Games, workshops, shows, sporting activities or unusual discoveries: there is no shortage of ideas to keep children and adults busy during the February holidays. Discover our selection of excursions to take full advantage of the good times in Geneva, from 18 to 26 February 2023.
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.
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!
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Article modifié le 17.02.2023 à 09:24