Carnival 2026: Workshops in Lugano for Frontalieri Children (cross-border guide)

The Museo in erba in Lugano is hosting a week of creative workshops for children aged 4 to 11, from February 16 to 20, 2026. An opportunity during the school holidays.

Context

TL;DR

  • Carnival activities for kids in Lugano, Feb 16-20, 2026
  • Workshops inspired by artists, fun and creative
  • Tinguely workshop: Feb 18, 2026, 10:15 AM - 11:30 AM
  • Cost: 20 CHF per child, booking mandatory

Key facts

  • Event: Carnival activities for children
  • Dates: February 16 to 20, 2026
  • Location: Museo in erba, Riva Caccia 1, Lugano
  • Special Workshop: Clic-clac… Tic tac… so many Tinguely gears!
  • Workshop Date: Wednesday, February 18, 2026
  • Workshop Time: 10:15 AM to 11:30 AM
  • Cost: 20 CHF per child
  • Booking: Mandatory, email to [email protected]

The Carnival holidays are approaching, and for many cross-border parents, the challenge of balancing work commitments in Ticino with managing children at home from school arises again. An interesting solution comes from Lugano, where the Museo in erba has organized a week of activities designed specifically for the little ones. From Monday, February 16 to Friday, February 20, 2026, the museum located at Riva Caccia 1 will transform into a large creative laboratory.

At Carnival, every (artist's) joke counts!

This is the theme chosen for the initiative: a series of workshops inspired by artists who have made play and surprise the heart of their art. The goal is to stimulate children's creativity, allowing them to interact with art in a fun and unconventional way. An event to mark on your calendar is on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, with the workshop "Clic-clac… Tic tac… so many Tinguely gears!". Inspired by the famous Swiss artist Jean Tinguely, known for his self-propelled mechanical sculptures, the workshop will guide children aged 4 to 11 in creating a personal artwork made of wheels, gears, and mechanisms to move and turn. A unique opportunity to introduce young ones to kinetic art in a practical and engaging way.

Operational details

For those interested in participating, it is essential to know the organizational details to plan the day effectively. Participation is designed to be flexible and meet the needs of families, including the many cross-border workers who cross the Brogeda or Ponte Tresa border crossings daily to get to work.

Practical details: costs, times, and bookings

Here is the essential information for the Tinguely workshop:

  • When: Wednesday, February 18, 2026, from 10:15 AM to 11:30 AM.
  • Where: Museo in erba, Riva Caccia 1 (1st floor - Central Park), 6900 Lugano.
  • Cost: 20 CHF per child.
  • Booking: Booking is mandatory and must be done by sending an email to [email protected].

💡 The building is strategically located, easy to reach, and has ample parking available at the Central Park garage, a significant detail for those arriving from Italy.

An option for working parents

The museum also offers an even more convenient formula, the "Morning at the Museum," which covers the time slot from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. This option allows parents to leave their children in a safe and stimulating environment for an extended period, enabling them to manage their professional commitments with greater peace of mind. This is a valuable proposal that turns a potential logistical challenge, like school holidays, into an opportunity for growth and fun for children.

Key points

Participating in these initiatives is not just a way to keep children busy, but it is also an important opportunity for integration into the social and cultural fabric of Ticino. For cross-border families, allowing their children to experience local activities enriches their development and strengthens their connection to the territory where their parents work. Naturally, planning extra activities, trips, and workshops requires careful management of the family budget.

Planning the family budget

The cost of 20 CHF for a workshop, added to other daily expenses, must be evaluated in the context of one's net income. With a strong Swiss franc and the specific deductions for cross-border workers (withholding taxes, AHV/IV, pension fund), having a clear view of your monthly net salary is the first step towards effective financial management. Knowing exactly how much you will receive allows you to allocate resources for fixed expenses, savings, and, indeed, recreational activities for the family.

💡 To understand exactly what your monthly family budget will be, it is crucial to know the net amount you will receive on your payslip. Our net from gross salary calculator is the ideal tool to perform this check in seconds, taking into account all the variables of the Canton of Ticino.

Source: Tio.ch, event calendar of 18/02/2026.

Frequently Asked Questions
When is the kinetic art workshop inspired by Jean Tinguely at the Herb Museum in Lugano?
The workshop takes place on Wednesday 18 February 2026, from 10:15 to 11:30.
How to manage the family budget for recreational activities in Switzerland with regard to frontal care?
Use a gross net salary calculator to know exactly your net monthly income, considering taxes to the source, AVS/AI and LPP. This will allow you to allocate resources for fixed expenses, savings and recreational activities.
What are the tax benefits for frontier workers participating in cultural and recreational activities in Switzerland?
Frontiers may benefit from tax deductions for expenses related to cultural and recreational activities, provided they are documented and compatible with cantonal regulations. It is important to keep receipts and consult a tax advisor to optimize deductions in your declaration model.

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