What to do with a 3 to 5 year old in French-speaking Switzerland? Our favourite outings

Between 3 and 5, everything becomes possible: the first real outings, the first shows, the first climbing triumphs. But the equation stays delicate: enough action to captivate, not so much that everyone is exhausted.

After our guide for 0 to 3 year olds, here are our favourite outings for 3 to 5 year olds in French-speaking Switzerland, sorted by the mood of the day.

To meet animals

This is THE golden age for animals. Four safe bets:

• La Garenne, in Le Vaud: lynx, wolves and a large walk-through aviary where you move among the birds.
• La Ferme de la Gavotte, in Grand-Lancy: watching, feeding and stroking the animals, free of charge, all year round.
• The alpine zoo in Les Marécottes: alpine wildlife in a real mountain forest, from age 2.
• Sauvabelin, in Lausanne: goats, a lake and a wooden tower, all free.

For train fans

At this age, a little train beats any theme park:

• Le Swiss Vapeur Parc, in Le Bouveret: miniature trains in beautifully kept surroundings, designed from age 2. The emblematic outing for 3 to 5 year olds.
• Les Îles Vapeur Parc, in Sion: real little steam trains by the lake.
• Le P’tit train de Vidy, in Lausanne: the Sunday ride under the trees, from age 2.

For gentle discovery

• AQUATIS: the giant aquariums amaze from the earliest age, and you move at your own pace.
• Le Naturéum at the Palais de Rumine: taxidermied animals and astonishing skeletons, from age 3.
• Le Musée du Léman, in Nyon: aquariums and sailors’ tales, perfect from age 3.
• Le Petit Théâtre de Lausanne: shows for young audiences from age 3, in a child-sized theatre. The ideal first theatre outing.

To burn off energy outdoors

• The playground at the Founex sports centre: often cited among the finest on La Côte, with castles to climb, a zip line and ground-level trampolines.
• Parc Marguerite, in Commugny: a huge, fully fenced play area with three zones by age. The “little Central Park” of Terre Sainte.
• Baby-Plage, in Geneva: sand, shallow water and a playground, a worry-free summer by the lake.

For rainy days

• Yatouland, in Geneva: the big indoor park where you can climb, jump and slide to your heart’s content.
• Kidz Moove Area, in Neuchâtel: designed for 1 to 12 year olds, with a snack corner for parents.
• Le Môll, in Vernier: a play area dedicated to the youngest, next to the trampolines for older children.

Our golden rules for 3 to 5 year olds

• One big activity a day: a nap or quiet time remains the best ally of good moods.
• Aim for the morning: shorter queues, fresher children, calmer parents.
• Always pack a full change of clothes and a snack: the two classic emergencies at this age.
• Leave some unplanned time: at 3 to 5, a staircase or a fountain can keep them busy for twenty minutes, and that is absolutely fine.

Want more ideas by age? Have a look at our guides for 0 to 3 year olds and teenagers aged 12 to 16, and filter all our activities in French-speaking Switzerland by age group.

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