Paris With Kids: Family-Friendly Ways to See the City

Thinking about visiting Paris with kids in tow? Do it! Sure, it’s easy to think of Paris as a playground for grown-ups — fine dining, high fashion, romantic strolls, miles of art galleries, and engagement photos. 

But the City of Light can also be a playground for young kids and teens, with many beautiful parks, fun foods, delightful entertainment, and ways to see galleries and museums that will engage their senses and make the city feel like it was made for them, too.

I love to help families plan their trips and see Paris with kids because, inevitably, the grownups come back and say that they got to experience this amazing place in a whole new way through the eyes of their children, and the kids come back excited to keep exploring the world. That’s a pretty big win-win in my book.  

First Things First: Basic Tips for Traveling in Paris with Kids

If you’ve got children, then you already know: travel changes a LOT when you’ve got little ones in tow. 

There are a few simple things you can do that will make all the difference in your experience as you’re taking in Paris with kids. 

Where you stay is as important as what you see.

While it may seem cost-effective to book family accommodations a little further out, I highly recommend choosing a hotel in the city center. Staying in a central location provides the convenience of quickly popping back to the hotel for a break or a nap if the little ones get tired, helping everyone recharge before heading out again. It also saves you from a long journey back to the hotel after a day of sightseeing, which is a surefire recipe for a tantrum.

Keep eating simple.

French restaurants typically serve lunch between 11:30-1 pm, close in the afternoon, and re-open for dinner around 7 pm. These hours can be a source of frustration for tourists who are used to early dinners and 24-hour diners. It’s not unusual for Parisians to eat dinner after 8 pm, so eating earlier and simpler means earlier bedtimes (essential for meltdown-free travel) and not eating in candlelit dining rooms full of couples trying to have a quiet, romantic dinner. 

The good news is that Paris offers great kid-friendly foods, and boulangeries have snacks and easy picnic foods available during the hours when restaurants typically aren’t serving. It definitely doesn’t hurt to carry snacks around in your backpack.

Avoid lines and long waits like the proverbial plague.

As Rick Steves dryly points out, kids hate long lines even more than adults do. Get tickets in advance. Or, use the crowd-beating Paris Museum Pass. Keep museum visits to under an hour. Take plenty of breaks to let them run around in a park. Yes, it’s a little slower way to see a city. But truthfully? Most adults wind up appreciating that less harried pace. I mean, running around a park in Paris is pretty dang fun and good for the soul.  

Okay, on to the best sites and activities to experience with your children in Paris!  

Luxembourg Garden

For younger children, it’s not an exaggeration to say that Luxembourg Garden is a dream come true. There is a huge playground with all kinds of jungle gym amazingness (parents can observe in comfy chairs nearby). There’s also pony rides, a toddler wading pool, puppet theater, shaded paths for walking and resting, and cafes for refreshments. In what feels like a quintessentially Parisian activity, you can even rent toy sailboats to sail on the picturesque pond.  

Treasure Hunts Designed for Families

The most popular museums in Paris want to attract potential enthusiasts of all ages. A couple of private tour companies offer treasure hunts at the Orsay Museum and the Louvre, which are great for keeping kids engaged. If you want to expand the adventure, there’s also a city sightseeing Paris Treasure Hunt. 

Eiffel Tower and Champ de Mars

The Eiffel Tower is a wonderful place to take in Paris with kids, with lots of things to do under, on, and around the tower. Per Tip #3 above, I absolutely recommend getting tickets well in advance (see my strategic tips for buying Eiffel Tower tickets): the Iron Lady is often in high demand. Advanced tickets sell out, and the day-of ticket-buying lines can be brutal. 

For slightly older kids or teens who are okay with being up a little later, the wonder of the tower alight as the sun goes down is a memory-maker for sure. 

The Champ de Mars is the perfect place to let kids run around and get their wiggles out. It is expansive and never feels crowded, with multiple playgrounds, a puppet theatre, and an antique hand-cranked carousel. 

Versailles

Older kids and teens might best appreciate the jaw-dropping, Insta-worthy opulence of the palace itself, but with younger kids, you can rent a bike and explore the gorgeous grounds, visit the farm animals at the Hamlet of Domaine de Marie-Antoinette, or take in the Les Grandes Eaux Nocturnes Musical Fountains Show (on select nights). For a fantastic guided tour, I’ve personally taken this Versailles Bike Tour and highly recommend it!

Disneyland Paris

Some people balk at taking in such an American attraction while in Pair-ee — but there is wisdom in sometimes seeking out the familiar. Seeing Mickey and well-known favorites like Space Mountain (in French!) can help kids relax and re-set in a totally new environment. I know many parents who admit that they also had a blast at Disneyland Paris (one of the best day trips from Paris for kids). 

Kid-Friendly Food Tours & Baking Classes

How would you and your family like to embark on a culinary adventure through the charming Marais neighborhood? The family-friendly Paris Ultimate Food Tour welcomes all ages (special pricing for kids 12 and under) and is packed with interactive experiences. From tasting sweet macarons to mastering the art of French cheese, this tour will entertain and educate children and adults alike. If it’s simple and sweet you’re after, be sure to sign up for a Crêpe Cooking Class or a Family Macaron Baking Class. These classes are led by passionate chefs who are eager to show you and your kids how to make these iconic French treats. 

Family Bike and Segway Tours

There’s nothing like moving the body to help kids enjoy touring. And there’s an added benefit to biking and Segway-ing: it’s the ground-covering speed of a tour in a bus or coach, with the in-person feel of walking. I recommend the Paris Day Bike Tour. And for a fun excursion with older kids (12 and up), the Paris Night Segway Tour is a great combo of the quirky fun of Segways with the magic of Paris as the sun falls. 

Explore the best of Paris with Kids

Exploring Paris with kids is a unique experience that offers so much, from beautiful neighborhoods and parks to mouth-watering food. But planning a trip to Paris with kids can be pretty stressful for parents. Luckily, when you work with me, I can remove all the stress of navigating a new place. Contact me today to get the planning started! With the right planning, you can make memories with your children that will last a lifetime and encourage them to keep adventuring while I handle the details and logistics of your trip.