Paris is best known for its excellent restaurants, world-class shopping and romantic atmosphere. But what if we told you that the French capital offers plenty for children, too? In fact, family city breaks here are soaring in popularity. And if you've got a budding scientist, an animal lover or an art enthusiast in your household, taking them to one of Paris' famous museums is an absolute must.

Tips for visiting museums in Paris with children

Travelling with children doesn't have to be stressful. It can be incredibly rewarding – and even more so when they're having fun and learning new things. Here are our top three tips to help you get the most out of your tour of family-friendly museums in Paris.

Plan ahead

Planning ahead is a must for the best chance of making your day a roaring success. It's a good idea to have a meal beforehand – whether it's breakfast or lunch – to keep hungry tummies from cutting your museum visit short. We'd also recommend checking out opening times – visiting later in the day often means fewer crowds and shorter queues.

Make it fun

Keeping kids engaged is key when you're visiting larger museums in particular. How about creating a treasure hunt for them to complete as you walk around? Or, bring some colouring pencils and paper and have them re-create their favourite art pieces. Some museums offer child-friendly audio guides and family tours, which are sure to keep boredom at bay.

Get them excited

Trying to convince children that museums are fun can be a tough task – even when you know they'll enjoy themselves. A great way to get them excited for their visit is to read them books or show them videos based on some of the exhibits, whether it's space, dinosaurs or something else. Before you know it, they'll be counting down the days until they can set eyes on the real thing.

Now that you've heard our top tips let's get straight into our list of the top kid-friendly museums Paris offers:

Discover the 5 best museums in Paris for children

With masterpieces such as the Mona Lisa on its résumé, Paris really knows how to impress when it comes to museums. And it's not all about the Louvre – although that is a must-visit. More than 130 museums are scattered across the city, so choosing which ones to squeeze into your itinerary is no mean feat. If you're travelling with little ones, the task suddenly seems even more difficult. But fear not – we've pulled together our top recommendations right here.

The vast Science Museum Paris is one of the most child-friendly museums in Paris, with displays targeted at children as young as four years old. If your little ones are aged 12 or under, head to the Cité des Enfants section, where a series of interactive exhibits will get them learning about everything from bodily functions to construction. They can even try lip-syncing to music or pretend to be TV presenters. Meanwhile, teens can stroll around the onsite planetarium or check out a submarine.

Most of the displays here are translated into English so that you can explain everything to the little ones. Plus, with each room just off a central hall, it's easy to navigate. As for getting here, your best bet is to hop on the Metro from central Paris.

The most famous exhibit is a central display of animal specimens, including giraffes, zebras, elephants and lions. Plus, there's an onsite zoo, which is one of the oldest in the world. Red pandas, orangutans and snow leopards are just a few of the 150 species that call this place home – 40% of which are endangered. And if your little ones are interested in biodiversity, you can take a guided tour or even meet with one of the zookeepers to learn about the threats to some of the animals' natural habitats.

Elsewhere, youngsters between six and 12 can play games and watch videos in the children's gallery. They'll have so much fun, thanks to bright colours and interactive elements, that they won't even realise they're learning.

Built as a palace in the 12th century, the museum is as beautiful on the inside as its famous glass pyramid on the outside. But when it comes to family facilities, things are modern and up-to-date. You'll find a dedicated baby space on the ground floor complete with things like bottle warmers, nursing chairs, and pushchairs. Plus, older children can join in with French-speaking activities in the kids' studio.

Now, onto the exciting bit. Little ones can listen to a dedicated children's audio guide led by the museum mascot, Pompon, the polar bear, as they navigate the exhibits. It focuses on three child-friendly themes – landscapes, portraits and animals – and they'll be free to choose which guides they want to listen to as they wander around – just look out for the audio guide symbol on the signage.

If you'd rather be shown around with the help of an expert guide, private family tours are also an option. These are great for when you're short on time but want to squeeze as much enjoyment as possible out of your visit – plus, you won't need to queue to get in.

As its name suggests, the museum centres around the history of carnivals and fairgrounds. There are four main exhibits, each one focusing on a different theme. You'll even have the chance to watch mechanised performances and ride on an old merry-go-round, exactly as your children's great, great grandparents may have done in the late 1800s. As for where to find it, the museum's next to Parc de Bercy, in the city's 12th Arrondissement.