France’s capital city, Paris, is one of the most visited cities in the world. Travellers of all ages will find something exciting in Paris’ bustling metropolis, and even young tourists will be thrilled to view the French capital’s famed sights.
A significant cultural hub, it is home to numerous museums, theatres, restaurants, and other family-friendly attractions. The Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame Cathedral are iconic, but there are also some lesser-known attractions that kids will also like.
When you take the kids to Paris, there are countless options for discovery, adventure, and education! There are numerous locations, including zoos and theme parks, where your kids can have fun without you having to run around frantically.
Without further ado, here’s a list of 11 of the best things to see and do in Paris with kids.
1. Disneyland & Parc Astérix – Magic-filled day at theme parks
Disneyland and its two parks, Walt Disney Studios Park and Disneyland Park, must be visited before you leave Paris. Located in the eastern Paris district of Marne-la-Vallee, Disneyland is among the top tourist locations in all of Europe.
With rides like Big Thunder Mountain, Disneyland Railroad, Les Voyages de Pinocchio, and others, Disneyland Park is a place where fairy tales come to life. Sleeping Beauty’s castle lies in the park’s middle, so don’t forget to capture as many pictures as you can.
The Walt Disney Studios Park, the second theme park in Disneyland Paris, features spectacular shows and films from Disney and Pixar not only on your screens but also on the park’s actual streets!
The summer-opening Parc Astérix is located further away, twenty-two miles north of the city, and is connected by a shuttle bus. It features shows and exhilarating attractions for all ages, including The Hooray Trail, The Flying Chairs, and The Trojan Horse, which are based on popular comic stories.
Feel free to wander the park after enjoying the exciting rides to catch some shows like Meet Your Comic Heroes and Chronos: Magic and Illusions.
Amusement parks are especially loved by young children. They are ideal locations for family entertainment and activities.
2. Paris Zoological Park – See animals at Paris’ zoos
One of Paris’s kid-friendly destinations is the Paris Zoological Park. On June 2nd, 1934, President Albert Lebrun officially opened the Paris Zoological Park. The public was allowed access the very next day.
It covers thirty-six acres and is separated into five biozones: Europe, Patagonia, Amazon-Guyana, Madagascar, and Sahel-Sudan. It is the largest zoo in Paris. There are almost two thousand animals living in the zoo, representing one hundred and eighty different species, including zebras, penguins, manatees, and jaguars.
When you are sightseeing in the city, the park should be on your list because it is one of the city’s highlights. Children of all ages can participate in activities. Children between the ages of six and twelve can join one of four teams that work together to solve park puzzles and the crime scene at the zoo while using hints to identify a mischievous animal that has eaten park resources.
Children under the age of six can enjoy the Animo-Mimes and the game of scales or hair. The surprise fascinating game A-Z of Biodiversity allows older kids to learn everything there is to know about biodiversity.
There are picnic spots, 2 on-site eateries, and fast-food vendors for when you or your kids feel peckish. When the day is over, stop by the gift shop for some souvenirs.
3. Palace of Versailles – Explore a former royal residence
The Palace of Versailles is one of Paris’ many magnificent treasures. Visit the Palace of Versailles, a former royal home established by Louis XIV.
You won’t be able to keep your eyes off of its lovely interior, and the grounds in the area around it are also quite beautiful. Because there is such a wide range of things to see and do, Versailles makes a fantastic day trip with kids.
You can visit the King’s Apartments, the Hall of Mirrors, and exhibitions of recovered works of art like Flore et l’Amour and Zéphyr inside the palace. Feel free to stroll through the enormous garden, which is fifteen hundred metres long!
You may be able to see the Musical Gardens or take in a show featuring colourful fountains, depending on the trip package you select. Learn more about the Palace of Versailles’ history and importance to France by spending a day there.
You can get to the palace by taking the train from Paris, or by taking a dedicated tour.
4. Eiffel Tower – Enjoy the best views over Paris
A list of family-friendly activities in Paris wouldn’t be complete without an excursion to the Eiffel Tower.
Children of all ages enjoy the anticipation of visiting Paris’ most recognisable monument. And for many families travelling to Paris, seeing the Eiffel Tower is one of the trip’s highlights. The remarkable experience is enhanced by the unique elevator, the enormous heights, and the binoculars at the top.
If you plan to climb the tower, make sure to reserve in advance to prevent keeping your kids occupied in a long line. Take the elevator to the top and take in the breathtaking views of Paris.
Children can take a special, fun tour called ‘Follow Gus’ where they can discover all kinds of odd facts, tales, and amazing exploits about the Eiffel Tower. It’s among the best kid-friendly activities in Paris.
Additionally, those who enjoy drawing can work on making their own 3D models of the tower. To start these kid-friendly Eiffel Tower activities, take the elevator or stairs up to the first floor of the tower and stop by the Ferrié pavilion to pick up a booklet-game and a pencil.
If you wish to take your children to a special dining experience above the Paris rooftops in the middle of France’s most famous landmark, there are two family-friendly restaurants, although reservations are required well in advance. Don’t forget to purchase a delectable French macaroon from the macaron bar in the Eiffel Tower!
There are also some fantastic activities to do close to the Eiffel Tower if you would rather just enjoy this magnificent structure from a distance, though. Go to the Champs de Mars where you’ll discover a fantastic park with a playground, amusement rides, and other things to do to keep the kids busy.
5. Cirque d’Hiver Bouglione – Entertainment for children of all ages
If you’re in Paris from October to March then head to Cirque d’Hiver Bouglione, a winter circus founded in 1852 on the outskirts of Le Marais. Here you can enjoy clowns, trapeze performers, and acrobats.
The Cirque d’Hiver is among the oldest circuses in Europe. The Bouglione family performs a brand-new show every winter featuring an international ensemble of performers.
A fantastic performance put on by clowns, acrobats, trapeze artists, animals, tightrope walkers, and jugglers. The entertainment includes dancers and an orchestra. Typically, a performance lasts two hours.
If you are in Paris with your child, you must take them to visit this circus, which has delighted children of all ages.
6. Seine River Cruise – Enjoy a fun boat trip
A river cruise through the heart of Paris is hard to beat for an unforgettable overview of the City of Light.
Choose a river tour to experience Paris from the comfort of a boat when small legs start to tyre. Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and Musée d’Orsay are just a few of the most well-known French attractions that can be seen from the River Seine, which runs through the heart of the city.
You may even take a night-time cruise with dinner and a live band while seeing the stunning Parisian skyscrapers decked out in sparkling lights! There are trips to suit all preferences and budgets.
If you’re travelling with children though, a lunchtime cruise would be a better choice because you can relax after a hectic morning of sightseeing and watch Paris float by.
A canal trip with Canauxrama from Bastille to the Parc de la Villette via an underground part, the canal’s locks, and swing bridges of Canal St-Martin is another interesting journey.
7. Cinéaqua – Get the best cinematic experiences for kids
With its cinemas showing films about the water and, not least, its shark-filled aquarium, Cinéaqua is a hit with kids.
Families can pass rainy days at the aquarium in Paris, which is located on the eastern side of the Jardins du Trocadéro. It features a shark tank and five hundred or so different species of fish.
Ocean-themed and other movies are shown in three theatres (dubbed in French, with subtitles). On Saturdays, a glass of champagne or a soft drink is included with night-time visits (7 PM and 10 PM).
A self-guided behind-the-scenes tour of the famous 1930s movie theatre Le Grand Rex using sensor technology is one of the best cinematic experiences for kids. Here, you can participate in the production of a movie, from the recording studios to the special effects by standing behind the big screen.
The Cinéaqua is an excellent option if you’re seeking a fun-filled kids’ activity in Paris.
8. Jardin Du Luxembourg – Visit a park dedicated to the city’s children
The 23-hectare, chestnut-shaded Jardin du Luxembourg, which Napoleon dedicated to the city’s children, is Paris’ most charming park.
One of the best parks in the city, the Jardin du Luxembourg is a great spot to take kids in Paris because there are so many games and attractions there. Pony rides, a sandbox, a sizable adventure playground, and a stunning traditional puppet theatre are all available here.
Depending on the season, the Gardens of Luxembourg open at 7:30 AM and close at 8:15 PM. A fantastic children’s playground is open starting at 10 AM.
Additionally, a puppet theatre is available during the school breaks, starting at 2 PM on Wednesdays, and on weekends (except during summer holidays).
The gardens are free to enter, however a fee is required to enter the children’s area. Swinging and Pony rides are among the available activities.
Additionally, there are tennis courts, fairground rides, and during the summer, a central pond where you can rent remote-controlled boats and play with them.
Also, there are several really amazing restaurants around the gardens where you can treat your kids to delectable French gastronomy, namely Pavillon de la Fontaine Paris, Buvette des Marionnettes and Tomara.
9. Cité Des Sciences – An entertaining science museum
The Cité des Sciences at the Parc de la Villette has a planetarium and the Galerie des Enfants, a section of the Natural History Museum’s Grande Galerie de l’Évolution. This both provides educational and amusing opportunities for children to learn about science.
The greatest children’s museum in Paris features a variety of interactive exhibits for kids ages two and up, as well as the special effects show La Géode, a retired submarine, and a planetarium.
Curiosity leads both kids and adults to multitudes of joys of discovery at the Cité des Sciences. You may build a house, play with water fountains, and much more in the recently rebuilt Cité des Enfants’ two exhibitions for children (two-seven years and five-twelve years) to learn while having fun.
It will be difficult for even parents to leave! The 12-euro session last for an hour and a half. Booking online is strongly advised. Reservations in advance are required for visits during weekends and school holidays.
Furthermore, the Musée des Arts et Métiers, Europe’s oldest science and technology museum, offers a particular audio guide for children.
10. The Chocolate Museum & bakery tour – Delicious treats for your kids
The Chocolate Museum is undoubtedly the museum that children will enjoy the most. The interactive tour, which is specifically designed for kids, is the outstanding feature of this little but fascinating museum.
Here, you may manufacture your own chocolates the old-fashioned way and, of course, take the finished product home!
The museum excels at engaging visitors of all ages, and children will adore the magnificent sculptures created by the skilled chocolatiers.
Additionally, France is renowned for its bakeries, which daily produce millions of croissants, crunchy baguettes, and exquisite cakes.
While your children will undoubtedly appreciate tasting these delectable delicacies, what better way to pique their interest in Paris than to take them behind the scenes of a French bakery to observe how the experts make it?
This Paris bakery tour package offers a conventional French breakfast to get the day started as well as tonnes of kid-friendly hands-on baking activities.
11. Montmartre – Explore a fascinating part of the city
One of Paris’ most gorgeous attractions is the lovely Montmartre neighbourhood, but navigating its busy, winding streets with a family in tow can be challenging.
The family experience walking tour and private treasure hunt for families and Kids, which is specially created with kids in mind, maybe the finest option to take the kids on a tour of this intriguing area of town.
The widely regarded family-friendly travel guides are filled with amusing tales and anecdotes, as well as kid-friendly pamphlets and treasure hunts. Kids will enjoy watching the street performers and artists that line the streets near the Place du Tertre and the Sacré-Coeur.
Behind Sacré-Coeur, there is a wonderful tiny park as well. When the crowds have left and Sacre Coeur is illuminated by the moonlight, this is a lovely place to take a family for a stroll in the evening.
Summary
Paris offers a wide variety of activities, including trips to museums, famous sites, and zoos. However, if you do your homework in advance, you’ll discover that Paris has plenty of family-friendly attractions and there are many enjoyable activities to do with kids.
While visiting the city with your family, you can use our carefully chosen lists of things to see and do in Paris with kids!
Image credits
Article main photos via depositphotos.com. Read more about where we source images.
