10 Things to Do in Paris With Kids

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If you ask any child where they want to go for a vacation, they will tell you Paris.

Why?

Disneyland, of course.

While we do agree Disneyland is epic, many people don’t know that Paris is home to many other great places for children.

Apart from the great patisseries and picturesque landmarks, the city provides a host of special activities for kids of all ages in and out of season.

There are parks and playgrounds designed to cater to parents and children, some of which are dedicated to children alone.

Restaurants and hotels have also upgraded to provide all amenities you could need to make your stay here comfortable such as kids’ play areas, daycare, and much more.

10 Things to Do in Paris With Kids

The City of Light, Paris, is a fabulous place to travel with kids.

From majestic castles to fair-tale gardens, here are things and places to visit in Paris with kids.

1. Visit Disneyland

Everybody would disqualify this list if we failed to mention Disneyland, the dream destination for many kids across the globe.

Founded in 1992, Disneyland Paris consists of two theme parks, Disney Nature Resorts, resort hotels, golf courses, and many other entertainment venues all in one property.

Your child will want to be here to meet their favorite Disney princesses, explore the themed lands they view on TV and enjoy thrilling attractions that will create lasting memories.

There are plenty of activities for all ages, from gentle rides to thrilling roller coasters for older kids.

You can fly over Paris aboard a pirate ship, meet Mickey and his friends, leave the planet and take a trip across the Star Wars galaxy, brave the wildest train in the west, and take a dive onto Crush’s Coaster to see and interact with the not-so-new faces from Finding Nemo to many more.

You can check the Disneyland website for discounts and some of the upcoming events so your child gets the most out of their tickets.

2. Take an Eiffel Tour

Your trip to Paris cannot be complete without visiting the Eiffel Tower.

This legendary landmark was completed in 1889 and is named after the company that designed and constructed it as the entrance arch to the 1889 World’s Fair.

Note that queues for the elevator are often long here as hundreds of people always flock to the cultural icon.

Most people find using the over 600 steps to the second level easier than queuing for the elevator.

If you’re visiting with kids over eight years, they can enjoy taking the stairs.

The tower’s first floor has an observation area, souvenir shops, a restaurant, a reception room, and an art show.

The second level has another observation area and another restaurant, while the top floor offers panoramic views and a champagne bar.

Since you won’t find many hotels and restaurants here, it’s probably prudent to bring your own food and have a picnic on the grass which is absolutely free.

3. Go on Scavenger Hunt in Musee d’Orsay

One of the best museums to visit with kids in Paris is the Musee d’Orsay.

The impressive artwork, especially in the setting of a renovated train depot.

Musee d’Orsay was a train station in the 1900s World’s Fair but soon became a mailing center when World War II began.

The building became a museum in 1986, so it’s generally smaller than most museums.

The best way to enjoy every aspect of your visit is to get a guided tour.

You can take the From Academism to Impressionism Tour, the Orsay Masterpiece Tour, the Great Artistic Movements Tour, the Great Works of Art Tour, and the 19th Century Art Tour.

Kids can enjoy a variety of hands-on activities as well as creative learning.

Watch out for temporary exhibits and special events such as film screenings, live concerts, art shows, and film festivals to get the most out of your visit.

4. Check out the historical monument of the Palace of Versailles

If you have children above ten looking to learn more about the history of France, take them to the historical monument of the Palace of Versailles.

This place served as a royal palace for France from 1682 to 1789, but today it is recognized as a historical monument for UNESCO World Heritage.

Children will enjoy having an inside look at the residence of kings, princes, queens, and princesses many years back.

There is so much to do and see inside and outside the palace.

Let the kids choose the rooms they want to visit in advance, or you will be forced to decide among 2,300 rooms on the spot.

5. Explore the Louvre Museum

The Louvre Museum is the biggest museum in the world by size.

It housed a fortress in 1190 and served as a royal palace from 1546 to 1682.

Visiting this museum with your kids can help them to learn about popular artworks, which can also help spark interest in history and art.

Louvre offers educational programs and workshops dedicated to children.

Considering that it is the largest museum, it’s impossible to check all the artworks inside, or it would take days or even weeks to do so.

Therefore, pick several paintings in advance and tell your kids the exciting stories behind them when you finally show them the artwork.

The Louvre website also provides a way to view artworks using the Visitor Trails, which arrange your artwork viewing depending on the theme, style, or period.

6. Expérience Sacré-Cœur

The Sacré-Cœur was built to symbolize repentance and peace after many years of violence from the wars in 1871.

However, the basilica opened in 1914 when World War 1 started, creating mixed feelings among many Parisians.

It stands out from its gothic neighbors, and many people are also not fans of its style, which is why you should take a trip there to see why this building is so controversial.

You will climb up to 270 steps of Montmartre Heights and get another gift of viewing another architectural wonder.

There’s a garden in front with a little park behind the church and a carousel, which is perfect for families.

Surrounding the church is an extensive collection of restaurants, galleries, and shops.

7. Natural History Museum of Paris

Don’t leave Paris without visiting the Natural History Museum, especially if your child loves historical sites.

Established in 1635 by King Louis XIII, this museum was first used as a royal garden of medicinal plants.

Today, the museum features skeletons and replicas of animals from the past and present at the Natural History Museum of Paris.

Children will love the Gallery of Evolution, where the museum exhibits over 350 life-like specimens of animals with the play of sound, light, and quizzes.

There are various attractions on site, a virtual reality room, and a hands-on science museum just for children aged between 6 and 12 years in the Gallery of Evolution.

The Gallery of Mineralogy and Geology has meteorites and crystals, and a botanical garden is well-maintained.

8. Check out one of the oldest castles, the Conciergerie

The Conciergerie was built in the 1300s and is what remains of the royal palace.

Thousands of prisoners were held here before being executed after the French Revolution.

Among them was the famous queen Marie Antoinette.

Your children will enjoy the Conciergerie, which resembles one of those castles they read in fairy tale books and movies.

It’s wiser to tell them the story about the place before visiting it and what to expect if they are eager to visit the site.

You can enjoy the castle’s exterior by having a small picnic or sailing along the Seine River just outside after the picnic and letting your kids know that Vikings once did the same.

9. Admire Flora in Luxembourg Gardens

Luxembourg is another historic site developed in 1612.

It was formed when the queen, Marie de Medici asked to have another palace built after King Henry IV was assassinated in 1610.

She was unhappy in the previous palace, which was the Louvre Palace and now the Louvre Museum.

Today this place is home to the French Senate, and the surrounding gardens are open to the public.

There are over 100 statues, pavilions, fountains, greenhouses, bee hives, decks, and pavilions.

Children can enjoy a wide range of activities, including watching puppet shows, sailing on sailboats, riding ponies, and enjoying slides in the gardens.

10. Admire the Notre-Dame Cathedral

The 800-year-old Notre Dame Cathedral took 200 years to complete.

It is one of the most beautiful cathedrals in the world and a site for various historical events in France, such as the Napolean I coronation.

The site provides plenty of activities for children, such as climbing towers to meet the gargoyles and see the Quasimodo’s daily view as the cathedral’s bell ringer.

You can also visit the crypt below for some little extra adventure.

Inside the script, you will find historical ruins dating back to the early settlers in Paris.

There are gardens behind the cathedral that kids can use as a playground with fabulous views that guarantee family fun.

There are some ice cream shops across the street and other snacks.

Coloring Pages

Going to Paris with the kids?

Get our Free Paris Coloring Pages for Download (Printable PDF)

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