Who are we?
The story of the Ludothèque de
Chêne-Bougeries
Chêne-Bougeries
The Association de la Ludothèque de Chêne-Bougeries is a non-profit organisation, funded and supported by the City of Chêne-Bougeries. It is managed by the director with the support of an active volunteer committee, and run day to day by a professional team.
The toy library was founded in 1983 under the name La Petite Chenille (“The Little Caterpillar”), within the Chêne-Bougeries leisure centre (today Passage 41). It was later renamed Le Coffre à Jouets. In 2010, led by Béatrice Grandjean and Isabelle Goutorbe, the Association de la Ludothèque de Chêne-Bougeries was created and the toy library moved to avenue des Cavaliers.
The toy library is an everyday partner for families: an inclusive space where children and adults discover the joy of play and develop their creativity, imagination and play skills.
The team also works with many partners, including the Fondation Clair Bois, the École de la Petite Arche, local schools, nurseries, after-school care and many more.
The toy library was founded in 1983 under the name La Petite Chenille (“The Little Caterpillar”), within the Chêne-Bougeries leisure centre (today Passage 41). It was later renamed Le Coffre à Jouets. In 2010, led by Béatrice Grandjean and Isabelle Goutorbe, the Association de la Ludothèque de Chêne-Bougeries was created and the toy library moved to avenue des Cavaliers.
A house dedicated to play
Today, the Ludothèque de Chêne-Bougeries welcomes its members in a two-storey house, with several spaces designed for discovering, handling and sharing games suited to different ages and interests.A floor for rule-based games
One floor is entirely dedicated to rule-based games. Members can discover a wide variety of board games, borrow them or play on site. A veranda also offers a pleasant place to sit down for a game. Books are freely available too.Four rooms to explore and play
The other floor has four rooms, each offering a different play experience:- Assembly: for building, assembling and handling different pieces.
- Symbolic play: for making up stories, imitating the adult world and developing imagination.
- Exercise play: for experimenting, repeating actions and developing skills through play.
- Motor skills: for moving, exploring space and developing motor skills.
A garden to enjoy the outdoors
The toy library also has a garden, an extra outdoor space for play, exploration and shared moments when the weather allows.A place to meet and share
As a cultural space and a social and educational institution, the toy library is fully part of local community life. It is a place for activities and encounters around games and toys, fostering social ties and neighbourhood life.The toy library is an everyday partner for families: an inclusive space where children and adults discover the joy of play and develop their creativity, imagination and play skills.
The team also works with many partners, including the Fondation Clair Bois, the École de la Petite Arche, local schools, nurseries, after-school care and many more.
From 1983 to today
Our journey
- 1983Archive photo wantedDo you have photos of La Petite Chenille or Le Coffre à Jouets? Write to us at info@ludo-chenebougeries.ch
La Petite Chenille
📍 Chêne-Bougeries leisure centre (today Passage 41)
The toy library opens its doors under the name La Petite Chenille (“The Little Caterpillar”) at the Chêne-Bougeries leisure centre. It later becomes Le Coffre à Jouets (“The Toy Chest”).
- 2010
The Association is born
📍 Avenue des Cavaliers
Led by Béatrice Grandjean and Isabelle Goutorbe, the Association de la Ludothèque de Chêne-Bougeries is founded and moves into a large glass-fronted space.
- 2026
A house dedicated to play
📍 Chemin Castan 9
The toy library moves into a two-storey house, with spaces designed for every age and every wish.
Our aims
The Ludothèque de Chêne-Bougeries aims to offer an accessible, welcoming and inclusive play space, where everyone – child, adult or senior – can enjoy play experiences suited to their needs, wishes and abilities.
Through play, the toy library pursues several goals:
• Encouraging play throughout life, recognising play as an essential need, not only for children but for everyone.
• Fostering encounters and social ties, offering a place where families, seniors, institutions, neighbours and local partners come together.
• Supporting each person's overall development – curiosity, imagination, managing emotions, language, social relationships, motor and cognitive skills – through a wide variety of games, classified according to the ESAR system.
• Encouraging specific skills – fine and gross motor skills, logic, memory, creativity, imagination and independence – through the diversity of games on offer.
• Encouraging cooperation and respect for others, by learning to play together, share resources, follow common rules and handle conflict constructively – all foundations of citizenship.
• Preventing isolation and strengthening inclusion, with an accessible space where everyone can find their place, whatever their age, situation or abilities.
• Promoting a more responsible approach, by favouring borrowing over buying, which limits overconsumption and values the care given to shared objects.
• Supporting families and professionals by providing suitable games, advice, support and a safe space.
The toy library helps everyone grow, learn and flourish through play. It aims to be a place of play and encounter, where the joy of playing becomes a driver of well-being, social connection and citizenship for all.
Through play, the toy library pursues several goals:
• Encouraging play throughout life, recognising play as an essential need, not only for children but for everyone.
• Fostering encounters and social ties, offering a place where families, seniors, institutions, neighbours and local partners come together.
• Supporting each person's overall development – curiosity, imagination, managing emotions, language, social relationships, motor and cognitive skills – through a wide variety of games, classified according to the ESAR system.
• Encouraging specific skills – fine and gross motor skills, logic, memory, creativity, imagination and independence – through the diversity of games on offer.
• Encouraging cooperation and respect for others, by learning to play together, share resources, follow common rules and handle conflict constructively – all foundations of citizenship.
• Preventing isolation and strengthening inclusion, with an accessible space where everyone can find their place, whatever their age, situation or abilities.
• Promoting a more responsible approach, by favouring borrowing over buying, which limits overconsumption and values the care given to shared objects.
• Supporting families and professionals by providing suitable games, advice, support and a safe space.
The toy library helps everyone grow, learn and flourish through play. It aims to be a place of play and encounter, where the joy of playing becomes a driver of well-being, social connection and citizenship for all.
Get involved
Join our playful community and help make Chêne-Bougeries a place where play brings people together.