Top 10 family activities in Vaud for an unforgettable weekend!
Which family activities in Vaud should you choose to entertain young and old? This article answers this question directly by proposing must-see outings in the canton of Vaud. Ready for creative, sporty and educational moments? Let’s find out together what will make your tribe happy!
Key Points
The canton of Vaud offers a range of family-friendly activities, with visits to museums such as the Olympic Museum, outdoor experiences such as Parc Pré Vert and adventures with the Young Explorers Club.
If you’re looking for fun activities for your kids, the Young Explorers Club stands out for offering unique experiences, whether it’s during their summer camps or exciting weekends. Discover how the club expands the horizons of young people aged 8 to 16 through fun, sports, educational activities and much more.
There are many water sports activities in the canton, including public swimming pools, the beaches of Lake Geneva and the AquaParc Le Bouveret offering various attractions for all ages.
Opportunities for natural escape and wildlife discovery abound with zoos and animal parks such as AQUATIS and boat trips to observe local wildlife in sites such as the Gorges du Nozon.
Fun discovery of the canton of Vaud
The canton of Vaud, with its picturesque landscapes and vibrant cities, offers endless opportunities for family outings. Indeed, it contains a range of fun activities ranging from fascinating museums to amusement parks dedicated to children. Among the cities to discover with the family, Lausanne stands out for its many attractions, including the Olympic Museum, Lausanne Cathedral and the Jayland children’s amusement park, to name a few.
The museums in this city offer educational fun for the whole family.
Lausanne: Olympic Capital and its museums
Lausanne, the Olympic capital, is full of museums that will delight children and adults alike. From visits to the Olympic Museum to explorations of the Espace des Inventions and the Cantonal Museum of Zoology, there is always something new to learn and discover.
The Olympic Museum, open all year round from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Tuesday to Sunday, is a must-see for sports fans. For information on current exhibitions, you can consult the museum’s agenda or its page dedicated to temporary exhibitions on its official website.
Adventure at Parc Pré Vert
For families looking for outdoor adventure, Parc Pré Vert is a place of choice. It offers:
Games for toddlers
Swings
Rocking horses
Zip lines
Slides
A labyrinth
A net to climb
There’s plenty to keep kids of all ages entertained. What’s more, it’s even possible to have a picnic on site, with a hundred tables available around the restaurant.
The Green Meadow Park was inaugurated in 1971 and has been managed by the Migros Culture Percentage since the Swiss Gardening Exhibition “Grün 80” in Münchenstein.
Weekends with the Young Explorers Club
If you’re looking to give your kids some exciting adventures over the weekends, the Young Explorers Club is the place to be. It offers sports and educational activities specially designed for children and families, including team games and entertaining educational workshops.
Various activities are organized during the weekends, such as:
Wildlife Watching
Climbing
The campsite
Trekking
Astronomy
Team games
Enriching Weekends: Young Explorers Club weekends offer an exciting getaway for kids. Whether it’s to experience the surrounding nature, participate in educational workshops, or engage in outdoor activities, these weekends are designed to stimulate the curiosity of young minds.
Outdoor Sports: Budding sports enthusiasts will find what they are looking for with the sports activities offered by the club. From dynamic tournaments to climbing challenges to kayaking, the Young Explorers Club encourages camaraderie while promoting an active lifestyle.
Unforgettable Summer Camps: Summer camps are the perfect opportunity for children to explore new horizons. The Young Explorers Club organizes enriching stays with activities focused on adventure, discovery and personal development. Children will have the opportunity to build lasting bonds while creating lasting memories.
Fun and Creative Activities: From arts and crafts to educational games, the Young Explorers Club offers a range of fun activities. Children can develop their creativity while having fun, making every moment a learning opportunity.
Educational Exploration Weekends: The club’s educational weekends are designed to stimulate children’s intellectual curiosity. From guided tours to local museums to interactive workshops, each activity aims to expand participants’ knowledge in an engaging and interactive way.
The mysteries of the Vallorbe caves
For lovers of mystery and adventure, a visit to the Vallorbe caves is a must. Formed 7 million years ago by water erosion on limestone, these caves offer stunning views of mineral formations such as stalactites, stalagmites, and limestone formations. Don’t forget to pack a warm jacket, as the temperature inside the caves remains constant at around 10°C to 11°C throughout the year.
The caves are open to the public daily from 09:30 to 17:30 and guided tours for groups can be arranged.
Water fun in the canton of Vaud
The canton of Vaud is also the ideal place to enjoy the pleasures of the water. Whether you prefer:
Take a dip in one of the many public pools
Relax on the beaches of Lake Geneva
enjoy the water attractions of the AquaParc Le Bouveret
You won’t run out of options.
The public swimming pools in the canton of Vaud are open from Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., and on Sundays and public holidays from 9 a.m. to 6:45 p.m.
Swimming pools and beaches on Lake Geneva
The crystal blue waters of Lake Geneva are an ideal setting for a family day out. Whether you prefer:
The Pine Beach
Morges Beach
Saint-Sulpice Beach Park
Allaman Beach
Corcelettes Beach the Pins
Here you will find child-friendly areas to swim and participate in various quality water activities.
In addition, the swimming pools of Lake Geneva are equipped with:
A safety drain
Discharge nozzles
a skimmer
Other essential amenities for an enjoyable bathing experience.
AquaParc Le Bouveret
For a day of action and family fun, head to AquaParc Le Bouveret. This water park offers a variety of attractions like:
The Raft
Black Hole
Booster Loop
The Jungle Twist
just to name a few. From Lausanne it is easy to get there by train, with Le Bouveret – Port Valais train station only about a 5-7 minute walk from the park.
For the little ones, the park imposes a size restriction, visitors must be between 1.07m and 1.22m tall to access the slides. Admission fees vary depending on age.
Escape from nature and discover animals
The canton of Vaud also offers a multitude of opportunities for an escape in the middle of nature and a discovery of the local fauna. Whether you choose to visit the various zoos and animal parks in the canton or venture out by boat on the rivers, you will have the opportunity to get closer to nature and discover the local fauna in its natural habitat.
Zoos & Wildlife Parks
Whether you are an animal lover or simply curious about the local wildlife, the zoos and animal parks in the canton of Vaud offer an unforgettable experience. Here are some of the zoos and wildlife parks you can visit:
AQUATIS Aquarium-Vivarium Lausanne
The Garenne
Zoo de Servion
Tropiquarium of Servion
Juraparc
St. Bartholomew’s Foundation
The Goat Farm
During your visit, you will have the opportunity to meet a diversity of exotic animals.
In addition, wildlife parks offer various educational activities, such as discovering wildlife during nature walks, hikes, as well as entertainment such as afternoons or brunches on the farm.
Boat trips on the rivers
For an escape in the middle of nature, there’s nothing like a boat trip on the rivers of the canton of Vaud. The Gorges du Nozon and the Gorges de l’Orbe are ideal destinations for a boat trip, offering you the opportunity to observe a diversity of animals such as:
Long-eared Owl
The Speckled Nutcracker
The Bittern
The Great Egret
Golden Eagle
The bearded vulture
Ibex
Chamois
Deer
Bees
Groundhogs
Beavers
For a boat trip along the rivers, it is possible to contact Torpille – Boat rental in French-speaking Switzerland or MyVaud – Cruises and boat rental.
Creative and cultural moments with the family
For families looking to stimulate their children’s creativity, the canton of Vaud offers a multitude of possibilities. From artistic workshops to visits to the Maison de la Rivière, you will be able to share enriching creative and cultural moments with your children.
Art workshops for the little ones
Art workshops offer children a valuable opportunity to develop their imagination, creativity, and self-esteem. In the canton of Vaud, children have access to a variety of art workshops, such as the Ateliers Créatifs & Bri for making original objects, as well as drawing, pottery and music classes available in Lausanne, Geneva, Neuchâtel, Sion, Monthey, Nyon, Morges, Yverdon, Payerne and Montreux.
The River House
The River House is a wonderful educational resource for children who are curious about nature. With annual programmes of activities including:
Guided tours
Encounters with aquatic fauna
Cycles of conferences on nature
Birthdays
Summer Camps
There’s always something new to discover.
To plan a visit to the Maison de la Rivière, it should be noted that it is open from November 1st to March 31st, only on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. During the summer period, from April 1 to October 31, the establishment welcomes visitors every day of the week at the same times, offering more flexibility to organize cultural outings with the family.
Dynamic leisure and sports
The canton of Vaud is also the ideal place for families looking for dynamic and sporty activities. Whether you prefer forest adventure trails, laser tag, or Young Explorers Club camps and adventure outings, there’s no shortage of options for a day of family action and fun.
Forest Adventure Course
If you’re looking for a dynamic and sporty activity for your family, why not try an adventure course in the forest? The canton of Vaud is home to several courses, including the Aigle Adventure Park and the Les Diablerets Devil Park.
These courses offer a range of difficulty levels, from easy to very difficult, making them suitable for all participants, regardless of age or fitness level.
Laser tag with the family
For a day of family fun, there’s nothing like a game of laser tag. This leisure activity is an exciting experience that combines entertainment and strategic thinking. The LaseRed centers in Etoy and the Laser Game Evolution center in Villeneuve are among the most recommended choices for practicing laser game in the canton of Vaud.
A typical laser tag session has an average duration of about 30 minutes, and prices are determined according to the events and packages offered by the centers.
Young Explorers Club Camps & Adventure Outings
The Young Explorers Club offers a variety of camps and adventure outings for children ages 4 to 16. Recreational and sports activities are offered, such as:
Travel
The campsite
Skiing
Water sports
Stays in the open air
Excursions in nature
Climbing lessons
For information on the prices of the Young Explorers Club’s activities, you can register on their website.
Educational and interactive outings
The canton of Vaud also offers a multitude of opportunities for educational and interactive outings. Whether you choose to visit the Inventions Space or take part in historical tours, you’ll have the opportunity to learn in a fun and engaging way.
Inventions Area
The Espace des Inventions in Lausanne is a fantastic place for curious children. With interactive exhibits and hands-on workshops, your kids will have the opportunity to learn while having fun.
The Espace des Inventions is open Wednesday to Saturday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., making it perfect for a family outing during the weekend.
Historical tours
For families interested in history, several historical guided tours are available in the canton of Vaud. Whether you choose to visit the Mines with their underground galleries, or join a day trip to Chamonix, Mont Blanc and Ice Cave, you will have the opportunity to discover the local history in a captivating way.
To book a historical guided tour, you can contact the Vaud Cantonal Archives or call +41 21 316 37 11.
Calendar of family events
To help you plan your future family outings, we suggest you consult the calendar of family events. Whether you’re looking for ideas for next weekend or planning your summer vacation, the planner will help you find events and activities that will suit the whole family.
Useful links and practical information
To make it easier to organise your family activities, we have put together some useful links and practical information. Whether you’re looking for information on museum opening hours and prices, suggestions for activities or ideas for outings, these resources will help you plan your family days in the canton of Vaud.
In short
In short, the canton of Vaud is a veritable gold mine for families looking for adventure, culture, leisure and discovery. Whether it’s exploring Lausanne’s fascinating museums, lounging on the beaches of Lake Geneva, watching animals in zoos and animal parks, or stimulating their children’s creativity through art workshops, families will find a multitude of activities to create lasting memories.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which museums are recommended for a family visit to Lausanne?
I recommend you to visit the Espace des Inventions, the Cantonal Museum of Zoology, the UNIL-CHUV Main Museum, the Roman Museum of Lausanne-Vidy, the Cantonal Museum of Archaeology and the Olympic Museum for a family visit to Lausanne.
What activities are available for families at Parc Pré Vert?
At Parc Pré Vert, families can enjoy many fun activities such as games for toddlers, swings, zip lines, slides, a maze and more for kids.
What activities does the Young Explorers Club offer during the weekends?
The Young Explorers Club offers a variety of activities during the weekends, including wildlife viewing, rock climbing, camping, trekking, astronomy and team games. Join us to enjoy these exciting adventures!
What geological formations can be seen in the caves of Vallorbe?
In the caves of Vallorbe, stalactites, stalagmites and limestone formations can be seen. These mineral formations are impressive to admire.
What are the most recommended beaches to enjoy water activities on Lake Geneva in the canton of Vaud?
I recommend you to visit the Plage des Pins, the Plage de Morges, the Parc de la Plage de Saint-Sulpice, the Plage d’Allaman and the Plage de Corcelettes les pins to enjoy the water activities on Lake Geneva in the canton of Vaud.
