Things to do in Paris with kids
Paris, France is one of our favorite cities in the world to visit! There are so many things to do in Paris with kids, from unique experiences to museums to day trips. There truly is something for everyone in the whole family to enjoy. These are some of our favorites, and the reasons this city is a place we love to visit again and again.
Is Paris worth visting with kids?
The short answer is yes! Personally, we have traveled to many popular cities all over the world. The first time we visited Paris, I was blown away by how much there is to do, how easy it is to get around, and how much there is to do for the whole family, especially the kids.
Paris is filled with a variety of really unique things to do within the city, great food and more. It’s definitely a city that should be on your bucket list to visit with kids of any age.
How many days should I spend in Paris with kids?
You can really find something to do for as little or as much time as you would like. In my opinion, a minimum of three days is needed to explore some of the best things Paris has to offer.
There is such a great variety of things to do in Paris with kids, you could really spend more time there and still have plenty to do!
Notre Dame de Paris
Located in the center of Paris on a little island called the Ile de la Cite, Notre Dame de Paris is an iconic Cathedral with tons of history to learn about. Construction on Notre-Dame originally began in the year 1163, and recently reopened the in December of 2024 following the 2019 fire.
Notre-Dame it is set to be the most visited attraction in Paris in 2025, even exceeding the number of visitors that the Louvre has, so plan your trip accordingly. If you visit Paris and plan to explore the Notre-Dame, check out their website for some helpful tips. As of 2025, there are NO guided tours that will be allowed inside the Cathedral.
There will be tours that take you around the outside, which you can book here.
They also have an app that you can download to explore three routes through Notre-Dame during your visit. You can also purchase an audio tour from the reception desk for 6 euro.
Audio tours are perfect for kids, because you can start and stop them to enjoy tours at your own pace.
Seine Boat Ride
The Seine River runs through the center of the city and is a great way to explore the city. There are a ton of different ways to enjoy a ride on the Seine River including sightseeing, or a dinner cruise.
Batobus (hop on/Hop off boat)
Batobus is a “hop on hop off” public transportation route that spans 9 stops and can take you from the Jardin des Plantes to the Eiffel tower. The Batobus begins running in late spring and stops in the winter when the rain makes the current too strong to operate safely.
If you want to try taking the Batobus to see the city, do check their website for information about operations here. Other important considerations include:
- Tickets can only be purchased online or with their app, so give yourself time to do this before you arrive.
- There are no bathrooms at the stops or on the bus.
- Getting to the river to board the bus requires going up and down stairs, so plan accordingly if you will be traveling with anyone that requires accommodations or if you have a heavy stroller. There is a ramp near the Eiffel tower stop, but it is also used by vehicles.
Seine dinner cruises
If you want to enjoy a dinner cruise, there are options available for dinner or lunch cruises that are family friendly! This is a great way to spend a relaxing evening and see the city from a unique perspective.
Some boats don’t allow strollers, so do check the specific rules of the cruise before leaving your hotel.
Kid friendly tour of the Louvre
The Louvre Museum is the largest museum on the planet and is absolutely worth a visit! There is no way to possibly see everything in one day, so making the most of your visit with a tour is highly recommended.
You can book tours on the Louvre’s official website which is what we did! They offer tours geared specifically to kids, which was so enjoyable for our daughter that was 5 at the time. Our youngest was not quite 2, so she relaxed in the stroller with the group.
The kids’ tour was great, the content was age appropriate, engaging, and memorable. The Mona Lisa was the finale of the tour, and the kids were taken up to the very front (around the crowds) to see her up close.
I highly recommend this as an affordable option if you can get a reservation. There are also private tour options available as well as scavenger hunt tours for kids of all ages! The Louvre is such an iconic place, it is the perfect thing to do in Paris with kids for a bit of culture and history.
Centre Pompidou
Located on the edge of our favorite district, Le Marais, this museum is focused on modern art. They have kid friendly activities including the “Galerie des Enfants” (Children’s Gallery) which includes a kid friendly exhibit that changes twice a year. They also offer age-appropriate tours and events for kids 6 months-10 years old.
Find all the details here on their website.
Admission is free for kids under 18, and on the last Sunday of the month, adults are free too!
One of my favorite things about visiting the Centre Pompidou is that it has a stunning view of the city from the 4th floor, complete with a café if you want to grab a bite to eat while you’re there.
Getting there: Located in Le Marais district, you can access the museum from several different entrances. Navigate to Place Georges-Pompidou, 75004 Paris and you won’t miss it!
Visit the Eiffel Tower
If it is your first time in Paris, this is another bucket list activity to do. There are a few different ways to enjoy the Eiffel tower and get some great photos. When we went in Spring of 2024, Paris was preparing for the Olympics so unfortunately, we didn’t get the full experience of the surrounding grounds, but it was still amazing to see!
Get general information about visiting the Eiffel tower here. They also have an app you can download to plan your visit. The website has a lot of useful information including wait times to get to the different levels of the tower. For the best experience, get tickets online before you go and plan for off peak times.
- View the Eiffel tower from the grounds surrounding it: get an iconic picture of the Eiffel tower from the lawn next to it. If the weather is nice, bring a picnic to enjoy too.
- Go to the first level: you can have this experience by waiting in line without a ticket, but be prepared to wait a little bit. The first floor has a section with a glass floor, so you can get a view of below you as well as the city. There is also a restaurant called Madame Brasserie, that you can book a reservation for. Getting to the first floor is only accessible by stairs, so if you have a choice between a stroller or baby carrier, make sure you bring the latter.
- Make it up to the second level: from here you can see an even more spectacular view, or enjoy another restaurant called Le Jules Verne. You will be able to access the second level via stairs or elevator.
- Go to the top: Here you will find a two-floor area that has a champagne bar to enjoy a glass and the best view of the city! The distance between the second floor and the top are only accessible by elevator.
Getting there: located in the 7th Arrondisement, you can easily reach the Eiffel Tower by using the Metro or other public transportation.
Take a family friendly cooking class
If you’re looking for a more laid-back activity, there are lots of options for cooking classes in Paris. You can make anything from macarons to other French pastries. This is a great way to spend a few hours learning something new and get a sweet reward for your hard work.
Disneyland Paris
Disneyland Paris is located about a 40-minute train ride outside of Paris. It was so enjoyable that we plan on going back during our next trip!
Is disneyland Paris worth it?
Disneyland Paris is absolutely worth it if your kids enjoy Disney movies. It is less expensive than going to Disneyland in the US, and I found the food to be better quality and less expensive. The park is a little smaller than Anaheim, but there are two expansions taking place in 2025 and 2026, including a Frozen land!
Planning tip: be sure to download the Disney app and reserve the restaurant you want as far in advance as you can, because they will sell out if you wait until the day of.
Getting to disneyland paris
Taking the train from Paris made the most sense for us, since we did not rent a car during our stay. Honestly, it was so easy! The train (RER) drops you off at the entrance gate for the park. We brought our stroller and everything we needed including snacks. This was one of our favorite things to do in Paris with kids on our last trip.
Train tip: do make sure that you scan EVERY ticket that you have for people in your party when going through the turnstile for the train. We got a ticket on the way back (60 euros!) because we didn’t think to do it at the end of a long day when we all went through at one time.
How much time should we spend at disneyland paris?
There are two parks located at Disneyland Paris for you to explore. If you have time, you can easily spend two days there. If not, plan on spending a full single day there.
Visit the Luxembourg gardens (Jardin du Luxembourg)
The Luxembourg Gardens is another iconic place to visit if you’re in the Latin Quarter/6th Arrondisement. Within this expansive place you will find a pond that kids can rent toy sailboats to enjoy in the Spring. The pond is emptied in the winter, so if you would like to do this be sure to visit after the beginning of May.
The park is perfect for a picnic, so pick up a sandwich, drinks, and something sweet to enjoy a Parisian picnic while the kids navigate their boats around the pond.
Before you go, download a free brochure here!
Getting there: situated between the Latin Quarter and the Saint-Germain-des-Pres neighborhoods, you can access it near Rue de Medicis – Rue de Vaugirard, 75006 Paris
Check out the Jardin des plantes
Jardin des Plantes is an expansive garden and natural history museum located in the Latin quarter of Paris. This unique place is the perfect place to spend part of a day and includes:
- A Natural History museum featuring large animals on display in the center of the gallery. (10-16 euro admission cost)
- The garden, showcasing a variety of unique plants. (free)
- A small zoo (10-13 euro admission cost)
- A paleontology museum featuring large dinosaur skeletons on display. (9-12 euro admission cost)
- A large greenhouse with different varieties of plants. (7-9 euro admission cost)
- An incredible minerology museum featuring large semiprecious mineral formations. (7-9 euro admission cost)
The Jardin is a perfect place for a picnic, but they also have 3 kiosks around the park that you can purchase food.
Hours: Open daily from 8 am to 5:30 pm
Getting there: The entrance is located at 57 Rue Cuvier, 75005 Paris.
Visit the Jardin d’Acclimatation
The Jardin D’ Acclimatation is the oldest amusement park in the Paris, which opened in 1860. To this day, it is still one of the most popular things to do in Paris with kids! The Jardin D’Acclimatation features amusement park rides for kids of all ages, including lots of rides and playgrounds for younger kids.
The Jardin also include an expansive garden spanning 18 hectares, which makes it perfect for (you guessed it) a picnic. There are several restaurants, food stands, and food trucks with food you can purchase as well. They also offer stroller rental!
Ticket prices vary based on if you purchase admission only, or an all-access pass. If you buy an admission only ticket, you will have to pay separately for each attraction. Tickets can also be purchased in a “family bundle”. All the details about pricing can be found here.
Getting there: located at Bois de Boulongne, Carrefour des Sablons, 75116 Paris
things to consider when visiting france
Whenever we visit a new place, I always make a point of learning a little bit about the culture and learn a few basic phrases to make getting around easier. France is no exception, and these few things were really helpful on our trip. When learning new phrases, it’s a fun way to include the kids in learning about the culture they will be experiencing as well.
say Bonjour!
The French people value basic manners, and the importance of saying “Bonjour” at the beginning of any social interaction is paramount. Whenever you walk into a store, restaurant, or begin any conversation, start with “Bonjour!”
I should mention that I do not speak French beyond the most basic vocabulary, and found everyone to be so kind and accommodating in France with this basic amount of effort. Most people in Paris speak fluent English, so getting around was really easy. If the language barrier was an issue, a simple translation app like Google Translate or Say Hi helped me navigate it with ease.
French Restaurant culture
When traveling with kids, we tend to eat out for a lot of meals. Even with a kitchen in the apartment or hotel, we love to try new restaurants and types of food. In Europe, you will find that most restaurants usually don’t open until 6 or 7 pm. France is no exception! If your kids eat earlier, be sure to plan accordingly and look for restaurants that may be open earlier if needed.
Otherwise, the dining experience was somewhat similar to the US. Like the US, most places have high chairs. In general, waiters will not automatically bring water to your table. Water will usually need to be ordered, will come in a bottle, and you will have the choice between sparking and still.
Another thing to think about is that service is done at a little bit of a slower pace. The idea is to let you enjoy your meal and is not a reflection of poor service. Take your time to enjoy and bring activities for smaller kids if needed. We did have coloring books and even tablets at the table, and it worked out well!
Take aways
There are so many things to do in Paris with kids, I hope this guide was helpful in giving you some ideas on how to plan your trip. Make sure to grab the Paris packing list if you need ideas about what to bring. Bon voyage!
If you’re still looking for a place to stay, check out this guide to Paris hotels for families!
