10 Family-Friendly Things To Do in Paris

Little ones can run, play, and sail the day away at Luxembourg Gardens. You can rent a vintage toy sailboat and watch it glide across the Grand Bassin du Luxembourg, but that's not all the Gardens offer to keep kids occupied. You’ll also find a playground with climbing structures, swings, and—in true Paris fashion—an art installation that doubles as a maze. You can also grab a seat at the marionette theater, which is also the city’s largest puppet theater, for a show. Explore the gardens at your own pace, or kick off a private tour of Paris with kids here with a guide who will help tailor the rest of your day to other Paris activities for children.

Whether you take the stairs or the glass elevator, the journey up the Eiffel Tower is half the fun, with peekaboo views of the city unfolding as you ascend. Once you're at the top, though, you (and the kids) can marvel at panoramic views of Paris below, including landmarks such as the Arc de Triomphe and Basilique du Sacré-Coeur, all from 1,000 feet (305 meters) in the air. Stick around after sunset to see the tower light up—then watch as it twinkles on the hour, every hour, for five magical minutes. As this is an ultra-popular Paris experience, you'll want to book tickets in advance to avoid long queues.

Insider tip: Admission to the Eiffel Tower is free for children under 4, but they must have a ticket.

If you need a break from clocking steps, hop on a Seine River cruise. A private boat tour is a great way to see the sights; spend an afternoon gliding past the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, and other Parisian icons while a local shares insight, knowledge, and snacks for the kids.

After your boat ride, explore the Parc Rives de Seine, a promenade stretching from the Louvre to the Eiffel Tower, and the Berges de Seine, a sprawling green space where kids can bike, scooter, and play on climbing walls.

Home to the towering Basilique du Sacré-Coeur, Montmartre is filled with fun surprises for kids. Start with a stop at Place du Tertre, where young artists can watch street painters at work, try their hand at creating their own masterpieces, or sit for a portrait. For an insider’s take on this top family destination in Paris on a Montmartre walking tour with a local guide to share off-the-beaten-track sights and point you to the city’s best flaky croissants.

Insider tip: Keep an eye out for the Wall of Love, where “I love you” is written in more than 250 languages—kids will love hunting for their favorite.

The Louvre might not top the typical list of fun things to do with kids in Paris, but with a little planning it can be an enjoyable family experience. The key: Skip the lines with a private guided tour designed for kids. Little ones will discover that the Louvre was originally a fortress and palace from the 12th century, while older kids can explore the galleries filled with famous works. Afterward, burn some energy exploring the iconic glass pyramids outside, a photo op that's perfect to cap off your museum adventure.

One way to get kids to love a museum is to make it interactive. At La Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie, kids can pilot a spacecraft in the Planetarium and get hands-on in the La Cité des Enfants section. Over at the French National Museum of Natural History, history comes alive through tactile displays and engaging lessons. Little ones can try illusions, perform tricks, and watch live magic shows at the Museum of Magic. Even the immersive Atelier des Lumières will have kids stepping into famous art pieces and experiencing them in a whole new way.

No family Paris travel guide is complete without highlighting the city's best pastries, desserts, and crepes. Head to Ladurée, or check out Le Bonbon au Palais (not far from the Louvre) to pick up local treats to satisfy a sweet tooth. For another way to explore, kids can tour the scenic streets of Saint-Germain-des-Prés and visit Paris’ oldest chocolate shop.

Otherwise, challenge yourself with a baking class, where you can make your own French confections, such as éclairs, croissants, and baguettes. Some pastry classes are even geared toward kids, so the whole family can master the baking process.

Nestled in the heart of the Latin Quarter, Jardin des Plantes offers a beautiful escape from the bustle. Kids will love the small zoo, the Ménagerie, which is home to monkeys, bears, and other animals. Stroll through the plant gardens or enjoy a picnic on the grass for a relaxing family afternoon. For families (especially with tweens and teens) looking to capture their Parisian adventure, consider a small-group walking tour with a guide to snap the perfect shots at nearby mainstays, such as Fontaine Saint-Michel and Eglise Saint Julien Le Pauvre (featuring Paris’ oldest living tree).

Versailles is an easy Paris day trip for families. The epic Palace of Versailles dazzles with its ornate rooms and stunning Hall of Mirrors (Galerie des Glaces), but the real magic lies in the expansive Versailles Gardens (Jardins de Versailles. Wander past manicured lawns, hidden groves, and the grand Versailles Fountains (Les Fontaines), or rent a rowboat on the Grand Canal for a scenic adventure.

Insider tip: If you're visiting on a summer weekend, don’t miss the musical fountain shows, where water dances to classical music.

Paris is home to some of the most enchanting carousels in the world, making it easy to add a little whimsy to your family adventure. The Jardin du Trocadéro Carousel isn't far from the banks of the Seine and offers a picture-perfect ride with the Eiffel Tower as its backdrop. Otherwise, you can visit the Tuileries Garden (Jardin des Tuileries) and ride the vintage carousel, which brings old-world charm to the historic gardens. For extra fun, head to La Villette Park where a whimsical, double-decker carousel wows kids with its spinning hot air balloon, planes, motorbikes, and even a rocket.