Planning a family trip to Paris? Here are the top things to do with children in the City of Lights

Published

6 June, 2023

Edited

19 June, 2023

Paris is a city known for glitz, glamour and grandeur – shopping in designer boutiques, hopping between sprawling museums and visiting the Eiffel Tower top the to-do list here. And if you're bringing the little ones along, you might wonder what to do with kids in Paris – after all, keeping children happy and engaged is easier said than done.

But fear not, we've done the legwork and made a list of all the top things to do with kids in Paris. From cultural activities and sightseeing to zoo trips and rollercoaster rides, there is something for every family.

What are the best areas to stay in Paris with children?

Wherever you decide to stay in Paris, all the main sights are easy to reach thanks to the wonderfully efficient Metro system. Of course, if you book your luxury vacation rental in Paris with onefinestay, your concierge can arrange taxis or a private driver for you, too. If you want to be as close as possible to the action, the 5th Arrondissement is a great choice – you'll find the Natural History Museum here, along with plenty of pretty parks.

But fear not, we've done the legwork and made a list of all the top things to do with kids in Paris. From cultural activities and sightseeing to zoo trips and rollercoaster rides, there is something for every family.

What are the best areas to stay in Paris with children?

Wherever you decide to stay in Paris, all the main sights are easy to reach thanks to the wonderfully efficient Metro system. Of course, if you book your luxury vacation rental in Paris with onefinestay, your concierge can arrange taxis or a private driver for you, too. If you want to be as close as possible to the action, the 5th Arrondissement is a great choice – you'll find the Natural History Museum here, along with plenty of pretty parks.

How many days is enough for visiting Paris with children?

You can easily spend around five days exploring everything the French capital offers. But if you're short on time or just fancy squeezing in a weekend getaway, two days is enough to satisfy most people's sightseeing cravings. If you're visiting Paris with kids, you should spend slightly longer here than you would otherwise, just so you don't feel like you have to rush the little ones around.

The top 10 things to do in Paris with children

Now you've decided where to base yourself and how long you want to stay, browse our list of the best family activities in Paris to help you decide how to fill your time…

Take a boat tour on the River Seine

One of the best Paris tours for families, there's no better way to get a feel for the city than on a leisurely boat trip on the River Seine. If your little ones tend to get a little restless, a one-hour tour might be the best option. In fact, some of the local boat companies offer trips tailored specifically to families with children - speak to your dedicated concierge for more details.


During the trip, you'll cruise along the water past sights like the Louvre Museum and the Notre Dame Cathedral from your departure point near the Eiffel Tower. And while you're taking in the scenes, the little ones can play games with the help of the unique audio guide. Once you're back on dry land, why not go for a stroll? The riverbank is dotted with family-friendly cafés where you can grab a bite to eat and watch the boats go by.

Have a picnic in Luxembourg Gardens

Luxembourg Gardens spans a vast 25 hectares between Saint-Germain-des-Prés and the Latin Quarter. And its got more to offer than just a pretty backdrop to your picnic – in fact, there's enough to keep children entertained for hours on end here.


They can learn about beekeeping in the apiary, play chess on a giant board, or race adorable, remote-controlled sailboats across the Grand Bassin duck pond. And as if all that wasn't enough, there are slides and swings for them to play on, too.

Take a chocolate tour of Paris

Calling everyone with a sweet tooth – did you know you can take a chocolate-themed walking tour in Paris? There's a handful of different tours to choose from, including some dedicated entirely to the French capital's decadent chocolatiers.


Accompanied by an expert guide, you'll hit the pavements of the city centre, stopping in several artisan chocolate shops for a lesson in chocolate-making and – of course – a taste of the goods themselves.

Visit a museum

Museum-hopping deserves a spot on everyone's Paris itinerary. And if you're visiting Paris with kids, it doesn't mean you have to miss out. The City of Light has a string of child-friendly museums up its sleeve. Animal-loving little ones will be mesmerised by the life-size models in the Natural History Museum, and art fans can listen to child-friendly audio guides to learn all about some of the Musee d'Orsay's most famous pieces.


The Science and Industry Museum is bound to be a winner, too – it's home to a submarine, a planetarium and an IMAX theatre. If you want to find out more, have a look at our guide to the best kid-friendly museums in Paris.

Take a day trip to Disneyland Paris

If there's one thing that can guarantee to put a smile on your children’s faces, it's a trip to Disneyland Paris. The magical theme park is easy to reach from the city centre – you can be there in under an hour by train or taxi – putting it within day-tripping distance. If you've got an adrenaline junkie in your family, riding the park's incredible rollercoasters is a must.


The Pirates of the Caribbean ride is perfect for making a splash on a hot day, while the famous Tower of Terror is bound to get everyone's hearts racing. And for something a little more calm, there are character parades and shows to enjoy, too.

Go up the Eiffel Tower

If it's your first time visiting Paris, the Eiffel Tower will probably be at the top of your sightseeing list. And unless anyone in your family is scared of heights, a trip to the top is a must. Not only will you be rewarded with 360-degree views over the City of Light, but touchscreen panels, digital albums and display windows really bring this iconic structure to life.


There's even a dedicated Eiffel Tower for kids tour on the first floor. And there's no need to worry about dragging the kids up the 674 steps – there's a series of lifts to whizz you straight to the top in seconds.

Visit the Sacre Coeur

If your little ones are impressed by the views from the Eiffel Tower, just wait until they see the beautiful scenery from the Sacre Cœur, in the city's Montmartre district. The journey to the top is exciting – you can trundle up the steep hillside on the funicular (using your Metro ticket if you have one).


Once you've filled your camera with family snaps in front of the city skyline, you can ride around Montmartre on the open-air tourist train before checking out the street entertainers at the bottom of Sacre Coeur's steps. There are often living statues and musicians mingling with tourists, and if you can convince the kids to stay still for long enough, you can even have a family portrait painted on the spot by a local artist.

Spend a day at the zoo

Paris Zoological Park is one of the city's biggest attractions – and with good reason. The magnificent zoo is home to around 3,000 animals including lions, penguins, flamingos, lemurs and baboons.


Unsurprisingly, it's well set up for families – youngsters can take part in treasure hunts, and parent-accompanied tours on Sundays are aimed at babies and kids. There's also an outdoor playground where they can let off some steam while you tuck into a picnic or some delicious food from the café.

Discover Paris Aquarium

If you're looking for somewhere to spend a few hours and don't want to venture far from the city centre, Paris Aquarium might be just the ticket. It's within easy walking distance of the Eiffel Tower, so you could easily squeeze it in before or after your visit. There's an incredible collection of more than 7,000 sea creatures here, spread across 60 tanks and pools, including the only jellyfish exhibit in France.


Daily shows and interactive activities are on hand to keep younger kids engaged, and if they fancy getting up close and personal with the marine life, they'll even be able to pet koi carp.

Hit the shops

The Eiffel Tower aside – if there's one thing Paris is known for, it's luxury shopping. And while that may not sound like the most child-friendly activity the capital has to offer, you'd be surprised how much fun you can have shopping with the kids in tow. The Champs-Élysées and its surrounding streets are packed with everything from fancy boutiques to high-street clothing retailers.


So, if you've got a fashionista in the family, they'll be in their element. Plus, vintage toy stores and cosy bookshops are in plentiful supply. If you need more inspiration, check out our guide to shopping with kids in Paris.

The onefinestay experience

If you're looking to make your family holiday extra special, why not base yourself at one of our luxury rental homes in Paris? Scattered across some of the French capital's most prestigious postcodes, they will place you within easy reach of the sights, shops and museums. And not only will you have a stylish abode to come back to after your days out, but you'll also have your very own concierge who can help you with everything from booking transportation to arranging visits from a private chef.

Ready for the perfect family trip to Paris?

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