Best Kids Friendly Activities to Do in Paris

In France January 26, 20268 min read

I used to think Paris with kids would be a series of queues and tantrums. After several family trips and more than one picnic under the Eiffel Tower when the kids just needed to run around, I have learned that Paris does not need to be conquered. It needs to be paced.

I am talking about half-days of museums, afternoon park time, a hands-on class, and one big, antidote-to-boredom outing. Do that, and the city of lights becomes a playground wrapped in history, welcoming roughly 47-50 million visitors a year.

In this family guide, I will explain what works for kids of different ages in Paris. For each place you visit with kids, there is a tip to make your outing easier and more enjoyable.

The One-Minute Paris Playbook (Kid-Approved!)

• Why Paris actually works for parents with kids? Based on my own experience and watching other families, Paris is an excellent option when you slow the pace.
• How long a stay should be? My personal recommendation is to plan a 3 to 6 days Paris itinerary, allowing you ample time to move between different landmarks.
• Where to stay with kids in Paris? You should stay around the 1st, 4th, 5th, 6th, or 7th arrondissement. It will enable kids to walk back for breaks instead of traveling across the city.
• So what to do in Paris with kids exactly? The must-dos for children are simple – the Eiffel Tower lawns, toy boats in Luxembourg Gardens, a Seine cruise where everyone sits down, and one big fun day like Jardin d’Acclimatation or Disneyland Paris.
• Book beforehand: Mind it the Eiffel Tower summit and famous family museum tours need you to book beforehand. You can use the Metro and buses with kids if you can avoid rush hours.
• When to visit: The best time to visit Paris with kids is late spring till early autumn. If the crowds are something you are afraid of, winter is the best option. And do not worry, it does not snow much here in Paris, as most people believe.
• Kid-friendly food: The food options in Paris include crepes, baguette sandwiches, pastries, and hot chocolate.
• Rain plan: For rainy days, the best activity is to visit small museums and attend hands-on workshops. I plan breaks every 60 to 90 minutes, and I never leave without snacks.

10 Fun Things to Do in Paris with Kids

1. Picnic Under the Eiffel Tower and Let Them Run on the Champ De Mars

Yes it is true children take the Eiffel Tower as a giant climbing structure, similar to what people perceived when it was unveiled in 1889 (a little known fact to many). The things that would catch their attention include the elevators gliding up and boats from above.

However, what they would like more is running freely on the Champ de Mars. My family enjoyed the lawn picnic more than the tower itself.

Travel Tip: If you really want to go up, the official site sells lift tickets up to 60 days in advance. If you still could not manage to buy summit tickets, do not stress out. You can see it for free from du Champ de Mars, arrange a picnic below instead or at least get a hotel with Eiffel Tower view to spark the emotions this city of love has in the air.

2. Play in Luxembourg Gardens

This is one of the places that looks tailor made for children. The toy-sailboats at the Grand Bassin provide children with something they can control, the fenced playground allows them to stay secure and the carousel and pony rides are vintage and cute. I have never encountered a child who wanted to leave this place.

Travel Tip: Visit this place in either late morning or afternoon because this is the time kids need a reset. A small sailboat in Jardin du Luxembourg may cost around €8 for a 30 minutes use.

3. Take a Short Seine Cruise

My favorite recovery activity is a Seine river cruise. Kids are able to experience moving scenery without walking and parents get a break while seeing Paris. A short cruise during the daytime are most appreciated, particularly after your travel days and long walks.

Travel Tip: Prefer an hour cruise, instead of a dinner cruise, for younger kids. But if the kids are older enough, a dinner cruise on the boat Le Calife or Gourmet dinner cruise are excellent options.

4. Spend One Big Day in Disneyland

In a city you are not much familiar about, this day brings familiarity for kids who are already fond of Disney. My 5-year and 8-year loved it. The park looks similar to the ones in California and Florida. But it is smaller and a bit messier than the American parks. The kids did not mind at all, though.

In 2025, Disney added a Hollywood-style entrance and a new show with lights and music. In 2026, they are introducing a Frozen land with a boat ride where you can meet the characters. A new water log ride through the savanna is also part of the plan this year.

The park is accessible via RER A train, and it takes around 45 minutes to an hour time if you start your journey from central Paris.

The rides are well marked by height and age meaning that parents do not need to guess the appropriate ride. Lines can be expected during school holidays.

Travel Tip: We were here before opening and this is the best time for you to plan rides before shows.

5. For Something Less Disney-Branded – Go to Jardin d’Acclimatation and Parc Asterix

These parks are not as overwhelming as Disneyland and neither are they the most beautiful parks.

Jardin d’Acclimatation is great for younger kids with fun rides, a train, an adventure play area, weird mirrors, a puppet cinema, a water playing field, trampolines, and even a farmhouse. Keep in mind, like other amusement parks, it is on the costlier side.

Additionally, Parc Asterix is one of the best things to do in Paris with teenagers seeking larger thrills. You will find water rides, roller coasters, spaces to see movies, as well as special ideas covering vacations like Halloween. They both offer the children a full day of fun without cultural congestion.

Travel Tip: Any of these two parks would be good for the day tour.

6. Go to Kid-Friendly Paris Museums for Kids

Smaller museums like Musée de l’Orangerie and Musée d’Orsay, and eccentric places like Musée de la Chasse are more digestible than the Louvre. Museums offering family tours and treasure hunts keep the kids engaged instead of counting minutes. Musée d’Orsay presents Van Gogh’s less familiar “Starry Night” paintings and has a gift shop offering coloring books and souvenirs for the little ones.

On the other hand, Musée de l’Orangerie is surprisingly beautiful and has Monet’s water lily paintings. If you cannot keep your kids quiet, this might not be the museum, you can take your kids to.

Besides, the Museum of Counterfeit Goods (Musée de la Contrefaçon) is a hidden gem in Paris, perfect for both adults and kids wanting to know the difference between fake and original goods like toys, art pieces, etc.

Travel Tip: A museum visit should not be more than 60 to 90 minutes.

7. Wander Through the Tuileries and Ride the Ferris wheel

Sightseeing is transformed into a play by seasonal fairs. Children adore the ride, cotton candy, and the atmosphere of celebration and the Ferris wheel offers a serene, seated perspective of Paris in the sky.

It is entertaining instead of informative and is one of many fun things to do in Paris with kids during the summer and festive seasons.

Travel Tip: You should plan a picnic with this Paris activity instead of adding another museum for kids. That said, this miniature carnival only occurs twice a year – in summer between June and August and from late November to early January.

8. Explore Marie-Antoinette’s Hamlet at Versailles

The palace interiors can be too crowded and slow for children, but the gardens and Marie-Antoinette’s Hamlet feel like storybook spaces. Developed in 1783, here children can peer into the small huts and go to the farm, which has sheep, goats, ducks, etc. Since it is a huge place, bike rentals, golf cars, and the mini-train will help younger legs last longer.

Travel Tip: Gardens first, palace last, or skip the palace entirely.

9. Take a cooking or perfume workshop

Hands-on activities give kids ownership of the trip. Making macarons or mixing perfume turns Paris into something they can touch and create, not just observe. It also gives parents a quiet indoor break.

I recommend such fun activities in Paris for curious kids. Two of the places where you can take your kids for cooking are Ateliers Macaroons and Cook’n With Class.

Travel Tip: Book workshops close to where you are staying. Cook’n with Class is near Sacré-Cœur while Ateliers Macaroons is situated in central Paris at Galeries Lafayette Haussmenn.

10. Ride the city’s carousels

Paris has about 18 to 20 permanent carousels scattered across parks and near major sights; carousels are short, cheap, and perfect for giving kids a joyful break between museums and walks.

Travel Tip: Treat carousels as micro-breaks – one ride, one photo, and you are ready to go again.

The Parent Planning Playbook (Things I Learned the Hard Way)

• Book ahead for pressure points: Eiffel Tower summit tickets, Louvre timed entries, Disneyland park days, and Notre Dame reservation slots disappear in a jiffy. Booking early avoids disappointment while you are on the trip.
• Passes only work with a plan: Go City or Paris Pass can save money if you hit multiple paid attractions in a short time, but single tickets are often better for slower family travel.
• Transit with kids is doable: Navigo Easy or carnet tickets are simplest, and kids under 4 usually ride free. It is wise to avoid weekday rush hours with strollers.
• Always have a rain backup: Covered passages, small museums, aquariums, or cooking workshops turn bad weather into a calm day instead of a lost one.
• Energy management beats sightseeing: Alternate sit-down activities with outdoor play, and schedule food before hunger hits. If you think it matters more than seeing “everything.”
• Families should prefer location over hotel size: Central neighborhoods including the 5th, 6th, 7th, and Le Marais are top places to stay in Paris, allowing you walk most places and return easily for kid’s naps or downtime.

Bottom Line

Paris with kids is not about ticking landmarks off a list. It works when you treat the city like a playground with history in the background. Short days, open spaces, one big highlight per day, and plenty of snacks turn Paris from intimidating to unforgettable for both parents and children.

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