If you’re thinking of visiting Paris with kids, you need to read this article I’ve prepared just for you, a parent wondering if traveling to the French capital as a family is a good idea. When we think of Paris, we often imagine a city made for couples or for those who enjoy museums.
If you have children and are planning your next vacation, you might be tempted to rule out Paris, thinking it won’t be fun for them and that they’ll get bored. Well, you’ll soon see that’s far from true.
Paris is a city that caters to all ages, even children. It features plenty of parks, gardens, and the world-famous Disneyland, which you’ve probably heard of. Read on because we’re going to show you all the amazing things you can do in Paris with kids.
What to Visit in Paris with Kids?
Paris is a huge city, and there are countless options to keep children entertained. While we can’t list everything here, we’ve selected the top places we believe are worth visiting during a family vacation.
1. Centre Pompidou
The Centre Pompidou is a modern art museum that stands out from others of its kind. Even from the outside, it will capture your kids’ attention with its industrial architecture, colorful pipes, and exterior escalators, not to mention its bold colors and unusual shapes.
Inside, there’s a special area dedicated to children: the Galerie des Enfants. This section hosts interactive exhibitions where kids can engage in hands-on activities, explore, and learn through play. The experiences are designed to ignite their imagination and creativity.
The museum also offers art workshops for children, with activities like painting, sculpture, and more. And if that isn’t enough, you can head up to the museum’s rooftop for spectacular views of Paris, including landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame.
2. Chocolate Museum
The Chocolate Museum in Paris, also known as Choco-Story, is a fantastic place to visit with kids. Whether or not they’re chocolate lovers, they’re sure to have an incredible time.
The museum is highly interactive and educational, allowing children to learn about the history of chocolate from its origins with the ancient Mayans and Aztecs to the present day. They can see, touch, and learn about historical objects and watch live demonstrations by master chocolatiers on how chocolate is made from cocoa beans.
But the highlight for most kids is getting to sample various types of chocolate: dark, milk, white, and even some more exotic flavors that will have them begging to stay longer.
Other fun options include “chocolate workshops,” where they can make their own chocolate creations, admire chocolate sculptures, or buy some treats in the museum’s shop at the end of the visit. There’s even a play area with chocolate-themed activities to keep them engaged and happy.
Paris with kids can be a magical experience, and these are just a few of the countless attractions that prove the city is family-friendly. So pack your bags and get ready to discover a Paris full of surprises and adventures for everyone, even the youngest travelers!
You can buy skip-the-line tickets using this link: 
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3. Excursion to Disneyland Paris
Of course, we have to mention Disneyland Paris, which features over 50 attractions, making it a must-visit if you’re in Paris with kids. In case you didn’t know, there are actually two parks: one geared more towards younger children (the main Disneyland Park) and another with attractions for older kids and adults (Walt Disney Studios).
The attractions are inspired by beloved Disney characters and movies, including Star Wars, The Avengers, Disney Princesses, and timeless classics. While most attractions are family-friendly, it’s good to read up on them ahead of time, as a few may be a bit intense for younger kids. However, these are rare exceptions; almost all rides are suitable for all ages.
Moreover, Disney characters are scattered throughout the park to interact with children and take photos, including favorites like Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Pinocchio, and Peter Pan. There are also seasonal events, such as concerts and celebrations of special occasions like St. Patrick’s Day, Christmas, and Halloween.
The best way to reach Disney is by joining an organized tour, which includes a bus transfer directly from Paris to the park gates and a one-day pass to Eurodisney. As a final tip, be sure to book your tickets in advance to avoid long queues, since kids typically aren’t the most patient when it comes to waiting. Here’s the link:
4. Paris Zoo
Next, let’s head over to the 12th district, specifically to the Bois de Vincennes. This peaceful area is fantastic for kids, offering puppet theaters, carousels, playgrounds, skating paths, biking trails, and even boat rides. But without a doubt, the main attraction here is the Paris Zoo.
The zoo is divided into five areas known as biozones, which are: Patagonia, Sahel-Sudan, Europe, Amazon-Guyana, and Madagascar. Each biozone recreates its native ecosystems, complete with authentic climates, plant life, and animal species. The zoo is open year-round.
It’s quite large, housing around 180 different species, including lions, giraffes, penguins, rhinos, and lemurs. Kids can enjoy seeing these animals up close and taking part in interactive activities to learn more about them.
The zoo also has playgrounds, animal shows, picnic areas, and restaurants where families can relax and grab a bite. At the end of the visit, you can stop by the gift shop to pick up a memorable souvenir.
Reserve your tickets (with free cancellation) here: BOOK NOW
5. Climbing the Eiffel Tower
Climbing the Eiffel Tower with kids is an unforgettable experience for the whole family, especially if you go during off-peak times, like early in the morning or late in the afternoon, when you can enjoy views of a beautifully lit Paris.
There are two ways to reach the observation platforms (1st and 2nd floors): you can take the elevators if you have young children, or, for more adventurous families with older kids, you can climb the stairs.
Once you’re up there, take plenty of photos and soak in the views. A fun activity that my child loves is playing a game where we point out and identify famous landmarks, such as the Arc de Triomphe and Notre Dame. It’s an entertaining way to learn and enjoy the panoramic vistas.
To avoid long lines, it’s highly recommended to purchase tickets online in advance. Not only will this save you time, but it will also allow you to pick the time slot that fits your schedule best.
Here you can get your skip-the-line tickets:
- Summit Access Ticket Without Queues
- Guided Tour of the Eiffel Tower and Seine Cruise
- Guided Elevator Tour of the Eiffel Tower
6. Parc Astérix
The second most famous theme park in Paris (after Disneyland) is Parc Astérix, divided into several themed areas based on the beloved Astérix and Obélix comics. It’s an excellent destination for families, whether or not your children are familiar with the characters.
The park is full of exciting attractions and live shows perfect for kids of all ages (from toddlers to teens) and adults, making it a place where the whole family can have fun together.
The park features four main themed zones:
- Gaul: This area celebrates the iconic Gallic village of Astérix, complete with themed rides and activities.
- Roman Empire: Dedicated to the Romans, this zone features a fun river rapids ride, ideal for summer.
- Ancient Greece: Step into a world inspired by Greek mythology, featuring one of Europe’s largest wooden roller coasters.
- The Vikings: Explore a land dedicated to the northern warriors, complete with a roller coaster featuring loops and thrilling twists.
Book your tickets (with free cancellation) here: BOOK NOW
7. Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
Another great activity for kids is exploring Paris aboard an open-top double-decker bus. This way, they can see the city’s most important landmarks without getting tired from walking all day. It’s ideal for keeping them entertained and happy while parents can enjoy a more relaxing sightseeing experience.
The bus makes stops at key points throughout the city, allowing families to hop off and explore various attractions up close. Plus, the BigBus ticket (that’s the bus’s name) includes an audio guide in Spanish, providing interesting historical facts and details about the sights.
Get your tickets online here: BOOK NOW
8. Playmobil FunPark
The Playmobil FunPark has various play areas, each themed around different Playmobil worlds and characters. It’s designed for kids to immerse themselves in different imaginative settings and play with life-sized Playmobil figures and accessories.
The park has separate areas tailored to different age groups:
- A play area for children aged 18 to 36 months.
- For kids over 3, there are classic Playmobil setups, like a princess castle or a farm.
Prices and tickets:
- Free entry for children under 3.
- For kids over 3, tickets are 2.50 euros, and 2 euros for those with disabilities.
Located in Fresnes, just 25 minutes from Paris by public transport, the park is usually closed on Mondays, except during school holidays.
9. Parc de la Villette
Parc de la Villette, located in the 19th district, is one of the largest parks in Paris, featuring expansive green spaces and unique gardens. One of the most loved attractions for kids is the giant dragon slide. It’s a thrilling adventure for younger children and a memorable stop if you decide to visit Paris with your little ones.
Parc de la Villette is home to the Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie, a massive complex dedicated to promoting scientific, technical, and industrial culture. Within this complex lies the Cité des Enfants, a science museum specifically designed for children, where they can learn through hands-on, simple experiments. The museum is divided into two sections: one for children aged 2 to 7 and another for those aged 5 to 12, each offering age-appropriate interactive experiences.
Nearby, you’ll find La Géode, an impressive IMAX cinema shaped like a sphere, where kids can watch educational films. These usually include documentaries on topics like nature, space, and other fascinating subjects tailored for younger audiences.
Additionally, the park itself features all the classic elements of a fun playground: climbing structures, slides, and swings, perfect for kids to enjoy and play.
10. Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum is located within the Jardin des Plantes, a vast botanical garden in the 5th district. It’s a highly recommended stop when visiting Paris with young children, as they can see, touch, and learn about the history of animals in an engaging way.
The museum also features another zoological park, the Zoo la Ménagerie, one of the oldest zoos in the world, which is home to over 200 animal species. Remarkably, about one-third of these species are endangered, making the visit educational and thought-provoking.
The museum’s exhibits are spread out across several sections throughout the garden, including:
- Children’s Gallery: This area is geared towards kids aged 6 to 12, where they can learn about our planet’s biodiversity through interactive games and animal replicas.
- Grande Galerie de l’Évolution: This exhibit showcases various animal species and details their evolutionary history, including human evolution. Different theories of evolution are presented, and the life-like animal models are sure to captivate young visitors.
- Gallery of Comparative Anatomy and Paleontology: This section houses impressive dinosaur fossils, which are a big hit with kids who are fascinated by these prehistoric creatures.
- Gallery of Mineralogy and Geology: Featuring a stunning collection of meteorites, crystals, rocks, and minerals, some of which are quite spectacular and visually striking.
These sections are closed on Tuesdays and certain holidays, including January 1st, May 1st, and December 25th.