Expert Tips for Visiting Paris with Kids: Family-Friendly Adventures
I've enjoyed romantic weekend getaways to the City of Love with my partner, but traveling to Paris with kids offers a completely different—and equally rewarding—experience. While adults savor leisurely café au lait at street-side tables, children demand constant engagement, making museums and galleries challenging without nonstop entertainment.
If you've explored Paris as a couple and now plan a family return, it's time to shift focus to kid-approved activities that create lasting memories.
A short trip to Paris introduces children to a familiar yet enchanting culture, sparking their sense of wanderlust.
How to Enjoy Paris with Kids
Preparing for Your Trip
Stock up on kid-specific travel guides like Kids' Travel Guide – Paris: The Fun Way to Discover Paris and Mission Paris: A Scavenger Hunt Adventure (Travel Guide for Kids). These scavenger hunts keep children engaged for hours while playfully exploring the city. Grab them before departure to build excitement—and they're perfect for long flights.
Watch Paris-themed movies to amp up the anticipation: kid-friendly picks include The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Ratatouille, Madeline, Ballerina, A Cat in Paris, and A Monster in Paris.
Disneyland Paris
No family trip to Paris is complete without Disneyland Paris, just 30 minutes away. Meet Mickey and Minnie, conquer first roller coasters, and discover why fans rank it as the world's second-best Disney resort. The TGV train drops you right at the gates.
Pro tips: Allocate at least two days—rushing in one leads to stress. Visit in May or September to avoid peak crowds, and prioritize the main Theme Park over Studios if time is short. We plan ours just before school starts for lighter attendance.
Despite Paris's reputation for crowds, it's surprisingly kid-friendly with attractions to delight children and reveal the city's playful side to parents.
Skip major sights like the Eiffel Tower or Louvre this time—long lines tire out little ones. Save those for when kids connect with French history and art in school. Instead, explore hidden gems.
Younger children love La Ménagerie, an 18th-century zoo with reptiles, monkeys, and big cats like panthers.
The National Museum of Natural History captivates with animal skeletons, natural wonders, a merry-go-round, and 17th-century gardens ideal for picnics.
Kid-Friendly Parks in Paris
Paris parks shine for families. Jardin de Luxembourg offers an enclosed playground, toy sailboats, and pony rides.
Jardin des Tuileries, near the Louvre, features lounge chairs for parents, a merry-go-round, sculptural playground, and trampolines.
Parc des Buttes-Chaumont boasts a grotto, playgrounds, merry-go-round, and a lakeside temple accessed by suspension bridges.
Explore Montmartre
Montmartre is a top neighborhood for kids. Start with the merry-go-round near Square Louise Michel and Sacré-Cœur, then ascend via stairs or funicular. Peek at the basilica, wander cobblestone streets with artists at Place du Tertre, trinket shops, and crêpe stands. Visit early to beat crowds.
Fascinating Markets in Paris
Markets mesmerize kids. Sundays bring the flower and bird market at Place Louis Lépine on Île de la Cité near Notre-Dame. For global flavors, hit Marché des Enfants Rouges, Paris's oldest market with Lebanese, North African, and Japanese stalls. Go Tuesday-Friday for fewer crowds.
For more ideas, see Fodor's 14 kid-friendly Paris activities.
Have you visited Paris with kids? Share your tips for family fun in the City of Lights!
