Paris is a great city for kids, with plenty of things to see and do. You probably already have the Eiffel Tower, the Hop-on Hop-off tour, and the cruise on the Seine on your Paris bucket list. But there is much more to do in Paris that is fun and engaging for your kids, and you won’t have a bad time, either!

Nine things to do in Paris with kids

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There are so many awesome things to do in Paris that your kids won’t mind being dragged along to, but these nine things are especially fun for kids.

Hunt Space Invaders

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When you’re in Paris, you will quickly notice little mosaics attached to many buildings. Well, these are not just randomly placed pieces of art – they are part of a large-scale street art project called Space Invaders.

The artist behind this project is Invader, a French street artist who works incognito. He started putting up these pieces in the 90s, and his work can now be found in over 65 cities worldwide.

But there is more to it than finding the little arcade game-inspired mosaics. You can download the app called Flash Invaders and collect them. It’s great fun for kids and one of the coolest things to do in Paris with teenagers.

Enjoy Breakfast with a view from the Tour Montparnasse

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The Tour Montparnasse is the only skyscraper in Paris and offers stunning views of the city (on a clear day, you can even see as far as the Palace of Versailles).

But did you know you can also enjoy a great breakfast from this fantastic view of the Eiffel Tower?

Instead of visiting the observation deck on the 56th floor, book a table in the restaurant Ciel de Paris on the 53th floor. The restaurant is usually a fine dining establishment, but they serve a moderate-priced breakfast with a free view!

In fact, the breakfast is even a tad cheaper than if you’d got tickets to the visitor’s platform! As a plus, the breakfast is delightful. You get fresh croissants, pain au chocolat, brioche, different sorts of jam and honey, fresh juice, and a hot drink.

And the best part? While you are enjoying your breakfast, your children are busy watching the life on the street level.

Visit the Quaint English Bookstores of Paris

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Even though it’s maybe not the most intuitive thing to visit an English bookstore in Paris, you won’t regret it. Most of them are very quaint with a lot of charm. If you head to Shakespeare & Company with some luck, you even get to know the cat that lives on the upper floor. But even if you are not that lucky, the view from the window of the Notre Dame Cathedral is beautiful!

Shakespeare & Company and The Red Wheelbarrow’s bookstore have an excellent section with English books and frequently host events with readings aimed at children.

Visit the Louvre with Audioguide

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The Louvre is another excellent place to visit children. Visiting with very young kids is a bit more challenging as they might get bored quickly. But if your kids are a little older and can appreciate art, the Louvre is a great place to visit, especially if they use the official audio guide. It’s a Nintendo DS that your kids can use to either explore the artwork on display or as a device to guide you through the museum. The audio guide is very user-friendly and engaging for kids.

If you would rather not use a screen, you can follow one of the free masterpieces tours. Just grab one of the free paper maps and follow the easy itinerary. It leads you through the museums, and you see the most famous paintings and statues. It takes 1.5 hours, so you don’t have to worry about your kid’s patience. 

Pre-order tickets to avoid waiting in line with your kids.

Get a Skip the Line Ticket for the Louvre

Jardin des Plantes

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The Jardin des Plantes is located in the Latin Quarter and is one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world. It’s a beautiful place to visit with kids, as there is so much to explore.

The highlight for many kids is the zoo, which is even one of the oldest zoos in Europe. It opened already in 1794!

If the weather is less good, the Jardin des Plantes also has the Grand Gallery of Evolution. It’s a museum that is all about, you guessed it, evolution. On the grounds of the Jardin des Plantes you find also the Museum of Natural History, which is certainly worth a visit, and the Geology Museum, which is just next door.

Overall, the Jardin des Plantes is a perfect place if your kid is interested in animals and the history of our planet.

Cruise the locks of the Canal St. Martin

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While you have probably thought already about doing a Cruise on the Seine, a Cruise on the Canals St. Martin is a great alternative (or addition).

This Cruise starts on the Seine, and you sail up the Canal St. Martin until the Bassin de la Villette or the other way around.

The Canals St.Martin are very different from the Seine, and you often don’t even feel like you are in Paris anymore. It’s a relaxed way to explore another side of the city.

During the Cruise, you will learn all about Canal St. Martin’s history and some interesting things like how the locks work. Children love seeing the boats go through the locks even more, when they are on one of them.

Once you arrive at La Villette, you can explore the Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie, which is a great place for inquisitive minds. If that’s not enough science for one day, explore the Park de la Villette with its different areas and playgrounds.

Jardin d’Acclimatation

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Another great spot to explore with kids is the Jardin d’Acclimatation. It’s located in the Bois de Boulogne, one of Paris’s largest parks.

The Jardin d’Acclimatation is actually an amusement park that has been around since 1860! So, it definitely knows how to entertain children (and adults).

There are many things to do, like riding on a miniature train, having fun on one of the many playgrounds, or even exploring the mini farm and zoo. You and your kids can even ride some thrilling merry-go-rounds.

A visit to the Jardin d’Acclimatation is a wonderful way to spend a day in Paris with kids. There is also a large pond where you can go boating. It’s the perfect spot to spend a day with your family in Paris.

If you want to add a more sophisticated element to your fun day, there is also a café from Angelina in the park and the Modern Art collection of the Fondation Louis Vuitton.

Buy Tickets to the Theme Park

Disneyland Paris

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When traveling to Paris with kids, you, of course, must also consider spending a day in Disneyland Paris. It’s about 32 kilometers outside the city center, but definitely worth the trip.

If you are Disney junkies you will love the European take on Disneyland. Your kids will have an incredible time exploring all the different areas of Disneyland Paris, and there are also many great shows to see and things to do for the whole family. If you want something more French, you also can visit Park Asterix.

Don’t forget your matching family shirts for Disney!

Aquarium de Paris

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The Aquarium de Paris is located in the Trocadero, next to the Eiffel Tower. It’s a great spot to visit with kids as they will love to see all the different fish and sea creatures.

The Aquarium has over 35 tanks with more than 600 fish and sea creatures species. There is also a shark tunnel, a highlight for many visitors.

The Aquarium de Paris is a great way to learn about the sea and its inhabitants. You can also visit the Aquarium at Porte Doree for a less costly alternative. It is located close to the Bois de Vincennes and crocodiles.

Get your tickets to the Aquarium

These are just some ideas for doing things in Paris with kids. There are, of course, many more things to see and do. But these are some great things to get you started exploring Paris with your family.

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Post written by Lena of Salut from Paris: