21 Best Things to Do in Paris with Kids
Several close friends have asked me before what are the best things to do in Paris with their kids, and even though I have been living in Paris for years – it’s always been hard for me to think of more than three things for families to do in Paris.
Truthfully, a lot of the allure of Paris is simply wandering around, basking in the sunshine in a park, or people watching in a café – all of which require a more adult taste that kids usually can’t appreciate yet, which could make Paris “boring” for kids. I honestly believe other bigger cities like New York, London, and even Tokyo are more kid-friendly than Paris.
View of Eiffel Tower in Champs Des Mars; July 2021
However, that doesn't mean that Paris is a complete lost cause for kids. As I have worked in a pre-school and even ran my own babysitting business throughout college, I know a thing or two about how to keep kids entertained under all sorts of circumstances.
Now living in Paris for nearly 5 years, I’m going to share all of my tips and tricks on how to survive Paris with kids – including my curated list of things to do with kids in Paris, many of which I have tested when babysitting in the city.
Is Paris Good for Kids?
Honestly, Paris isn’t the best place to take kids on vacation as its culture of cafés, leisurely walks, and history is bound to be unappreciated by most young children – but there are still many things you can do with them including taking them to Parc Asterix, seasonal fairs or festivals, and Disneyland Paris.
How to Travel on Paris Metro with Kids
As someone who rides the Paris metro every single day to go to work, I have seen my fair share of families on their way to their Paris sightseeing for the day.
Here’s what I would recommend as a local for surviving public transportation in Paris with kids:
🚇👨👩👧👦 Tips for Taking the Paris Metro with Kids 🇫🇷
🎟️ Hold Their Metro Cards
Paris no longer does paper tickets, so unless you want to keep paying for a new tourist Île-de-France metro card, I suggest parents be in charge of the tickets.
Another option is having kids wear them around their necks — lots of locals, including myself, do this.
📱 Keep Phones Away
Tell teens to keep their phones away because of pickpocketing, as it's unfortunately pretty common in Paris.
Try your best not to stand right next to the metro doors, as that's where pickpockets in Paris are most likely to act.
🚦 Know When to Cut Your Losses
Certain metro lines in Paris, like Line 8, can get extremely crowded during rush hour.
I would avoid the metro with young kids between 8:30–9:30 AM and again between 5:30–7 PM, as this is Paris's rush hour.
During these times, even locals often struggle to get on and off the metro in one piece — it's truly like sardines in a can.
What Age is Best to Take Kids to Paris?
I think that the older you wait to take your kids to Paris, the better – meaning middle or high school aged, or around 12 to 17 years old. I personally think that kids in elementary school may be too young to fully enjoy the unique personality and charm of Paris.
I personally didn’t come to Paris for the first time until I was 18 and I think it was perfect, because I was no longer a little kid, but slowly coming into my formative years and could start appreciating what a city like Paris had to offer.
That being said, I think little girls, anywhere from their toddler to teen years, are easier to please in Paris. On the other hand, I think that boys are more likely to find Paris “boring” as the chic and romantic nature of the city may not appeal to them – meaning it’s a toss up whether your tween or toddler son will take a liking to Paris.
🧳 Who Enjoys Paris Most? Age & Gender Breakdown
| 👧 Girls | 👦 Boys | |
|---|---|---|
| 👶 Toddlers | 🎠 Easy to please — parks, sweets, and carousels can keep them happy | 🎢 Hit or miss — some love the adventure, others get bored quickly |
| 🎒 Elementary School | 🧁 Still likely to enjoy the whimsy and treats — good age for a lighthearted intro to Paris | 🛴 Often find the city “boring” unless engaged in active outings or interactive museums |
| 🧑🎓 Middle School | 👜 Start to love the aesthetic — cafés, fashion, photo ops | 🎨 Toss-up — some might connect with art or history, others may still be unimpressed |
| 🎓 High School | 💅 Ideal time to visit — more independence, deeper cultural appreciation | 📸 If interested in photography, fashion, or history — Paris can finally click |
| 🧑 Young Adults (18+) | ✨ Perfect time — romantic, reflective, and culturally enriching | 🌍 Better able to connect with the slower pace and charm of the city |
21 Best Things to Do in Paris With Kids
All of that aside, Paris is indeed a city where a lot of wealthy Parisians raise their families and there are lots of things to do in Paris with kids – from amusement parks, museums, seasonal festivals, and more.
Here’s a breakdown of my top 15 things to do in Paris with kids, organized by age groups, as someone who worked for several years in childcare and has been living in Paris for a while:
👶 Visiting Paris with Babies (0-24 Months)
Visiting Paris with babies has its fair share of pros and cons, but if you play your cards right – you can have a fantastic time in Paris with a baby. My dad’s colleagues came to Paris with a 9 month old, and I gave them all of my best tips on what to see and do, and they ended up having a great time.
The most important things I would keep in mind with babies in Paris is noise level, accessibility, and transportation with a stroller. For instance, I would absolutely avoid the metro with stroller. I see families and tourists alike struggle with this every day when I go to work on in Paris’s city center on the metro. In my opinion as someone who lives in Paris and knows the realities of getting around the city, it’s best to pick one neighborhood per day and explore by foot, and in an area with lots of cafés nearby to easily be able to go for a bathroom break or change a diaper.
Places like the louvre, Jardin des Tuileries, and the Latin Quarter are perfect for this – as they are lined with cafes and easy access to care for your baby.
1. Explore the 1st arrondissmenet (Easy Shop & Café Access for Babies)
If you’re traveling to Paris with a baby, I really recommend staying in central Paris and exploring easy-access places like the Louvre, Jardin des Tuileries, and Rue Rivoli – all of which will give you some of the best that Paris has to offer (museums, parks, and souvenir shopping alongside easy café hopping) without needing to travel far with the stroller or a screaming baby.
The only thing I suggest keeping in mind is that while museums are generally great for babies as they’re quiet and have elevator or escalator access for strollers, is that I don’t reccomend 1st arr) museum (quiet, not lots of movement, but don’t reccomend a place like musee d’lorangie where monet’s water lily are (link to giverny) which prefers quiet to be respected for the art)
💸 Price: €
👪 Best For: Parents who want a good taste of Paris and quiet activities with a baby
The 1st arrondissement is arguably one of the easiest places to sightsee in Paris with a baby; Jardin des Tulieries in Paris during the summer
2. Wander the Latin Quarter
One of the most lively neighborhoods in Paris and very feasible to do with a baby, the Latin Quarter is really the best of both worlds for parents traveling with strollers, diapers, and a baby not on their own two feet yet.
This is because everything is easily walkable, from the heart of the narrow, student-friendly streets of the Latin Quarter, the large Boulevard Saint-Michelle for walking, the peaceful Jardin du Luxembourg, and even nearby Notre-Dame – which is perfect for babies as it’s always very quiet inside.
💸 Price: €
👪 Best For: Getting a local vibe of Paris on foot with nearby places to care for your baby
The Latin Quarter, which is densely populated and full of affordable cafés and shopping, is a great place to walk around with a baby or young kids in Paris.
🧸 Visiting Paris with Toddlers (Ages 2-4)
I’m not going to lie, as someone who specialized in working with kids ages 2 to 3 in preschool – visiting Paris with your toddler can be hit or miss if you don’t know the best things to do with them in Paris.
Luckily, there are lots of places that are perfect for toddlers in Paris, and since the city is covered in sweet treats from crêpes, pastries, and other chocolate goods – it’s easy to distract them with a dessert every now and then whenever you need.
Here are some of the best things to do in Paris with your toddler:
1. Ride the Carousel at Trocadéro
If you want to get your family vacation photos in Paris and entertain kids in one shot, you’ll want to head to Trocadéro – as it’s an amazing place for kids to see the Eiffel Tower but also enjoy the Carousel at Trocadéro. There are also usually vendors selling kid-friendly sweets like cotton candy and lollipops, which could come in handy if you need to convince your kids to be less cranky while sightseeing the city!
💸 Price: €
👪 Best For: Parents who want to see the Eiffel Tower but still entertain the kids
2. Paris Aquarium
Conveniently located right near Trocadéro Gardens, which is a popular spot for tourists to view the Eiffel Tower – the Paris Aquarium is the perfect place to take kids in Paris who are interested in marine life without needing to travel for hours on train from Paris to the nearest Oceanside town.
This is best done in combination with a trip to Trocadéro Gardens and the Eiffel Tower – so kids can enjoy both the fountains, picnic space, and green grass to run on in addition to the mental stimulation of the Paris Aquarium.
💸 Price: €€
👪 Best For: Kids who take strong liking to aquatic life or movies like 'Finding Nemo'
View of Eiffel Tower from Jardins du Trocadéro in Paris, France; May 2019
3. Hop On the Petit Train in Montmartre
Every time I take a stroll through Montmartre, I am almost always a little jealous whenever I see this cute little train – as it’s truly too cute for words, and an easier way to see this quintessential, hilly neighborhood in Paris.
With routes heading downwards from Place du Tetre to Moulin Rouge or even from Moulin Rouge up towards the Sacré-Cœur itself – this is an easy, under 30-minute way to discover the artsy, charming streets of Montmartre without hearing young kids complaining about walking uphill.
Plus, Carrousel de Saint-Pierre is nearby where the train will drop you off – which is another quick and easy way to entertain kids in Paris while still getting to see one of the city’s most famous neighborhoods yourself.
💸 Price: €€
👪 Best For: Kids who often complain about walking and who love train rides
4. Parc Zoologique de Paris in Vincennes
Roughly three times the size of Central Park in New York City, Bois de Vincennes is a popular place for runners and people who live just outside of Paris to enjoy some downtime – and even has a zoo for kids in Paris!
All of Vincennes is clean, safe, and very family friendly – so feel free to hop on the line 1 metro towards Vincennes if you’re running out of things to do with kids in Paris in the city center.
💸 Price: €€
👪 Best For: Kids who are happiest when you take them to the zoo
Château de Vincennes; December 2024
🎒 Visiting Paris with Kids (Ages 5-11)
This is the age where Paris still isn’t fully appreciated by young kids (I most recently babysat two boys aged 6 and 9, so I have firsthand experience in knowing this), but there are still lots of things in Pairs that could pique their interest if you know the right places to go to.
Here are some of the best places to take elementary and middle school aged kids in Paris:
1. Discover the Carnival at Fête des Tuileries
Fête des Tuileries is hands down the best thing to do in Paris with kids, as the wide array of family friendly games, bumper cars, claw machines, available sweet treats, and Ferris Wheel can keep kids entertained for hours.
Think of Fête des Tuileries as a minuature carnival or fair – it’s very small, but has several games, rides, and attractions perfect for a family trip to Paris.
💸 Price: €€
👪 Best For: Kids who love carnivals and ferris wheels
Fête des Tuileries in Paris; July 2025
When is Fête des Tuileries Open?
However, it is important to note that Fête des Tuileries only happens twice a year – during the summer between June and August and again during Christmas time from late November to early January.
Is it Worth Going Up the Ferris Wheel in Paris ?
Yes, it is absolutely worth going up the Ferris Wheel in Paris! In fact, it’s one of the best views of Paris with its central location allowing you to clearly see several iconic monuments from the Louvre, Arc de Triomphe, Sacre-Cœur, and the Eiffel Tower.
Check out the views from the Ferris Wheel in my Paris vlog below!
How Much Does it Cost to Go Up the Ferris Wheel in Paris ?
As of 2025, it costs a whopping 20€ per ticket to go up the Ferris Wheel in Paris – when in years past it used to be 15€. However, now that the price has increased – they finally accept a credit card for payment, when you only used to be able to pay by cash.
If you enjoy Ferris Wheels and scenic city views, it’ll be worth the 20€ – plus, you’ll get to be up at the top twice to allow for photo opprotunities !
Ferris Wheel in Jardin des Tuileries; July 2025
2. Live Like Locals with Miniature Boat Sailing at Jardin Du Luxembourg
Something only a local such as myself would be able to tell you, is that Jardin du Luxembourg is not only the most beautiful garden in Paris –but it also has the perfect activity for families in Paris near the biggest pond in the center of the park: miniature boat sailing.
How Much Do the Sailboats at Jardin Du Luxembourg Cost?
As of August 2025, Families can rent a miniature sailboat in Jardin du Luxembourg for 8€ per 30 mins, and each little sailboat will have a different country flag –making this a both fun, local, and educational activity for kids in Paris!
💸 Price: €
👪 Best For: Kids who love parks, competitions, and sailboats
Sailboats in Jardin du Luxembourg; August 2025
3. Take a Canards de Paris Bus Bus Tour
While there are many different bus tours to choose from in Paris, the Canards Bus Tour is probably the most enticing for kids – as these buses can also go into the water and offers an exciting “splash” and entertainment factor for kids and parents alike.
💸 Price: €€
👪 Best For: Kids who don't mind a little adventure
4. Venture Down to the Catacombs
Personally, I find the catacombs to be too morbid to take children to – but I had friends that took their 10 year-old-son and 8 year-old daughter and they claimed to have loved it.
If you have kids interested in history or alternative activities, the catacombs might be the perfect place to be.
💸 Price: €€
👪 Best For: Kids fascinated by movies like "The Nightmare Before Christmas"
5. Get Creative at a Kid’s Cooking Class
One of the most wonderful things I align with and appreciate deeply about French culture is the deep passion and appreciation for food and cooking.
Many kids are not only food motivated, but interested in something tactile – making a kid’s cooking class one of the best ways to entertain your kids in Paris.
💸 Price: €€€
👪 Best For: Kids who love food and creating
Eating out in Paris; July 2025
Cooking Classes in Paris
Places to take kids to a cooking class in Paris include:
Ateliers Macaroons: Conveniently located in central Paris at Galeries Lafayette Haussmenn, you’ll be able to make macaroons with your kids and learn about the process of how these infamous French treats are made.
Cook’n With Class: Another cooking class to make French pastries and homemade macaroons that you can take back to your hotel or to a park after the class and enjoy together as a family.
6. See Paris on a River Cruise on the Seine
Paris is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and while it’s very small and walkable – kids may feel differently, and get tired from walking long distances or up and down the stairs in the metro.
Luckily, one of the easiest ways to see some of Paris’s most famous landmarks including the Notre Dame and the Eiffel Tower Is to take a river boat cruise on the seine.
💸 Price: €€
👪 Best For: Kids who cannot tolerate walking for long, but parents who want to see the main tourist attractions in Paris
The Seine River in Paris, France; July 2025
How Much Does a River Cruise on the Seine Cost?
It only costs 15€ for adults and 6 euros for kids between the ages of 4 and 12, making this an affordable and family friendly activity in Paris that doubles as sightseeing without walking or pushing around strollers on cobblestone streets.
7. Visit Kid Friendly Museums in Paris
I’m not going to lie to you, even as an adult in Paris – I easily get bored in Museums in Paris, as many of them are too big, crowded, and not air conditioned, all of which make them uncomfortable to explore for long periods of time.
However, there are a few museums in Paris that are less intimidating in size and require a shorter attention span that could prove good for kids:
🏛️🎨 Best Museums in Paris for Kids 🇫🇷
🎨 Musée d'Orsay
One of my favorite museums in Paris and home to one of Van Gogh’s lesser-known "Starry Night" paintings, the inside of Musée d'Orsay is beautiful itself, has a wonderful family-friendly gift shop (think coloring books and souvenirs for kids), and is less crowded than more touristic museums like the Louvre.
🗿 Musée Rodin
Also smaller than other museums in Paris, Musée Rodin focuses on sculptures, which can be fun for kids to imitate their postures for family selfies.
In addition to this, Musée Rodin has a wonderful private garden to relax in.
🪷 Musée de l'Orangerie
Another more approachable museum for kids in Paris, Musée de l'Orangerie is home to Monet’s water lily paintings and is surprisingly really pretty — to the extent I think it could even entice kids.
However, it is important to note that this museum requires silence when viewing Monet’s paintings to respect his work — so this may not be the best place to bring kids in Paris if your children can be on the more rambunctious side.
💸 Price: €€
👪 Best For: Kids who genuinely love to learn and don't find museums to be boring
View of Musée d'Orsay in Paris; July 2021
8. Explore Bubble Planet Paris
If you’ve seen Emily in Paris, then you might remember the scene where Emily and Gabriel sneak off to a pop-up near the outdoor movie they were watching, where they jump into a pool of plastic bubbles.
Well, it turns out Emily in Paris was actually extremely accurate here – because Emily, Mindy, Nico, and Gabriel were watching the movie near La Villette, which is close to where Bubble Planet Paris actually exists in real life!
Entry to Bubble Planet Paris lasts for around one hour and costs roughly 20 € per ticket.
In addition to Bubble Planet Paris, the nearby park, “La Villette” – has a very family-friendly vibe and is perfect for kids to run around.
💸 Price: €€
👪 Best For: Kids who genuinely love to learn and don't find museums to be boring
9. Enjoy a Day at Disneyland Paris
This is of course one of the more obvious answers for things to do in Paris with kids, but if you need a full day of fun for kids in Paris – you can’t go wrong with a trip to Disneyland.
Roughly between a 45 minute to an hour journey outside of central Paris, and albeit smaller than the Disney World in Orlando Florida – there are plenty of fun rides, attractions, and characters to meet at Disneyland Paris to give your kiddos a trip to remember.
💸 Price: €€€
👪 Best For: Kids who love Disney and have enjoyed other theme parks in the past
From all of the rides, attractions, and kid-friendly restaurants – Disneyland Paris is like heaven-on-earth for kids visiting Paris!
10. Have a Blast at Parc Asterix
On the more local side, another theme park also outside of Paris is Parc Asterix – which is based off of a popular French cartoon.
Honestly, Park Asterix is a boat-load of fun and can be enjoy by parents and kids in Paris equally – with water rides, roller coasters, cinema viewing rooms, and even special themes around holidays such as Halloween.
I strongly suggest a day trip to Parc Asterix while in Paris with kids if they love adventure parks, but aren’t sold on the typical, more crowded and “fairy tale” image of Disneyland Paris.
💸 Price: €€
👪 Best For: Kids that don't really care for Disney, but love rides and attractions and don't mind a French cultural immersion
Parc Asterix in Paris; October 2024
🎧 Visiting Paris with Tweens & Teenagers (Ages 12-17)
Traveling to Paris with teenagers can actually be a really fun time, as they’ll be more ample to partake in some of the more fun things to do in the city – like bike rides and spotting filming locations from their favorite T.V. shows.
I realize most teens will head to TikTok to search for the under the radar local places, but I suggest being careful with some of these – as while they will be in less touristic neighborhoods, may also require speaking a little French to have a pleasant experience.
Personally, as a young woman living here who remembers what it’s like to be dreaming of Paris as a teen – here’s what I would recommend in Paris with tweens or teenagers:
1. Climb To the Top of Arc de Triomphe
I always see families opting to go up the top of the Eiffel Tower, but in truth – a view of Paris with the Eiffel Tower in it is always better. I think besides the Ferris Wheel in Jardin de Tulieries, the top of the Arc de Triomphe is one of the best views of Paris – and it isn’t too challenging to get to the top for kids.
This is great for tweens and teens as it’s a very “instagrammable” place to take pictures of the Eiffel Tower, alongside a great spot for family photos and memories.
Overall, it’s the perfect place to take pictures with your kids in Paris, as the views are beautiful and the hike to the top isn’t as intense as to the top of the Eiffel Tower itself.
💸 Price: €€
👪 Best For: Family photos and teens that want social media pictures
View of the Eiffel Tower from the top of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France; July 2021
2. Enjoy a Family Bike Tour in Paris
If you’re kids are older and enjoy bike rids, consider taking a bike tour around Paris with the kids!
As Paris is a city on the smaller side, one of the easiest ways locals themselves zip across town is by scooter or bike – which means taking your family in Paris on a bike tour could help to give everyone a more “Parisian” experience while in the City of Lights.
Several tour companies provide pre-planned routes safe for children, which will include passing iconic Parisian landmarks like Notre-Dame, the Arc de Triomphe, and the Eiffel Tower.
💸 Price: €€
👪 Best For: Sportier families who like to go off the beaten tourist path
Bikes outside Hôtel de Ville in Paris; December 2021
3. Drink Hot Chocolate at Angelina’s or Carette
Everyone, including kids, loves a good hot chocolate – and two places known for this in Paris include Angelina’s and Carette.
My local friends have told me that while both places are expensive and catered to tourists, they are both well worth the visit and that the hot chocolate is good.
This could prove exceptionally interesting for little girls who enjoy “tea time” and want to try the other dainty treats available at places like Angelina’s.
💸 Price: €€
👪 Best For: Tween girls looking to live their TikTok fantasies in Paris
4. Spot Famous Filming Locations in Paris for T.V. Shows, Movies, and Music Videos
People tend to forget just how many movies, T.V. shows, and music videos have been filmed in Paris in recent years.
From Emily in Paris, The Summer I Turned Pretty, the Devil Wears Prada, Sex and the City, and more – there are so many places in Paris that your tween or teen is probably itching to see in person.
💸 Price: €
👪 Best For: Teens who are big fans of shows like The Summer I Turned Pretty or Emily in Paris
5. Go on a pop culture Day Trip of Your Teenager’s Choice
On the same note as spotting filming locations in Paris with your teenager, they might also be interested in taking a day trip outside of the city.
From Olivia Rodrigo’s song, “Drop Dead” being filmed at the Palace of Versailles and Emily in Paris scenes being filmed in Giverny – there are lots of places outside of Paris relevant in pop culture that could pique a tween’s interest.
💸 Price: €€
👪 Best For: Teens who are extremely attuned to pop culture
👨👩👧👦🗼 FAQs on Visiting Paris with Kids 🗼👨👩👧👦
As the French say, bien voilà – those are my top 15 recommendations for things to do with kids in Paris.
Want to see some of these places in action? Check out my Paris vlog down below!
Looking for more information on Paris as you plan your family trip to France?
Click here to discover more, as I have several articles like this to help you plan the perfect trip to Paris and the rest of France.
Additional articles you may find helpful include:
One Night in Nice + Monte Carlo: Is the French Riviera Overrated?
Your Ultimate Guide to Disneyland Paris: Is It Worth A Day Trip?
Your Guide to a First Trip to Paris: A Local-Approved 5-Day Itinerary
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Last updated: June 3, 2026