresse:
Quai Louis-Bonnard 8,
1260 Nyon
Opening hours:
Open from Tuesday to Sunday.
April to October: 10am – 5pm
November to March: 2pm – 5pm
Entry fee:
Children up to 16 yo – free
Adults: 8 chf
AVS/AI/Students: 6 chf

Accessibility

2 parking spots for people with disabilities nearby. Entry to the museum by the door on the side (with a lift).
Inside, everything is accessible, thanks to the elevators and lifts. The restroom is fully accessible and adjusted.