ACTIVITIES TO DO WITH KIDS OUTSIDE PARIS

If you are looking into doing actual activities with the kids as part of your day trips outside Paris, there are a couple worth mentioning.

Mixing activities while sightseeing and visiting Paris and its surroundings will make your trip a whole lot more fun. Also, if you live in Paris, these are some places you could discover and make a whole week-end out of it.

My father always took me everywhere when I was a little girl. He continued to do that with his grand-kids. I am grateful that my father did this with all of us and I have been doing the same with my own boys ever since they were babies. It doesn’t matter what kind of activity you do with your kids, it’s all about making memories and opening their minds and stimulating them to new things. Depending on their age, some activities they will actually enjoy and others they won’t even remember. And that’s ok!

If you are looking for ideas of activities you can do with your kids wherever you live, check out your local newspaper. They often have articles on upcoming events or new destinations to explore. Also, you can follow the Facebook page of your area and stay up to date with upcoming events. It’s a good way to start.

Anyways, here are some activities you can do around Paris with kids.

Parc Asterix

This parc is a way better option than EuroDisney.  EuroDisney cannot rival the ones in the States and you should avoid it.  Instead, check out Parc Asterix.

Asterix cartoon book is part of the French culture and has been passed on through multiple generations of French kids.  If you haven’t heard of Asterix and Obelix before, now would be a good time to check out the books at your local library.

Parc Asterix is an amusement park. However, it is really well done, from roller coasters to water rides. It’s not like Disneyland where it seems like there are more restaurants than rides.

You will have fun at Parc Asterix, I guarantee it! Besides, you won’t find this type of park anywhere else!

It’s located about 35km from the North of Paris and there are different options to get there.  Check out their WEBSITE  to find out what works best for you and to book your tickets.

Children under the age of 3 get in for FREE.

France Miniature

Located close to the town where I grew up in France is France Miniature.  It’s basically a parc representing a miniature size of France and of all its main attractions.  If you want to get an overview of what France looks like, this is the place to go.

It’s easier to get there by car, but public transit is available.

Although I personally wouldn’t go out of my way to visit it, you can make a pit stop there on your way for an overnight stay in Normandy or to visit the Chateau de Versailles on your way back to Paris.

Other activity options, if you are coming by car.

• Base de Loisirs of St-Quentin-en Yvelines.  A place where you can do a multitude of outdoor activities with the kids.
• Escape Room in Maurepas, the next town over. (Need to understand French)

Playmobil Funpark

Located in Fresnes, only 30 minutes away South of Paris, you’ll find a Playmobil museum.  This is a perfect daytrip if you are in Paris on a rainy day but still want to get away.

You can get there by taking the RER B to Croix de Berny and then the bus TVM to Clos de la Garenne.

At the PLAYMOBIL FunPark, your kids will be able to play in the middle of giant Playmobil sets from different universes.

The park is closed on Mondays, except on school holidays.

Afterward, why not check out the Castle in Sceaux, it’s on your way back to Paris.

Fête des Loges

This is the biggest fair in France that takes place every year from the end of June to the end of August.  The first fair took place in 1652 and it hasn’t stopped ever since.

Located on 19 acres on land, with its own street for old fashioned food (Allée des cuisines), you can access the site for FREE and pay for the rides as you go.

It’s open every day during the summer starting at 3pm until 1h30 to 2 am depending on the day of the week.

La Fête des Loges is located in the heart of the forest of St-Germain-en-Laye, a posh area outside of Paris.  You can take RER A towards Saint-Germain-en-Laye and get off at the station Saint-Germain.

Of all the activities that you can do with kids outside Paris in the Summer, this is one not to miss.

Musée des Jouets (Toy Museum)

Located 30km outside of Paris in the town of Poissy, you will find THIS toy museum with over 800 items dating back from 1850 to 1950.

The building that host this museum dates back to the 14^th century. It was used as a royal priory of St-Louis.

You can access it from Gare Saint-Lazare by taking the J train and getting off at Poissy.

Guinguette

Do you know the painting by Renoir: Luncheon of the boating party?

The guinguette was and is still to this day an open-air cabaret or riverfront dance hall.  This is what Renoir depicted in his iconic 1880’s painting of one of the many Guinguettes located in the suburbs of Paris.

A couple of these places can be found along the Seine river in Paris but if you want a more authentic experience go to one in the suburbs such as Le Fer à Cheval (Saint-Cloud) which is even open on Sundays for brunch.

L’Ile du Martin Pêcheur

One of the most popular ones and fun for families is L’Ile du Martin Pêcheur in Champigny-sur-Marne.  The riverbanks of the Marne are covered with chestnut trees and weeping willows making the site very bucolic.

This guinguette is located 12km from Paris. It is best to book ahead of time, especially during the months of May to September which is the best time to go there.

To get there you can take RER A to Champigny, cross the bridge and make a left on the docks and then take the footbridge to the island.  It’s about a 7-minute walk from the train station.

Mer de Sable

This regional amusement park was founded in 1963 and is dedicated to young kids who are fond of adventure, cowboys and Indians.

It is best suited for families with young kids who haven’t been to bigger amusement parks.  This park has a great balance of small and bigger rides. Also, there are climbing areas, Wild West and horse shows, and a splash area.  Check out their WEBSITE for more information and discount tickets.

It is located 45 minutes outside Paris and is easier to get to by car.  Parking is FREE.

There is a shuttle that exists from Porte Maillot in Paris but as I’m writing this during Corona Time, information isn’t currently available.

Now that you know which activities you can do outside Paris with the kids, how about ones you can do with them in Paris? ACTIVITIES TO DO IN PARIS.