Free indoor playground?

Hi!
Today the weather was great for outdoor activities, but I had already scheduled a visit to the Tramway and Bus Museum of Luxembourg City. And I’m very glad I did! 🙂

Dear mums and dads, this place is a very well kept secret! Once we get there, a group of 6 mums and 8 small kids, the man in charge received us with this genuine big smile. Common here in Luxembourg? Don’t think so… By the way, we were the only visitors!

There are several real antique samples of tramways and buses waiting for the little ones to try. Also, this place has huge windows so there is a wonderful natural light.

So, besides some transportation history, this place is actually a great and free indoor playground! Especially for boys!

Also, three of the buses are available for private events. For about €200 you can have the bus with a driver for small distances.

Opening times: Thursdays from 1.30 PM to 5.30 PM. Saturdays, Sundays and legal public holidays from 10 AM to 6 PM. Closed 1st November, Week-End before Christmas till 15th January.

Address: 63, rue de Bouillon, L-1248 Luxembourg (next to Bouillon P+R).

Swimming and Pizza

Hi there! Today’s activities included swimming pool and pizza! What not to like about it, right? 🙂

So, I chose Les Thermes as the perfect location for today’s swimming activity. I don’t go there as often as I go to the Niederanven’s one, as it is usually very crowded. And this week with the school holidays it wasn’t an exception of course! But in fact there are a few highlights that make me feel more comfortable and secure at Les Thermes:

– All the floor in and out the swimming pools is covered with this non slipping material. Of course it still is quite dangerous for little runners, but at least is safer that a regular floor.

– The baby pool is really cute and is usually full of swimming toys.

– The water is really, but really, warm (I’m always with cold and I feel quite comfortable there).

The only thing down I would point out is the price. I mean, it isn’t that expensive but comparing to the Niederanven’s swimming pool… It is almost twice the price!

Then, for lunch time, we went to Pizza Hut at Strassen. It’s totally kids friendly, not only because of the menu, but also because of the small indoor playground. Just ask for a table by the entrance and you can relax a little while your kiddos play.

Pumpkin Activity

Hello!!

Today’s main activity was carving a pumpkin with my boy! 🙂

I’ve found a cute little pumpkin at Auchan for €1,50 and thought ‘Why not?’. Then I googled on how to do it and voilá! A carved pumpkin it is! 😉 Yes, I have to confess: It was my first time doing it! 🙂

So, I follow the simpler instructions I got:

1. With a sharp little knife, I cut a hole on the up side of the pumpkin, like a hat.

2. With a melon scoop, I then carved all the interior of the pumpkin. This can actually be a very educational process for the little curious minds as we can explain them what are all the components of the pumpkins. Very simple for us, but quite complex for them!

3. Now it’s time to make the eyes, nose and mouth. I gave a pencil to my boy and let him draw in the pumpkin. Then, with the sharp knife again, I carefully carved the holes.

4. Finally, I placed a small candle inside it. Please don’t forget to take the hat off the pumpkin otherwise the candle won’t ‘breathe’ 😉

What a great and easy indoor Halloween activity, don’t you think?!

Activities for rainny days – Part 1

Hi there! Most of kids are on school holidays during this week and for some of us this means we’ll have to desperately find out funny and interesting activities to entertain them. As the weather doesn’t invite us to outdoor activities, even more difficult it is to find out what to do.

So I though about sharing with you some of the activities I’m planning to do with my 4 year old boy:

1. Go to the cinema

In fact, we already checked this one earlier today 😉 as we head to Utopolis to watch Turbo 3D. I must admit it was quite funny! Just imagine a snail who always dreamed about becaming a champion racer! The dream becames true when by accident he swallowed nitrogen! 😉

There are a few options out there. Just search for a film with the age restriction ‘EA’ (Every Age) so you won’t have any problem taking a young child to watch it. As it was explained to me a few months ago, as for EA films, it’s up to the parents to decide if the child should watch the film or not!

2. Go to a swimming pool
It is a fact: there are fantastic heated swimming pools in Luxembourg. Just pick one! My favourite ones are Syrdall Schwemm in Niederanven, Les Thermes in Strassen and the Krounebierg in Merch.

3. Go visit a museum

There are several options in Luxembourg, but when it takes to kids-friendly museums there are two that everyone recommends: LuxLait Vitarium in Roost and the Tramways and Bus Museum of Luxembourg City in Hollerich.

I’m planning to check out both of them soon so I can write a review.

4. Go to an indoor playground
ZigZag in Bertrange, YoYo in Howald, Indyland in Foetz seem to be the most well knowned playgrounds

5. Go to the animal shop

Are you desperate for a cup of coffee somewhere else than home? Then why not driving to La Belle Étoile Shopping Center, take a seat at the Cactus coffee shop next to Area (left end side of the building) while the kids play in one of the animated little cars nearby. Then, to make the little ones even happier, go along the corridor and stop by all the other animated cars (there are at least five of them!). Finally, take the stairs up (or the elevator) and head to the ‘Josy Welter’ animal shop (next to Ernst book shop). The kids will simply love to admire all the little animals at the renovated shop.

6. Grocery Savenger Hunt

Source: http://www.tipjunkie.com

Do you have grocery shopping to do and need to bring the children along? Then do some simple homework to make it fun for them! I’m sure it will be worth it! 🙂 After finishing your grocery shopping list, google the images of some of the items and print it in a piece of paper. Then, when you arrive to the supermarket, just give it to your kiddos and tell them about the important mission they have! 😉

7. Simply have fun at home
Why not carving a pumpkin? Or doing a really big drawing (simply cover your kitchen table with paper and let the children draw)? Or do some face painting? Or play dressing up your favourite characters?…

Just a quick note: as this Friday is a holiday, please check in advance if the places are opened.

I hope to be able to share more ideas with you very soon! 🙂
What about you? Please share!

Cinema with kids – Planes 2D – EN

Hi all!

Just a quick post to let you know that this weekend (+ Monday) you will be able to watch Planes 2D in english with your little ones!

Cinema Utopolis in Kirchberg will host two sessions:

– Saturday at 2:30pm
– Monday at 5pm

Have a great weekend!

Apple picking in Steinsel

Hi there!
Today I head to Steinsel to have some fun in family with apple picking. I’ve done it during all my childhood as my grandparents used to live in a little farm. I remember it was always great fun so I was very glad to be able to do it here with my kids!

Here is a summary description of the event:

What: Steinsel Apple Festival (“Fête des Pommes”)

When: 28th and 29th September / 5th and 6th October / 12th and 13th October (10am to 6pm)

Where: Steinsel. Once in Steinsel, follow the tiny signs to the orchards (“Vergers de Steinsel”). It is on top of the hill (with very nice views during the journey, by the way). There is a big parking lot by the entrance, so no need to park by the road as many others.

How: The entrance is free. Just pop by with one or more reusable bags (the Valor Lux shopping bags are perfect). In case you miss the bags, there are small paper boxes to buy there for just 0,50€. You can also add a little more fun by taking one of the wheellbarrows at the entrance. The kids will love to go on top of it! 🙂 Then, follow the crowds into the orchards. After picking the apples, on the way back, you’ll find some tents where you’ll be able to weigh it and buy the apples at a very competitive price. There are also other local products available, like apple juice (freshly pressed in front of you), huge pumpkins, potatoes and others.

Little baby, big boy

Hi there! Sorry for these few days of silent, but I had a good excuse! My boy just started school! 🙂 So, today I’m here to share some thoughts with you, maybe the same feelings some of you already experienced one day.

Almost four years ago, I was about to become a mother for the very first time. Since then, so many things happened… The little baby grew… I got pregnant again… Me and my husband decided to move abroad… Our little princess was born… We moved to Luxembourg… and now our boy started preschool… And I realised that my little baby has become a big boy!

First day at the big school was right there. I have to confess something to you: I’m not sure who was more anxious, my boy or myself! At home he complained a lot about going to the new school, but, just a few seconds after seeing the other children, he was already with a smile in his face. The natural curiosity of a little child became stronger and he started exploring the new play room.

Everything is new for me, and even new for us as a family: new country, new friends… A whole new reality to explore. And what about them as children? Being in a new school, getting to know new teachers and new friends, each one speaking a different language with different cultural backgrounds… This mixed feelings are overwhelming, but good and scaring at the same time.

How about you? Do you feel the same? Please share your personal experience.

Schueberfouer vs Kids

As Schueberfouer has arrived the city, a lot of fun for everyone comes along, as well as loads of people in and around the fair spot – Glacis.

So, to help parents the Grand-Duchy police introduced the campaign ‘Enfant Perdus – Schueberfouer’. This action consists in giving each child a badge for identification in case of getting lost. To apply for it, the parents should go with the child to the police temporary station at the main entrance of the fair.

Police (Container Schueberfouer) +352 24428-200
Police Limpertsberg +352 24448-200

Shoes or socks?

Hi! With these rainy days around here, it just came to my mind the image of outdoor activities with kids.

Fortunately there are quite a few places where to take the kids, but there is one simple detail always worring me: my little boy looks like Speedy Gonzales all the time, as he has this endless energy. This is actually a good thing, but also a constant worry, as we never know when he’ll slip on the floor once again.

So, we always use this Decathlon gymn shoes as it seems the very best solution: they are comfortable as if you were wearing a good pair of socks, but at the same time its rubbery sole makes it actually safer, by no doubt. We use it since he started crawling, as there are also smaller ones for babies.

On the other hand, we also have a very good ‘friend’ when it comes to swimming pools. These old-school beach sandals are a great help to prevent accidents by the swimming pool. Sometimes, simple solutions are the best, right?

A fantastic family day at Parc Merveilleux

Do you already know Parc Merveilleux? It’s the most well-known animal park in Luxembourg. Not too big, but good enough for a great funny day in family.

So, even if you have already been there, check my tips at my new Wort’s article:

http://www.wort.lu/en/view/a-fantastic-family-day-at-parc-merveilleux-5215cf5be4b0aed55ebfce5d