GENEVA & VAUD
KIDS ZONE
NEW HERE?
FIND YOUR FEET & TRIBE
AUTUMN 2024
ISSUE NO. 2
THE PERFECT BIRTHDAY PARTY
GENEVA DISCOUNT CARDS
Keep in Touch
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WELCOME BACK
EDITOR OF KIDS-ZONE.CH
Rachel from Our Parenting Journeys who
runs community groups for babies and
toddlers in Geneva; and Suzanne who found
her way by giving back through the Lost
Food Project - they all want to share with
you some tips they wished they had known.
THE DIRECTORY in issue 2 includes a list of providers of TERM-TIME-ACTIVITIES for your kids. The
listing is by age & activity type, but you also have lots of information about days of week, start
time, location and links to booking… we do hope it gives you some useful information and
inspiration.
BIRTHDAY PARTIES are also a tricky thing to navigate, we have an article about how to create
the best party ever and you can sign up to receive our ever-growing list of birthday party
providers. From where to get decorations, to where to book a pony ride or plan a pool party.
Welcome to Issue 2. Hope
you had a good break. We
got ourselves to the olympics
for a few events, which we
loved... We find the Summer
is an olympic juggle for us
parents - hope you awarded
yourself a GOLD.
If you are NEW to the area or still
finding your feet, we have packed this
issue with articles about FINDING
YOUR TRIBE from the perspective of
other expats. The ladies at The Hub,
who have a great website with a
listing of resources for those newly
navigating life here.
BACK TO SCHOOL
& FINDING YOUR FEET
P.3
CONTENTS
Listings by age and category of kids activities in Geneva and Vaud
THE DIRECTORY - TERM TIME ACTIVITIES 24/25
MAKE A NOTE - EVENTS NOT TO MISS
TRAVEL-ZONE
TOP DISCOUNT CARDS for Geneva & Vaud
RECIPE-ZONE:
Easy Quesadillas with veg salsa
EDITORS NOTE
Listing of some events happening in
September / October / November
P.8
P.5
P.32
P.13
P.41
PRE-SCHOOL 0-5yo
PRIMARY 5-11yo
SECONDAY 11+yo
BIRTHDAY-ZONE
How to create a memorable birthday
P.24
FINDING YOUR FEET
CONNECTING IN A NEW PLACE
Loads of Tips from THE HUB Geneva
HELPING OTHERS AND YOURSELF
Suzanne Mooney at the Lost Food Project talks volunteering
FINDING YOUR PARENTING VILLAGE
Rachel @Our Parenting Journeys tells us how to
find your village
SUPPORTING YOUR SCHOOL
How helping at school gives back
THE BIRTHDAY DIRECTORY
Sign-up to receive the latest birthday party directory
P.15
P.21
P.18
The HUB Geneva - is a very useful website & instagram with loads
of resources... they have written a guide to get you through the
initial enthusiasm and beyond!
Moving to a brand new place and starting afresh takes energy
and commitment, but what to do when the initial hurdles of
finding a home, school, work - have been overcome? What
next?
A fulfilling life demands proper connections - friends of course, but also a level of comfort with your
surroundings - which in Geneva means understanding the rules, getting to grips with how things
work, and of course learning some French!
We at The HUB can help you channel your precious time and
energy wisely!
1) PRIORITISE MAKING CONNECTIONS
Ok, you really want friends around you, but proper friendships
take time to forge and deepen, so think instead about making like-
minded connections initially. Being new here isn’t unusual, so
many are in the same boat, and even long-standing residents are
open to new connections as they lose friends to the Geneva
“churn” of relocations and repatriations.
What are your best approaches?
School & Work - find time (& energy, we know, it’s a lot!) to
go to as much as you can in-person, and remember nothing is
immediate.
Join an activity - make a commitment to a local group. Show
up to that art class, running group, choir practice every week
and slowly but surely connections become more solid, and
feel more real.
Try an event - We at The HUB organise regular, casual events
to bring people together. Think regular walks, and ad-hoc
activities from time to time, where you can chat whilst doing
something fun. All aimed to get you out and about, meeting
people, but in a relaxed way - and locally, which can be key.
See our events page for more details.
CONNECTING IN A NEW PLACE
2) EXPLORE YOUR NEW HOME
“Nothing happens here” - often said, but in reality there is lots going
on, but rather no-one seems to know about it. Follow The HUB on
Instagram to save yourself time and energy hunting the sometimes
elusive-feeling happenings. We highlight local events plus content
from others that means you don’t miss out, and have plenty of ideas
for when guests arrive … in all seasons and weathers.
4) LEARN FRENCH
Admittedly, this should be higher on the list, but we
know that it’s often the thing that slides - especially for
ourselves. But make sure to tackle it before too long, as
it really, really helps. Being able to understand what is
going on around you, read signs, ask and answer
questions feels good. Yes it takes lots of false starts,
embarrassment if you are not a language whizz, but the
perseverance is worth it, and it helps with local living so
much.
Read our blog - Top tips to get your French on! As well
as “Emily in Paris vs Laura in Geneva” for some familiar
French embarrassment.
.
3) FIGURE OUT THE RULES, AND HOW TO GET THINGS
DONE
Yes, you may have read “Know it all passport”, but likely still
feel clueless day to day? Location is key to building a
community here.
So how to adapt?
• If your commune has an induction evening, definitely attend.
• CAGI has a welcome programme - tap into this if you can.
• Seek a network you can ask questions of (especially the stupid
ones). Facebook still has some great ones - Coffee & Bubbles
(Mies to Morges), Gexpats (Pays de Gex), masses in Geneva,
but also ask if anyone is in a good WhatsApp group - these have
grown in use and popularity over the last year or so, and are
treasure troves of advice and helpful information.
• The HUB is working on being a resource for this too - check
out our highlights on instagram for past stories and our favourites
by section (fitness, food and drink, places to explore, health and
beauty).
EVENTS NOT TO MISS
Anything missing - please tell us....
rock music and freestyle
motocross
Gressy
https://airfest.ch/
1st Sept
Gressy Air Fest
historic sites open their doors
to you
Various
www LINK HERE
7-8th Sept
European Heritage Day
concerts, a techno evening, a
silent disco, artistic performances,
workshops for young and old
Lausanne
www LINK HERE
6-8th Sept
Digital Dreams Festival
marks the season start for this
soft cheese typical of the
Vallée de Joux
1343 Les Charbonnières
www LINK HERE
21st Sept
Fête du Vacherin Mont-d’Or
watch the cows come down
from the mountains, lots of
stalls and festivities
St. Cergue
www LINK HERE
28th Sept
Désalpe St Cergue
"One night of Queen" is back
on the road in 2024 and has
announced an exceptional
date at the Geneva arena
Geneva
www Link HERE
28th Sept
One Night of Queen
concerts and tastings in Nyon
Place du château - Nyon
www LINK HERE
4-5th Oct
Vine Festival of Nyon
Foodfestival by the lake in Divonne
Divonne Les Bains
www LINK HERE
4-6th Oct
Gourmandiv
splendid event brings together more than
1,000 classic British cars and motorbikes
1162 St-Prex
www LINK HERE
5th Oct
Classic British Car Show
original objects and
exhibition about the Titanic -
tickets on sale now
Beaulieu - Lausanne
www LINK HERE
All of Oct
Titanic Exhibition
one of the world's most acclaimed musicals,
announces its world tour and first European
dates in a new format. It will be presented
for the first time in French-speaking
Switzerland in an English version with French
subtitles.
Geneva Arena
30th Oct - 2nd Nov
Les Misérables
contemporary theatre, classical
performances, street shows, youth
theatre, circus, magic, meetings,
and workshops
Geneva
www LINK HERE
6-13th Nov
Fête du Théâtre