These kid-friendly activities in Paris are fun for the entire family!
Paris is indeed a kid-friendly city with plenty of things to do for vacationing families. With carousels sprinkled throughout the city, playgrounds nestled near historic landmarks, boulangeries serving yummy chocolate croissants on almost every corner, and train rides (the Metro!) to add to the adventure, what’s not to love?
As one of the most visited cities in the world, navigating the sights of Paris with children in tow requires a bit of strategic planning.
Walking long distances, navigating crowds of people, and waiting in long lines can be exhausting, so it is super important to mix in some fun kid time between the big sights.
My advice to families traveling with young kids to Paris is to pick activities that don’t consume an entire day and choose ones that both kids and parents will enjoy. A win win for everyone!
Here are 10 of our highly recommended things to do in Paris with kids that the entire family will love! I know we did!
P.S. View our blog post, Paris With Kids, for a 7 day itinerary with day-by-day plans with family-friendly stops, playgrounds, food, and maps. It includes more specific details about the activities listed below as well as lodging and dining recommendations. It is also available to download ($15) to your device for future reference.
Things To Do With Kids In Paris
1. Go Up The Eiffel Tower
Some may tell you that going up the Eiffel Tower is overrated. We absolutely disagree. It was one of the highlights of our trip, and the kids loved it. You can walk up the stairs or take an elevator (more expensive and reserve in advance!).
Kids love the see-through glass floor on the first level and the views keep them engaged as they climb up.
If your not a “wait in line person” or couldn’t get tickets for the elevator, you can walk up the 674 steps to the 2nd level of the Eiffel Tower. That’s what we did, and it was completely doable.
The views are fantastic from the 2nd level, and there’s no need to go to the very top (which we’ve done).
Book ahead so you can skip the long lines. For stair tickets, you can purchase online 14 days prior or purchase on-site (as available) the day of your visit. For elevator tickets, you can reserve 60 days ahead of time.
Tip: Avoid the major crowds by going early.
Want more ideas for things to do in Paris with kids? View our Paris With Kids post for a day-by-day itinerary.
2. Find the Playground and Hand-Cranked Carousel Near The Eiffel Tower
Just a 5 minute walk from the base of the Eiffel Tower, you will find the wonderful playground and carousel in the Parc Champs de Mars.
The park is a beautiful green oasis in the city with plenty of benches to take in the views, grass to spread a blanket, playgrounds, a puppet theater, and a 100 year old, hand painted, hand-cranked carousel.
Note that this carousel is not the fancy, new carousel at the foot of the Trocadero behind the Eiffel Tower.
Grab a snack at the stand next to the carousel with crepes to order, sandwiches, croissants, ice cream, etc. Cafes also line the streets surrounding the park.
Sit back and take in the views of the Eiffel Tower while your kids enjoy the playground. A perfect day!
3. Go On a Scavenger Hunt at the MusĂ©e d’Orsay
You’re in Paris, so you are probably considering visiting at least one of its famous art museums. The MusĂ©e d’Orsay and the Louvre are two of the biggest tourist attractions in Paris and both offer free admission for kids.
Art museums can often be a tough sell for young children, but the MusĂ©e d’Orsay will intrigue most kids with its colorful artwork and the building itself is beautiful.
You’ll find Van Gogh’s Starry Night here as well as works by Picasso, Monet, Renoir, and more. The Degas ballerina sculptures are also a hit here for any tutu-wearing kiddos.
We found the MusĂ©e d’Orsay to be a more manageable size for families as compared to the Louvre, which is enormous. With 5 levels of artwork, the MusĂ©e d’Orsay is fairly large, so it’s still nice to have a plan beforehand for what you want to see.
In general, the 5th level is the most popular with its nice collection of impressionist paintings. Also be sure to check out the iconic view of Paris from the clock face window which is also on the 5th floor!
Consider making a scavenger hunt before your trip, or simply go to the museum’s gift shop when you first arrive and pick out postcards of artwork to find in the museum.
You can also opt for the museum’s self-guided audio tour for children under 12. It guides you to 52 points of interest and takes about 2 hours. (Although you wouldn’t have to see all 52 as it’s self-guided.)
If you decide to go to the Louvre, don’t try to see the whole thing. It’s huge! Even without kids, it would be an overwhelming undertaking. Good advice would be to start with the hits like the Mona Lisa and the Egyptian Rooms which would likely be the most interesting for the kiddos and go from there.
MusĂ©e de l’Orangerie is another fantastic option for visiting an art museum in Paris. If you’re interested in impressionist artists like Monet, Matisse and Picasso but need a quick visit to avoid a kid meltdown, you can visit this museum in less than an hour.
MusĂ©e de l’Orangerie is a small museum and is most famous for its large display of Monet’s Water Lilies.
If you need more inspiration or a detailed game plan, our 7 day Paris With Kids Itinerary covers these activities and more in full detail. I’ve also outlined the best playgrounds near many of Paris’s famous landmarks in our post “Your Kids Will Love These Playgrounds In Paris.”
4. Take A Seine Cruise On The Batobus
A cruise on the Seine River is another popular activity for families. You’ll find plenty of operators that provide narrated tours, or you might like the option of taking the batobus instead.
The batobus , a “hop on”“hop off” boat, is essentially a water taxi that stops at several locations along the Seine River. It offers no commentary but does provide a beautiful and comfortable cruise along the Seine, and you can depart and re-enter at any of its stops.
It’s also a fun transportation alternative to get from one Parisian landmark to another with stops at the Eiffel Tower, MusĂ©e d’Orsay, Saint-Germain-des-PrĂ©s, Louvre, HĂ´tel de Ville, and Notre-Dame.
The kids loved it, and it’s a lot less expensive than a crowded, expensive tour boat. We used the Batobus on two different days during our stay and found it to be an easier alternative to the Metro when visiting some of the attractions along the Seine.
Tip: It’s also a good rainy day activity as it is covered. Find more details about taking the batobus in our Paris Itinerary post!
If you want to take a scenic boat tour with narration, try a shorter tour like this one from Bateaux Mouche. The cruise lasts about 1 hour and 10 min.
5. Visit the MusĂ©e De L’ArmĂ©e
The MusĂ©e de L’ArmĂ©e is a really interesting museum! You will find plenty of suits of armor, cannons, breastplates, and all sorts of swords and weaponry. In addition to French military history, the World War I and World War II exhibits were also really interesting and worthwhile.
You can also visit Napoleon’s tomb which sits beneath the golden dome of Les Invalides. You’ve probably seen the dome from afar, as you can see it from several viewpoints throughout Paris.
It’s a large museum and is conveniently arranged chronologically, so you’ll start with the medieval section which was a family favorite and proceed from there to the World War I and World II exhibits.
All in all, this underrated museum was a hit!
6. Find The Lego Store
For the kid who is infatuated with Legos, you’ll find a great Lego Store in the Les Halles area of Paris.
Reward the kiddos with pastries at the famous and nearby Stohrer Patisserie and a trip to the Lego Store in Les Halles if they are patient while you shop nearby at one of the best cooking supply stores in Paris— E. Dehillerin.
7. Enjoy the Climbing Walls On Promenade Les Berges de la Seine
Promenade Les Berges de la Seine is a pedestrian-only walkway perfect for soaking in the beauty of Paris while the kiddos get their wiggles out along the way.
You can bike and/or walk this pedestrian-only 2.3 kilometer (1.4 miles) path along the Seine River. You can walk from the Eiffel Tower (Pont de L’Alma) to the Louvre (Pont Royal) and experience the views and activities along the way.
FYI: “Pont” means bridge, and they are indeed beautiful.
With climbing walls, hopscotch, and other activities along the path, the whole family is entertained while enjoying a beautiful stroll along the beautiful Seine River.
Follow the path for as long as you’d like or make your end point the climbing wall at Pont des Invalides.
Approximate Walking Times:
From the Eiffel Tower to the climbing wall at Pont des Invalides: 20 minutes
From Pont des Invalides to Musée D’Orsay: 20 minutes
From Pont de L’Alma (near Eiffel Tower) to Pont Royal (Louvre): 30 minutes
See “Our Favorite Walk In Paris With Kids” for more details about this fun family activity.
Les Berges de Seine 
Our Favorite Paris Walk With Kids 
Climbing Walls
8. Visit A Street Market To Find Souvenirs or a Treat
If you are in Paris on a Saturday morning, be sure to go to MarchĂ© President Wilson (also known as MarchĂ© d’Alma). This market, located in the 16th, is a sight to behold.
It is said to be the largest open market in Paris with pâtés, local wines, cheeses, fresh flowers, five types of escargots, fresh fish, fresh-baked breads, chickens, meats, pastas, and so on.
Marché President Wilson one of the best places for souvenirs, and you can enjoy hot food from a creperie or other food stall.
Rue Mouffetard Street Market is another good option and open on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Closest metro is Censier-Daubenton. FYI- It’s a 15 minute walk from Luxembourg Garden (see below) if you want to try to combine playground time with an excursion to the market.
9. Explore the Playground and Sailboats at Luxembourg Garden
Luxembourg Garden has one of the best parks in Europe for kids. You can sail vintage sailboats on the pond, get your wiggles out at a massive playground, ride a carousel, take a pony ride, and stroll along beautiful paths for miles.
Luxembourg Gardens 
Playground at Luxembourg Gardens
On your way to the playground, enjoy the beautiful gardens, watch the kids float their boats in the pond (you can too for €6 rental for 30 minutes). The park even has a replica of the Statue of Liberty (much smaller of course!). See if you can find it!
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.
Our daughters loved this playground with its “zipline”, climbing ropes, and slides.
You will need to pay a small admission price for both kids and adults, but it’s worth it. Sit and relax watching this Parisian scene through your child’s happy eyes. See a list of activities at Luxembourg Gardens.
Tip: Consider a stop at Maison Mulot (closed Wednesdays) at 76 Rue de Seine to pick up food for a picnic. There is also a cafe next to the playground.
10. Visit A Castle
Pack a picnic and head to the metro–it’s time to see a castle. A trip to Europe would not be complete without visiting a castle rich in history. This activity was a hit with everyone.
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 beautiful castle is the largest royal medieval fortress still standing in France, complete with a moat (it’s dry however) and dungeon, and it’s easily accessible from the center of Paris.
It was at the heart of the French monarchy until 1682, when Louis XIV chose to settle in Versailles.
Take Metro line 1 (yellow line) to the last station, Station Chateau de Vincennes. The station is located super close to the castle.
After visiting the castle, consider walking around the castle towards the Parc de Floral to find the large children’s play area (listed as “Jeux pour enfants”). You’ll find a map upon entry to the park.
During the summer there is a small admission fee, but it’s free other times of the year.
Playground near Chateaux de Vincennes 
Cafe at Parc de Floral
Paris really is a wonderful family vacation with plenty to do and see. If you need more inspiration or a detailed game plan, our 7 day Paris With Kids Itinerary covers these activities and more in full detail.
I’ve also outlined the best playgrounds near many of Paris’s famous landmarks in our post “Your Kids Will Love These Playgrounds In Paris.” Happy Trails and bon voyage! – Amy
Tip: Rue Cler Is Our Favorite Area To Stay When Visiting Paris With Kids
Find lodging in Paris’s quiet 7th arrondissement near the Rue Cler Market Street. This location is excellent and within walking distance of the Eiffel Tower, 2 metro stations, and the pedestrian-only market street Rue Cler, a foodie’s dream.
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 through booking.com. Our advice is to be located as close to Rue Cler as you can find for your desired price point.
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.”
Happy Trails!
P.S. View our blog post, Paris With Kids, for a 7 day itinerary with day-by-day plans with family-friendly stops, playgrounds, food, and maps.
It includes more specific details about the activities listed below as well as lodging and dining recommendations. It is also available to download ($15) to your device for future reference.
