Things to do for families in Switzerland
Public facilities in Switzerland are clearly signposted and well maintained, but natural areas don't have restrictive safety measures. It's left to the individual to enjoy nature responsibly. This liberal philosophy allows for freedom and mutual respect and for children to become ‘street smart' in cities and ‘nature wise' in the great outdoors.
Tips for planning family activities
- Facilities such as road rest stops, baby changing rooms, breast feeding areas, and pet friendly zones make life easier for families.
- The Touring Club Schweiz (TCS) offers security on the road.
- Swiss railways has great ideas and offers for family outings with play areas on SBB CFF trains.
- Shopping centres have play zones.
- The Swiss weather forecast can assist with planning.
- Summer holiday camps have outstanding infrastructure and a tradition of welcoming young adventurers to discover new horizons. Book early.
- Solothurner Ferienpass offers holiday activities for schoolchildren.
Children's activities in Solothurn
Solothurn is a particularly child-friendly place. Some great family activities include:
- Solothurn Tourism has several suggestions for a day outdoors with children, including:
- Camp outdoors at the Lido in Solothurn, take easy hikes and walks, or a boat trip.
- The Thal Nature Park runs regular activities for children.
- Child-friendly annual events include: Solothurn-Buechibärg Slowup, Circus Knie, and the Solothurn Carnival.
- Animals: visit the Beasts of Prey Park in Subingen and the Zoo Siky Ranch.
- Fun activities in any type of weather include bowling, a glass-blowing workshop at Büren an der Aare, and Matzendorf Keramik for pottery classes.
- Cinema: Zauberlaterne shows films for children.
- Museums: great museums for children in Solothurn include the Natural History Museum, the Historical Museum; ENTER Computer Museum, the Stone Museum, the Museum of Dolls and Toys, and the Museum of the Old Arsenal. International Museum Day in Solothurn takes place in May. Energy Park is an exciting events museum with new happenings all the time.
- Ludothek Solothurn is a toy library where games and toys can be borrowed for one month.
- Find more things to do in Solothurn with children: consult the directories for swimming pools, parks and gardens, and sport clubs and organisations.
- Sport: there is no shortage of sporting activities for children in Solothurn. For more information on winter sports such as skiing and snowboarding and summer walks and hikes, consult the directories.
- Tourist information centres and local newspapers provide further information on family-friendly events.
Babies and toddlers
Activities include baby gyms, music workshops, baby swimming to get babies used to water and pre-school and play groups.
