Does anyone know if public saunas in Switzerland have minimum age requirements? I've been to several saunas in Switzerland (usually Spa resorts, health clubs, etc.) and don't recall seeing any kids in them (maybe there were, I just don't recall ). And in one health club in particular I do remember a sign saying no one under 18 years of age was allowed in the sauna.
I ask because my kid is turning 6 soon and I'd like to take him to his first sauna, but I'm not really sure if that's generally accepted here or not Or maybe there's some laws requiring a min age for legal reasons or something?
Myself being Estonian, saunas are a big part of my culture (same as the Finish). My father took me to my first sauna when I was 5 years old, his father took him to his first when he was 5, etc. (he's 70 now and still goes weekly ) Here in Switzerland I rent an apartment, so I can't build my own and have to rely on public saunas
Anyway, before I start calling around to all the spas/health clubs, I'd be glad to hear if anyone has any experience, or even knows a child-friendly sauna near Bern? I'd be greatful for the input!
I know it's a cultural thing. And I totally respect that. The reason for the age limits is that saunas and hot tubs are quite dangerous to a child's health. I remember a case when I worked in a children's hospital of a child. He got locked in to his parents home sauna as a joke by his brothers who turned it on. When he was found a hour later he was almost dead.
I don't think that had anything to do with the age so much as the fact that they were locked in a sauna, would have been just as disastrous for an adult.
I've looked into it a bit on the internet and although children should not stay in saunas as long as adults it is considered beneficial to their health. One study actually reported that children who used saunas once per week had less sick days than children who didn't.
I have a special machine that i sometime use for my daughter to help her breath, and it makes the room kind of like a sauna, just without the heat. So i think you are right , because this machine as saved my daughter from being rushed to hospital many times.
I'm not sure about laws but the various Spas and saunas I've visited usually have signs saying something along the lines of 'no kids', although I'm not sure why.
Terrible business, being naked around strangers. All sorts of minefields to negotiate...
(Ps, don't think of nudity in a British sauna. They'll have your guts for garters...)
I know there's a lot of fear out there (real, perceived, or otherwise) that saunas are not good for kids, and I imagine this maybe a reason for having min age requirements in public saunas. I could also imagine that because here saunas are naked, they may feel thats not appropriate either (or maybe nobody wants to deal with a bunch of 12 year olds pointing and laughing ). But maybe they allow supervised kids?
If anyone knows for sure, please mention it.
Otherwise, I think saunas for kids are safe, as long as it's supervised, and not excessive. I started out on the lowest bench for less than 5 minutes at a clip, and I really didn't like it that much either at first. It's an aquired taste, you build it up. Once I hit my teens I was a full-blown "sauna-löwen" and I've been ever since
Anyway, I don't want to turn this into a "are saunas safe for kids?" debate, but rather to know some facts about saunas in Switzerland relating to kids. Thanks
PS- Yea, I've thought about the infra-red sauna. I've heard good things about it. But still, there's nothing like throwing the water on the rocks
I used to take my daughter to Säntispark when she was maybe 7 or 8 including the mixed saunas (steam and dry heat) and never had a problem (saw many families with children in there). I highly recommend the place!
Thanks! Yea, I was also there a few years back and remembered it was a very "family-friendly" place, because of all the "water activities" there (pool with waves, water-slide, etc.). The sauna park was very nice there. But the only problem for me is St.Gallen is about a 3 hour drive from where I live in Bern
...but this is a good track to follow to find a sauna for kids! (ie: water-parks or things like that)
I think you have to call the sauna in question to be sure, I'm not aware of specific sauna laws.
A quick search has given me this link , a sauna that you can rent in Bern. It has the advantage that you could set the temperature as you like on your son's first sauna visit.
Wow, 50 CHF per 2 hour is pretty steep But thanks for the link. It says kids 6-16 are 20 CHF so that means that kids are allowed in saunas in Switzerland So right, I guess then each sauna can make their own age restrictions, so then there probably isn't any general law requiring people to be over 18 year or whatever.
Thanks I'm not sure if we'll make it out that way anytime soon tho, it's kind of far from us But if we do, we'll let you know!
You Estonians are whimps aren't you In finland it used to be traditional to be born in the sauna (Mainly because the heat kills all the bugs so makes it the cleanest place in the house)
Actually, since the sauna is also the warmest room in the house, Estonians have also been known to conceive there too, so we may be a step ahead of you Finns
I visit a sauna semi regularly in SEON near Schafisheim. It's run by the Gemeinde and the cost is quite cheap. Something like Fr 15 to spend all day if you wish.
They have three areas. One for women only, one for men and a mixed one which is where I go. Each one has a steam, a normal and a dry heat room.
In the mixed one I often see kids as young as about four or five in them.
Whenever I mention that I attend saunas to anyone back in the UK, I almost always get the " nudge nudge " reaction.