20 things to do with kids in Paris for an unforgettable family trip

In our family, we love Paris, and thanks to friends who live there, we regularly get the chance to pop over. Every time, the City of Light dazzles us! But sometimes we look for things to do that are a bit different from the traditional historical visit, so we can enjoy our beautiful capital in another way. It’s also important to keep renewing children’s curiosity to keep them motivated because, when you visit Paris, you walk a lot!

In this article, I suggest 20 things to do with kids in Paris. We’re not avoiding the beaten track at all costs, because some classics are really great. The idea here is to give you a few ideas so the whole family has fun together! There’s something for every taste and every age!

The classics: must-do things to do with kids in Paris

I’m starting with a few classics, essential in my opinion, which will delight young and old during your stay in Paris.

1- Bateaux-Mouches Seine cruise

A classic among classics: a bateau-mouche cruise on the Seine. It’s touristy but it’s wow! You set off from the foot of the Eiffel Tower and head off to discover the beauties of Paris: Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Conciergerie, the Musée d’Orsay and more. The little commentaries are always interesting and children of all ages will enjoy the trip! Info and booking here.

Less well known, other commentated cruises are available in Paris, on the Canal Saint-Martin and the Canal de l’Ourcq.

2- Musée Grévin

I’ll carry on with another classic that kids will love, the Musée Grévin. It’s a famous wax museum if ever there was one, and you can meet no fewer than 250 celebrities there! From Kylian Mbappé (THE French football star) to Leonardo DiCaprio, via Lady Gaga or Lady Diana , every generation will find their favourite personalities! Info and booking here.

3- Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie

The Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie, at La Villette, takes children on a fascinating journey into the heart of innovation. They can carry out all kinds of experiments and will especially enjoy the Cité des Enfants, which has two areas dedicated to younger visitors (ages 2 to 6 and 5 to 10). Remember to book your time slot!

Then, since you’re at La Villette, stop at the Jardin du Dragon. It has an enormous slide in the shape of… a dragon! The kids love it!

4- Grande Galerie de l’Évolution

I’ve never visited it myself, but my children have, and the visit left a mark on them! The Grande Galerie de l’Évolution, which is in fact part of the Natural History Museum, will amaze the whole family with its life-size parade of stuffed animals. In addition, educational workshops are regularly organised, and the surrounding Jardin des Plantes is a pleasant setting for relaxing after the visit. A classic that never disappoints. Info and booking here.

5- Jardin d’Acclimatation

One last classic that will make you the best parent in the world: the Jardin d’Acclimatation. It’s simply an amusement park in the heart of Paris, spread over 18 hectares with 42 rides. You can sail on the Enchanted River (La Rivière Enchantée), have fun on mechanical mice (Souris Mécaniques), get close to goats, sheep and alpacas, and even try virtual-reality attractions with Jurassic Island. A timeless classic. Info and booking here.

Museums that open their doors to children

In general, when we visit a city or go on an outing, I like it when we learn something. And it turns out Paris is full of beautiful, internationally renowned museums. Yes, but… classic museums aren’t always every family’s cup of tea. In this short selection, discover museums that offer programmes adapted for families!

Find all our advice for daring to go to a museum with your children in this article.

6- The Louvre’s Studio

This is perhaps the nicest surprise. The Louvre’s Studio welcomes families in a 300 m² multimedia space where, depending on the programme, children explore the collections through digital games, create their own stories with the characters from the paintings or take part in engraving workshops, for example. Free with the museum ticket, it runs in 45-minute sessions. An ideal way to approach the Louvre without overwhelming the children.

Depending on the time you have and your children’s ages, combine your visit to the Louvre’s Studio with a treasure hunt in the museum. I tell you more in this article.

7- Philharmonie des enfants

The Philharmonie des enfants (the children’s Philharmonie), at the Philharmonie de Paris, is a place dedicated to children aged 4 to 10, with 1,000 m² and 5 themed worlds where children learn while having fun. They can touch instruments, explore sounds and even compose. It’s often an unexpected hit with families.

8- Musée en Herbe

This museum is a real educational playground, with tactile, playful trails, great temporary programming and perfectly thought-out workshops. Before long, your children will be giving you art history lessons! Designed for children from age 3, it’s a museum planned entirely to be visited in intergenerational groups.

9- Musée des Arts Forains

The Musée des Arts Forains (fairground arts museum) is absolutely unique. It’s set in 19th-century pavilions, with real fairground attractions of yesteryear to try for yourself (Venetian carousels, old fairground games) and cutting-edge scenography to showcase a 200-year-old heritage. Magical for children and parents alike.

Worth noting: booking is compulsory, the guided tour lasts 1h30 and it’s for ages 5 and up.

10- Museum of Magic and Automata

The Musée de la Magie et des Automates (Museum of Magic and Automata) is often cited as a real favourite. With magic shows included in the visit, old automata and optical illusions, this museum is little known to tourists but adored by Parisian families! Info and booking here.

11- Atelier Rodin

The Atelier Rodin welcomes children from 6 months (yes, yes, you read that right!) for a sensory experience. Spaces adapted to different ages let your children get hands-on, independently, with the many facets of modelling and sculpture. Supervised workshops are also open on Saturdays during school holidays.

Immersive experiences

After these cultural suggestions, it’s time to get moving! And for that, I have several suggestions for every profile!

12- Doing an escape game

If, like me, you live in the countryside, your stay in Paris may be a chance to do an activity found mainly in big cities. And as it happens, escape games for kids are multiplying in Paris. I’ve spotted two for you:

• At La Villette, in the Boom Boom shopping centre, live an immersive adventure in the Batman universe: young detectives, from age 7, take on challenges over 70 minutes, with ultra-realistic sets, actors and mini-games. A perfect activity to build team spirit. Info and booking here.
• A Celtic atmosphere at the Parc Floral in the Bois de Vincennes, with several routes adapted to the ages of your team, from age 5. Sense of direction and reasoning will be needed to finish this escape game, whose special feature is that it’s played outdoors. Info and booking here.

13- Paint Invaders

Paint Invaders is a fluorescent immersive art centre opposite the Grand Rex, offering creative experiences around painting. Since March 2026, the venue also offers Fluo Slime, a playful, sensory activity under UV light, from age 5, where everyone leaves with their own fluorescent slime. You’re the artist, but without any fuss: at Paint Invaders, you release all your creative energy! Original, very photogenic and above all very fun!

14- Le Monde de Noé: an immersive animal experience

We change atmosphere completely with Le Monde de Noé (Noah’s World). This space offers an immersive experience at the heart of the animal world, with three ecosystems populated by rescued animals: giant rabbits, ferrets, parakeets, carp, insects… It’s a sensory and educational adventure to raise families’ awareness of biodiversity.

There are two centres in Paris: at Dauphine and at Montparnasse. The classic experience is available from age 4. A discovery experience has been designed especially for ages 1 to 4.

15- Parent-child cooking class

Paris, capital of gastronomy? Maybe after your stint in the kitchen! M Cook Studio offers parent-child cooking workshops (from age 5) with traditional pastry recipes: éclairs, chouquettes, macarons… It’s always useful to bring those skills home, don’t you think? 😋

Seeing Paris in an original and fun way

For a touch of the original, the unusual and the fun, here are two suggestions.

16- The Ballon de Paris

In the Parc André-Citroën, the Ballon de Paris Generali offers tethered flights 150 metres above the ground. For 10 minutes, the whole family can discover the most beautiful monuments, like the Eiffel Tower or Montmartre, from the air. A balloon ride in the middle of the city is unique! The balloon can close without notice in bad weather. Info and booking here.

17- A treasure hunt in Paris

Many companies offer fun, themed routes in Paris designed especially for children, such as Paris Ma Belle, Les Découvreurs or Qui Veut Pister. They let you learn while having fun through treasure hunts in the streets. Ideal for exploring a neighbourhood differently!

Stretching your legs and playing

And for the children, a trip to the playground will probably be worth all the visits put together! Yes, we know them: they don’t need anything sophisticated to have fun. Sometimes they just need to let off steam!

18- Parc Martin Luther King

The playground at Parc Martin Luther King (also called Parc Clichy-Batignolles) will delight all children, with structures suited to every age. The park is also crossed by an artificial river and remarkable natural spaces. Perfect for a hit of greenery in the middle of a city break!

19- Jardin Nelson-Mandela

The Jardin Nelson-Mandela, in the very centre of Paris opposite the Canopée des Halles, offers great variety with its colourful sculptures to play on at any age, even for the smallest. It’s handy if you’re already in the centre, and completely free. You’ll also find a 2,500 m² adventure playground reserved for children aged 7 to 11. Trampolines, climbing trees, rocket-launch ramps… are all on the programme. Wearing trainers is compulsory.

20- Parc de Belleville

The Parc de Belleville has one of the most original playgrounds in the capital, designed for daredevils with its 30-degree slope. It’s built around the idea of risk-taking while keeping children safe with special materials. A panoramic view of Paris comes as a bonus, ideal for parents while the little ones have a blast.

♥♥♥ Flo & co ♥♥♥

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