Our great family ideas for the February holidays

Creative ideas

Creation of an arcade machine

22 and 23 February, Espace le 4ème

During a two-day workshop, children aged 8 years and over can create an arcade machine for the Espace le 4e de la Cité. The opportunity to weld, assemble materials and create a stunning decor, to discover a certain number of electronic components and to participate in making a cult object in the history of video gaming! Free admission, registration required.

Parent-children workshop: engraving in shades

25 February, Atelier de gravure contemporaine

Children aged 8 and over, accompanied by an adult, can discover and experiment with an engraving technique in shades at the Atelier de gravure contemporaine then visit the chiaroscuro engraving exhibition at the MAH. An ideal means of unlocking the secrets of light, shadow and other half-tones! From 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., CHF 20 per person (material included), reservations via billetterie.mahmah.ch

Story time!

The big screen for little ones

19, 22 and 26 February, Cinémas du Grütli

This winter, the Cinémas du Grütli invite young cinema-goers to warm their hearts and minds with two films, each celebrating in their own way the importance of ties to others: Pompon Ours, who’s always looking for things to do with friends (children aged 4 and over, 19 and 26 February) and Anna annA, a Swiss family comedy full of fantasy (children aged 6 and over, 22 February).

Selection of the Prix P’tits mômes

22 February, les Pâquis library

A literary prize awarded by 2-4 year-olds, P’tit mômes is an original way of exploring books and developing a critical sense at an early age. Come and listen to the 4 histories in the selection from the 2023 prize and take part in the vote. Free

Quête, based on the Grail legend

25 and 26 February, Théâtre du Loup

To find the Grail... That is the goal that the protagonists of Quête have set themselves. But Galahad, the knight supposed to find this magical object, has gone missing. And so the quest turns into an absurd; poetic tale that mischievously reflects the fragility and beauty of our human condition. Suitable for anyone aged 10 and over, from CHF 10 to CHF 25

Are you in or not?

Having fun in the forest

18, 19, 25, 26 February, Bois de la Bâtie

Every weekend in February, the Bâtie des enfants welcomes families to take part in fun, creative or gourmet activities. Pancakes, cassava bread, bread baking, an introduction to music, circus shows and an orchestra will be on the agenda during these forest holidays. Saturdays and Sunday, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., free, no reservations required.

The big game: back to the future

MAH, 21 February (2 p.m.)

Magic formulae, surprising smells, amazing shapes, weird noises and mesmerised faces, this circuit at the MAH calling on all the senses will give children aged 6 and over, accompanied by an adult, the chance to turn back time! Free, reservations via the MAH ticketing service

Grab your controls!

21, 23 to 25 February, Espace le 4ème

At la Cité library, you can also play video games! To prove it, there are a number of free workshops, open by reservation:

• Come with Gran and Grandad if you want to play, 21 February (11 a.m. and 3.30 p.m.), offering children accompanied by one of their grandparents to test different games;
• Grab your controls, 23 February (6.30 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.): an evening for anyone aged 6 and over to have fun together and discover a rich world of video games;
• Test our video games, 25 February (1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.): a discovery afternoon run by Anna Leckie, digital mediator.

Visit the games library

20 to 24 February, Geneva games libraries

The games libraries will remain open during the holidays, offering a wide range of games for children aged 7 to 12 without an accompanying adult. Limited number of places; for more information, contact each games library.

Play and get active with ABRI

20 to 24 February, the 99 community centre

A whole week of fun, sporting and creative activities awaits children aged 4 to 12 from the Saint-Jean Charmille district (postcode 1203) at the 99 community centre Monday to Friday from 10.30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Free admission, bring a picnic lunch.

Voyage, voyage

African inspirations

19 February, MEG

Drawing inspiration from the African fertility dolls presented in the permanent exhibition of the MEG, a workshop-visit invites pregnant women, future fathers and loved ones awaiting the arrival of a baby to create an original doll for the new-born while discovering their traditional use. From the age of 15, CHF 8 to CHF 12

Destination Japan

24 February, Fondation Baur

Thanks to a creative and gourmet afternoon, children aged 7 to 15 will have the chance to discover the land of the rising sun in the company of Emiko Okamoto, Japanese tea ambassador. On the programme: origami, Japanese writing, tea and treats tasting. CHF 27 per child (material included).

To la Banquise

Throughout the holidays, La Banquise

A brisk northerly is blowing near the Jet d’Eau, thanks to la Banquise, which combines well-being activities (wood-fired saunas, massages, etc.), unusual sports (axe-throwing, matt-curling, mölky) and musical entertainment at the weekends, with the opportunity to enjoy a Poutine and other typically Canadian dishes.

Music, maestro!

Show – cabaret Le Promptu

19 February, la Cité library

In a show somewhere between a cabaret and an American TV show, Bastien Blanchard and Antoine Courvoisier imitate famous actors and singers with great complicity. Suitable for people aged 12 and over, free admission upon reservation via the municipal libraries online reservations platform

Led Zeppelin in symphonic mode

23 February, Victoria Hall

The OSR will sound totally rock ’n’ roll at the Victoria Hall when almost 100 musicians revisit timeless hits of Led Zeppelin. From CHF 25 to CHF 49

Slam workshop

23 February, Catalyse

Accompanied by Héros Tanguant, a slammer from Geneva, adults and a young public aged 15 and over will have the chance to experiment with words and voices during one or more slam workshops.

Time for sport!

Try some yoga at the museum

25 February, MEG

What better way to kick-start your Saturday than a series of âsanas, or yoga postures, to work on your movement and breathing surrounded by the permanent exhibition of the MEG. Suitable for anyone aged 12 and over, CHF 6 to CHF 9

Break the ice

Throughout the holidays, les Vernets ice rink

Gliding, acrobatics more or less perfected and ice hockey are on the holiday programme at les Vernets ice rink, with morning and a few afternoons dedicated to public skating or hockey. Check the dates and times of the ice rink

Cool runnings?

Throughout the holidays, les Charmilles skate park and ice rink

For anyone who prefers to be on wheels, les Charmilles open air ice rink is open Tuesday to Saturday throughout the holidays. The Plainpalais skate park will offer sports fans aged 10 and over to do skateboarding, roller-skating, freestyle scooter and BMX on an area covering about 3,000 m².

Image

Keep warm indoors

Throughout the holidays, city’s sports centres

Several of the City’s sports facilities will remain open during the holidays. Visitors will be able to do a few lengths in the pool in Les Vernets, go climbing or play pétanque, squash, tennis or badminton.

Holidays at one with nature

In the shoes of a T-Rex

18 February, Natural History Museum

The geoscience conferences at the MHN is the opportunity for young visitors aged 6 and over to ask palaeontologists, geologists and other aficionados of beautiful rocks any questions they might have. On the programme on 18 February: disappearance of the dinosaurs and discovery of the famous Tyrannosaurus Rex. Free admission, registration required.

Coming out of your shell

21 February, Natural History Museum

This free workshop will offer 5-11 year-olds to learn more about snails – slimy but very endearing creatures.

Plastic is not fantastic

Several dates, Natural History Museum

To address the issue of plastic pollution, three events for young and old will be organised at the MHN:

• The Plastic Léman exhibition, combining scientific explanations, infographics and compositions by the photographer Nicolas Lieber (throughout the holidays, suitable for all ages, free);
• The Kamishibaï show (Japanese theatre) La balle rouge, exploring the problem of plastic pollution in the oceans (22 February at 2 p.m., free, children up to the age of 8);
• The Le Léman en bouteille workshop to discover the link between our homes, the lake and microplastics (24 February from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., for 5-11 year-olds).

Unusual visits

Treasure hunt at the museum

Throughout the holidays (except Mondays), park of the Musée Ariana

Le Musée Ariana propose gratuitement à ses visiteurs et visiteuses une chasse aux trésors dans le parc de l'Ariana. Activité à la fois ludique et créative, elle s'adresse à un public dès 6 ans. Livret disponible gratuitement à l’accueil du musée, récompense à chercher à l’accueil à la fin du voyage.

The Musée Ariana offers visitors a free treasure hunt in the surrounding park. A fun and creative activity, it is intended for visitors aged 6 and over. Free booklet available at the museum’s reception, reward to be picked up at the end of the journey.

The holidays of the youth Grand-Théâtre

21 to 24 February, Geneva Grand-Théâtre

From coffered ceilings to a star-studded sky, from multi-coloured marble to costume racks and let’s not forget the piano standing proudly in the foyer: with the guided visits and family workshops organised during the holidays, the Grand Théâtre will hold no secrets for you!

Holidays to be savoured

Little chefs workshop focussing on citrus fruit

20 February, the 99 community centre

Between deliciously fluffy orange cake that you can make again at home and the preparation of a spicy decorative orange, 6-12 year-olds will fill up on vitamins with the little chefs workshop focussing on citrus fruit. CHF 10 per child

Gourmet riddles

18, 22 and 25 February, Old Town

With the chocolate mysteries, combining riddles and tastings, head off to Wonderland to help the White Rabbit (for 7-14 year-olds, CHF 18). The ice-cream hunt will take you through the alleyways of the Old Town on a paper chase with home-made ice cream the key! (5-13 year-olds, CHF 12)

And much more besides...

Discover more ideas for excursions and events in the City of Geneva’s online diary!

And for the coming weeks, why not receive a small selection in your e-mail box? Simply subscribe to the weekly newsletter below!