Finally arrived in basel, been here less than a week. Just needing up to date advice on things for my kids 2 and 4. Particularly swimming lessons and groups/places to meet other kids and mums. I know of centrepoint and have heard that the basel childcare trust is a useful source but wondered if my kids are too old for that?
Any advice would be really appreciated. Thankyou.
Clare.
Hi Clare - I just arrived in Basel about 2 weeks ago from the US. I have a 2 and half year old daughter. Sorry I can't help you with your request adn I am still trying to find stuff to do with my daughter as well.
Sharon
I'm child-free but can always find something to do in Basel so hopefully can help with a few ideas to get things started. They seem suitable for younger children but, even if they're not perfect, they'll get you out in the sunshine, having fun.
The first two places don't charge an entry fee - once you've got your tram pass they're like free days out!
1. St Jakob's Park - no36 bus or no. 14 tram stop by the entrance to the park. This huge park is full of distractions from botanical gardens to a kiddie's play area and so on. Also, you can feed the ducks & swans on the pond by the dinasour. Yes, there's a dinasour.
2. Lange Erlan animal park - no 36 bus, couple of stops beyond Bad. Banhof (I just look out for the entrance gate on the right, don't recall the name of the stop but it's right before a huge underpass). Animals from deer to donkeys, monkeys to lynx and this park backs onto the river so it's a lovely spot for a picnic.
3. The zoo, no., 10 tram goes to the main entrance or no.2 to the rear entrance - about 20chf for an adult to get in, no idea on kids' prices. It's easy to spend a whole day here.
4. Reinach outdoor swimming complex - sort of in the easternmost section of Reinach - take no.11 tram to Landererstrasse then it's a good few minutes' walk. No idea how much it is to get in but you could while away a day here even without swimming; it's like a country club.
Honestly, there's lots to do, these are just things I thought of quickly. My favourite pastime is to make the tram pass worth its money and go ride the trams from end to end of their route.
Have fun
A visit to and a tour of the Guide Dog School of Switzerland in Allschwil (near Basel). They give a demo with a dog-in-training in a Garden of Obstacles and a video presentation of the life of a guide dog from puppyhood. And you get to see the 'nursery' and playpen of the adorable pups and young dogs (Labradors).
Here's their website for more info:
The zoo is a good place to start, and the outdoor pools are lovely. Try Binningen, Reinach, St. Jakob's or Aesch. You will almost certainly hear English voices, and if you do say 'hello' and introduce yourself. Everyone remembers being new, and won't be put off if you're pro-active.
Enjoy the sunshine!
Enjoy the Summer!!
The BCT is a great place to start, there is Bumps and Bruises at the Burg, near Wettsteinplatz on Thursdays for toddlers up, and then Beyond Bruises on Fridays from 3 at the same place. Check out the website http://www.baselchildbirthtrust.com/
During the summer there are lots of outdoor pools, Gartenbads, which are beautiful places with lots of water to swim and splash in, they are all over town so I'm sure there must be one near you and great for keeping everyone cool.
The Zoo, as mentioned, you can get a family card from the zoo which gives the adults free entry for a year, kids are free under 16 I think! Schutzenmattpark is fun to play and they also have a paddling pool in the summer. Park im Grunen, or Green80 as it is also called is great- big duck ponds, playpark and dinosaur!! Its a good one to take bikes or scooters. Gymboree is a soft play centre near the Bahnhoff which you have to join but has lots of classes for playing, music and dance.
Starting in term time there is a lovely playgroup in Binningen on a Tuesday morning at the Familenzentrum. English speaking and a nice indoor and outdoor playspace.
I'm running out of ideas but I;m sure there are more, are you from Scotland as the name suggests, I'm and Edinburgh lass with a 4 year old and 18month old and we are in Oberwil, so if you ever want to meet up for a play feel free to give us a buzz.
Have fun finding your way round Basel
Hazel
Thanks again,
Clare
there really is a TON of stuff to do around Basel.
Though your kids are yet young, you should get in touch with folks at the ISB - they have a big program of extracurricular activities for kids (and parents).
Over the summer you'll want to work out which of the many lovely gartenbads you like - fab outdoor pools which the kids just love.
Further afield Europa Park in Germany is worth a visit (ca 1 hour drive).
Oh and as someone has already mentioned, get the Basel Family Fun Book - it's Great!
Good luck!
Ddejay
I am a new mother and find it hard to find places to take my little one...people have given great ideas, especially for good weather kinda days.
But what if it's rainy?
The Teddy Bear museum is really fun. It is directly at Barfusserplatz and I think it costs 10euro for adults and kids under 12 are free if I remember correctly. I took my kindergarten class there last year and they loved it. They were between 4-6 years of age.
Enjoy the summer!
Here are my favorites in the region (mostly just across the border in Alsace) for our kids...
Fun things to do with kids in Alsace (southern Alsace)
Fun day trips for the kids in the rest of Alsace...
To give you an idea there is a...
Educational amusement park in southern Alsace
A park with monkeys that you can feed
So lots of fun things to do with the kids just across the border...
Hope it helps,
Suzele