The February school holidays have begun in the Paris region, so today I’m offering some great tips and outing ideas to keep your little ones intelligently occupied during this period.
A small, non-exhaustive selection in Paris and the Ile-de-France, and as always, your feedback and ideas are welcome in the comments.
Montparnasse 56 and the association les Petits Débrouillards are offering workshops to raise awareness for younger children (7 to 12 years old), sparking their interest in the art of “eating well” in a fun and educational way:
- why eat well?
- where does what we eat come from?
- the journey of food from the field to the plate.
These discovery workshops for children (€8.50) will take place every afternoon from 2 PM to 5 PM on February 17, 18, and 19 at the panoramic site of the Montparnasse Tower.
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From January 22 to March 04, 2014, MK2 is offering catch-up sessions for young and old alike featuring animation “gems” released in theaters over the last two years with the special Bout’Chou cycle catch-up sessions.
This winter, at Mk2 Parnasse, Quai de Seine, and Gambetta, on Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday mornings, parents and children can also discover the Mk2 Junior Cycle on the big screen for a flat rate of €4: Animal Farm, Jean de la Lune, and Pinocchio.
For the little ones (3 to 5 years old), MK2 presents animated short film programs: So British Vol.1, So British Vol. 2, and The Tale of Little Paolo.
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For the winter holidays, the Musée du Quai Branly is offering families an original approach to its collections, with music as the common thread from February 22 to March 02, 2014.
Visitors are invited to discover the richness of this intangible and universal form of expression through more than 10,000 instruments from different eras, geographical areas, and families.
On the program (free activities subject to availability):
- musical storytelling tours
- “In the Heart of World Music” workshop
- “Pygmy Flute” workshop
- “The Museum in Music” tour
- reading in the dark: Tshokwe tales from Angola
- “Sounds & Senses” tour
- sensory experience “Danced Drums”
- discovery sessions: Orchestra of samples
- “Secrets of a Masterpiece” meeting
- discovery sessions – Steelpan
- music points
- discovery of musical instruments through listening and touch
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A beautiful selection of workshop ideas, shows, and animal encounters, all happening in the Yvelines department!
- “Family” workshops at the Maurice Denis Museum on February 19, 21, 26, or 28, from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM: discovering the museum’s collections through the strange and symbolic world of the artworks and representations of their imaginary creatures.
For ages 6 and up. “Mystery Painters” game on February 25, 27, or March 2 at 2:30 PM, 3:15 PM, and 4 PM: family card game, for ages 7 and up, to discover the Nabis painters.
2 bis, rue Maurice Denis – 7800 Saint-Germain-en-Laye
- “Superhero” workshop, Magny-les-Hameaux (02/17 to 02/21)
Welcoming families (ages 6+) and unaccompanied children (ages 10+). Creative workshop for girls and boys. Invention of a superhero using recyclable materials. 02/21: screening of a “superhero” movie at 5 PM.
At L’Estaminet – Magny-les-Hameaux
- Expression around trains at the Rambolitrain Museum in Rambouillet (02/19 to 03/30). To celebrate the museum’s 30th anniversary, an exhibition showcasing three talents whose work evokes the poetry of the model railway world.
4, place Jeanne d’Arc in Rambouillet
- Reopening of the Thoiry Park (since February 15) for an unmissable family outing during the winter holidays. The magnificent Thoiry park reopens during the school holidays, a unique opportunity to see the animals in their winter coats!
Thoiry Park and Castle, African reserve
“The farm goes to the circus” at the Bergerie Nationale (02/15 to 03/02). “Family” activities from 2 PM to 4:30 PM to discover farm animals, learn juggling and acrobatics, dress up, watch funny “farmer” mini-clips, attend an animal show under the big top…
Bergerie Nationale – Rambouillet Castle Park
- “Winter holiday” workshops at the Toy Museum in Poissy.
- National Archaeology Museum in Saint-Germain-en-Laye. All year round as well as during school holidays, numerous “family” activities await you at the Archaeological Museum of Saint-Germain-en-Laye, for ages 5 and up.
An extraordinary opportunity to discover as a family one of the most beautiful collections in Europe, consisting of 30,000 objects. New in 2014: the Oceanian collection. There are also many workshops for children all year round (thematic tours, exploration, workshop). For more information, click here.
National Archaeology Museum – Saint-Germain-en-Laye Castle
- During the winter holidays, ColibriZen offers “children’s” workshops every day from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM and/or from 2 PM to 5 PM for original and fun activities: a choice of activities around visual arts, cooking, or theater + moments of relaxation and sophro-relaxation adapted for children.
50 avenue Léon Crété in Méré
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Active and cultural winter holidays are offered to the youth of Saint-Ouen. On the program: exchanges, improvisation, dance, exploration, making things, discoveries, and internships.
- a free singing internship for 15-20 year olds, from February 24 to 28 from 10 AM to 1 PM / Information and registration with Cédric at Espace 1789: 01 40 11 65 67
- a “Match des mots” workshop at Cap’J, from February 25 to 27 from 3 PM to 5 PM, 42, avenue Gabriel-Péri, in Saint-Ouen / Registration with Cap’J: 01 49 21 20 40 – tkoffi@mairie-saint-ouen.fr
- free workshops for 13-25 year olds focusing on video games at the Nouvelle Fabrique of the 104 (Paris 19th), from Wednesday, February 19 to Friday, February 21, from 1:30 PM to 4 PM / Free registration at Cap J: 42 av Gabriel-Péri. Tel: 01 49 21 20 40
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The third edition of the Lille Kids Parc (which I told you about last year), the temporary park of games and adventures for 2-15 year olds, will take place from February 22 to March 2.
Over 12,000 m2, this year more than 60 games, bouncy castles, giant slides, sports courses, climbing walls, trampolines, traditional games, mini-golf… will be offered to children and their parents during the winter holidays at Lille Grand Palais with many new activities to discover.
