On the hunt to find the best Things to Do with Kids in Paris? Paris is usually seen as a romantic city for a couple’s getaway. But, did you know there are plenty of amazing things to do with your kids in Paris.
If you are visiting Paris with a baby or a toddler, you will find below several activities that are suitable for younger children too. There is so much sightseeing and activities for the whole family to enjoy in this great city. It offers up a diversity of delights that will intrigue the little ones and keep everyone happy.
With the recent Netflix TV Series Emily in Paris, lots of fans are re-discovering Paris with a fresh pair of eyes trying to find all the places shot in the French capital. For instance, you can visit the Atelier des Lumières listed below where you are discovering classic art work from famous artists such as Cézanne or Kandisky.
In this guide, I will highlight things that we have done with our children on several holiday trips in Paris and also temporary exhibitions worth to see like the Festival des Lumières at the Jardin des Plantes.
Also at the end of the article, I have shortlisted my favourite movies that best represent Paris so you can watch them with children or teens.
If you’re planning a trip with young children, here are below the best things to do with kids in Paris. On y va?
1. Walk up the Eiffel Tower
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Sounds obvious, but if you are visiting Paris with your children for the first time, there is a good chance that you want go up the Eiffel Tower. Bear in mind that site has two queuing lines so be patient.
The first one is through security check just like at an airport. During our last Christmas holiday, it took us around 30 minutes.
Then you have a second queuing ticketing line. You have one which is for elevators and a separate one for those brave enough to walk the Eiffel Tower.
We didn’t bother queuing for 1 hour for the lift so we opted for the walking one which was very quick. If you have children able to do a mini 30 min trail in the forest or in the mountain, I believe they will find it exciting to walk up the stairs up to the 2nd floor of the Eiffel Tower.
Of course, if you have baby or young children, I would advise to pre-book lift ticket entries. The choice is yours!
PRICE: €€
Address: Champ de Mars, 5 Av. Anatole France, 75007 Paris, France
2. Aquaboulevard Water Park
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Not sure how many European cities can claim to have a water park for their inhabitants and tourists. Paris is one of the first capitals to have an exciting indoor and outdoor large pool open all year round. I remember visiting it on the weekend when I was living in Paris and it was so much fun. Lots of families and teens are still going there, especially in the Summer.
PRICE: €€
Address: 4 Rue Louis Armand, 75015 Paris, France
3. Explore Montmartre at your own pace
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Nobody gets tired of visiting Montmartre and every time we go to Paris on holiday visiting relatives, we always find a way to spend some time wandering around Montmartre and the famous Sacré Coeur. If your children can’t stand walking up the stairs, there is always the funicular option that take you up the hill in less than 2 minutes. The cost is the same as the Metro ticket of 1.90€ and you can use the Navigo metro pass as well.
Once you are at the Butte Montmartre, just explore the cobbled streets at your own leisure and maybe have a break at one of the cafés on the place du Tertre.
4. Street Art at the Butte aux Cailles
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If your children are found of urban street art, make sure to spend a couple of hours in the 13th district at the Butte Aux Cailles. This area is located in the South of Paris and feels like a little village in a busy town.
If you look carefully, there are lots of street art in different streets such as Rue de la Butte aux Cailles or rue Barrault. You might even spot several street art pieces from the same artist such as Miss.Tic or Jef Aerosol.
Last time we visited this area, we found it even more beautiful and we let our kids take lots of a photos with our smartphone for memories. Who knows how long these art works last on the walls of Paris.
5. Chocolate Museum – ChocoStory Paris
Who doesn’t like chocolate? Choco Story happens to be a great little museum about the history of chocolate and all the different shapes and forms you can imagine. So whether your favourite chocolate is dark, milk or white, take the time to explore the ChocoStory museum and be guided by the treasure hunt organised for your children. And yes, you will be able to taste different chocolates and test your palate. Beware with the spicy choc!
PRICE: €
Address: 28 Bd de Bonne Nouvelle, 75010 Paris, France
6. Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie
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Located in the North East of Paris, the City of Sciences will please every member of your family for the whole day as it offers many exhibitions, activities all year round. The Cité is open from 10am until 6pm. If you are visiting Paris with kids on a budget, I will definitely recommend to make this activity on your to do list for sure.
Cité des Enfants has 2 areas for 2 distinct age groups from 2 years old until 7 and another area from 5 years old until 12.
Price: €€
Address: Avenue Corentin Cariou, 75019 Paris, France
7. Cinéma Pathé La Villette – Salle “Mômes”
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Open in 2017, this theatre called Salle Mômes (understand Kids in French slang language) has been designed for kids to enjoy the movie and for parents not to be worried about their whereabouts. This concept is very innovative with great play areas full of Lego. This is quite unique in Europe and hopefully more cinemas will copy the concept. Bear in mind that most films are shown in French but they also show some in English too.
Price: €
8. Musée en Herbe
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Le Musée en Herbe is a private museum located in the centre of Paris is a gem that not many tourists know about.It displays original pieces of art with an ambition to allow children from the age of 2 having fun whilst discovering the gallery. It’s a good way to let your littles ones discover artists like Picasso, Giacometti or Basquiat. The museum has different workshops at different hours with 2 different age groups: from 2 to 4 years old and from 5 to 12 years old.
You need to book the session in advance here in order to avoid disappointment of a sold out event:
Price: €
Phone: +44 (0) 1 40 67 97 66 or send an email to resa.meh@gmail.com
9. L’Aquarium de Paris
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L’Aquarium de Paris will please the eyes of all generations and appreciate the renaissance of this aquarium located close to the Eiffel Tower. The venue also offers workshops for kids from 3 years old and different shows around the year. A great venue among our things to do with kids in Paris for sure.
Price: €€€
10. Musée Grévin – Wax Museum
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The Musée Grévin is a wax museum with over 200 celebrities and a magical sound and light show called Hall of Mirrors. The museum currently have a section dedicated to the TV show The Voice where you perform or seat in The Voice chair. Definitely a great museum to visit among our best things to do with kids in Paris if you are bored with the conventional attractions of the city.
Click here to book your tickets at Musée Grévin
Price: €€€
11. Cirque d’Hiver Bouglione
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Taking your children to the Circus can be a mixed feeling experience as some children (or parents) can be scared of clowns or you might not be comfortable to see animals being taught to entertain humans. However, going to Cirque d’Hiver will make you feel very different. This is one of the best circus we have been able to see and the place itself is just magical. The Bouglione family also rent their circus theatre for great concert experiences as well. No wonder why their circus is one of the few in Europe with a real full orchestra playing along the different acts.
Price: €€€
Address: 110 Rue Amelot, 75011 Paris, France
12. Musée des Arts Forains
Finally in our list of things to do with kids in Paris, the Musée des Arts Forains is a fabulous private museum dedicated to old funfair objects. If you would like to be a child again and also get your kids involved in what a funfair looks like in the old days, this great attraction is perfect for families. Bear in mind that you need to book in advance to be allowed entries to the museum.
Price: €€
Address: 53 Avenue des Terroirs de France, 75012 Paris, France
13. Palais de la Découverte
This museum is temporarily closed for a major renovation
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Located in a historic Paris monument, the Palais de la Découverte is a fascinating place to bring your kids. It’s a multipurpose science centre with a host of excellent exhibits that kids of all ages can enjoy. This includes presentations dedicated to different areas of science, along with a full-blown planetarium. Your kids get a chance to learn new things and marvel at the crazy scientific displays, and you just might be surprised at how much you will learn too! It’s perfect for a rainy day in Paris, and tickets can be bought via the website.
Price: €€
Address: Avenue Franklin Delano Roosevelt, 75008 Paris, France
14. Musée de l’Homme
The Musée de l’Homme is located just over the river from the iconic Tour Eiffel. It’s a marvellous museum with almost too much to offer. There are five floors in total, with each one offering something a little bit different. The ground floor is where the entrance is located, and you will go up an elevator to the first floor – where you will find a series of special galleries. These galleries showcase wonderful works of art that your kids will be amazed at. Head on up to the next floor and you have the Balcon Des Sciences, which showcases a few scientific discoveries and exhibitions. The higher up you go, the more you’ll be amazed by all the awesome exhibits this museum boasts. Again, it’s a fun educational place to take your children. Still, adults will also be very intrigued by what’s on show.
Price: €€
Address: 17 Place du Trocadéro et du 11 Novembre, 75116 Paris, France
15. Centre Pompidou (Modern Art)
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Kids love artwork, and the Centre Pompidou is one of the best art galleries and museums for children in Paris. You can show them some genuinely impressive exhibitions, many of which feature artwork from young children! Speaking of which, the main lure of the Centre Pompidou is the workshops they put on. If your child is above four years of age, then they can be booked in for a workshop to teach them how to create wonderful modern art. It’s a great way to pass the time and an excellent idea for creative children.
Price: €
Address: Place Georges-Pompidou, 75004 Paris, France
16. Musée National d’Histoire Naturelle
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This translates to the National History Museum of Paris, and it’s a paradise for families. There are over 7,000 incredibly lifelike animals in this place. Your children will stare open-mouthed at all the different galleries and exhibits while you walk around. They can learn about different animals, get a history lesson about mankind, and enjoy a very good gift shop! There are land animals, underwater ones, and things that fly in the sky – it’s brilliant.
Price: €€
Address: 57 Rue Cuvier, 75005 Paris, France
17. L’Atelier des Lumières
In 2018, l’Atelier des Lumières opened as the first digital art museum in Paris. Since then, it’s been rocking residents and tourists with a display of fascinating art. Your kids may be a little aggrieved at the thought of another art gallery, but they’ll soon stop complaining when you step inside. Here, you see art from some of the most iconic painters ever, mixed with digital light shows, projections, and much more. It’s hard to describe, but it’s an immersive experience that almost makes it feel like you’re inside a painting!
Please note that the Atelier is currently closed and will re-open on 18 February 2022 with a brand new exhibition around Cezanne, the famous post impressionist painter from Provence.
Price: €€
Address: 38 Rue Saint-Maur, 75011 Paris, France
18. Paris Catacombs
The Paris Catacombs are something of a hidden gem in this magnificent city. Take your children underground, and they will enjoy a maze like no other. The catacombs were built centuries ago and lie underneath the city. People used to use them to get around, but they’ve been turned into a family-friendly tourist attraction. Part of the joy revolves around walking through these underground tunnels, but there are also galleries and other fun activities to make it even better. Kids adore things like this as it makes them feel like they’re in a giant secret hideout!
Price: €€€
Address: 1 Avenue du Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy, 75014 Paris, France
19. The Littlies’ House
Finally, if you’re looking for a relaxing activity, then this is it. The Littlies’ House is a unique place that combines modern art with a relaxing setting. You can sit down in a quiet space and take in all the wonders of the art around you. Meanwhile, they have play areas for your children, so they can burn off some energy. It’s a great place to go when you want to get off your feet and take a breather before exploring Paris even further.
Price: FREE
Address: 5 rue Curial, 75019 Paris, France
Ready to explore more Things to Do with Kids in Paris?
Paris is also famously known for its hundreds of outdoor playgrounds called Squares in French. The city lists about 500 green areas such as parks, gardens and woods. We have selected below the best parks and outdoor activities to do in Paris with your children. So you have no excuses to take your kids out and let them wander about.
20. Parc des Buttes Chaumont
This park has 3 playgrounds, 2 sand pits, pony rides and even 2 Guignol (puppet) theatres. Guignol is a favourite character in French culture, so this is one of the most authentic kids activity to do in Paris, even if you don’t understand French.
Address: 1, rue de Botzaris, 75019, Paris, France
Check opening days/hours for Guignol de Paris (indoor theatre) or Guignol Anatole (outdoor theatre)
Ready to explore more Things to Do with Kids in Paris?
21. Zoo de Vincennes or “Parc Zoologique de Paris”
The Parc Zoologique de Paris has reopen in April 2014 celebrating its 80th anniversary birthday, after three long years of renovation. Your family will be able to discover more than thousands animals coming from all over the world. One magical moment is to come before the zoo opens and watch the giraffes as they are fed for their first meal of the day in the company of their keepers and park assistants. A great day out activity for children in Paris.
Address: Parc Zoologique de Paris, Avenue Daumesnil, 75012, Paris, France
22. Jardin du Luxembourg
One of the most popular parks in Paris, Jardins du Luxembourg is a great place to spot fishes in the lake, run around on the grass or even rent a little boat. You could hear some music from time to time and it also has a little kid’s theatre. Unfortunately the big playground has been removed by the local council and is currently under renovation and will re-open eventually in 2020. But your children can still use swings or have fun while riding a horse on the old carrousel.
Address: Jardin du Luxembourg, Rue de Médicis – Rue de Vaugirard, 75006, Paris, France
23. Le Jardin d’Acclimatation
This unique amusement park has re-opened its door in June 2018 after several years of renovation. Now this park has more than 40 attractions and 18 hectares of walk and infinite joy with children and their parents. One of the highlights is the river boat ride called The Enchanted River. This park will entertain the whole family for a day or half day. A must do activity for sure on a sunny day on your next trip in Paris your children.
Address: Carrefour des Sablons, Bois de Boulogne, 75116 Paris, France
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday: 11am to 6pm and Saturdays, Sundays, French school holidays and public holidays from 10am to 7pm
Beware that the ride’s queues close 30 min before the park closure.
24. Parc Monceau
Paris has local gardens everywhere but Parc Monceau located in the 8th District is one of the most beautiful parks in the French capital with poney rides, skate-park, 2 playgrounds, 2 sandpits and the Puppet show Guignol. It is also very popular with runners so you can try your new running gear with the pram as well.
25. Jardin des Plantes
It is only right that we begin with Jardin des Plantes, as this is France’s main botanical garden. This garden covers 28 hectares and is located in Paris’ 5th arrondissement, on the left bank of the river Seine. There is a lot to explore and enjoy here, from a zoo and greenhouses to a beautiful garden and incredible works of art.
Address: 57 Rue Cuvier, 75005 Paris, France
26. Square des Batignolles
This is the biggest green space in the 17th arrondissement of Paris, covering roughly four acres. It can be found in the district of Batignolles, near the new Parc Clichy-Batignolles and it is designed in the naturalistic English-garden style.
Address: 144bis Rue Cardinet, 75017 Paris, France
27. Jardin Martin Luther King
Next, we have Jardin Martin Luther King, which is also known as Parc Clichy-Batignolles or Parc Clichy-Batignolles. This can also be found in the 17th arrondissement of Paris. The space represents a project that was begun to re-vitalise 54 hectares of land that used to be inhabited by SNCF freight yards, which is a French railway company. The design of the park is underpinned by sustainable principles. Some of the features include reconstituted materials for rainwater harvesting and walkways, and turbines and solar panels, and low maintenance plants.
Address: 147 Rue Cardinet, 75017 Paris, France
28. Parc Montsouris
Located in the 14th arrondissement of Paris, this public park first opened in 1869. The park is designed as an English landscape garden, boasting 15.5 hectares. The park contains flowers, shrubs, and trees of notable varieties, as well as wide sloping lawns, a cascade, and a lake. It is also home to a Guignol theatre, cafe, and meteorology station. Expect to see a lot of joggers here on the weekends!
Address: 2 Rue Gazan, 75014 Paris, France
29. Square Rene le Gall
This park in Paris is also known as Jardin des Gobelins. This is because it has been built on grounds that used to be owned by Gobelins furniture and tapestry works. The park boasts a beautiful neoclassical style.
Address: Square Réné Le Gall, 75013 Paris, France
30. Ferme de Paris
This is a working Paris farm, which is situated in Bois de Vincennes. The farm is dedicated to organic farming methods. You will find major crops are grown here, as well as all of the traditional farm animals. There are often a number of events that go on at Ferme de Paris throughout the year, and so it is certainly worth taking a look at this before you make plans for your trip.
Address: 1 Route du Pesage, 75012 Paris, France
31. Parc de Belleville
This is one of the gardens and parks of the 20th arrondissement of Paris. It is located between the Père Lachaise Cemetery and Parc des Buttes-Chaumont. It is the highest park in Paris, as it is 108 metres high. You can enjoy the most beautiful panoramic views of the city on the terrace, which is at the summit of the park. The park offers 1000 m² of lawn accessible to the public, a 100-metre-long waterfall fountain, which is the longest in Paris, and 1200 shrubs and trees.
Address: 47 Rue des Couronnes, 75020 Paris, France
32. Parc de l’Ile Saint Germain
You will find this island located in the Seine in Issy-les-Moulineaux. The island was redeveloped in 1980. Prior to this, it used to house a military camp. Today, it is divided into two parts, with one side including the beautiful park.
Address: 170 Quai de la Bataille Stalingrad, 92130 Issy-les-Moulineaux, France
33. Parc Floral
This is an entertaining, relaxing, and unique park, which is in a northern corner of the Bois de Vincennes. From young to old; it has something for everyone, making it a great family spot.
Address: Route de la Pyramide, 75012 Paris, France
34. Jardin des Tuileries
Not only is this a stunning park but if you are visiting in June, July, or August, you can enjoy Fête des Tuileries, with fun fairground rides and plenty of candy floss.
Address: Place de la Concorde, 75001 Paris, France
35. Jardin Nelson Mandela
Last but not least, you will find this park in the heart of the new district of les Halles. It provides the most beautiful views, as well as boasting a 2,500 m² adventure playground for children from 7 to 11 years.
Address: 1 Rue Pierre Lescot, 75001 Paris, France
Still need more ideas on things to do with children in Paris? Read on…
36. Laser World
I bet your children who love this venue to experience some laser tag shooting. Laser World has been welcoming soldiers for many years and is always a fun activity to do in Paris if you want to push the adrenaline a bit further after a sightseeing tour of Paris. The laser tag centre will take you on the Parisian metro, different corridors and departments store with a mission in mind: survive. A perfect activity to do before dinner or after if you have grown up children.
Address: 168 Bd du Montparnasse, 75014 Paris, France
37. The Game Escape
So you have seen most of the museums and gardens from your checklist on the best things to do in Paris with kids but you are missing something interactive and fun. Have a look at this Game Escape venue which hosts several escapes rooms from 3 to 5 players. Games can be conducted in English too so no language barrier here. I am sure you and your children will love solving clues whether you pick The Space Mission or The French Robbery.
Address: 51 Rue du Cardinal Lemoine, 75005 Paris, France
38. A cruise on the River Seine
It’s sunny and you feel like visiting the centre of Paris on a boat on the River Seine. Have a look at Bateaux Parisiens cruises where your family can enjoy a relaxing tour of Paris for 1 hour or even more. If you are adventurous and have grown up children, you can even plan a dinner on the River Seine too to make your stay even more magical. This River Seine is one of the best tours in Paris to do with Kids.
39. Musée de la Chasse & de la Nature
If you haven’t guessed it yet, this museum is dedicated to hunting and nature. Located in one of the oldest districts in Paris, Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature is a true hidden gem among many museums and exhibitions to discover in Paris. Each room is focused on one animal and I am sure your kids will love discovering every corner of this place. The venue also hosts temporary art exhibitions so check their website before visiting.
Address: 62 Rue des Archives, 75003 Paris, France
40. A tour of the Paris Saint Germain Parc des Princes Stadium
If your family is familiar with European football, surely you know a thing or two about the Paris Saint German football team. So why not visiting the home stadium of Paris Saint Germain and feels the vibe of this stadium which has also seen Michael Jackson or The Rolling Stones played the venue in the 80s and the 90s.
Address: 24 Rue du Commandant Guilbaud, 75016 Paris, France
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BONUS: 5 movies to watch with family before going to Paris
Why not bookmarking these popular movies that are so representative of Paris in different times. They might even be available on your favourite TV streaming player so you can watch them at the hotel or your holiday apartment in Paris. Which one is your favourite?
- The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996)
- Amélie (2001)
- Ratatouille (2007)
- An American in Paris (1951)
- Hugo (2011)
CONCLUSION
We have come to the end of our recommended things to do with your kids in Paris. We hope this list was useful to prepare your trip to the city of lights. Or maybe you’ve found yourself out ideas whilst being already in Paris with the family.
If you’re planning a trip to Paris, then you should start putting together your travel itinerary. These ideas are the best things to do with kids in Paris, so pick a few of them and add them to your list!
Happy Travels!
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