Looking for ideas to keep your children busy this autumn? Creative workshops, seasonal DIY, sports, cinema or exhibitions: discover our selection of excursions and activities to be enjoyed with all the family during the school October holidays in Geneva.
The name “Vacances de patates” recalls a time when children would spend their October school holidays helping their parents pick potatoes in the surrounding fields.
Today, the week’s activities, running from 22 to 30 October 2022, are a lot more fun!
Are you in or not?
Memory Contact
Le 4ème centre (Cité Library) | 22 October
This visual programming workshop will offer children aged 8 and over the chance to construct a quirky and creative memory game without a screen, in which the cards can be connected in a thousand different ways. Free, with mandatory reservation at agenda.ch
Video games for every level
Le 4ème centre (Cité Library) | 26 and 27 October
Grab your joysticks! The Cité Library offers novice or experienced gamers the chance to test a range of video games. On 26 October (11 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and 3.30 p.m. to 5 p.m.), it’s time to explore the colourful, pop world of the Splatoon saga, with a workshop focussing on Splatoon 3. The A deux c’est mieux workshop (it’s better in pairs – 27 October from 11 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and 3.30 p.m. to 5 p.m.) will offer participants the chance to try a series of games based on the theme of cooperation. Both workshops are free, with mandatory reservation at agenda.ch.
Games to be borrowed or played on site
12 games libraries in the City | throughout the holidays
During the school holidays, the games libraries will open their doors to families keen to play or take part in the free workshops or events. To discover the opening times and activities programme, contact one of the 12 games libraries in the City closest to you.
Original paper chase
Les Minoteries Library | throughout the holidays (except Monday and Sunday)
Geneva, 1913: the plans for Professor Augustus Vernes’ revolutionary airship have been stolen. The thieves have hidden the documents in the library until they sell them to the highest bidder. With Voyage au centre de la bibliothèque (journey to the centre of the library), find the documents before they fall into the wrong hands and earn the chance to be drawn out of the hat as one of the participants who will visit Les Minoteries Library on 30 November at 5 p.m.
Get active to be on top form!
It’s time to get your skates on
Les Vernets and les Charmilles ice rinks | 22 to 30 October
To give us a taste of the winter sports to come, Les Vernets ice rink will open its doors to skating fans throughout the holidays according to the following schedule:
For anyone who prefers the outdoors and roller skates, head for Les Charmilles seasonal ice rink with access free of charge (skate rental CHF 2)
Combining art and movement in the company Emi the bee
Ariana Museum | Throughout the holidays
Why not take advantage of the holidays to take a walk with all the family at the Ariana, in the company of Emi the bee? The new Art’M2 smartphone app suggests three themed circuits:
- The park and its sculptures;
- The Museum and its architecture;
- At the heart of the museum
to be enjoyed in contemplative or active mode together with numerous quizzes. To be downloaded in Google Play (Android) and the App Store (Apple)
Hockey – to play or watch
Les Vernets ice rink
At Les Vernets, Sunday is puck day! Throughout the morning, you can try your hand at ice hockey from 10.45 a.m. to 11.45 a.m.. And to see how you compare to the professionals of the LNA, why not come along at 7.45 p.m. on Tuesday 25 for the match between Servette and Zug, or on Saturday 29 for the match between Servette and Ambri-Piotta.
Sports accessible to all
Geneva sports facilities | throughout the holidays
From street-workout and tennis at the Bout-du-Monde sports centre to a few lengths of Les Vernets Olympic swimming pool, taking in the climbing wall and squash and badminton courts or pétanque court at the Queue d’Arve not to mention the numerous road races: the City of Geneva’s sports facilities offer residents of all ages the chance to do plenty of sport during the holidays.
Autumn football camps
Vessy and Varembé stadiums | 25 to 29 October
Football fans aged 3 to 13 can discover the game or improve their footballing skills at the Vessy and Varembé stadiums. Several options organised by Intersoccer are available, including daily or weekly mini camps (for children aged 3 to 5) and day camps (for children aged 5 to 13). Costs range from CHF 50 to CHF 410, registrations on the Intersoccer website.
Story time!
A week of countless times
MAH | 25 to 28 October
Spectacles, contes, concerts, cinéma, création de bandes sons, initiations aux claquettes, visites en mouvement et le traditionnel grand jeu de piste sont au programme d’une folle semaine au musée sur le thème du temps. De 10h à 12h pour les 1-5 ans, de 14h à 17h pour les enfants dès 6 ans. CHF 3.- pour les enfants, CHF5.- pour l’adulte qui l’accompagne.
Once upon a time…
MEG | 22 October
GENEVEGAS offers children young and old, aged 5 and over, the chance to discover genderless tales and legends at the heart of the permanent MEG exhibition. The first chapter, told on 22 October from 11 a.m. to midday, will explore the vague stories of the mermaid and merman of Lake Geneva. Free
Camp-fire stories
La Servette Library | 26 October
With the Wednesday camp-fire stories, children aged 4 and over can discover adventures, tender moments and fairytales with our librarians from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Free.
Fossils and the history of the Earth
Museum of Natural History | 27 October
Why do we find marine fossils in the mountains? How do we determine the age of a rock? Are birds descended from dinosaurs? Together with a palaeontologist from the museum, discover how fossils allow us to recreate the history of life and the Earth during this workshops at the MHN. Free from the age of 8.
Holidays at one with nature
La Libellule activity centre
Pavillon Plantamour | 24 to 28 October
From 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., La Libellule activity centre offers children aged 5 and over the chance to have fun observing nature while creating something with their own hands. CHF 150 for the week (CHF 125 for members), registration online
Land Art, or how to play with nature
MAMCO | 27 and 28 October
Discover Land Art and the artist Laura Grisi, get outdoors to observe the changes brought about by autumn, collect treasures and arrange them however you want – that is what 6-10 year-olds can do at MAMCO on Thursday 27 October from 1 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. and Friday 28 October from 9 a.m. to midday. Free, mandatory reservation
An escapade in the CJBG
Botanical Conservatory and Gardens throughout the holidays
Un parc de 28 hectares avec trois serres pour faire mille et une trouvailles, une expo à la bibliothèque qui abrite une chouette collection de livres pour les enfants, un mur tactile pour jouer avec la biodiversité, des nouvelles floraisons à découvrir ainsi que des créations d’élèves dans le passage sous la route de Lausanne: vous ne verrez pas le temps passer aux Conservatoire et Jardin botaniques!
A park covering 28 hectares with three greenhouses containing a thousand and one discoveries, an exhibition in the library housing a great collection of children’s books, a tactile wall to play with biodiversity, new flowers to discover and creations by schoolchildren in the passage under Route de Lausanne: time will fly past at the Botanical Conservatory and Gardens!
La Bâtie for children
Bois de la Bâtie | throughout the holidays
The Bois de la Bâtie offers the residents of Geneva the chance to enjoy autumn in 12 hectares of forest at the very heart of the City. In addition to collecting colourful leaves, watching squirrels or the residents of the woods, younger visitors will love the largest play area in the City, just one of the facilities developed specially for children!
And action!
“L'homme qui plantait des arbres”, or the man who planted trees
Les 6 Toits | 22 October
What could be better than the work of Jean Giono, L'Homme qui plantait des arbres, presented by the troupe Spirale, to celebrate the first anniversary of the Miyawaki micro-forests of Geneva, small islands of wild greenery planted in autumn 2021. The show is preceded by a short introduction on the Miyawaki method. Free
Little Black Movie: “La mélodie du bonheur” (the Sound of Happiness)
Cinémas du Grütli | 30 October
With La mélodie du bonheur, the Black Movie offers budding film lovers the chance to explore various musical formats, from hikers’ songs through, swing with a carnivorous plant to babushkas, through a series of 6 short films without dialogue. Between CHF 5 and CHF 8. Cinémas du Grütli
Unusual visits
The archaeological site of the cathedral by flash light
Saint-Pierre Cathedral | 26 October
Don’t miss the unique and original opportunity to explore the archeaological site of Saint-Pierre Cathedral by flash light! The one-hour visit in groups of no more than 15, is open to anyone aged 7 and over. CHF 10 (single tariff), by reservation at: @email
The holidays of the youth Grand-Théâtre
Grand Théâtre | 25 and 26 October
During the holidays, the Grand-Théâtre is also ideal for the very youngest guests! Families can discover all the secrets of this institution, between the multicoloured marble, starry sky and golden halls, and even try their hand at an opera singing workshop. CHF 15, by reservation on the Grand-Théâtre website.
A creative week
Curiosity and imagination for families
Maison de la Créativité | 22 to 29 October
La Maison de la Créativité et ses multiples espaces d’explorations créatives est ouverte aux enfants jusqu’à 8 ans et leurs familles durant les vacances, les samedis 22 et 29 octobre (9h à 12h et 14h à 17h), le mardi 25, jeudi 27 et vendredi 28 octobre (de 9h à 12h et de 14h à 17h). CHF 3.- la demi-journée par enfant (plus de 24 mois) et par adulte, inscription en ligne sur la billetterie familles de la Maison de la Créativité.
With its numerous creative exploration areas, the Maison de la Créativité is open to children up to the age of 8 together with their families during the holidays, on Saturday 22 and 29 October (9 a.m. to midday and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.), Tuesday 25, Thursday 27 and Friday 28 October (9 a.m. to midday and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.). CHF 3 per half day per child (over the age of 2) and per adult, registration online on the Maison de la Créativité family ticket office.
Autumn creative workshops
Geneva | 24 to 28 October
Tales, music, plastic arts: creative workshops organised by different associations will enable your children to give free rein to their artistic talent:
- Les Créateliers serve up a week of activities for children aged 4-11, focussing on the theme of “A cardboard city”, 1.30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. From CHF 35 to CHF 250 (calculated according to the merged income threshold of the family);
- La Bulle d’Air activity centre: music, plastic arts, storytelling and cookery workshops await 4-8 year-olds at the Villa Dutoit. From CHF 330 to CHF 700 per week, with the possibility of a discount.
- Parent-child workshops at la Bulle d’Air: children aged 2 to 4 accompanied by an adult can meet in a hall in le Grand-Saconnex simply bursting with musical instruments and psychomotricity equipment. CHF 295 per week.
- Ateliers du Square: drawing, pumpkins and mangas are on the programme of this course entitled “Halloween at Harry’s” intended for children aged 7 and over, organised from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday to Friday . CHF 240 per week.
DIY and games in les Charmilles
Le 99 community centre | 24 to 28 October
Le 99 community centre opens its doors to the younger residents of the Europe - Charmilles district for a week of free activities. DIY, sport and games are on the programme every afternoon, organised by l’Abri collective and open to all. On Wednesday evening, a meal is organised, by reservation, so that the families can meet each other.
Le petit chantier d’Automne of the TMG
Théâtre des Marionnettes de Genève | 24 to 28 October
The Théâtre des Marionnettes de Genève offers 7-12 year-olds the chance to build their own characters and learn how to handle them in the company of two professional puppeteers. It is also an opportunity to see several shows, with an excursion to the Festival des P’tits Malins. Registration and information from Aline Di Maggio (on +41228073106 or at a.dimaggio(at)marionnettes.ch)
Try your hand at tactile art
MAMCO | 25 and 26 October
Through two workshops entitled “L’Art Tactile, de Bruno Munari à Filippo Tommaso Marinetti”, 6-10 year-olds can handle materials and textures in order to create a book that can be read “with your hands”. Free workshop visit on 25 October and on 26 October, from 1.30 p.m. to 4.30 p.m., by reservation.
Create your manga hero
Les Pâquis Library | 26 October
Children aged 8 and over (3.30 p.m. to 5 p.m.) and adults (6.30 p.m. to 8 p.m.) can take advantage of the advice, tips and tricks of Julien Cordebar, a member of the teaching staff at the Cordeb’Art manga art school, to draw their own manga character during the Become a mangaka workshop. Free, mandatory reservation.
Create your own podcast
Cité Library | 28 and 29 October
With the Radioh! project, music fans aged 9 to 99 will have the opportunity to learn how to record podcasts focussing on a number of essential pop music albums at the Cité Library. Free, mandatory reservation: bmgeneve.agenda.ch
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 18.10.2022 à 11:54