Top Things To Do In Paris France With Kids

Plan the perfect Paris family itinerary with our list of top things to do in Paris France with kids, and find out where to stay near the top family attractions.

Traveling to Paris with kids can quickly squash any romantic feelings, and leave you wondering whether it was a good idea to visit Paris with kids who have little appreciation for art or history.

While on our recent trip to Paris, I met an Australian mother who had traveled to Europe without her kids. When I told her I had brought the kids along with us, she was shocked and remarked that Paris is not a city for kids.

She couldn’t be more wrong!

Top Things To Do In Paris France With Kids

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things to do in paris france with kids

 

[bctt tweet=”There is plenty to see and do in Paris with kids in tow!”]

All it takes is a little planning and preparation, and a change in expectations. Here is a list of the top things to do in Paris with kids:

 

things to do in paris france with kids

Visit the Eiffel Tower

Pack a picnic dinner and sit at the Champ de Mars at sunset. Seeing the most popular attraction in Paris, the Eiffel Tower, lit up at night is truly amazing. Stay for the hourly sparkling of lights (from 10pm), and your kids will be left in awe. Follow this with a ride of the nearby carousel and maybe a crepe or two from a food truck. Your kids will never forget Paris! For  more information about visiting Paris’ famous attraction, see this post HERE.

Click here to find the best hotels in Paris near the Eiffel Tower.

 

things to do in paris france with kids

Jardin d’Acclimatation: One of many fun things to do in Paris with kids!

Jardin d’Acclimatation

You can spend an entire day at this Paris park, full of not only amusement rides but an animal sanctuary and beautiful gardens. If it’s a warm day, I recommend bringing along the kids swimwear as there are sprinklers for the kids to run through. You can bring a picnic lunch or purchase food at the park. There is even an Angelina’s Tea Room if your kids are old enough, and parents can enjoy the neighbouring Fondation Louis Vuitton (a museum showcasing contemporary art exhibitions, and has nothing to do with the Paris fashion legend).

Click here to find the best hotels in Paris near Jardin d’Acclimatation.

 

things to do in paris france with kids

 Playground at Jardin de Luxembourg

Where do children in Paris go to play? Tucked away in a corner of the 17th century formal gardens of Paris’ Jardin de Luxembourg is the children’s playground, which has something for all ages. The park charges an entry fee however it is worth the money- our kids spent over 4 hours playing here on our recent trip. There is something for every age! Parents can enjoy a snack or coffee from the nearby snack area. Once your kids have had enough of the playground, they can ride the carousel. Children sitting on the outside horses are given a stick and as the horse passes the carousel operator holding a pile of rings, the children must try to hook the ring on their stick. It’s a lot harder than it looks!

 

 

things to do in paris france with kids

Rent a wooden boat at the Jardin de Luxembourg

Another popular attraction when in Paris with kids! When my kids first saw these boats, they said it was an activity for boys only and looked boring. I encouraged them to give it a try and they were glad they did! For a small fee per person, your child chooses a boat with a country flag of their choice and using a stick, must navigate the boat around the pond. We wondered how the boats would get from one side of the pond to the other, or how they would return once they appeared to get stuck in the middle (or crash into other boats!) but to the amusement of the kids, their boats always returned. There was lots of laughter and running around during the half an hour we had with the boats.

Click here to find the best hotels in Paris near Jardin de Luxembourg.

 

where to stay in paris france with kids

See the Mona Lisa at the Louvre

After a couple of disappointing Museum experiences with my kids in Amsterdam, I was reluctant to take them to any Paris museums such as the Louvre considering how long the entrance lines can be and the large crowds. But Miss 11 and Miss 7 insisted that I take them, and because I was so hesitant about it, they promised to be on their best behaviour. I think my reverse psychology worked! They enjoyed seeing the Mona Lisa and were amazed at the size of the painting, as they had expected something much larger in appearance. We also laughed at the crowds of people in the room, and everyone taking selfies with the painting in the background. I’m glad I ended up taking the girls, even if it was just a short (and painless) visit.

Click here to find the best hotels in Paris near the Louvre Museum.

 

 

top things to do in paris france with kids

Ice-cream at Amorino’s

Take the kids to the Jardin de Tuileries (next to the Louvre) and enjoy an ice-cream from Amorino’s, one of the most popular ice-cream retailers in Paris- they make the ice cream into flower petals. Sit under a shady tree while the kids play on the trampolines.

Click here to find the best hotels in Paris near the Jardin de Tuileries.

Visiting Paris with kids is all about enjoying the simpler things in life, and admiring the beauty of the city while you explore sights and enjoy activities aimed at children. There are many things to do in Paris with kids, but you could also choose to take a slower pace and soak up the atmosphere while admiring the amazing architecture and beauty in Paris. See beyond the typical romantic stereotypes!

So you’ve decided to visit Paris with kids? For some of the best hotels in Paris for families, please read MY POST.

To learn more about the best areas to stay in Paris with kids, you can find helpful information HERE.

Do you have any other suggestions for the top things do in Paris France with kids? Let me know in the comments!

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49 thoughts on “Top Things To Do In Paris France With Kids”

    • I hope you get to go one day as I’m sure being girls, they will find it extra special and nice. Dreaming is free- Im thinking about our next big trip which wont be for a while but yes, one can still dream 🙂

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  1. Great post! I went to France when I finished school and stayed with a family while there. I’ve always wanted to take hubby there, and now my ‘host-sister’ is engaged I want to take the whole family over for the wedding. These are fantastic suggestions, thanks!

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    • That sounds so special! I hope you do get to take the whole family over for the wedding, it would be so memorable.

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  2. I’m so happy to read this. We have a rip to Japan planned for next year but France is next on my list. I’m thinking it would be a nice place to visit with primary school aged children (mine are toddlers at the moment). I’m bookmarking this for reference!

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    • Yes, you’ll probably find that once they are in primary school they may learn about something you can show them when in France, or anywhere else in Europe. It gives their education a global perspective. Japan sounds exciting!

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  3. My Mr7 is quite inquisitive about the Eiffel Tower and has expressed interest to visit Europe, so yes I think Paris and Europe is suitable for kids.
    We have started talking about visiting in a couple of years, when our son can cope with all the walking (he is a toe walker and his legs tires easily) and when he has learnt a little about Europe at school to put it all in perspective.

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    • Yes the walking is a bit much for younger kids- sometimes I’d forget to slow the pace as we were having so much fun! I hope you get to take your kids someday.

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  4. Good for you. How wonderful are the memories you have made with the children. I’ve not travelled anywhere other than to North America but maybe one day France will be on my travel list! Denyse

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  5. I haven’t been to Paris yet myself … and now my kids are grown … so when I do go, it will be for a romantic holiday with the hubster. Hopefully we will get there in the next couple of years! In May we went on our first trip to Europe, but mostly visited Italy and London.

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    • Janet, I hope you both get to visit Paris someday! We were there in 2002 before we had the kids but only for a few days and it wasn’t long enough. If you do make it there, I’d recommend a week to really be able to enjoy the place without rushing.

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  6. This is so timely! We are in the early stages of planning a trip to Paris & London next year with our girls, who will be 18, 16, 10 and 8! Thank you! Very excited now. I’ve been to Paris before and I’m so excited to share this beautiful city with our girls.

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  7. Paris is the best city in the world for kids – even fancy Guy Savoy restaurant welcomed our kids with open arms. Parks on every corner, chips with every meal…it has everything!

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  8. Paris (or any city) is for kids because kids live there. There has to be a lot of attractions directed towards them. And even, if attractions are more geared towards adults, kids have always a way to enjoy every place they visit. Anyway, I think we all feel a little bit like kids when we travel.

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  9. No I’ve never done that and my kids are grown now. Maybe some future grandkids? Or not. I would like to do some of these and I can see how it could be a great experience. It is a very long time since I have been to Paris myself – doesn’t the tower look amazing lit up!

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  10. Granted you won’t see Paris with kids the same way you would see it as a couple, but large cities in general are great for kids and Paris has so much to with kids. We loved the guignol puppet shows and the city pools.

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  11. I visited Paris with my kids a few summers ago, and it was a wonderful vacation, albeit not a very romantic one. My kids also love pushing the boats at Luxembourg Garden and touring the Louvre. Ice cream is always a winner. Great post, and thanks for linking up with #WkendTravelInspiration.

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  12. I have been to Paris twice, once before I had kids, and the second time as a family. Of all the places we have been, Paris doesn’t rank too high on the list as it seemed we were always in long queues or crowds. We actually changed our flights to leave early. Wish I loved it like most people seem to.

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    • It would depend on the time of year you visited, we were there early June and the crowds were not too bad as the peak season had not yet begun. There are also certain times of the day that are better to visit the larger attractions, and sometimes its just pure luck. Long queues and big crowds are tough when you are travelling with kids, and can sometimes make or break a trip.

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  13. Thank you for linking up on Travel Tuesday! Paris is definitely on my bucket list and it’s great to know that there are activities for kids there. Was there any reason Paris Disneyland was not on your list?

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    • We did originally consider visiting Disneyland, however after more research, I realised that we would have needed to spend about 3-4 days to fully enjoy the theme park. As we only had 6 days in Paris, We decided that we would rather spend those days in Paris itself, and that Disneyland is something we would rather do when we visit the U.S. Thanks for your question- Disneyland Paris is definitely a popular family attraction!

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    • I don’t think so! It’s a smaller carousel than most of the other ones around town. But the one in front of the Eiffel Tower would be a great one for adults!

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  14. I always wonder, when people say someplace is no place for children, if there are no children there. I mean…kids do live there, right? I love traveling with the kids – SO much fun! And these tips for Paris – I would enjoy them…kids or not. 🙂 #traveltuesday

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  15. I love that you travel with your children. My parents started traveling with me when I was still in diapers! I’ve always been thankful that they took me along. I have always wanted to rent a toy boat in Jardin de Luxembourg. Love for #MondayEscapes

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  16. I couldn’t agree more! I took my daughter when she was about 20 months old and we did a lot of the parks you did, plus loads of walking to spot carousels and eat crepes. I’ve visited Paris a lot but I saw such a different side to the city, and would already love to go back when she’s older. #mondayescapes

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  17. Hi Natalie, Paris is not just for lovers, you’re right ! I’m a French mom of 3 raised in Paris, and like you I love the Luxembourg Garden’s playground, its old carousel, the wooden boats (so old style !) 🙂 Love also the Tuilerie garden, and much more. You can read about the places we love with kids in Paris here: https://travel-with-my-kids.com/paris-with-kids.
    Hope it could be useful 🙂
    (At this time I leave in Rome with my family, another lovely city…)

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    • Hi Virginie, thanks for stopping by and for sharing your piece about the places you love- I’m looking forward to reading it. Rome- now there’s a city I’d love to take my kids to next time we are in Europe! 🙂

      Reply

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