Living in Geneva with children

Family diary

To discover a selection of events specifically for children and families, you can consult the City of Geneva’s diary which lists the events to be enjoyed as a family.

Enjoy a breath of fresh air with the children

It is a well-known fact that children need to run about and take their curious minds outside. The numerous parks and green areas with play areas scattered around the different districts offer children the chance to play outdoors in total safety.

In these lush settings, children can explore nature, for example:

• by visiting the animals in the Parc du Bois-de-la-Bâtie; 
• discovering trees through a series of fun games; 
• conducting a scientific investigation throughout the city;
• or plunging into the fascinating world of the conservatory and botanical gardens.

In the hot weather

In the summer, many of the parks come alive with games, workshops and music, not to mention the visits of the famous  game buses, two itinerant games libraries which travel the city every year from May to September.

And in the really hot weather, you can keep cool by making a bee-line for the paddling pools or other bathing spots.

Games and creative development

Recreational areas

There are innumerable recreational areas around the city designed to stimulate your children’s development outside their school activities. In addition to the community centres and games libraries, there are numerous specialised centres providing dedicated areas for parents and children, such as the Maison de la Créativité, which focuses on the artistic development of children under the age of 6, or the Cerf Volant, welcoming children up to the age of 4.

Cultural activities

Throughout the year, young children can enjoy cultural activities – each one more original than the last – through the programmes created by the different institutions. Be it in dark theatres or cinemas, museums or libraries, children are given an introduction to the different arts and know-hows through an approach tailored to their emotional and intellectual development. Discover the range of cultural activities for young people and families.

Sports schools

To allow children to enjoy playing while learning the notions of team spirit and perseverance, the sports schools provide courses designed specifically for children aged 4 to 18. You can choose from fifty different disciplines throughout the school year or during the summer holidays.

Childcare, schooling and education of children

Early childhood daycare structures

To satisfy the specific needs of early childcare, several solutions are available to families living in the City of Geneva. With nurseries, early learning centres (EVE) and kindergartens, the wide-ranging childcare structures welcome children who have not yet reached school age (4 years old). The childcare services vary from one structure to another, in particular with regard to the minimum age and the number of hours of care provided.

Extra-curricular service

To facilitate organisation within the family and accompany parents’ timetables, the school system in force in Geneva also provides for an extracurricular service which deals with children outside lesson time one or more times a week.

Parenting support

To support parents in their educational duties, there are also centres which provide free assistance through the advice of parenting specialists. These meeting centres and discussion forums are designed to appease family relations which may be strained or become a source of anxiety. Platforms such as familles-geneve.ch provide information specific to the different stages and aspects of family life.

Protection of minors

The Canton of Geneva intervenes with regard to the protection of minors through the Protection of Minors Department (SPMi), depending on the seriousness of the problem and in accordance with the law, if children find or put themselves in a dangerous situation.