A rainy day in Lausanne: our favourite outings with children

The sky is grey, the rain is drumming on the window and your children are going round in circles in the living room: don’t panic. Lausanne is probably the best-equipped city in French-speaking Switzerland for turning a rainy day into a great day of discovery, with museums designed for families, indoor pools and trampolines.

We have gathered our favourite indoor outings in Lausanne here, tested and approved by parents. Most are reachable by metro or TL bus, which saves hunting for a parking space in the rain.

Museums that children genuinely love

Lausanne is full of museums, but some are real magnets for children:

• AQUATIS: the big aquarium-vivarium above the city. Fish from Lake Geneva, piranhas, Komodo dragons… allow a good half-day.
• L’Espace des Inventions at the Vallée de la Jeunesse: interactive exhibitions where you can touch everything, from age 4. A classic for Lausanne families.
• Le Musée Olympique: the flame, the medals and sports simulators. Children love pitting themselves against the champions.
• Le Palais de Rumine and its zoology department: an Italian-style palace filled with taxidermied animals, including the famous great white shark.
• Le Musée de la Main: exhibitions on the body and health, very well designed for ages 6 and up.

Burning off energy despite the rain

A child who hasn’t moved all day means a complicated evening. Here is where to let off steam:

• The Jump Spot: Lausanne’s trampoline park, from age 3 in certain slots.
• The Mon-Repos pool: indoor, central, with diving boards for the boldest.
• The indoor skatepark in Sévelin: scooter, skateboard or BMX under cover, for 5 to 16 year olds.

An afternoon of theatre or escape games

• Le Petit Théâtre, a stone’s throw from the cathedral, programmes shows for young audiences from age 3. Check the programme before you set off.
• LaseRed Lausanne combines laser tag and family escape games, from around age 7.

Our tips for a successful rainy day

• Aim for opening time (often 10am): museums are quieter in the morning, especially on a rainy weekend when everyone has the same idea.
• Pack a change of clothes: between the pool and the puddles, you can never be too careful.
• Combine a calm activity (a museum) with a physical one (trampoline, pool) to balance the day.
• Many Lausanne museums are free on the first Saturday of the month: check the official websites.

Want to explore further? Browse all the activities for children in Lausanne and our indoor ideas in the canton of Vaud.

And to receive our best outing ideas every week, join the 1000+ families subscribed to the Kidora newsletter.