France is a country with so many diverse areas and cities such as Lyon (or Lyons as English may say) makes it the perfect choice for a family break. There are a lot of things that you are going to need to keep in mind when you consider a trip to the City of Lights. So let me help you with my best recommendations on the best activities to do with your children.

Where is Lyon?

Lying on the banks of the Rhone River, Lyon is a highly-regarded city, and a hub of culture, finance, and economic stability. One of the biggest advantages of a trip to Lyon is how much there is to see and do here for tourists. And this provides plenty of opportunity for enjoying experiences with your kids.

Taking a trip to Lyon can be an exciting and fulfilling experience. And it is important to try to make the most of your time there. It is one of the most interesting and enjoyable cities in France, and there is plenty to offer people from all walks of life. No matter what your interests are, you should be able to find something in Lyon that appeals to you. There is indeed so much for the kids to experience as well.

So are you ready to go through the list of the best things to do in Lyon? Let’s go!


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1. Lyon City Card

First of all, with unlimited access to Lyon public transport and free access to 23 museums, you can’t go wrong by purchasing the Lyon City Card if you plan to visit the city from 1 day up to 4 days.

The pass will give you free entrance to the OL Museum (this is the city famous football team), Little Guignol Museum (perfect for children who enjoy puppets) or Museum of Gallo Roman Civilisation if you want to learn about the history of Lyon since the Romans.

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Source: GetYourGuide

2. Aquarium du Grand Lyon

What better way to kick things off with a trip to Lyon’s aquarium, where you and the kids can enjoy fish spotting? There are fish here from all across Europe, as well as 40 pools and more than 300 species of fresh and saltwater species, equating to around 5,000 different fish! There is plenty to keep the kids occupied here, and this is an excellent choice because it can double up as an educational experience as well as a fun trip.

📍 7 Rue Stéphane Dechant, 69350 La Mulatière, France

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Lyon Aquarium - things to do in Lyon with Kids
Source: GetYourGuide

3. Musée Miniatures et Cinema

If you have had your fill of underwater experiences, how about heading for the iconic Musée des Miniatures et Cinema located in Lyon’s Old Town region?! This is a museum dedicated to a huge selection of objects, props, and sets that are used in motion pictures. There are four distinct sections to explore; the Cinema Collection, Miniatures Collection, Museum Workshop, and the History of the Museum. This is a fun and informative day out for the whole family, and will particularly appeal to the kids if they are film buffs.

📍 60 Rue Saint-Jean, 69005 Lyon, France

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Museum in Lyon for families
Source: Musee Miniature et Cinema

4. Riverside walk

One of the key advantages of visiting a city as sprawling and beautiful as Lyon is being able to make the most of the natural beauty that surrounds you. There are a lot of things that play a part in helping with this, and you should take the kids for a walk along the banks of the Rhone River. This is a great way of being able to see Lyon with a difference, and getting to enjoy the stunning natural beauty of the city. And best of all, it’s not going to cost you anything either!

A nice walk in Lyon
Source: Guilhem Vellut / Flickr

5. Visit Marche Alimentaire

Another of the great ways of being able to experience Lyon effectively is to head to Quai St Antoine and check out the delightful open-air French market here. This is the perfect opportunity to introduce the kids to French cuisine, and sample some delicious local produce in the process. You might even be able to stock up on some food to enjoy later, and this is an experience worth having.

Source: Peter Leigh / Flickr

More things to do in Lyon to please the kids…scroll down…

6. Team Break Escape Game

Team Break is one of the best activities to do with kids because it is fun, immersive, and allows them to engage their brains as much as possible. This is one of the leading Escape Room games in Lyon and splits competitors into teams in order to test their cunning. An excellent bonding exercise that teaches and emphasises both communication and teamwork. This is a great experience to teach children valuable lessons, and this is one of the best activities to enjoy as a family.

📍 58 Rue Sainte-Geneviève, 69006 Lyon, France

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Fun Thing to Do With Kids in Lyon
Source: Pixabay

7. Koezio

If you are looking for something a little more active for the kids, this is definitely the choice for you. Koezio is Lyon’s indoor adventure park where you can choose adventures of 90 or 120 minutes and there are some great experiences to be had here. Whether it’s action, augmented reality, rope courses, or a VR maze, there is plenty at Koezio that will keep the kids occupied.

📍 50 Ancienne Route de Grenoble, 69800 Saint-Priest, France

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Immersive Game in Lyon - Things to Do in Lyon with Kids
Source: Koezio / Facebook

8. Touroparc Zoo

When you are taking a vacation with kids, you need to think about what appeals to them, and one of the things that appeals the most is keeping active as much as possible. This is why you need to take them to Touroparc Zoo so that you can walk around and enjoy the extensive collection of wildlife on offer here. The zoo also boasts stunning nighttime attractions as well, so make sure you check out what is on before you visit.

📍 400 Rue du Parc, 71570 Romanèche-Thorins, France

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Source: Pixabay

9. Parc de la Tête d’Or

There are a lot of amazing open spaces around the city. But it’s clear that Parc de la Tête d’Or is one that must not be missed. Sprawling close to 290 acres, this gorgeous park has plenty of opportunities for walking, picnicking, playing games, and even exercising. There is a small zoo here, as well as plenty of sporting facilities. So make sure you definitely take the kids here for an impressive day out.

📍 69006 Lyon, France

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Parc de la Tete d'Or - Things to Do in Lyon with Kids
Source: Ana Rey / Flickr

10. Only Kart

Unique in Europe for offering more than 500 miles of multi-level track, this is one of the most impressive go-karting centres you will come across. This is a great choice for a fun and thrilling day out with the kids, and there is plenty you can enjoy here. Suitable for all ages of 7 years and up, and located just 10 minutes from the airport, this is the ultimate choice for families looking to entertain their kids.

📍 195 Av. de l’Industrie, 01120 Dagneux, France

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Fun Activity for Kids in Lyon
Source OnlyKart

11. Explore the Old Town

Whenever you venture to a new city is important to find out as much as you can about the history of the place. And more often than not, this will mean a trip to the Old Town, an area that is often much more captivating and picturesque than the newer part. Make sure you and the kids get out and check out Lyon’s Old Town, enjoy the unusual architecture and the quaint courtyards on display here.

Vieux Lyon - Old Town
Source: Julien Maury / Flickr

BONUS: Things to Do on a Sunny Day in Lyon

So, you need to think about what you are going to do during your visit and try to map out as much as you can to take your experience to the next level. I have come up with options for outdoor activities in Lyon with kids and family members that you can do during your trip.

Source: Etienne Baudon / Flickr

HOW TO GET TO LYON, FRANCE

Direct flights ✈️  are available with EasyJet or British Airways from London Gatwick, London Heathrow or Luton. If you are already in France, you can also take the train 🚆  with plenty of connections with TGV (high speed train) from Paris. You can also take the Eurostar from London and change in Paris for an estimated time of 2 hours between Paris and Lyon. Finally, you can also rent a 🚗   if you plan a long holiday in France with the benefits of being free to discover all the surroundings of Lyon.

CONCLUSION

I hope you found this article useful for your next family trip in Lyon, France. These are some of the best ideas for things to do with the kids when you are heading to Lyon with the family. There is plenty of choice here, and it’s all about making the right decisions and taking steps to create a more memorable trip.

By the way, if you fancy some skiing, Lyon is not very far from the main Alps ski slopes. So why not checking out our best family ski family friendly hotels in France with childcare.

As a city, Lyon has so much to offer to travelling families, and there is plenty that can be done to keep the kids entertained and occupied. This is something you need to make sure you look into as much as possible. These are just a few of the best things you can do in Lyon to make sure you and your kids have the best possible experience.

Happy Travels!

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