This is a copy of a list I wrote for the International and American Women's Mums & Tots group. It might prove useful for some of you struggling for things to do! It does not include the most obvious attractions that are well publicized, such as Swissminiature, Lido Lugano, etc.


http://www.alpamare.ch - amazing looking waterpark - it is two hours away from Lugano by car but it looks like an excellent day trip nonetheless.

www.safaripark.it - brilliant safari park, not far from Malpensa airport, complete with amusement park with rides suitable for toddlers, reptile house, animal shows... a fantastic full day out.

http://www.parcodellapreistoria.it/ - a large park with models of dinosaurs, playground, and restaurant.

www.minitalia.com - a fantastic day out, an amusement park with lots of rides suitable for the youngest members of the family, reptile house, aquarium, mini farm, and to-scale models of the famous monuments of Italy.

http://www.tierpark.ch/english/index.htm - Goldau wildlfe park, with restaurant and playground, came highly recommended by one of our members.

http://www.lecornelle.it/index.asp - a zoo with a wide variety of animals, white tigers, elephants..

http://www.carona-tourism.ch/en/carona/weather.html - Parco San Grato, has a playground, restaurant and beautiful surroundings to explore

http://www.lugano-tourism.ch/en/95/t...y=84&idMod=254 - Parco Tassino, large playground and deer!

http://www.montetamaro.ch/default.asp?lang=ita - bobsleigh track, flying fox (zip wire) restaurant and great playground.

www.tarzaning.ch an adventure park with zip wires, rope bridges and climbing frames between trees in the forest

http://www.jungleraiderpark.com/it/home.xhtml, the same as above, but in Italy

http://www.latorbiera.it/it/servizi.cfm - large natural park to explore, with a large lake, restaurant and what seems to be a zoo too.

http://www.ticino.ch/it/commons/deta...asca/3105.html - A walk rated as easy, so possible with kids, in beautiful scenery

http://www.cardada.ch/estate/attivit...ie.php?lang=en - take a cable car up to Cardada for some lovely family friendly walks.

http://www.ticino.ch/it/commons/deta...f-fb7276aff10d - one playground in Ascona, however I have been told that there is a really great playground on the lakefront of Ascona. If you go down to the mini roundabout where the start of the pedestrianised promenade is on your right (where all the restaurants are), instead turn left, walk past a large public car park, and you will see this playground - it has electric minicars - need 1CHF coins for them.

http://www.ataf.ch/ - steam miniature railway - strange opening hours though.

http://www.ticino.ch/it/commons/deta...nico/2636.html - a boat trip to the island of Brissago, perhaps combine with a trip to Ascona and the playground on the lakefront!

www.minigolfcaslano.ch/ - Has electric mini-cars and great trampolines as well as the mini golf. Is next door to a great little lido too, with a very nice beach. (and they sell Ben and Jerry's ice cream)

http://www.minigolf-adventure.it/dovesiamo.html - has a playground, inflatable slides and trampolines as well as the minigolf.

http://www.idropark.mi.it/index.php/...ili/mappa.html - man made lake in Milan with playground, lido and restaurant

http://www.castellodivezio.it/inglese/visita.php Castle of Vezio on the shores of Lake Como, complete with a display of falconry if you are lucky.

Villas on Lake Como to explore - the kids may enjoy running around the gardens but I guess it depends on the temperament of your child! Perhaps best combined with eating ice cream somewhere, and feeding the ducks on the lakefront, or a boat trip on the lake.

Villa Carlotta - http://www.discovercomo.com/attracti...ttractionID=31 - the most well known, parking is easy, you can have access to the villa as well as the grounds. There is a fountain that is full of fish and toads, it kept my three year old amused for at least 35 minutes watching 'toad arguments'. Also a nice cafe there, picnic areas and beautiful scenery.

Villa Del Balbianello (Lenno) - http://www.discovercomo.com/attracti...ttractionID=30 - only the gardens are open to the public

Villa Melzi (Bellagio) - http://www.discovercomo.com/attracti...ttractionID=32 - only the gardens are open to the public

Villa Monestero (Varenna) - http://www.discovercomo.com/attracti...ttractionID=33

Wauw! Looks good.
Such a pity my sister and 4 kids just left. But this will definitely come in handy when they are visiting Lugano again.

Thank you!

Despite my grown-up concern about the treatment of animals in zoos, I must say that the Animal Park Le Cornelle remains the one of the vividest and happiest memories from kindergarten trips.

Also, Milan is on a 2 hour drive from Lugano. As a former resident, I'd be happy to also make a list of child-friendly activities, let me know if you're interested.

This is a great list thanks so much

Only if there is a lot of traffic, normally it's one hour.

Gardaland is two hours from Lugano.

Tom

Thanks Tom, so useful as I never considered this for the list as I assumed it was near Lake Garda, like the aquarium. The name of the place is very misleading considering it's actually in Milan!

I've moved this to Travel/day trips etc, where there is another Thread with lots of interesting places in other regions of Switzerland. I've linked this thread to that one too.

It IS near Lake Garda, and it's 200 km from Lugano (same as going to Zurich).

Tom

Hey! Great list!
Can I add one?

I would also like to add a blog (not my own.. just one I find great!)
http://www.expatwithkids.blogspot.com/
She writes interesting stuff.. about lots, but also about upcoming events to go to with kids in Lugano and nearby.

I also run a Tues morning Toddler group for tots in Lugano (starting sept 13th) in the Centro Bambini. Our group differs from the normal ones in that we are actively promoting English speech and understanding, using lots of songs, puppetry, arts and crafts and FUN! It may be of interest to any English speaking parents who want to make sure their children hear and learn enough English, while living in Ticino... but its open to anyone!
Please just PM me for more info.. as I am not quite sure if I am allowed to promote myself here! (am I?!)

Regarding other stuff to do in Lugano...
The playground in Taverne / Toricella is FANTASTIC (lots of wooden structures and SHADE!
Also another favourite with my kids is the playground in Ponte Capriasca.. new and modern and very big and suitable for all age groups but best of all.. with a bar / coffee shop with outside tables so you can sit and watch and relax over a coffee!

That is absolutely excellent! Thank you so much for the additions! I am always looking for new bits to add. I am familiar with Ingrid's blog - it's really great - in fact she came across my list on a different forum and I think she's intending to publish it too. I will definitely add the info you gave, I don't suppose you might have road names for the playgrounds by chance? (no worries if you don't).

It's brilliant that you are going to be running an English-speaking toddler group! I actually jointly co-ordinate the Mums and Tots Group for the International Women's Club of Lugano and the American Women of Ticino, and so have around 100 mums or so on our own mailing list, doubtless some of which will be delighted to hear about your sessions. Please PM me with any information you would like me to send on to them. I'd actually be interested in coming along myself as I have 17th month old and 3yr old boys.

Thanks again!

Hi Jasmine,
Thanks so much I would be really happy to send you some info about the English Toddler Group in Lugano, however, I cannot seem to find the way to PM (I thought it was on the contacts tab when you click a user.. but it seems to have dissappeared!). My email is info@bibsandkids.ie if you want to send me a quick email I can reply that way.
The class is a big success and we are actually starting a second one on Thursday morning (hopefully begining in Oct) so it would be ideal to send out a email with the details to your contacts.

Meantime.. regarding the playgrounds! The one at Ponte Capriasca is Via Arch A da Ponte (which is where the carpark is..) or Via Roggia.

The one in Taverne has its own website
http://www.parcodelcastello.ch/index...d=14&Itemid=43

There is an upcoming event there soon which is the chesnut festival!

Hope that helps!
Miriam

Or better yet, with a beer, and even better, without kids!

(it's on my walk home from work)

Tom

Hi Tom!

I just looked again, and confusingly, there is Gardaland resort (http://www.gardaland.it/resort/), with theme park, water park and aquarium, right near Lake Garda, but there is also a stand-alone Gardaland waterpark (http://www.gardalandwaterpark.it/), right in the west side Milan, only about 1hr away! I only knew about the resort before...

There's a big swimming pool in a lovely location in Carona (on top of a mountain) - 5 minutes from Lugano

Thanks a million Jasmine. I published your list with some minor changes on my blog yesterday. Hope you like it.
Regards, Ingrid

Dear Morphk,
Thanks for thinking of me. Enjoy the lovely autumn and all the excursions....
Regards, Ingrid