Paris may be a paradise for museum-goers, but the endless standing around can leave kids restless. If you're wondering what to do in Paris with kids, you'll find an exciting playground of fun-filled activities created especially for little ones. You can engage your young ones in art and history activities or bite into an authentic pain au chocolat or a crispy croissant. From tantalising parks and promenades to hands-on museum exhibits, we’ve selected the five best activities to enjoy in Paris with kids.
Travelling to Paris with children in late summer or autumn delivers plenty of outdoor fun. With the leaves changing and the weather cooling, Paris’ streets burst to life with public performances. If the drizzle starts, there are plenty of exciting indoor alternatives. To complement your itinerary, we’ve selected two well-placed hotels in the heart of Paris’ child-friendly neighbourhoods. Whether your young ones are culture hounds or budding explorers, here are our tips for the best family holiday in Paris.
1. Open your children’s eyes to art at the Centre Pompidou
While the Centre Pompidou’s architecture is nothing short of controversial, its Lego-like construction is a dream for kids to explore. This ground-breaking contemporary art museum has a dedicated, child-oriented exhibition space loaded with fun interactive displays and workshops. Children aged 2 to 10 are welcome in the 1st-floor space, while early teens can engage directly with artists on the lower-ground floor.
Outside these impressive child-centric activities, the Pompidou boasts a treasure trove of bold and historical artworks to get young ones engaged. Trace questions of art from Marcel Duchamp's infamous Fountain to Frida Kahlo’s colourful self-portraits.
2. Make science entertaining at the National Museum of Natural History
Nature-loving kids can't resist the charm of France's National Museum of Natural History. Used to describe a whole series of museums across the country, its Parisian epicentre is Jardin des Plantes.
This 17th-century herb garden provides a fine historical lesson with its construction for Louis XIII. It's outrageously fun, too. Stroll around the 24 hectares of botanical surroundings with expertly manicured, tree-lined paths or let little legs run wild in the garden maze. It all culminates with a small but scenic zoo, La Ménagerie, and the impressive Gallery of Evolution. Budding paleontologists can get up-close to dinosaur bones in the Comparative Anatomy Gallery and under-12s can get their hands stuck into displays at the Children’s Gallery.
3. Get the definitive Parisian garden experience at Jardin du Luxembourg
Jardin du Luxembourg, or the Luxembourg Gardens, is the city’s premier outdoor space. Genteel beauty, fragrant flowers and chiselled statues provide an oasis that’s framed by the regal Luxembourg Palace.
Dedicated by Napoleon Bonaparte himself to the children of Paris, the youthful spirit survives with antique wooden sailboat launching, puppet shows and old-school fun fair rides. There’s a nostalgic charm that little ones can’t resist, and the garden playgrounds provide a more up-to-date escape with climbing frames and slides. Challenge your kids with a sculpture hunt of the park's 106 statues or keep things classic with a toy sailboat race on the ponds.
4. Gaze down at the ant-like world from the top of the Eiffel Tower
An unmissable attraction on any Paris visit, kids love making the epic and iconic 320-metre climb. If your little ones lack the energy or have tiny toes, the ascent provides a fun, hair-raising experience. There are plenty of things to do at the Eiffel Tower, too. You can relish in the special moment at the Michelin-starred Le Jules Verne or enjoy a glass of bubbly at the top-floor bar. If you’re wondering what to do with older kids in Paris, the 1 am light shows make a memorable evening for night owls.
Alternatively, the surrounding gardens, Parc du Champ de Mars and Parc de la Villette, provide fun playgrounds and performances in the shadow of the tower. This is also a comforting vantage point if your young kids are reluctant to ascend.
5. Soak up the Parisian spirit at Montmartre and Sacré Coeur
Montmartre exudes Paris' bohemian energy. Once a village apart from the city, it’s now among its most iconic neighbourhoods. Kids adore the colourful beauty of Le Mur des Je t'Aime, a mural dedicated to love in 250 languages.
You can then wander the artist-filled stalls of Place du Tertre or explore the hilly streets by mini train from Place Blanche. To top it all off, Montmartre is the homeplace of the bistro and an excellent setting for kids to try classic French cuisine in comfort. Pretty parks like Square Suzanne Buisson and Parc de la Turlure provide rest for weary legs as you ascend the steps to Sacré Coeur, the towering white basilica on the hill.
Thanks to its resident street performers and artists, the whole area bursts with busy energy that kids relish!
Bonus option number 6! Disneyland Paris
If you’ve got time in your itinerary, family holidays in Paris aren’t complete without a trip to Disneyland. Perfect as a last-day extravaganza, there are five distinct zones to explore, from Frontierland with the renowned Thunder Mountain to Discoveryland with its Star Wars-themed attractions.
Book Family Holidays in Paris
Stimulate your young one’s thirst for exploration with two special offers from Millennium Hotels and Resorts.
Book a flexible rate to enjoy the best prices and save a savvy 10% off your Paris stay as a My Millennium member. Millennium Hotels boast scenic, family-centric hotels in the heart of Paris. Book a special holiday with M Social Hotel Paris Opera just moments from Montmartre, where Art Deco interiors meet contemporary comfort. The Millennium Hotel Paris Charles De Gaulle is an excellent location for out-of-Paris travel, providing convenient family excursions to Disneyland Paris and the thrilling Parc Asterix.
There’s no shortage of ideas for what to do with kids in Paris. Forget the romantic stereotypes and discover a historically-rich city bursting with culture, parks and adventure – an ideal place to build magical family memories.
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