7 Things to do in Paris with kids

Ah Paris, the city of love, the city of lights… Well if you are traveling there with kids, all that romance will go out the window. However, you can still have a wonderful time there with your little rascals. There is plenty of things to do in Paris with kids to keep them busy.

Paris has a lot to offer for kids and parents alike all year long. Granted, you won’t get to experience the Paris nightlife and the fancy cafés and restaurants with kids in tow, unless you prepare for that (see our latest article on eating out with your kids), but you can still manage to have fun and see some of the popular sights and discover some new ones.

Before I get into it though, there are also plenty of things to do with kids outside Paris. They can easily be done as day trips. You can visit Castles, Medieval towns, enjoy various activities, or discover some pretty great cities that are not always on a standard list. Now let’s get back to it.

Here is a list of 7 things to do in Paris with kids which I have separated into different categories to make for an easier read.

#1 Museums in Paris with Kids

Did you know that there are only 297 museums in Paris?

Paris is the undisputed museum capital of the world, home to masterpieces spanning centuries and the globe. The most popular of them being the Louvre. Yeah, that didn’t make my list.

Musée d’Orsay

This is by far one of my favorite museums to see in Paris. I have visited the Orsay Museum quite a few times with Tango growing up and on school trips and loved it every time.  I took Junior there for the first time when he was 5 years old. On our most recent trip to Paris (see article), I took him and Blondie Bear there as well. Visiting the Orsay Museum is always my recommendation. Personally, I find Le Louvre to be overrated. 

If you are traveling with kids (especially young ones), believe me when I say this: they will enjoy Orsay a whole lot more than the Louvre.  The Classical style needs to be studied in order to understand art today but is “so yawn” to young kids.  What about Mona? May you ask.  Mona can wait. She ain’t going anywhere!  Impressionist art is so more colorful!

Did you know that the museum is located in an old train station? Originally built for the Paris World Expo of 1900 to accommodate the flux of visitors coming to see it, 75 years later it was turned into a museum. The construction only lasted 2 years.

There is also a restaurant upstairs which gives great views through the clock windows of the Sacré Coeur and the city.

How to enjoy Orsay with the kids

In order to enjoy even more the museum, how about doing a scavenger hunt?  This will bring a little more spice to the ”cultural” visit and I am sure kids and adults alike will totally enjoy it.  Of course, the activity is not free and can be really expensive for a family of four. On the upside, with the ticket, you won’t have to wait in line. There are different sites that offer this activity but honestly, I didn’t find one that would fit my budget.

Scavenger hunt tip: how about making your own? It does come with some preparation, but check this article out. It is already prepared for you.

If you buy the Paris Museum Pass, you will not only be able to cut in line at most major museums and attractions and save time but also save money that way. The pass is worth buying if you are planning on visiting other sights in Paris with your kids, which some are actually listed in this list.

Since this is an article for traveling to Paris with your kids, the 4-day pass will probably make more sense on purchasing so that you don’t have to rush to see it all and actually enjoy all of it. Make a list beforehand of what you would like to visit, add up the cost, and then compare with the cost of the museum pass.

Musée d’Histoire Naturelle (Natural History)

What is not to like about Natural History? Somehow, kids are always fascinated by bones. This is a beautiful museum in Paris to visit with your kids on a rainy day. It is a great place to be at. Of course, it doesn’t come close to the one in New York City but hey…

The centerpiece of the Natural History Museum is the Grande Galerie de l’Évolution, which opened in 1994 as the successor of the Zoology Museum. 

The highlight here is the procession of animals from the savannah, led by an African elephant. The second floor focuses on the interaction between humans and other species. Interesting here is the large room full of extinct and endangered species. Finally, the top floor explains the diversity and evolution of life and introduces visitors to the study of genetics. 

Musée du Quai Branly

Designed by the architect Jean Nouvel, the Musée du Quai Branly is dedicated to ethnic and ancient arts from Africa, Asia, Oceania, and the Americas. It has a beautiful collection and the building is stunning. Visiting this Paris museum might be a bit too far fetched for younger kids and might spill into boredom fast. This is more suitable for school-age kids.

There is a restaurant Les Ombres on top of the Quai Branly which offers a menu of elegant, contemporary global-inspired food. Of course, for a family, that would be way off-budget but you could just go up there to grab a drink and enjoy the view of the Eiffel Tower which is just a few blocks away.

Conciergerie

Originally built as an imposing Gothic palace, the Conciergerie was converted into a prison at the end of the 14th century.

During the French Revolution, it became a place of terror for prisoners such as Marie-Antoinette, Danton, and Robespierre who were held there before being executed by the guillotine.

Did you know that the guillotine was last used in 1977 before being abolished as a form of capital punishment in 1981?

Today you can visit the cells, see where Marie-Antoinette stayed, a chapel and the magnificent vaulted Hall of the Men-at-Arms (Salle des Gens d’Armes).

Outside, facing the Seine river is the clock tower. It was built in 1370 and was the first public clock of Paris.

Sainte-Chapelle (optional)

If you have the time, swinging by the Sainte-Chapelle will be worth it. Often overlooked on itineraries, I always recommend it. Going there with younger kids might not really spark their interest but if you feel like they are up to it, it is worth checking it out. You can purchase a joint ticket for the Conciergerie and the Sainte-Chapelle and save money that way.

The Sainte Chapelle is made of two different chapels: the lower chapel, which was originally dedicated to the officers, and the upper chapel, which was dedicated to the king and his family. The 618 m2 of stained glass windows in the upper chapel illustrate biblical scenes from both testaments and contains 1,130 biblical figures. It is absolutely breathtaking.

The upper chapel is not accessible with strollers.

Cité des Sciences

The Cité des Sciences is the biggest science museum in Europe. Because of its please touch feel and immersive displays, this museum has revolutionized conventional museum displays to give everyone the chance to touch and experience science.

This is another great thing to do in Paris with kids if you are there for a long stay.

L’Atelier des Lumières

Although I have never been to this place, I would definitely go and check it out. This is a Digital art center set in a former smelting plant from the 19th century. To me, this looks like a fun thing to do in Paris with kids.
Right now they are having an immersive exhibition on Starry Night by Van Gogh.

Located in the 11ème arr. near the Père Lachaise Cemetery (where Jim Morrison is buried may he RIP), it is very accessible by métro. Close by there is a park in case your kids need to stretch out their legs before and after. They are open until 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays in case nap time gets stretched out. You can almost make it seem like a date night! However, you need to book your tickets online.

Since it is a live visual art, the exhibitions may present risks for people with epilepsy and young children. For more information and also to see what you would be walking into, here is the link.

#2 Paris Underground with Kids

Égouts (Sewers)

A unique way of discovering Paris with kids is through the Paris Sewers Museum. It is closed for renovation right now but will be reopening in 2020.

“Paris has another Paris under herself; a Paris of sewers; which has its streets, its crossings, its squares, its blind alleys, its arteries, and its circulation, which is slime, minus the human form.”

Les Miserables

It all started in the 13th century when French King Philippe Auguste ordered that the streets of Paris be paved, and that drains be introduced. At that time, Paris, like all other major European cities, had a major problem disposing of its waste. Most of it was being dumped into the Seine River or on the streets. Hmm…makes you want not want to take a plunge into the Seine, doesn’t it?

It wasn’t until Napoleon’s reign in 1850 that the sewer system was modernized and redesigned. With the introduction of the modern sewer system, disease, and mortality rates fell, and life in Paris became more bearable. It was then open to the public during the World Fair of 1867.

The walk is only 500m long and should take about 1h to visit. It will take on a walk under exactly the same streets as above. They even use the same streets signs and names.

Catacombes

Although it isn’t a must-do in my book, people love going there. Personally, I find it to be expensive for the short walk and the long wait to get in. This is a popular place in Paris to go with or without kids.

That being said, kids love going down there as it is scary and exhilarating as well. It isn’t recommended to go there with kids under 10 because of the bones. Blondie Bear wasn’t 10 when we went there and did just fine. Obviously, use your own personal judgment. It is creepy but nothing traumatic.

Find out here on how to plan your visit.

#3 Paris off the beaten path with kids

Coulée Verte

The ‘Promenade Plantée’ in Paris, also known as ‘La Coulée Verte’, is a linear park which was created in 1988 and was the first green space of this kind.

Yep, the Highline in New York (2009) was inspired by this and not the other way around.

The 4,7km walking path and bicycle path were partly built on a former railway which was unused since 1969. This tree-lined park gives you an elevated view of nice modern apartments and open spaces. Take a seat on one of the benches and enjoy the tranquil atmosphere.

It starts behind the Opéra Bastille at the crossroads between the Rue de Lyon and the Avenue Daumesnil and ends at the entrance of the Bois de Vincennes. You can easily hop on and off through different accesses. If you want to experience Paris differently with the kids without too much stress, this is a great idea for a stroll.

La petite ceinture

The Petite Ceinture is a former railway line, which once encircled Paris. Disused since 1934, its tracks are now a haven for rare biodiversity of wildflowers and fauna. The first section was opened in 2007 to the public in the 16th arrondissement, between the Porte d’Auteuil and the Gare de la Muette. This 1,500m² strip of land it is accessible to everyone, including physically disabled people, who can borrow available wheelchairs adapted for such terrain.

This green countrified pathway through the capital, often little-known even to Parisians, is a great discovery!

A section in the 12th arrondissement, with a 200-meter-long nature trail and a shared garden, is accessible from 21 Rue Rottembourg.

In 2013, a part of the Petite Ceinture in the 15th arrondissement opened to the public, between the Place Balard and the Rue Olivier de Serres.

A new section was opened in the 20th arrondissement in 2018. It can be accessed by 11 Rue de la Mare.

Rue du chat qui pêche

The ‘fishing cat‘ street is considered to be the narrowest street in Paris (only 1.8m wide). The street, perpendicular to Rue de la Huchette, gives on to the Quai Saint Michel on the river Seine in the 5th arrondissement.

#4 Parks

Did you know that there are over 400 municipal parks and gardens all over Paris containing more than 250,000 trees? Imagine being the guy having to count them trees!

Here is a list of some of them to explore with your kids.

Buttes de Chaumont

Often overlooked as it is not close to any major tourist attractions, this beautiful park is worth the detour.

Located in the 19ème arr. (northeastern side of Paris) it is a perfect place to take kids and have them act like little explorers through caves or on a suspension bridge.

I found this article that explains everything you need to know about this park.

Jardins du Luxembourg

Want to throw in a little romance into your family pictures?

Created in 1617, the Luxembourg Gardens will do the trick with a backdrop of the Palace of Catherine de Medici in your pictures.

It is a very nice place to relax somewhat uncomfortably on one of those green metal chairs.  An emblem of Parisian parks (they are everywhere).

Bois de Vincennes

The Bois de Vincennes is the largest green space in Paris covering a surface area of 995 hectares.

It offers a forest, grass fields and lakes for its visitors, but also many different attractions, such as a botanical garden, a zoo, a hippodrome, sports fields, and a children’s farm.

Jardin des Plantes

Founded in 1635, the Jardin des Plantes was first established as a royal medicinal garden but also as a site of research and education about natural species. It was only opened to the general public in 1650. In 1793, during the French Revolution, it became a proper museum that quickly expanded into fields such as zoology, paleontology, mineralogy, chemistry, botany, and the anatomy of species. It is located next to the Natural History Museum.

Nowadays, there is also a small zoo which once housed the royal menagerie and now contains some small animals in simulated natural habitats.

In the garden itself, you can find tropical hothouses that are home to a variety of unusual plants, native mostly to Mexico and Australia. There’s also an Alpine garden, a magnificent rose garden, and an Art Deco-style Wintergarden. 

Parc de la Villette

This is the third-largest park of Paris located around the science center (Cité des Sciences).

There are loads of things to do there all year long indoor and outdoor. This is a very big complex boasting the style of deconstructive architecture. In the summer months, you can even enjoy some open-air cinéma.

For the whole program, click here.

Berges sur Seine

A pedestrian walkway which extends from the Left Bank between the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre that’s full of activities for all ages.

In 2017, the right and left banks together form the Parc Rives de Seine, a riverside promenade that takes pedestrians from Place de la Bastille to the Eiffel Tower, crisscrossing the many bridges spanning the river as they go.

Designed to protect the environment, sustainability is also at the heart of this space. Listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, the Seine riverbanks running through the heart of Paris have been transformed from an expressway into a 10-hectare park; the pavement was replaced by trees and grass. More environmentally friendly than before, the right bank side is home to fair-trade, collaborative, and locavore food outlets, and a store selling sustainable tourist products.

#5 Playgrounds – Family Fun in Paris with Kids

Playtime Jardin du Luxembourg

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They have a beautiful playground (Parc de Jeux) located next to a children’s theatre that has been refurbished in 2019, but it requires payment.

If you want your children to interact with the elite of Paris, this will be a good place to start. Just kidding. It cost around 2.50 euros for kids and 1.5 euros for adults and does have a bathroom. I believe this is the only playground in Paris that requires payment.

Do you like puppets? Marionnettes du Luxembourg Théâtre has 40 minute long performances on Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays and school holidays. Why Wednesdays? Because in France, children don’t have school on Wednesday or only in the morning.

There is also a water basin where you can rent out these little boats, from the kiosk nearby (summer only), that you navigate with a stick at the cost of 4 euros for 30 minutes.

Hop on board a small train to the Jardin d’Acclimatation

Another one of my favorite places to go to when I was a child.  Even though we lived outside of Paris, Tango and my grandparents took me there quite a few times when I was young.  I was able to take Junior there as well when he and I lived on the outskirts of Paris.  I am so happy that I was able to share part of my childhood souvenirs with him. 

It is best to go during Spring and Summer and if you do go, grab the train at Porte Maillot.  It is more fun to enter the park with a little train.  Kids will love it.  

So what is the Jardin D’Acclimatation?  It is still an off the beaten park and I am not sure that even Parisians know about it.

How it works

It is a mixture of an amusement park, children’s park, and a zoo in Paris.  There are things to do for all ages.  The entry fee is only 5 euros but to enjoy the rides that will cost you extra and you will have to buy a booklet of tickets or a day pass (different options available here). 

The added cost is a bummer but at least you can enjoy yourself according to your budget. If you don’t use all your tickets, you can use them during your next visit, so don’t lose them! Not all rides cost the same amount of tickets so you can vary your pleasure. Pack lunch and save money that way. Oh, and don’t forget to bring a bathing suit to play in the water fountains.

Very accessible by metro (subway).  If you want to add the train experience, grab it at Porte Maillot metro. You pay your entry price to the park there before hopping on the train. In other words, riding the train is FREE.

Cruise with Canauxrama

Explore the Canal Saint-Martin with Canauxrama. They have different cruises available day and night and leave close to Bastille to go all the way up to Bassin de la Villette. See the map below.

Cruise with Bateaux Mouches

Hop on a Bateaux Mouches on the Seine River during the day and enjoy the center of Paris’s major sights. A dinner or evening cruise is also available.

A cruise through Paris with kids is always enjoyable. It gives time for everyone to rest and also enjoy the different sites. The cruises usually have a guide, so if you listen carefully you might even learn a thing or two.

Play a game of pétanque with your kids

How about a stroll on the Canal de l’Ourcq and borrow balls from Bar Ourcq and play a game or two of Pétanque?

Bar Ourcq is a friendly neighborhood bar who lets anybody rent out pétanque balls. You can play just in front of the bar alongside the canal. They also provide you with drinks in cups to avoid breaking any glass. You can also just watch if you don’t want to play and relax in one of their lounge chairs and soak up the sun.

Look for some Street Art

Invaders

If you have read our article on Paris or on Rabat, you should know by now what Invaders are.  In case you haven’t (shame on you ), here is a recap.

Invaders is a form of street art, created by a French urban artist.  He started exposing his mosaic art throughout cities all over the world.  Some are still in place some aren’t.  It has also become a kind of game and even has its own app where when you find one you take a picture and you earn points.  Some people are like obsessed with it.

Anyways, Paris has a lot of them scattered in certain areas of the city ( read about Paris here to find out where).  Spotting them is a fun way of keeping your kids alert and discovering a city as well. 

Travel Tip: before going to any major city, go to the Invaders website here, find out if there are any in the city you are visiting.  If there are, try to see roughly in what area they will be and when in town, make a game out of spotting them with the kids.  Fun to be had by all. You might even discover something that is not in your guide book. Full disclosure: Some tears might be shed.

Rue Dénoyez

If street art is really your scene, you should check out rue Dénoyez also known as street art alley. An off the beaten path experience, tucked in a side alley right by the metro stop Belleville, in the heart of the neighborhood by the same name. Once a small laneway filled with abandoned shops, it has been taken over by a vibrant street culture scene. The shop’s walls and windows are now being used as a canvas.

Be careful while wondering this street as it is still open to cars. It is also good to know that Belleville is an edgy neighborhood hosting a monthly street food market that sprawls along Boulevard de Belleville with outdoor tables. Part of the area is a Chinese quarter, with grocery stores and no-frills restaurants.

Sacré Coeur and Montmartre

Walk up the steps of the Sacré Coeur and enjoy the FREE view of Paris. There is a merry go round at the bottom of the steps which your kids can enjoy before going up.

The Sacré Coeur is located in the very picturesque neighborhood of Montmartre. Once an artist hub, it remains true today but with more tourist. Take a stroll on Place du Tertre (do not eat there), admire the touristy artists and then just wander off and try to find rue de l’abreuvoir, one of the most known cobbled streets.

If you are hungry, why not try Le Moulin de la Galette? Located in a 17th-century windmill, this is the most popular restaurant in the area. Of course, the food doesn’t come cheap but where else in Paris can you eat with a windmill and pretend to be in one of Renoir‘s paintings?

For a more in-depth Montmartre experience, read this article.

Palais Royal – Buren’s Columns

This modern art installation located inside the Palais Royal really created a controversy when it was first installed back in 1985.

Made of black and white marble, the columns are of different height which makes them easy to climb for kids of all ages. This is a FREE activity.

Play Ping-Pong in a bar

Want to grab a drink and do a fun activity with the kids?

Check out Gossima. We went there during our trip to Paris and had a lot of fun. Although it is a bar, you can go there with children until 8 pm. So you see, it is possible to do Happy Hour with kids in Paris 🙂

#6 Swimming in Paris with kids

Often overlooked, going swimming with kids while traveling can be a lot of fun. Paris is no exception. If you are there for a while, here are a few places to check out while in Paris.

Aquaboulevard

Tango used to take me there in my pre-teen years. Although it was always during fall or winter (or so it seemed), I always had a lot of fun. My favorite part was the wave pool and exploring the various water slides. There is also outdoor access for the warmer months. Aquaboulevard is a large aquatic indoor recreational water park, the biggest urban water park in Europe! This is a great place to go with children of all ages. Don’t forget your swimsuits!

Piscine Molitor

Revamped as part of an upscale boutique hotel, it was once a legendary pool complex.

This pool is known for its Art Deco designs. It is the birthplace of topless sunbathing and of the modern bikini created by Louis Réard in 1946.

The entry fee (180 euros) is completely out of our budget but sometimes they have a special deal with lunch included (still too much for us).

Butte aux Cailles

Another art deco style landmark from the 1920s, this pool is a hell of a lot more affordable than Molitor with an entry price of 3 euros!!! It has an indoor and outdoor pool both open all year long. They sometimes even have special events there like a movie night or foam parties.

It is not open on Mondays.

#7 Food – Feed the rascals

Honestly, food in France is pure heaven. Just going to the grocery store is an experience. Here are a couple of suggestions of what you could do with kids in Paris in terms of food. However, there are so many places to eat with kids in Paris that it could just be an article in itself.

Les Enfants Rouge – Market

Going to an outdoor market with or without kids is always adventurous.

If you have rented your own apartment or are staying with friends, going to the market could be a fun activity to do with the kids in Paris. You can also grab lunch there at the Italian deli, the organic stand, the Lebanese caterer or at the Japanese snack bar.

Les Enfants Rouges is a covered market which was built in 1615! It is Paris’s oldest food market located in the Marais neighborhood. Parisians and tourists like to buy lots of fresh products at these stalls full of color and fragrance.

Eiffel Tower + Picnic Champs de Mars

The Eiffel Tower is so iconic, that it is difficult not to swing by and admire the underskirt of this iron beast. Although it is expensive to go up there, it is more worth it in the winter as you can actually ice skate up there. Other than, for almost the same view and for free, go up to Montmartre. The same view that you would get from the Eiffel tower can be also be seen on the Bateaux Mouches (mentioned above) from a closer view.

In front of the Eiffel Tower is the Seine and a merry go round. On the other side lies the Champs de Mars. A perfect place to have a picnic.

An inexpensive way to eat on the go is just to grab some sandwiches from the local bakery in the area you will be at for lunchtime and then just picking a spot to picnic. A lot of times, bakeries will even have a lunch menu that will include a sandwich, a drink, and a desert. Another inexpensive way to eat (and picnic) is grabbing some Chinese food to go. It is not uncommon to find one that has a buffet-style set up. You can pick whatever you want, the quantity you want and have it heated up.

Hôtel Particulier Montmartre – Tea Time

If you are exploring Montmartre, how about going for tea time in the beautiful garden of the Hôtel Particulier Montmartre?

Yes, it is a bit fancy. The starting cost for a warm drink with little sweets is 15 euros. The backdrop is stunning and priceless.

Ice Cream

Who doesn’t love ice cream? Some of the best ones can be found in the Marais, in the heart of Paris. I don’t have any names to give out because there are plenty of great options there to pick from.

To get there, get off at Métro Hotel-de-Ville, leave the main street rue de Rivoli and head for one of the two popular streets, which are rue Francois Miron or Rue du Roi de Sicile. On the second street, check out Pozzetto, a popular Italian ice cream ‘gelato’ place.

Le Marais is a beautiful and authentic neighborhood worth getting lost in, you won’t see any big buildings. On Sundays, the streets there are closed off to cars for people to be able to just stroll around.

So there you have it. A list of things to do with kids in Paris to enjoy as a family. Did I miss anything?