Kid-Friendly Activities in Paris!
Paris is a magical city for families, offering so much more than just its iconic landmarks. If you’re looking for memorable, kid-approved experiences in the French capital, here are some fantastic activities that will delight children and adults alike.
1. Explore Nature, Wildlife, and Science Museums
Muséum national d’Histoire Naturelle
This natural history museum features the Grande Galerie de l’Évolution, where nearly 7,000 lifelike animal specimens are on display. The Ménagerie (zoo) at the Jardin des Plantes and the Galerie de Paléontologie et d’Anatomie comparée, showcasing over 650 skeletons, are also must-visits for curious minds. Interactive exhibits and rotating workshops help children understand biodiversity and evolution in an engaging, hands-on way, making each visit both educational and memorable.
Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie
Located in Parc de la Villette, this interactive science museum offers hands-on exhibits about the universe, video games, insects, and more. The Cité des Enfants, with zones for ages 2–7 and 5–12, is packed with games and experiments designed just for kids. Special workshops, planetarium shows, and live science demonstrations ensure that learning is always dynamic and fun for the whole family.
30 Av. Corentin Cariou, 75019 Paris
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2. Hands-On Culinary Experiences
Paris is filled with delightful pastry tours and baking classes that let families experience the city’s sweet traditions firsthand.
The Sam Paris Tours Pastry Tour is a delightful, kid-friendly adventure through the heart of Paris, lasting about 1.5 to 2 hours and designed for small groups of up to 10 people. Led by a passionate local guide, the tour weaves together the history of iconic neighborhoods with stops at some of Paris’s tastiest bakeries and a secret chocolate factory, ensuring that children are engaged from start to finish with stories, games, and hands-on tastings.
Parents consistently praise the tour in their reviews for its welcoming atmosphere, the guide’s knack for keeping kids entertained, and the chance for little ones to sample fresh pastries—making it a memorable and interactive experience for the whole family. The tour is mostly outdoors and families love that it offers a genuine taste of local life while supporting small Parisian businesses.
Cooking Classes: Join a hands-on macaron or croissant class led by expert pastry chefs. These classes are designed for families, so everyone can learn, bake, and take home their delicious creations. Kids receive step-by-step guidance and tips, and often get a certificate or recipe booklet to remember the experience.
3. See the City in Motion
Paris offers a variety of lively sightseeing adventures that let families discover the city’s famous landmarks and neighborhoods in fun, interactive ways.
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River Seine Tour
Family-focused cruises offer interactive commentary, games, and riddles as you glide past Paris’s landmarks. Kids can even earn a captain’s diploma for answering questions along the way. The open-air decks provide panoramic views, while themed cruises sometimes include treasure hunts or costumed guides to keep children entertained.
Photo by EdNurg - Adobe Stock
Batobus
Glide along the Seine aboard the Batobus for a unique, family-friendly way to see Paris. This hop-on, hop-off river shuttle lets you discover the city’s famous landmarks from the water, with the freedom to explore at your own pace and revisit favorite sights. Special family routes often include engaging commentary, interactive activities, and fun facts to keep kids entertained as you cruise past iconic monuments.
Photo by My Paris Pass
Little Train of Montmartre
Climb aboard this charming mini-train to explore the picturesque Montmartre district. The 40-minute guided ride includes a treasure hunt and stops at highlights like Sacré-Cœur and Place du Tertre. The commentary is tailored for young audiences, and the train’s whimsical design adds a sense of adventure to the journey.
4. Versailles: Beyond the Château
Versailles offers families a variety of engaging outdoor experiences that go far beyond the famous château.
Gardens & Petit Trianon: The vast Versailles gardens are perfect for families. Explore the fountains, sculptures, and groves, visit the Petit Trianon and the Queen’s Hamlet (with a working farm and animals), and enjoy the beautiful parkland. Kids can feed the animals, watch live demonstrations, or participate in garden-themed workshops that bring history to life.
Golf Cart & Boat Rentals: Rent a golf cart or rowboat to make exploring the gardens easy and fun. Golf carts come with audio guides and can fit families, while boat rides on the Grand Canal offer a unique view of the palace grounds. Both options allow families to cover more ground and discover hidden corners of the estate at their own pace.
Night Fountains Show: On summer Saturdays, experience the magical Night Fountains Show with music, lights, and fireworks—a truly enchanting evening for all ages. The illuminated fountains and gardens create a fairy-tale atmosphere, and the grand finale fireworks are sure to leave kids in awe.
Ice Cream Breaks: Stop by the ice cream parlour in the gardens for a sweet treat during your adventure. With a variety of classic and seasonal flavors, it’s the perfect way to recharge before more exploring.
5. Amusement Parks & Outdoor Fun
Paris is packed with exciting amusement parks and outdoor attractions where families can enjoy experiences designed for kids of all ages.
Disneyland Paris: Enjoy classic attractions, shows, and character encounters designed for all ages, including little ones. Themed lands, parades, and seasonal events ensure there’s always something new to discover, making every visit magical.
Parc Astérix: Step into the world of the famous Gauls with rides and playgrounds tailored for children, ensuring safe and thrilling fun. Live shows, themed restaurants, and costumed characters add to the immersive experience, making it a favorite for families seeking adventure.
Jardin d’Acclimatation: This paradise for kids features 40+ attractions, water games, donkey rides, a farm, an aviary, and lush gardens—plus free playgrounds and seasonal events like Easter egg hunts. The park also offers puppet shows, mini-golf, and a mini-train, providing hours of entertainment in a picturesque setting.
6. Family Picnics in Parisian Parks
Parisian parks offer the perfect setting for family picnics, where children can play and explore while everyone relaxes amid scenic gardens and open green spaces.
Sail model boats, watch puppet shows, and enjoy a picnic surrounded by beautiful lawns and orchards. The park also features an excellent playground, pony rides, and shaded paths perfect for relaxing strolls.
Sailboats in Luxembourg Gardens
The practice of children pushing toy sailboats (Les Voiliers du Luxembourg) on the Grand Bassin (the large octagonal pond opposite the Palais du Luxembourg) dates back at least to the second half of the 19th century, when hand-built wooden boats first began appearing in the garden’s basin. These early boats were simple, handcrafted models, and the activity quickly became a favorite pastime for children in the park.
Today, the tradition continues daily when the weather is good. Children can rent a wooden sailboat for about €3.50 to €6 for 30 minutes, depending on the source and season. Each boat is unique, often sporting a flag from a different country or a pirate flag, allowing children to easily identify their vessel among the others on the pond. There are no batteries or remote controls—kids use a long stick to push or turn their boat, chasing it around the pond as it sails with the breeze. The rental operates on the honor system, with no ID required.
75007 Paris
Photo by andrii_lutsyk - Adobe Stock
Spread out a picnic blanket at the foot of the Eiffel Tower (without needing to climb it!) and let the kids run and play in the open space. The playgrounds, carousels, and wide lawns make it a favorite spot for families to unwind and soak in the Parisian atmosphere.
Bonus!
Families can experience the magic of Parisian cabaret together at Paradis Latin’s “Mon Premier Cabaret,” a lively, interactive show specially designed for children and parents, featuring music, dance, and colorful performances that delight audiences of all ages from October onward. The show includes audience participation and surprises, ensuring that even the youngest guests are captivated from start to finish.
