Things to do in Paris with Kids

28 February 2020

Paris With Kids – What To Do, Where To Go

Paris is brimming with family fun. From theme parks and kid-friendly museums, to sightseeing with a sweet twist – you have a lot of options to choose from. Or better still, do them all. Find our suggestions below for family days out in Paris that your kids will absolutely love.

All Hail, the Jardin d'Acclimatation!

Jardin d'Acclimatation is every kid’s ultimate fantasy land. The amusement park boasts 41 different attractions, from funfair-style rides to an educational farm housing rabbits, guinea pigs, Ouessant sheep and many more animals. The list of attractions is endless - an apiary, mini-golf, camel walks, kitchen garden and regular workshops. Some, like the Saint-Hilaire farm, forest adventures and the paddling pool are free, while others cost €2.90 a go. As if that wasn’t enough fun already, there are also 6 gourmet kiosks along the park’s paths serving sandwiches, waffles, melt-in-your-mouth muffins and the funfair mainstay - candy floss. Joie de vivre for the whole crew. 

Science Made Cooler at the Paris Science & Industry Museum

Cité des Enfants at the Paris Science & Industry Museum makes science more fun and accessible for kids from ages 2 to 12! One of the most kid-friendly museums in Paris, it’s full of jaw-dropping sights and experiences. From the large playground to frolic in and the astounding exhibits, to the Géode IMAX theatre, the submarine and the planetarium – everything is designed to tickle the imagination. The special sessions for children last about 90 minutes. Don’t be surprised if your little scientist(s) can't stop raving about their uber-cool experiments, like the one where they use water as balancing tool or the one where they operate big wooden machines! This is a winning combination of education and recreation. 

Seine River Cruises

A long day of exploration can be hard on those little legs. Give them a break without skimping on your sightseeing by taking a hop-on-hop-off boat tour instead. You can choose from a range of operators at the quay depending on your needs - some offer tour guides, gourmet meals and musical entertainment. Take in iconic sights like the Louvre, Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Eiffel Tower as the boat gently drifts along. Special commentaries and engaging performances make things even more exciting for kids on services like the Vedettes de Paris, the Bateaux-Mouches and Bateaux Parisiens. Top tip: Book the window seats well in advance to enjoy unobstructed views.  

Saint-Germain-des-Prés: Sightseeing, with a Side of Sweets

Life is better with baked goods, especially while sightseeing and especially if it’s artisanal, hand-made treats we’re talking about. Take a walking tour in the upscale Saint-Germain-des-Prés, steeped in history, art and fashion. Admire its quaint bookstores, luxury boutiques, adorable cafés and impressive 17th century buildings - all while indulging in a tasty family feast. Think hand-crafted specialities like bread, pastries and chocolates from some of the oldest and finest confectionaries. The guided tour is available in English, French, Japanese, Spanish, German and Italian. Go on, treat yourself and take a walk on the sweet side. 

Paris Parks & Gardens – Where it’s Always Play O’clock

The trick to sightseeing with kids is to keep it playful. Thankfully, the many kid-friendly parks in Paris are perfect for a relaxing break. The stunning Jardin du Luxembourg is teeming with activities like rides, slides and puppets for kids. That doesn’t mean that the adults are forgotten about though – chess, tennis, or remote-control boats are all available. The entry to the gardens is free for all, but there is a nominal fee for entry to the playground Poussin Vert.