Playgrounds and More Fun Things To Do With Kids In Paris
When planning our family trip to Paris with our two young daughters, I looked for the perfect blend of “adult happy” stops and “kid happy” stops.
Each day, we’d map out a Parisian neighborhood, explore one or two key landmarks before unwinding at a local playground where our kids happily played while my husband and I happily took in the views and enjoyed baguettes and coffee.
And I have to say our strategy for a simply awesome family trip to Paris worked beautifully. We were delighted to discover a quiet park or playground in every neighborhood, often right behind a famous landmark that we had just toured.
We watched our daughters play with French children on the playgrounds under the shadow of the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Louvre, and even a medieval castle.
Get more fun ideas in our 10 Best Things To Do In Paris With Kids.
Too busy to plan a family trip? If you like this blog post, you’ll love our super informative blog: Paris With Kids Itinerary. You’ll find all the details you need for each day including worthwhile stops along the way to each location, travel time between destinations, the best family-friendly attractions, helpful tips, labeled maps, and the best lodging/dining choices.
Playgrounds Near Famous Landmarks in Paris
These playgrounds in Paris were perfectly located next to famous Parisian landmarks, which made for truly fun days for everyone in the family.
Playground and Hand-Cranked Carousel in Champs de Mars Park Near the Eiffel Tower
Playground and carousel near the Eiffel Tower
Under the shadow of the Eiffel Tower and just a 5 minute walk from its base, you will find the wonderful playground and carousel in the large Parc Du Champs de Mars.
Parc Champs de Mars includes plenty of green space with benches, playgrounds, a puppet theater, and most importantly, a 100 year old, hand-painted, hand-cranked carousel.
Make sure to find the hand-cranked carousel in Champs de Mars Park near the Eiffel Tower. Please note that this is not the fancy, new carousel at the foot of the Trocadéro behind the Eiffel Tower and next to the Seine River.
You want the real, authentic, Parisian carousel located off the Avenue Charles-Risler that runs across the park and is accessed from the 7th from Rue de Belgrade.
You will love seeing your kids try to “spear” the rings with their baton as they circle on their horses. The attendant cranking the carousel will cheer them on in French adding to the fun! They are playing the “jeu de bagues” (ring game) – a children’s version of the medieval tournament where galloping knights spear rings with lances.
It was definitely a highlight of our trip, and our girls loved every minute of it. They do charge a small fee for the carousel, but the fun playground right behind the carousel is free.
The backdrop of the Eiffel Tower makes for the most beautiful playground time for the parents.
Grab a snack at the stand next to the carousel and soak in the beauty from one of the many park benches. The stand has crepes to order, sandwiches, croissants, ice cream, etc. Cafes also line the streets surrounding the park.
Playground At Luxembourg Gardens Near Le Bon Marche Department Store
Luxembourg Gardens is the largest park in Paris, perfect for a picnic after visiting the nearby department store Le Bon Marche. Our daughters loved this playground with its “zipline”, climbing ropes, and slides.
It’s a good Sunday activity with all the French families relaxing on their day off.
On your way to its magnificent playground (small admission fee), stroll through the beautiful gardens, watch the kids float their boats in the pond (you can too for a fee), and wander the park looking for the replica of the Statue of Liberty.
It’s truly a beautiful, quiet oasis in the middle of Paris. The playground is located next to the Puppet Theater, which could also be a fun activity.
Playground at Luxembourg Gardens 
Fun Zipline! 
Although entering Luxembourg Gardens is free, you will need to pay a small admission price for both kids and adults to enter the Children’s Playground Area. Sit and relax watching this Parisian scene through your child’s happy eyes.
Tip: Kids are out of school on Wednesdays, so it can be crowded.
Getting there: If you’re coming straight to the gardens, the RER line B drops you off right in front of the gardens at metro stop Luxembourg.
Or, you can do as we did, and take the metro to the Rue Maubillon station. Pick out your sandwiches or pastries at Gerard Mulot Maison Mulot (closed Wednesdays) at 76 Rue de Seine and and walk down to Luxembourg Gardens (5 minutes to entrance) for a leisurely afternoon and time well spent at this wonderful playground.
Tip: Luxembourg Garden also has a cafe next to the playground.
Playground At Tuileries Garden Near the Louvre and Musée D’Orsay
If your kids are still feeling the energy after touring either the Musée D’Orsay or the Louvre, you’ll find an excellent playground nearby in the Jardin de Tuileries. This large, fun playground is located towards the Place de la Concorde end of the park.
In the northwest corner from the playground, you will also find trampolines (a 2 euro fee for 5 minutes of jumping) and more playground equipment. Note: The trampolines are designed for kids aged 2-12.
They are easy to miss if you are walking down the main alley (grand allée). They are located closer to the Rue de Rivoli and the Tuileries metro exit.
The playground near the Louvre at Tuileries Garden 
Tuileries Gardens Playground
Tip: Still have energy? A side excursion to the nearby Musée de L’Orangerie is a nearby option. (Opens 9am; closed Tuesdays) We haven’t been to this museum, but it’s one I want to visit as it houses Monet’s full wall-size Water Lilies painting.
Playground at Parc De Floral In the Bois de Vincennes Near Chateaux de Vincennes
Located on the edge of eastern Paris, Chateau de Vincennes is the opposite of Versailles’s extravagance. (It also has a fraction of the visitors.) This stop was a big hit with our daughters.
After wandering through the castle, we enjoyed a picnic at the beautiful Parc Floral located behind the castle. The girls thought this playground was the best of their visit.
The metro station is located super close to the castle, and you can use a regular metro ticket to get there.
After visiting the castle, walk around the castle towards the Parc Floral. Stroll by the beautiful flower gardens, large oak trees, lakes, pathways, and large children’s play area (listed as “Jeux pour enfants”).
Playground near Chateaux de Vincennes 
Parc de Floral
You’ll find a map upon entry to the park, and you’ll likely encounter a peacock strolling the grounds. Seriously!
Take your time, snap some great photos, and picnic on a park bench. During the summer there is a small admission fee, but it’s free other times of the year. We would certainly return here and possibly rent bikes for the family to explore–so beautiful and everyone had fun!
Playground Behind Notre Dame Cathedral
The garden and small playground behind Notre Dame Cathedral in Square Jean XXIII was a great stop for us after touring Notre Dame Cathedral. Enter through a gate along Rue du Cloitre-Notre Dame (the tower side of the cathedral).
Heads up! This playground is currently closed with the renovations being done at Notre Dame.
Playground Near Notre Dame Cathedral 
Notre Dame Cathedral Playground
Note that the queue to just go inside the Notre Dame Cathedral (it’s free-no Museum pass needed) can be long but moves fairly fast.
Arrive early (preferably on a week day) if you want to go inside! If the line is way too long, just walking around the cathedral admiring the statues and gargoyles is fun too.
Tip: Challenge your kiddos to find the “Pointe Zero” marker in the square in front of the cathedral. This spot marks the official center of Paris.
If time permits after enjoying Notre Dame Cathedral and the small playground, continue on to the the world famous Berthillion ice cream shop on Isle St. Louis. It’s a beautiful 10 minute walk from Notre Dame Cathedral.
Playground Along the Jardin Tino Rossi Riverwalk Near the Museum of Natural History and Botanical Garden
One of the best ways to enjoy Paris is simply walking its wonderful pathways and neighborhoods. The Jardin Tino Rossi Riverwalk is another fun and scenic family stroll in Paris.
Enjoy the wandering path along this pedestrian-only pathway stretching along the Seine riverbanks from the Institut du Monde Arabe to the Jardin des Plantes.
Filled with modern concrete sculptures, it’s a great photo op and even has a fun playground for the kiddos. This was one of our stops on the Batobus “water taxi”. You could even walk the pathway and take the batobus back.
More Fun Things To Do With Young Kids In Paris
My advice to families traveling with young kids to Paris is to pick activities that don’t consume an entire day. For example, we opted for the Musée D’Orsay rather than the massive and crowded Louvre.
We also visited a beautiful medieval castle on the eastern edge of Paris where the kiddos could explore at will rather than getting lost in the crowds and tour buses of Versailles.
Get more fun ideas in our 10 Best Things To Do In Paris With Kids or our Paris With Kids itinerary for a full, detailed day-by-day itinerary. Includes lodging and dining recommendations as well!
More Tips For Families Visiting Paris
For a list of specific hotels and apartments that we recommend to families traveling with kids, see our “Where To Stay In Paris With Family.”
Paris Perfect rents a variety of apartments throughout the city. They are a super helpful, well respected agency, and provide very nice accommodations. We stayed at Paris Perfect’s Pomerol Apartment in the 7th. Loved it!
On previous visits, we have also rented an apartment in the 7th and in the Latin Quarter (5th) through booking.com.
For a family-size hotel room in the Rue Cler area, try Hotel du Cadran, 10 Rue de Champs de Mars.
Happy Trails!
Many assume that Paris isn’t kid friendly, but it is in fact a very family-friendly destination. The city is simply beautiful- the architecture, the food, the gardens, and the people. So, in closing, don’t hesitate to take a trip to Paris with your kids. If planned well, everyone will have a simply awesome trip!- Amy
If you like this blog post, you’ll love our super informative blog: Paris With Kids Itinerary. You’ll find all the details you need for each day including worthwhile stops along the way to each location, travel time between destinations, the best family-friendly attractions, helpful tips, labeled maps, and the best lodging/dining choices.- Amy
We loved your Paris parks and playgrounds page—it was amazing! It was such a great way to see the city with our two children (9y, 5y). The carousel at champ de mars with the ring game, chateau de Vincennes and the parc du floral, the small playground at the trocadero, the trampolines in tuilieres… it was all amazing and such a wonderful and helpful site. All the insider tips, maps, and directions were wonderful. We appreciate it! Thank you!
We love to hear that! So glad you had a fantastic trip. It really is a wonderful city to visit with kids.