11 Things To Do In Paris With Kids

Have you finally landed at Charles de Gaulle Airport? A Paris vacation is a dream come true to many, whether you are traveling solo, with your other half or with your children. And while there are so many things to see and do in the city for adults, there are tons of activities and fun things to do for the kids too.

From Notre Dame and the Natural History Museum to getting a tan on the Paris Plages in the heart of the City of Lights, to eating ice cream at Ile Saint Louis, Paris will make sure the whole family has a trip they will never forget.

Although we came up with 11 things to do in Paris with children, the list is much longer than that!

But before you go on and enjoy Paris with your family, make sure to keep all your belongings safe at one of our secure luggage lockers in Paris.

Visit Disneyland Paris

Only within a 40-minute drive from Paris, you will find a fairytale world that is every kid's dream (and kids at heart alike). Disneyland is an excellent way to spend a day in Paris with your family. Younger children or older kids, as well as adults, get to enjoy two theme parks.

All types of rides and adventures are happening in Disneyland Park but you can go and watch the animated movies in Walt Disney Studios Park. Enjoy the parades and shows or meet your kids' favorite Disney characters, and even take photos with them.

If you are traveling with young children there are gentle rides and playgrounds designed especially for the little ones. Have in mind that the lines can be ridiculously long so be prepared to wait. If you don't want to wait in line, try some of the less popular activities like the carousel, labyrinth, or the circus train.

While visiting Disneyland is not necessarily part of the French culture, it certainly is one of the most fun days you can have while in Paris.

Buskers

Being the city of art, you don't have to pay for exclusive tickets to see some of the best performances in Paris, which usually happen on the streets. The streets of Paris are filled with buskers, painters, dancers, and graffiti artists. You won't know where to start!

If you don't know how to get around, then any walking tour will hit the spots for the best street performance. Some of the best neighborhoods to watch the street artists do their thing are Le Marais where you can see some unique street performers, the Paris Metro stations where you can listen to a classical concert, or Place du Tertre close to Sacre Coeur where you can watch artists paint in public.

Listen to live opera singers at the Place des Vosges, and walk the Pont des Arts to discover all kinds of talent. While you are gathered with your family and admiring these street performers, keep in mind that pick-pockets often take advantage of situations like this, so keep a close eye on your belongings.

Finally, while all of this may be free for you and your family to enjoy, you can always keep art alive by tipping the artists, in euros, please!

Paris Catacombs

While Catacombs may not be on your kid's list of fun things to do in Paris, they will surely be an exciting part of your trip to Paris. If your kids are not afraid, this will make for a very interesting and a little creepy day trip.

Expect to see a labyrinth of tunnels in an underground cemetery in the heart of Paris filled with skulls and bones – 6 million, to be more precise! The human remains in the Catacombs are victims of the plague, the French Revolution, the guillotine and others.

This tour may not be suitable for young kids, but adults and older kids will definitely enjoy it. Be prepared to go down and climb up a long and narrow spiral staircase.

French Food

While French cuisine may sound sophisticated to some, you would be surprised to hear that they have everything you have at home and much more! Kids love sweet treats and pastries, and Paris is the capital of chocolate and croissants – your kids' favorite breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Ask about the children's menu as many eateries have them.

French dishes are world-famous, and with so many family and kid-friendly restaurants and cafes, it would be a shame not to go out and dine with the entire family in style. Or just grab a quick bite on the go while exploring Paris like macaroons, cream puffs, beignets, cheese baguettes, or meringues. Any would do.

Start your breakfast with some pastries and sweet treats from local cafés like Cafezoide café. Located near the Bassin de la Villette, this café is the only café in Paris, which is fully dedicated to children from newborns through to the age of 16 years. Besides delicious breakfast and lunch, your kids get to enjoy fun activities such as indoor and outdoor games, shows, treasure hunts, or even film festivals.

Eiffel Tower And Champs de Mars

Everyone goes to see the Eiffel Tower on their visit to Paris. Book your tickets online to avoid long lines and get your kids on the free interactive tour on the 1st floor, the Eiffel Tower Kids. From fun facts and anecdotes to puzzles and achievements, your kids will learn the history of France's most iconic landmark the fun way.

Or you don't have to get on the Eiffel Tower at all. Marvel at the Iron Lady from afar. Explore the grounds of the family-friendly Champ de Mars, a 2,574 feet long green park that stretches from the foot of the Eiffel Tower all the way to the Military school to the southeast.

Your kids have four different playgrounds to choose from or you can all watch a puppet show in the puppet theatre. If they like basketball, even better. Wear them out at the basketball court and later take them on a ride at the antique carousel.

This park is a great place for families to relax after a long walk or sightseeing excursions. The kids will also love the light show that the Iron Lady puts on at sunset, which features 20, 000 sparkling lights.

Seine River Cruise

If you are looking for a great Paris tour, this is it! Taking a river cruise gives you a completely different view of Paris and is a great way to get around the city! The river cruise along the Seine is one of the things to do in Paris with kids that they will surely enjoy.

After all, what kid doesn't want to get on a boat? The tours vary, from a lunch and dinner cruise with a live band that is more suitable for adults, to fun and interactive cruises that children of any age will enjoy. Embark on this relaxing journey while listening to funny stories and fun facts about French history. And all that while passing by the most famous landmarks in the city like the Louvre, le Musée Orsay, and Notre Dame!

Also, it doesn't matter what time of the year you are in Paris, as many river cruises operate all year round. Most river cruises last anywhere from 45 minutes to three hours and some are free for children under 3.

The Gourmet Chocolate Museum

When you mention a museum to a kid, they may instantly think of boredom. But not in Paris, and not with the Chocolate Museum. Located on the Grands Boulevards, near the Grévin Museum in the heart of Paris, visiting the Gourmet Chocolate Museum is one of the best things you can do in Paris with kids.

What to expect? You get to see how chocolates are made and enjoy a few samples, try sweets from all around the world, and enjoy a cup of hot chocolate at the end of your tour. Nothing beats that on a day out in Paris with kids, especially if the adults have a sweet tooth too.

Book your tickets online and enjoy a 1h 30min tour around the Chocolate Museum, exploring three floors of exhibitions and children’s activities and admiring impressive chocolate sculptures. At the end of your sweet tour, you can check out the museum shop and get chocolate treats for discounted prices. Or buy souvenirs to take home that will remind you of the best day in Paris with your kids.

Park des Buttes-Chaumont

The park is one of the best parks to visit in Paris with your kids. Featuring a lake, suspension bridge, playgrounds, caves, waterfalls, and fantastic scenic views, a day spend in the fifth largest park in Paris is a day well spent.

Take in the beauty of the cherry trees, beautiful flowers, and the Temple de la Sybille, from where you can get great views of Montmartre and the white cupolas of the Sacre-Coeur. The kids can go on a horse and donkey ride around the central pond, or you can all rent a boat and explore the lake. You will also come across many playgrounds and swing sets, you can stop to watch the performers or take part in the carnival games.

Jardin Des Plantes

If you like botanic gardens, then the Jardin Des Plantes is a must. The main botanical garden in the French capital features a small zoo, plenty of playgrounds, a fun carousel and so many other things for older and young children alike. If you want your kids to love Paris as much as you do, then you should take them to some of the beautiful gardens and parks the city has to offer, starting with this one.

Jardin des Tuileries

The central location of the Jardin des Tuileries (between the Louvre and the Musée d'Orsay) makes it convenient to stop by and relax after your long walk around the city center. Yet another park that has a fun carousel and playground with a jungle gym and a hammock, ideal for the kids. They also get to feed the ducks in the ponds, ride the Ferris wheel located near Place de la Concorde or visit the trampoline park. The choices are many!

Jardin d'Acclimatation

In the Jardin d'Acclimatation, you can find everything your kids want and more! From historic carousels and fun fairground rides to farm animals and aviaries, this is one of the gardens in the city that is actually designed for kids.

If you are trying to avoid the crowds, visit the gardens during the weekdays as it gets really busy on the weekends. Located inside Bois de Boulogne, in the Neuilly-sur-Seine neighborhood, these "gardens" will tick all the boxes for a fun day with your kids in the City of Lights.

What Are The Best Family Activities In Paris?

With so many family-friendly activities in Paris, be sure to create memories that will last a lifetime. Starting from central Paris where you can simply walk from one famous landmark to another, like the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Champs Elysee, and Notre Dame, to a River Cruise along the Seine, and sampling chocolates in the Chocolate Museum, Paris offers countless fun family activities.

What Are The Most Fun Things To Do In Paris with Kids?

If you are looking for a Paris family vacation that will be fun for everyone, then Disneyland is a must. Go on one of the many fun rides, enjoy the parades or snap a photo with some of the Disney Characters. Other fun things you can do are visit the zoo and explore the many parks in Paris. Remember the Gardens offer a plethora of fun things to do such as a ride on a carousel, find pony rides, watch puppet shows, and a lot more!

Free Things To Do In Paris With Kids

When families visit Paris they often think it will be so expensive so they start saving well in advance. But visiting Paris with the kids won't break the bank if you know what to do, where to go, where to stay and what to eat. There are so many free things to do that are not only fun for the kids but the whole family gets to enjoy too!

Some of the museums offer free entrance for children, free exhibits or are free on certain days like the Technology Museum and the National History Museum. Walk around the center of the city and admire landmarks like Arc de Triomphe, the Royal Palace of Versaille, or spend a day in one of the city's best parks, Jardin du Luxembourg where your kids get to sail tiny boats in the ponds of the Luxembourg Palace. The Square du Vert Galant has a history behind it as it was built as a tribute to Henry IV. It's a free place to enjoy scenic views of the Seine. Take the kids here to burn off energy!

Notre Dame and more

Visiting Paris with kids is something that should be on every parent's bucket list. Whether you are traveling with young or older kids, a family trip to Paris can be so much fun. From botanical gardens for nature lovers to the best sightseeing Paris tours for the adventurers to tons of art museums for art and history buffs, Paris has it all!