Paris with Kids
Paris with Kids
Unlike other tourist cities in the world, Paris is incredibly child-friendly, from facilities offered at hotels to highchairs and children’s menus in restaurants. Paris also has plenty of green spaces where children can enjoy the outdoors in the parks and gardens, as well as numerous amusement parks. Rain or shine, you will have no problem keeping the children entertained, with dedicated museums and parks just for them! So, what are the best activities in Paris for kids?
While you may not have come to Paris to see Mickey Mouse, Disneyland Paris is one of the most visited theme parks in Europe and a definite hit with children. Located 32 kilometers outside of Paris in a town called Cressy, Disneyland Paris has two theme parks: Disneyland Park, which opened in 1992, and Walt Disney Studios Park in 2002.
There are also resort hotels, Disney Nature Resorts, a shopping, dining, and entertainment complex, and a golf course. You can expect the classic rides and characters, including three new areas dedicated to Star Wars, Marvel, and Frozen. Don’t forget to also plan a family-friendly Louvre tour, where kids can enjoy interactive and fun activities as they explore the museum’s fascinating collection!
Parks and Gardens
Jardin du Luxembourg was created by Napoleon and officially dedicated to children. Filled with delightful activities that hark back to the past; the 23-hectare park is a bucolic retreat shaded by chestnut trees with a boating lake, a carousel or you could take in a marionette show, or listen to free musical performances at the gazebo.
Younger kids will adore the amusement park Jardin d’Acclimatation, in the Bois de Boulogne, which has some 48 attractions. including a farm with animals, an aviary, funfair rides and adventures like rafting and shooting and workshops – cooking, art, even yoga for kids! The fun begins aboard a mini train from Porte Maillot, the entrance to the park.
Museums
-
There are a number of dedicated children’s museums:
-
Musee en Herbe is an art museum for kids, featuring art exhibits and workshops based on the works of artists such as Marc Chagall, Pablo Picasso, and Niki de Saint Phalle. The permanent exhibition changes throughout the year, focusing on an artist or theme with interactive displays, guided visits with worksheets, and hands-on fun.
-
The Musee de la Magie is the place to go for all things magic and illusion. Tickets include a magic show and entrance to the museum of automated toys, you can even take magic lessons!
-
The Musée des Arts et Métiers is Europe’s oldest science and technology museum, perfect for families or anyone curious about how things work. It features over 200 years of inventions and offers family workshops every weekend.
-
Kids can try hands-on activities and learn about printing, optical toys, photography, and more. There is story time for ages 4-6 and they even have a special audio guide for kids!
-
Paris has several science museums with fun exhibits for kids. The Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie in Parc de la Villette is also known as a museum of science and industry. It has displays for children aged 2 and up, including a planetarium and a retired submarine. Booking is required for educational play sessions at the Galerie des Enfants, where kids aged 2-7 and 5-12 can learn through games and activities.
-
The landmark Centre Pompidou modern art museum and cultural centre, has dedicated areas for younger visitors. The Galerie des Enfants is an exhibition area open to all artistic disciplines where children and their families can develop their outlook on creation through observation and experimentation on Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday.
-
For children aged 2 to 10, the 1st floor offers exhibitions including activities, art sessions and interactive experimentation with various workshops.
-
Studio 13/16, located on the lower ground floor, is a creative space for teenagers aged 13 to 16. Here, they can try out visual, multimedia, and performing arts, and meet artists. The studio covers many forms of contemporary art, including visual arts, dance, music, film, games, fashion, design, books, and more.
-
FabLab for kids 9-12 is a laboratory equipped with machines and materials like 3D printers and laser cutters. Every 3 months new artists visit the center and children engage in collective work, starting from a storyboard, week by week, or as a one-off.
-
https://www.centrepompidou.fr/en/visit/children-and-families
There are a number of dedicated children’s museums:
Musee en Herbe is an art museum for kids, featuring art exhibits and workshops based on the works of artists such as Marc Chagall, Pablo Picasso, and Niki de Saint Phalle. The permanent exhibition changes throughout the year, focusing on an artist or theme with interactive displays, guided visits with worksheets, and hands-on fun.
The Musee de la Magie is the place to go for all things magic and illusion. Tickets include a magic show and entrance to the museum of automated toys, you can even take magic lessons!
The Musée des Arts et Métiers is Europe’s oldest science and technology museum, perfect for families or anyone curious about how things work. It features over 200 years of inventions and offers family workshops every weekend.
Kids can try hands-on activities and learn about printing, optical toys, photography, and more. There is story time for ages 4-6 and they even have a special audio guide for kids!
Paris has several science museums with fun exhibits for kids. The Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie in Parc de la Villette is also known as a museum of science and industry. It has displays for children aged 2 and up, including a planetarium and a retired submarine. Booking is required for educational play sessions at the Galerie des Enfants, where kids aged 2-7 and 5-12 can learn through games and activities.
The landmark Centre Pompidou modern art museum and cultural centre, has dedicated areas for younger visitors. The Galerie des Enfants is an exhibition area open to all artistic disciplines where children and their families can develop their outlook on creation through observation and experimentation on Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday.
For children aged 2 to 10, the 1st floor offers exhibitions including activities, art sessions and interactive experimentation with various workshops.
Studio 13/16, located on the lower ground floor, is a creative space for teenagers aged 13 to 16. Here, they can try out visual, multimedia, and performing arts, and meet artists. The studio covers many forms of contemporary art, including visual arts, dance, music, film, games, fashion, design, books, and more.
FabLab for kids 9-12 is a laboratory equipped with machines and materials like 3D printers and laser cutters. Every 3 months new artists visit the center and children engage in collective work, starting from a storyboard, week by week, or as a one-off.
https://www.centrepompidou.fr/en/visit/children-and-families
Bus and Boat Tours of the city
-
Taking a sightseeing bus is a great way to explore the city without tiring your feet. These buses have several routes, giving you a good view of the city from above and letting you visit many attractions easily.
-
For a unique experience, tour the city by boat. The Batobus is a hop-on, hop-off boat service with 9 stops around Paris. You can buy tickets for 24 or 48 hours, allowing you to explore at your own pace or simply enjoy the ride past major landmarks.
-
For something different, try a cruise with Canauxrama on the Canal Saint-Martin. This peaceful journey takes you from the Arsenal Marina to Parc de la Villette (or the reverse). Kids will love going through the canal’s locks and under the swing bridges.
Taking a sightseeing bus is a great way to explore the city without tiring your feet. These buses have several routes, giving you a good view of the city from above and letting you visit many attractions easily.
For a unique experience, tour the city by boat. The Batobus is a hop-on, hop-off boat service with 9 stops around Paris. You can buy tickets for 24 or 48 hours, allowing you to explore at your own pace or simply enjoy the ride past major landmarks.
For something different, try a cruise with Canauxrama on the Canal Saint-Martin. This peaceful journey takes you from the Arsenal Marina to Parc de la Villette (or the reverse). Kids will love going through the canal’s locks and under the swing bridges.
