15 Magical Things to Do in Paris With Kids (They’ll Talk About for Ages)

People always call Paris a city for lovers. I think they’re wrong.

I believe the real magic of Paris is best seen through the eyes of a child.

I’ll never forget my daughter’s gasp watching the Eiffel Tower sparkle for the first time.

Or the pure joy of chasing pigeons in a centuries-old garden.

Those are the moments that define this city for me.

Here’s my personal, family-tested guide to the best things to do with kids in Paris.

This guide is fully updated for 2025, so you can plan with confidence.

1. Marvel at the Reborn Notre Dame Cathedral

Seeing the restored Notre Dame is a powerful experience.

The cathedral reopened in December 2024, and it stands as a beautiful symbol of resilience.

Flying buttresses are stone arms holding the walls up. Gargoyles are stone monsters watching over Paris.

After our visit, we always walk to Île Saint-Louis. We get the best ice cream in Paris at Berthillon. It’s the perfect treat after a cultural stop.

Pro-Tips:

To avoid long lines, book your free tickets online. Reservations open exactly two days in advance at midnight Paris time (CET) and go fast.

There is also a free guided tour daily at 2:30 p.m., limited to 20 people.

For older kids, the official app has a great family tour. You can also buy a visitor’s guide for €10.

Know Before You Go:

• Location: Île de la Cité
• Métro: Cité (Line 4)
• 2025 Price: Free entry. Audioguides are available for €6.
• Official Site: notredamedeparis.fr.

2. Cruise the Seine: A Floating City Tour

A boat cruise on the Seine is the perfect first-day activity.

It’s a low-energy way to see the city’s top sights when everyone is jet-lagged. You float past the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and Notre Dame.

It helps kids get a sense of the city without all the walking. It’s one of the most relaxing things to do with kids in Paris.

Parent Pro-Tips:

You have a few great options. A classic one-hour tour with Bateaux Mouches is very affordable, starting at just €8.

For a more flexible option, the Batobus is a hop-on, hop-off water taxi with nine stops. A 24-hour pass is €23 for adults.

For a special dinner, Le Calife offers a family-friendly cruise with a kids’ menu.

Know Before You Go:

• Departure Points: Varies by company (e.g., Pont Neuf, Eiffel Tower area).
• 2025 Price: Sightseeing tours start from €8. A 24-hour Batobus pass is €23.
• Official Sites: bateaux-mouches.fr, bateauxparisiens.com, batobus.com.

3. Play at the Luxembourg Gardens (Jardin du Luxembourg)

This is my family’s favorite park in Paris. It’s an entire afternoon of fun.

Kids can rent vintage wooden sailboats to push across the Grand Bassin pond. There are pony rides and a traditional puppet show (Guignol).

The huge, fenced-in playground is a true sanity-saver, especially for parents of toddlers.1 It’s a perfect example of the wonderful, simple family-friendly activities in Paris.

Parent Pro-Tips:

Many activities like the pony rides and boat rentals are only available on weekends, Wednesdays, and during summer holidays.

Check the puppet show schedule online in advance, as times can change with the seasons.

The park is a great place to relax after exploring the nearby Latin Quarter.

Know Before You Go:

• Location: 6th Arrondissement
• Métro: Odéon (Lines 4, 10); RER B Luxembourg
• 2025 Price: Park entry is free. The playground and other activities have small fees.

4. Experience the Eiffel Tower: Two Unforgettable Ways

The Eiffel Tower can be overwhelming with kids. I recommend two different approaches.

• Option A: The View from the Ground. This is a free and low-stress option. We love having a picnic at the Trocadéro gardens at sunset. It’s the best spot to watch the tower’s light show.

During the day, the Champ-De-Mars lawn is perfect for letting toddlers run around. There’s always a carousel and crêpe stands nearby.

• Option B: The Ascent. For older kids, climbing the stairs to the second floor is a real adventure. It’s often less crowded than the elevator.

The transparent glass floor on the first level is a thrilling highlight for everyone.

Parent Pro-Tips:

Tickets sell out incredibly fast. Book on the official website.

Elevator tickets are released 60 days in advance. Stair tickets are released 14 days in advance.

If they are sold out, you can try for same-day tickets on-site, but expect long lines.

Another option is booking a tour through a third-party company, which costs more but guarantees access.

Know Before You Go:

• Location: Champ de Mars, 7th Arrondissement
• Métro: Trocadéro (Lines 6, 9) for views; Bir-Hakeim (Line 6) for access.
• 2025 Price: Varies by level and access method (stairs or lift).
• Official Site: toureiffel.paris.fr

Also Read: 15 Colorful Places Around the World Most Tourists Miss

5. Run Free in the Jardin des Tuileries

This beautiful garden connects the Louvre to the Place de la Concorde.

It’s the perfect place for kids to burn off energy. There are in-ground trampolines, a great playground, and a classic carousel.

We always use the promise of the trampolines to get our kids through a museum visit. It’s a perfect reward.

Parent Pro-Tips:

If you visit in the summer, don’t miss the Fête des Tuileries. It’s a huge carnival with over sixty rides.

In 2025, it runs from June 21 to August 24. This is one of the most fun seasonal things to do with kids in Paris.

Know Before You Go:

• Location: 1st Arrondissement
• Métro: Tuileries (Line 1), Concorde (Lines 1, 8, 12)
• 2025 Price: Park entry is free. Carnival rides and activities have individual fees.

6. Conquer Paris Museums with Children

Taking kids to a huge art museum can be stressful. My strategy is to keep it short and focused.

The Musée de l’Orangerie is perfect. It’s small, and kids are mesmerized by Monet’s giant Water Lilies panels.

For the Louvre, I plan a “treasure hunt” for just three things: the Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo, and the Egyptian sphinx.

Parent Pro-Tips:

The Musée de l’Orangerie has a dedicated “Family Area” for kids 0-12.

They also offer a reduced “Enfant & Cie” ticket for adults with a child.

At the Louvre, rent the kid-friendly audio guide on a Nintendo 3DS for €6. It turns the visit into a game. 

Always use the underground Carrousel du Louvre entrance to skip the long security line at the pyramid.

Know Before You Go:

• Location: 1st Arrondissement
• Métro: Tuileries (l’Orangerie), Palais Royal Musée du Louvre (Louvre)
• 2025 Price: Free for visitors under 18.
• Official Sites: musee-orangerie.fr, louvre.fr.

7. Bake a Memory: A Paris Cooking Class

A cooking class is a fantastic hands-on cultural experience.

Instead of just seeing Paris, your kids get to taste it. They can learn to make perfect macarons or flaky croissants from a real Parisian chef.

It’s a delicious break from sightseeing and creates a memory that lasts a lifetime. This is one of my favorite family-friendly activities in Paris.

Parent Pro-Tips:

I highly recommend Cook’n with Class in Montmartre. They offer wonderful family workshops in English. 

They have specific classes for different age groups, like “Pâtisserie en Famille” for ages 6-12.

A class for one adult and one child costs €220. Book far in advance, as the small classes fill up quickly.

Know Before You Go:

• Location: Montmartre (Cook’n with Class)
• Métro: Lamarck – Caulaincourt (Line 12)
• 2025 Price: Starts at €220 per duo.
• Official Site: cooknwithclass.com.

8. Find Old-Fashioned Fun at Jardin d’Acclimation

This charming park in the Bois de Boulogne is a wonderful alternative to a giant theme park.

It has a lovely mix of amusement rides, a small farm with over 450 animals, a puppet theater, and even a water park for hot summer days.

It feels like a truly Parisian experience, a place where local families go to have fun.

Parent Pro-Tips:

The unlimited day pass is the best value. It covers 42 different rides and activities.

Prices start around $29, depending on the season.

Another fun tip: take the little train from the Porte Maillot Métro station to the park entrance. The journey itself is an adventure for kids.

Know Before You Go:

• Location: Bois de Boulogne, 16th Arrondissement
• Métro: Les Sablons (Line 1), then walk or take the little train.
• 2025 Price: Unlimited pass starts from approximately $29.
• Official Site: jardindacclimation.fr.

9. Explore Modern Art at the Centre Pompidou

Kids love the Centre Pompidou before they even step inside.

Its “inside-out” design, with colorful pipes and escalators on the outside, is fascinating.

The large plaza in front is always filled with street performers.

It’s a great place for kids to run around and play.

Important Update:

The main Centre Pompidou building is closing for major renovations in 2025. However, the museum is launching a “Constellation” program.

It will feature events and exhibitions at other locations, like the Grand Palais and the Gaîté Lyrique.

Check their website for the latest schedule. When it reopens, the Galerie des Enfants is a must-visit for hands-on art fun for ages 6 and up.

Know Before You Go:

• Location: The main building is closing. Check the official site for “Constellation” program locations.
• Official Site: centrepompidou.fr.

10. Experience the Magic of Disneyland Paris

Sometimes, kids just need a break from museums and history. Disneyland Paris is a perfect escape.

It’s smaller and more manageable than the U.S. parks, making it a great day trip.

It’s a guaranteed way to bring some familiar magic into your European adventure.

Parent Pro-Tips:

The park is undergoing an exciting transformation. Walt Disney Studios Park is being renamed Disney Adventure World.

The highly anticipated “World of Frozen” themed area is set to open in 2026.

Getting there is easy. The RER A train goes directly from central Paris to the park’s front gate.

Know Before You Go:

• Location: Marne-la-Vallée
• Train: RER A line to Marne-la-Vallée—Chessy station
• 2025 Price: Varies by date and ticket package.
• Official Site: disneylandparis.com.

11. Explore the Grand Gardens of Versailles

The Palace of Versailles is often incredibly crowded. With kids, I recommend skipping the long palace lines and heading straight for the magnificent gardens.

The real highlight for families is the Queen’s Hamlet. It’s a charming, fairy-tale village built for Marie Antoinette, complete with a working farm and animals.

Parent Pro-Tips:

The gardens are huge. Save your family’s energy by renting a golf cart or bicycles.

You can rent kids’ bikes and even trailers for toddlers right on site.

If you are determined to see the palace interior, go one hour before closing time to avoid the worst of the crowds.

Know Before You Go:

• Location: Versailles, France
• Train: RER C line to Versailles Château Rive Gauche station
• 2025 Price: Garden access is often free, except on fountain show days.
• Official Site: chateauversailles.fr.

12. Master the Art of the Parisian Picnic

A picnic is a core Parisian experience. I love turning lunch into an adventure.

We visit a boulangerie for a fresh baguette, a fromagerie for cheese, and a pâtisserie for dessert. The kids love helping to pick everything out.

Parent Pro-Tips:

The Champ-De-Mars and the Place des Vosges are classic picnic spots.

For something different, try the Promenade Plantée. It’s an elevated park on an old railway line, and it’s very stroller-friendly.

For a special treat, grab a famously thick “l’Africain” hot chocolate from Angelina to go with your picnic.

Know Before You Go:

• Location: Any park or riverside quay.
• Price: The cost of your groceries.
• Tip: Don’t forget a blanket and a corkscrew!

13. Create a Scent at a Perfume Workshop

This is a wonderfully unique activity, especially for older kids and teens.

At a perfume workshop, you learn about different fragrance notes.

Then, you get to blend them to create your own personal scent.

It’s a creative, sensory experience that results in the most personal souvenir you could bring home from Paris.

Parent Pro-Tips:

I recommend the Candora perfume workshop in the Marais.

They offer a class called “Inspector Nosy and the Stolen Perfume,” which is designed for families with kids aged 6 to 11.

The 90-minute class uses a fun story to keep children engaged. It costs €49 per child and €79 per adult.

Know Before You Go:

• Location: Le Marais (Candora workshop)
• Métro: Pont Marie (Line 7)
• 2025 Price: Family workshop from €49 per child.
• Official Site: candora.fr.

14. Step into a Painting at Monet’s Garden in Giverny

A day trip to Giverny feels like stepping into an Impressionist painting.

You can see the actual water lily pond and the green Japanese bridge that inspired Claude Monet’s most famous works.

It’s a magical escape from the city and a wonderful way to connect art with nature.

Parent Pro-Tips:

My best tip is to visit the Musée de l’Orangerie in Paris before you go to Giverny.

This allows kids to see the famous Water Lilies paintings first. When they see the real garden, it creates a powerful “aha!” moment.

The train from Gare Saint-Lazare in Paris to the Vernon-Giverny station takes about an hour.

Know Before You Go:

• Location: Giverny, France
• Train: Depart from Gare Saint-Lazare to Vernon-Giverny.
• 2025 Price: Varies (train fare plus garden admission).
• Official Site: fondation-monet.com.

15. Capture Your Trip with a Family Photo Shoot

A professional photo shoot ensures you get beautiful family photos where everyone is in the picture, especially the parent who is usually behind the camera.

It’s a fun activity that captures your family’s joy against the iconic backdrops of Paris.

Parent Pro-Tips:

I recommend a service like Flytographer, which specializes in vacation photo shoots.

A local photographer meets you for a session that can last from 30 to 120 minutes. It’s a fantastic way to preserve your memories.

This is one of the most memorable things to do with kids in Paris.

Know Before You Go:

• Location: Various iconic Parisian backdrops.
• 2025 Price: Packages start from $325 USD for a 30-minute session.
• Official Site: flytographer.com.

Bonus: For Adventurous Families (Or What to Skip with Toddlers)

Not every attraction is right for every family. Here’s my take on two of Paris’s more adventurous spots. 

These are great options, but maybe not the best for Paris with toddlers.

The Paris Catacombs

This underground ossuary is fascinating for older kids (10 and up) who are interested in history and aren’t easily spooked.

However, be warned: there are 131 steps down and 112 steps up, and there is no easy exit if a child gets scared. Strollers are not allowed.

The Paris Sewer Museum (Musée des Égouts)

This is a surprisingly fun and educational tour of the city’s sewer system.

It’s perfect for kids who like science or anything a little “gross.” It’s inexpensive (around €9) and not crowded.

And the smell? Recent visitors say it’s more musty than overwhelming—less stinky than many public restrooms in the city.

Your Perfect Paris Family Adventure Awaits

Paris is a city of endless discovery.

The key to a great trip is balancing museum visits with plenty of playtime. Promise a carousel ride after the cathedral. Plan a picnic after the paintings.

This list of things to do with kids in Paris is your starting point.

Find the magic in the small moments. Your perfect family trip to the City of Light is waiting.

Hope you create memories that you and your children will cherish for years to come!