– This post was written by Emma Levin –
Are you planning your next family trip to Paris? Even though Paris is considered one of the most romantic cities in the world, it can still be your next incredible family vacation. The city has adapted quite well to families, and there are many family-friendly attractions as a result. Between famous children’s museums to numerous parks and playgrounds, there are plenty of fun things to do in Paris with kids.
Paris receives up to 30 million visitors each year, and the city has made adjustments to ensure parents feel at ease and that kids are entertained. Still, planning your family trip may be tricky as you navigate age-appropriate activities, transportation, and dining out. Keep reading to find out how you can make your family trip to Paris a memory that lasts a lifetime.
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The best things to do in Paris with kids
1. City of Science and Industry
One of Europe’s first science museums, this immersive attraction will keep your kids entertained all afternoon. In their hands-on exhibits, your children will learn how light and energy work and have the chance to journey through space in the museum’s planetarium. Between all the optical illusions and magical exhibits, this is one of the best things to do in Paris with kids.
Good to know: If you’d like access to the incredible planetarium, remember to book a free time slot onsite.
2. Ménagerie, Zoo of the Jardin des Plantes
If you’re traveling to Paris with children, then consider making a stop at the Ménagerie. The Ménagerie is the perfect activity that combines both Parisian history and exotic animals. Opening back in 1794, this is one of the oldest zoos in the world. At the Ménagerie, your kids will meet endangered species, learn from the animal keepers, and develop a greater understanding of our planet’s threatened biodiversity.
Insider Tip: Be sure to visit the zoo on one of the “Meet the Keepers” event days, which take place every Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday, and every school holiday.
3. Jardin d’Acclimatation: Liberty Pass
This amusement park is about an hour out of Paris, but your kids will love you for making the trip! The legendary Jardin d’Acclimatation combines gorgeous gardens with a thrilling theme park, pleasing both parents and children alike. The liberty pass allows you access to all the rides and coasters and the 400 animals in the park’s ménagerie. Between the rides, the science and art museums, and the 150-year-old gardens, this beautiful park is well worth the trip out of Paris.
Insider Tip: If you’re visiting on a hot summer day, be sure to pack swimsuits for your young children to enjoy the paddling pool!
4. Eiffel Tower
You can’t visit Paris without touring one of its most recognizable structures, the Eiffel Tower. This priority-access ticket allows your family access to the Tower’s second floor, where your kids will enjoy walking the transparent walkway. Then, if you dare, your family can travel all 115 meters to the top for a panorama view of Paris. Don’t forget to take your next family picture at the top!
Good to know: A tour escort will take you to the first security check, so be sure to arrive at the meeting point at least 20 minutes before departure.
The best things to do in Paris for teenagers
5. FlyView Paris
You and your family can gain a whole new perspective of Paris at FlyView. A virtual reality experience, this attraction allows you to see some of Paris’s most iconic landmarks in a 360-degree view. Your teens will enjoy “flying” over Paris to get a bird’s eye view of the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame, and other notable Paris landmarks. For an educational activity that gets your heart racing, look no further than FlyView.
Insider Tip: Pair the FlyView Paris with a Guided Cruise on the Seine for 10% off these fantastic experiences!
6. Stade de France: Guided Behind-The-Scenes Tour
The football fans in your family will get a kick out of this amazing indoor activity in Paris. One of the best Paris tours for families, you’ll enjoy a guided tour of the French National Stadium, where you can visit the locker rooms, the private VIP boxes, and the famous pitch where France won the 1998 World Cup. This behind-the-scenes tour of the eighth-largest stadium in Europe will surely please the sports enthusiasts in your family.
Good to know: Did you know that Stade de France is also a concert venue? Visit the Stade de France Museum to see the guitars and memorabilia from the musicians who have graced the stadium, like Metallica and Prince.
7. AccroCamp: Boucles de Seine
If you’re looking for a break from the city, then consider this heartstopping activity for your teenagers and older kids. This ropes-course adventure can be found in the forests of Moisson. You and your family will swing through the trees and view the tree canopy from a whole new perspective. There’s even a 15-meter high Quickjump. So, put on your brave face and bring the whole family!
Good to know: There are picnic areas available, so bring your brie and baguette to have a delicious French picnic! Remember to dress appropriately and tie up long hair.
8. Catacombs of Paris: Guided Tour
If your teenagers are interested in history with a spooky twist, then head to the Catacombs of Paris. The Catacombs have more than 200 miles of underground tunnels home to over 6 million human skeletons. This special tour allows you to go to off-limits areas, learn about the catacomb histories, and see unique sculptures chiseled out of rock. If you and your kids love telling ghost stories, they’ll fully enjoy one of the best Paris tours for families.
Good to know: Visitors travel down 131 steps to get to the catacombs, plus 112 steep stairs to get out. So, this activity is recommended for travelers in good shape. Remember to wear sneakers and leave the claustrophobia at home!
The most thrilling activities in Paris for kids
9.Parc Astérix
You can’t go wrong with a visit to a theme park as one of the most exciting things to do in Paris with kids . At Parc Astérix, the six themed parks are guaranteed to entertain everyone in your family. Your kiddos will enjoy the magic shows, while your teenagers will catch heartstopping thrills on the roller coasters. Parents should cast aside fears and board the water coaster while the whole family screams in delight.
Insider Tip: The later you go in the day, the less crowded the park will be. Make sure you flash your ticket on the Tiqets app at the turnstile for easy entry.
10. Aquaboulevard
On a hot day in Paris in July, temperatures can reach as high as 86°F (30°C), so a trip to Aquaboulevard is perfect for cooling everyone off. Create memories at Paris’ largest water park, where you can surf massive waves or slide down their wacky-named water slides. If you’re traveling to Paris with children in the summer, then plan a stop at Aquaboulevard.
Good to know: Parents and adults have their own areas where they can catch a break too. Head to the sauna, jacuzzis, and relaxation areas to feel like you’ve scheduled a massage at a Parisian spa.
11. Disneyland® Paris
You can’t travel to Paris with children without scheduling a visit to the famous Disneyland Paris! This same-day ticket gives you access to Disneyland and its more than 50 attractions. The Magic Kingdom awaits you with all your favorite Disney characters and heroes. So, celebrate your childhood by bringing your entire family to Disneyland Paris.
Good to know: Grab the two-park ticket to get access to the Disney Studios Park to team up with Iron Man and Captain Marvel on the brand-new Avenger Campus.
The best indoor activities in Paris for families
12. SEA LIFE Paris Aquarium
Perfect for the ocean lovers in your family, your kiddos will absolutely love this indoor activity in Paris. With over 2250 creatures at home in the aquarium, the little ones can touch starfish, see penguins up close, or create their own sea creature in the Virtual Aquarium. SEA LIFE Paris is a great interactive experience and the ideal activity for when you’re looking for a break from crowded tourist spots.
Good to know: Your ticket to SEA LIFE is valid for the entire day of your visit. So, if you’d like to take a break for lunch, you can come back at any time during the day of your visit.
13. Le Grand Rex Studios: Behind-the-Scenes Interactive Tour
Film-buffs will love this behind-the-scenes tour of a vintage Art Deco theatre. The largest cinematic theatre in Europe, you’ll get to discover historic Parisian movie magic and learn all about the history of cinema. There are interactive activities for your kids, like operating a film reel or making a movie scene from old-fashioned special effects. Peel back the velvet curtain on one of the best Paris tours for families.
Good to know: Be sure you take your time during the tour and play the games along the way, so you don’t miss out on the super secret surprise at the end of the tour!
14. Grévin Wax Museum
This uniquely Parisian attraction brings your family up close and personal to celebrities, athletes, politicians, and other famous figures! At this wax museum, over 200 wax figures are waiting for you to bust out your camera to get pictures of all your favorite celebrities.
There’s even a tribute to historic Paris, where you’ll get to walk amongst an old Parisian theatre and artist studios to see where the great artists of the 19th and 20th centuries hung out. One of the best indoor activities in Paris for families, you’ll have a blast spending a few hours at the Grevin Wax Museum.
Good to know: Most visitors spend at least a couple of hours here taking pictures with all their favorite celebrities, so schedule extra time at the Wax Museum. The last entry is at least one hour before closing at 19:00.
15. Paris Chocolate Museum
You can’t go wrong with chocolate! Satisfy your child’s sweet tooth with a visit to the Paris Chocolate Museum. You and your kiddos will spend time tracing the origins of chocolate, including its first use by ancient Mayan and Aztec civilizations. Everyone will even get the chance to make their own chocolate from a master chocolatier. Just be careful not to eat your creation before you get home!
Good to know: Be sure to arrive at the Chocolate Museum ten minutes before your scheduled workshop, as the Museum will not accept latecomers.
Important things to know about visiting Paris with kids
The historic city of Paris has an abundance of special activities for your family. There are children’s playgrounds, cafes, spacious parks, and other entertaining attractions for your kids to enjoy. We’ve collected some useful tips and tricks for navigating this popular city to help make this your best family vacation yet.
When is the best time of year to visit Paris with kids?
The best time of year to visit Paris with kids is either in the spring or in the early fall. The weather is beautiful at those times of the year, and the city life is vibrant yet not overly crowded. The springtime is great if you’d like to visit parks, especially the Jardin du Luxembourg, which is the famous, old-fashioned children’s park in Paris. In the fall, you’ll get treated to the city’s gorgeous foliage and feel like you’re walking in a storybook.
Keep in mind that if you visit in the summertime, you may deal with extreme heat and little air conditioning! Plus, many Parisians go on holiday during this time of year, so you’ll lose that local feel.
The cheapest time of year to travel to Paris with kids is in early December, January, and February. It’s very frigid this time of year, but the city is less crowded, and there are plenty of chances to snag travel deals.
Extra tip: Book your Paris vacation with your kids at least four months in advance of your expected travel dates. You’ll get the most affordable deals this way.
How to travel around Paris with children
Paris has an excellent public transportation system that’s fast and reliable. Plus, the tickets are pretty affordable, especially for families. Children under four travel for free, and children under eleven pay half the price of a ticket.
The city can get quite crowded during peak travel hours, so take extra care crossing the street and be mindful of the crowds. If you’d like to rent a stroller or car seat, Kidelio and other similar companies can rent what you need for your kids to be comfortable in Paris.
How to get your kids excited about your Paris trip
Are you worried your children aren’t excited to visit Paris? You can do a few activities ahead of time to hype your kids up about traveling to the capital of France.
Read French children’s books.
This is the perfect activity to do with your little ones. Read some classic and modern children’s books to get them in the Parisian spirit. “Madeline” and “Claris: The Chicest Mouse in Paris” are both enjoyable stories to introduce your children to the Parisian lifestyle. Or, you can watch YouTube channels about the city’s unique history to help your kids gain a greater appreciation for the city.
Let your kids help plan your Paris itinerary.
If you’d like your teenagers and bigger kids to get excited about Paris, then let them be part of the planning process. By letting your kids choose a few vacation activities, they’re more likely to be excited about the trip. Plus, your teenagers can gain a little independence by choosing their own things to do in Paris.
Learn a few basic French phrases.
Learning some basics of the local language is considered polite before visiting any foreign country. Start learning basic French with your children, especially those that may be useful on your travels.
How to navigate Paris with a baby
Thankfully, between the many beautiful parks, benches, and other promenades, there are many places where parents can sneak off to change a diaper or catch a break. But keep in mind Paris stores may not carry your favorite baby brands, so pack plenty of your own diapers.
It’s also rare for restaurants to have high chairs for babies and toddlers. So, if you’re going to a nice restaurant, bring your own portable high chair. Plus, Paris has tons of stairs, and the historic landmarks do not allow for strollers. So, consider using a baby carrier to navigate Paris with your little one.
Final tips for visiting Paris with children
Be sure to come to Paris prepared so that you and your kids can have a stress-free, unforgettable family vacation. Plan out activities for each day, so there’s never a shortage of fun things to do with your kids in Paris. Keep in mind that Paris can get tiring for people with little legs, so schedule some park and playground visits where parents and kids can catch a break.
There are plenty of reasons to be excited about your trip to Paris with kids. You’ll create amazing family memories at some of the world’s most exciting and iconic attractions. Be sure to let your kids help plan some of the fun to enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime family vacation.
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