What to do here,
with kids and dogs

What holds true in every valley

Choose the playground by sun exposure, not by distance. In the mountains that's the thing that changes everything: a south-facing playground is the only usable one in April and October, and unusable in August at three in the afternoon. A playground shaded by larches is a lifesaver in summer. If the playground is near a road or a stream, check the fencing before letting kids run free.

When it rains, a mountain village has few indoor options, and they're almost always the same three: the public library — which in many towns has a kids' corner with picture books and no one giving you a dirty look —, the oratorio (parish hall), often the only large heated space in town, and the indoor pool if there is one in town or the next one over. It's worth knowing the opening hours before the rainy day, not during it.

For dogs, mountain villages often don't have a fenced area. What really works are the cycle paths along the river and forest roads closed to traffic, where you can walk without meeting cars. Keep two seasonal things in mind: during hunting season the woods are busy, and in some areas there can be poisoned bait — if your dog picks things up off the ground, keep it on a leash.

At altitude you may meet livestock guardian dogs watching over flocks. They aren't aggressive by nature: they defend. Give them a wide berth, keep your own dog on a leash, don't run and don't shout. It's the situation tourists get wrong most often.

For dogs in Switzerland the rules are stricter and vary from municipality to municipality: in many, leash requirements are extensive, and during nesting season or in wildlife protection zones they can be absolute. The municipal signs are reliable — read them, because the fines are real.

Report a place

This is the part where we need you. A park, a dog area, a library with a kids' corner, the indoor pool, the place where you can eat with two small children without feeling guilty.

We publish only after checking that the place exists and is still open. If you like, we'll put your name next to the tip — and no, we won't ask you to sign up for anything.