Alfred Betrand's Park - Geneva

This Park belonging to Alfered Betrand is a large parc close to the Natural History Museum. It has climbing frames, slides, a tunnel and good climbing trees. The park also has a paddling pool.
It only took me 10 years to find this park.

Eaux Vives Park and Paddling Pool

The Eaux-Vives park borders Lake Geneva close to the Jet d'Eau. The park itself is beautifully kept with very impressive flower beds. On a hot day the park has a well shaded paddling pool which is not photographed here.
To find the playground walk uphill to the top of the park. The cafe in the park has ice-creams and a reasonable menu-du-jour. As well as the main wooden climbing frame there are some easy swings for toddlers. The day we were there free deck chairs were are also available.

Artistic Fences at Plainpalais

Geneva's newest creation is on Plainpalais, it has to be one of the most abstract climbing frames in the area being made of logs and fence panels... It's a really good area to play in and some of the obstacles are indeed quite challenging.

In addition there is a sand pit surrounded by concrete dunes. The dunes have push button water for testing your canal construction.

The adjoining skate park is also pretty special.

And while there you can even grab a free bike to get around town.

In summer months bring your sun cream and sun hats - there is very little shade!

Sarasin Park near Palexpo

Sarasin park is hiding behind Palexpo. Walk past the entrance to Palexpo and find yourself in Sarasin park in Grand-Saconex.

Hoover your Car and Play

This playground is just off of Route de Meyrin, a four lane road through Geneva with trams whizzing by. It only has one purpose - to occupy your children in safety while you wash and vacuum the car. I admire the owner for providing these facilities.

The Immaculate Plage at Hemance

Hermance is the last piece of Switzerland on Lake Geneva before you enter France. Hermance is a very pretty village that boasts one of the best kept lake side beaches there is. It's a great place for swimming and the playground and sandpit are also extremely well located. The views of Lake Geneva are among the best. There is also a buvette selling wine, beer, saucisse and ice cream. To get to Hermance there is a ferry from Nyon or it is the last stop on Bus E 25 minutes from the center of Geneva. The plage costs 4CHF per adult to enter. Hermance plage is incredibly well kept.

The village itself has a few shops, restaurants and a large stone tower.

Lake side Park at Le Vengeron

Between Versoix and Geneva is Le Vergeron. The playground is small but this park is for playing in by the lake side. The park has a  youthful feel with ball games, music and plenty of personal barbecues about.

On the lake in Pregny along from Jardin Botanique

One of the more tranquil and close "beaches" to Geneva is opposite and along from the Jardin Botanique.  I don't know the name of this little park but in has a good buvette and restaurant. The Restaurant Reposoir serves drinks, ice cream, snacks and meals on some very comfy sofas.

The beach  is some sloping concrete but none the less you can paddle.

I've added a new tag Lake Side for playgrounds on the lake.

Fly the Plane in Petit-Saconnex

This plane and climbing frame are in a school in Petit-Saconnex so visit out of school hours. Nearby is probably the oldest restaurant in Geneva, fondue of course. Just past the playground is an impressive vegetable shop also.

The Icosikaioctagon at Bois-de-la-Bâtie

Bois-de-la-Batie is some woodland right in the middle Geneva affectionately known as Batty Woods. The climbing frames are big, there's an Octopus, a wooden train and a paddling pool with fountain frogs. Within the woods there is an extensive animal park with goats, rabbits, wild boar, chamois, peacocks, .... On a practical note, there isn't a cafe at the park that we know of, so if you are planning to stay a while bring a bait box.

Springy Bull-rushes at Parc de Mon Repos

Parc de Mon Repos is the park by the lake on the way to the botanic gardens from Geneva. It looks to be good for summer with water channels and dams. There is also a recently renovated paddling pool.

As well as a strap in swing there are some springy bull-rushes, which actually look a lot better than they really are.

The nearby History of Science Museum is a great place to visit with children.

Bouncy Castles at Palexpo

Palexpo is the Geneva exhibition centre near the airport normally reserved for the likes of the Geneva Motor Show. In the winter months, however, one of the halls is taken over by Espace Junior.

The room is filled to bursting with bouncy castles, I counted at least 20 in total. There are also trampolines, battery go-karts and self propelled vehicles for the younger ones. This year the charge was 12 CHF for each child and adults were free, the go-karts require an extra token. There's a small shop selling ice-creams, coffee and beer. They have tables and benches to allow you to bring your own food or even host a children's birthday party.

Certainly this place has to be visited at least once over the winter season.

Adjacent to Carouge's Museum

Just by the museum in Carouge is small but perfectly formed park. It's a short walk from the excellent Saturday market place here. Go through the gap in the stone wall to find the park.

Indoor Play In Carouge - Wolfisberg

Wolfisberg is a laid back and sophisticated bakery and cafe, it's good for coffee, lunch or a drink. Children are well catered for with a climbing frame sensibly separated from the diners by a sheet of perspex - fabulous!

The Lizard of the Jardin Botanique

Geneva's Jardin Botanique is quite simply amazing and we seem to never go into town without visiting. It has  bespoke wooden climbing frames with rope bridges, an excellent hoist to lift the sand and a lovely lizard and bugs to balance on.

There's a unique carousel, a cafe for a beer by the playground, peacocks roaming and an animal park on the other side of the green. If you have never been here... go!
Beyond the playground there are touch and feel plant areas, a hot house, ...

A childrens' amphitheatre provides story telling opportunities though I don't know if anyone organises them?

Switzerland while famous for being expensive offers a lot of stuff, like this, for free.

Playing in Geneva Airport

Geneva airport has some of the best facilities for babies and toddlers. As well as a play area there are children's beds and cots.  The room is open from 08:30 I believe but I have heard of it being opened especially over night for people stuck at the airport. It can be quite tricky to find and is flight side just after the security check.

This place is so good it is worthwhile coming to the airport a bit early in order to spend some time there.

Parc des Bastions

Parc Des Bastions

Sandpit, Parc des Bastions

When the sun is out the white wooden climbing frame in Parc des Bastions must be one of the busiest playgrounds in Geneva.

There are some wooden hobby horses and one of the best sand pits in the area. The sand pit includes running water for excellent dam making opportunities.

School Playground, Geneva Old Town

In the old town of Geneva is a school playground which seems to be open to the public when not in use.
It's near the museum of art and history and good to stop at if you happen to passing. There are good hop scotch and similar games on the ground as well.