Activities for children in Lausanne
Capital of the canton of Vaud and Olympic capital, Lausanne gently unfolds above Lake Geneva. From the train station to the Ouchy district by the water, the city offers an exceptional setting for families: one moves from the lively streets of the center to the shores of the lake, passing by the great Sauvabelin forest that overlooks the city.
Here, there is plenty to keep all ages and interests occupied. For a Wednesday afternoon, a rainy weekend, or a week of vacation, one can find exciting museums, animal parks, aquariums, playgrounds, and sports activities. Both toddlers and teenagers will find something to enjoy, whether the weather is nice or if one is looking for an idea indoors.
Lausanne is very easy to access by train from all over the Romandy region, and its metro and bus network (the TL) allows most places to be reached without a car. This page brings together a selection of activities for children in Lausanne to help you find inspiration for your next family outing.
Our selection of family activities to do in Lausanne
12 activities for children
Activities by type in Lausanne
Playground of Lake Sauvabelin: the largest playground in Lausanne
Want a great outdoor outing just steps from the center of Lausanne? The playground at Lake Sauvabelin, nestled at the edge of the forest by the lake, is the largest in the city. A tubular slide, zip line, nest swing, and trunk structures await children, all for free.
Vidy Playground (fishing village): the adventure by the shores of Lake Geneva in Lausanne
What if your children became fishermen for an afternoon? In Lausanne, by Lake Geneva, the Vidy playground features a real little fishing village with its stilt huts and sand. A free outdoor outing designed for the little ones.
Milan playground: the cat tower and the water games that bring joy to Lausanne families
Are you looking for a playground that keeps children entertained for hours without spending a dime? The playground in Milan, located in the heart of the Milan park in Lausanne, ticks all the boxes: an iconic cat tower, endless water and sand games, hammocks, and a slackline.
Montchoisi Pool in Lausanne: swimming with real waves
And what if, without leaving Lausanne, your children could jump into real waves? At Montchoisi, the outdoor pool activates its wave machine several times each afternoon, in a large 50 m pool. Between the wading pool for the little ones and the lawn for picnicking, you can easily spend the day there with your family.
Playground of the Vallée de la Jeunesse in Lausanne: the legendary tunnel slides
Are you looking for a large free playground in Lausanne, outdoors and just a stone's throw from the lake? The Vallée de la Jeunesse features its famous tunnel slides on hills, a maritime corner for the little ones, and a rose garden to stroll through. There's plenty to keep the whole family occupied for a good part of the afternoon.
Plage de la Voile d'Or: the quiet corner of Lake Geneva in Lausanne, on the Vidy side
Are you looking for a quieter spot by the shore than the large beach of Vidy to lay down your towel with family? The Plage de la Voile d'Or, in Lausanne, on the west side of Bellerive and very close to the Théâtre de Vidy, offers a lawn by the lake and free swimming in Lake Geneva, just a stone's throw from the city.
Pedal Boats in Lausanne (Ouchy and Vidy): a family outing on Lake Geneva
Want to get the whole family out on the lake in Lausanne? At Ouchy and Vidy, pedalo rental puts you on Lake Geneva within minutes: you pedal, sometimes slide down a little chute, and the children love taking the helm. A simple, refreshing summer outing — no booking required.
Vidy Beach: the large free beach of Lausanne by Lake Geneva
Are you looking for a lakeside spot to lay down your towel without spending a dime? Vidy Beach, in the heart of Louis Bourget Park in Lausanne, is the largest free beach on Lake Geneva: sand, large shaded lawns, and swimming for the whole family, just a stone's throw from the city.
The P’tit train de Lausanne-Vidy at Parc Bourget
A little train under the trees of Vidy, by Lake Geneva. A simple and joyful outing to make children's eyes shine and enjoy the park as a family.
Sauvabelin in Lausanne: animal park, lake, and wooden tower
North of Lausanne, the Sauvabelin site features a lake, a wildlife park, and a wooden panoramic tower. A nature outing, free and accessible, perfect for children.
Bois de Sauvabelin – Urban forest & family park in Lausanne
Just a stone's throw from the center of Lausanne, the Bois de Sauvabelin offers a nature walk with a lake, animals, and a playground. A free, simple, and refreshing outing for the whole family.
AQUATIS – Aquarium-Vivarium in Lausanne: an outing that amazes
Head to AQUATIS in Lausanne: an immersive journey into the heart of the world's rivers and lakes. Perfect with children of all ages, to learn, marvel, and stay warm all year round.
Why choose Lausanne for a family outing?
Lausanne has a rare density of activities for a city of its size. Up in the heights, the Sauvabelin park and tower offer a real breath of fresh air: you can observe the animals in the animal park, climb to the top of the wooden tower for a view of the lake and the Alps, and enjoy the Sauvabelin lake for a peaceful stroll. It's the ideal place when looking to combine nature and the outdoors without leaving the city.
On the museum and culture side, the offerings are particularly rich. The Olympic Museum, one of the emblems of the Olympic capital, immerses families in the history and values of sport in an interactive way. The Plateforme 10 district, near the train station, brings together several museums including Photo Elysée and mudac (design and applied arts), perfect for sparking the curiosity of older children. Over in Vidy, the Lausanne-Vidy Roman Museum tells the ancient history of the city, right on the site of the former city.
For children curious about science and mechanisms, the Espace des Inventions offers hands-on exhibitions that make learning fun. And for an immersion in the world of freshwater, AQUATIS, the largest freshwater aquarium-vivarium in Europe, takes both young and old on a journey through different ecosystems. Two reliable options when the weather invites staying indoors.
When the sun is out, the lakeside at Ouchy becomes an open-air playground. You can rent a Pédalino to pedal on Lake Geneva, enjoy the water play area Pieds dans l'O in summer, or let the kids have fun along the quays. Skateboard enthusiasts also have their spots with the skateparks in Vidy and Sévelin, while The Jump Spot, a trampoline park, allows for indoor fun. The youngest will enjoy a performance at the Petit Théâtre, dedicated to young audiences.
With these few examples, we only scratch the surface of what the city offers: Lausanne has around thirty activities listed on Kidora, providing plenty of variety throughout the seasons. Between culture, nature, sports, and the lakeside, you're sure to find an idea suited to everyone's age and mood of the day. That's the beauty of a big city like Lausanne: you can return without ever having done the same outing twice.