Paris is a great city for kids, with plenty of things to see and do.

I wasn’t sure how Paris would go with kids. Would they be bored? Would they complain about museums? Turns out, Paris might be one of the most surprisingly kid-friendly cities in Europe.

Your kids will love the pastries, the playgrounds, and how much walking and exploring they will be able to do. They might even enjoy a museum or two after you fill them up with pastries. Our kids loved Paris, and yours will too!

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!

How Many Days in Paris With Kids?

Here is what we have found makes for the perfect number of days in Paris with kids.

• 3 days = highlights only

• 4–5 days = relaxed, and lots of depth

• 6+ = day trips outside of Paris as well

Where to Stay in Paris With Kids

Picking the right neighborhood in Paris can make or break your family trip — especially if you have strollers, long days of walking, or little ones who need naps. Below are the best areas to stay in Paris with kids, based on convenience, charm, and family-friendly amenities.

1. The 7th Arrondissement — Eiffel Tower & Calm Streets

Best for: First-time visitors, young kids, short walks

The 7th is one of the most popular family bases in Paris — and for good reason. It’s quiet, safe, and home to:

• The Eiffel Tower

• Champ de Mars park (perfect for picnics and running off energy)

• Easy Metro access without tons of crowds

Kids love seeing the Tower sparkle at night, and parents love the relaxed vibe and playgrounds nearby.

Pro tip: Choose an apartment or hotel on a side street for less nighttime noise.

2. The 1st Arrondissement — Central & Walkable

Best for: Museum lovers, walks along the Seine

This area puts you in the heart of Paris. From here you’re a short walk to:

• Louvre Museum

• Tuileries Garden

• Pont Neuf

• Île de la Cité

Tuileries Garden has playgrounds and a carousel — perfect for kids who need a break from museums.

Be aware: Hotels in the 1st are often pricier.

 3. The Marais (3rd–4th Arrondissements) — Cool & Historic

Best for: Family walks, food markets, central location

The Marais is a favorite for families who want historic charm without losing modern convenience. It’s walkable, full of bakeries and cafés, and great for exploring on foot.

Highlights nearby:

• Place des Vosges

• Picasso Museum (kid-friendly elements)

• Jewish pastry shops that kids adore

Metro access here is excellent, too.

4. Saint-Germain / Latin Quarter (5th–6th) — Classic Paris

Best for: Gardens, history, central access

This area feels quintessentially Parisian while still being relaxed. It’s close to:

• Jardin du Luxembourg (massive park with playgrounds, puppet shows, pony rides, and ponds to sail toy boats)

• Panthéon

• Pont des Arts

This neighborhood is perfect if you want a mix of culture and outdoor play without long walks between attractions.

5. The 16th Arrondissement — Family & Calm

Best for: Parks, space, modern feel

If you’re looking for a quieter, more residential feel — especially with older kids — the 16th is a strong choice. It has:

• Bois de Boulogne (huge park with lakes and kid activities)

• Quick access to the Trocadéro for Eiffel Tower views

Hotels here often have more space at better value than central arrondissements.

 Accommodation Tips for Families

Here’s what helps most families on repeat trips:

Consider an Apartment

Paris apartments often give you:

• Extra space

• A kitchen

• Laundry — super helpful with young kids
  Platforms like VRBO or local Paris apartments are great for this.

Stay Near Metro Stations

Paris streets are charming — but stairs are everywhere. If you have a stroller, prioritize:

• Line 1 (very flat & modern)

• Lines 4 or 6 (connects to many attractions)

Stroller & Kid-Friendly Travel Notes

• Many Metro stations don’t have elevators — be prepared to carry a stroller on stairs.

• Consider a compact foldable stroller for easier navigation.

• Parks like Luxembourg and Champ de Mars are perfect pit-stops for little legs.

Quick Picks by Kid Type

13 Best Things to Do in Paris With Kids (That Parents Will Love Too)

Paris is not just museums and long walks. It’s carousels, boat rides, playgrounds, chocolate, and croissants the size of your child’s head. These are the experiences that actually work with kids — from toddlers to teens.

1. Hunt Space Invaders (Free + Brilliant for Tweens)

Photo Credit: Salut from Paris

Best for: Ages 7+
Time needed: As long as your kids are willing

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.

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.

Why it works:

• Kids feel in charge

• It keeps them walking

• It costs nothing

Pro tip: Combine this with your regular sightseeing route so it doesn’t feel like “extra walking.”

2. Tour Montparnasse Breakfast With a View

Photo Credit: Deposit Photos

Best for: All ages
Time needed: 1 hour

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!

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

Why it works:

• Kids are eating instead of whining

• You’re sitting instead of standing in line

• It’s cheaper than tickets upstairs

This is one of those smart-parent moves that feels luxurious.

3. Visit Shakespeare & Company (With the Cat)

Photo Credit: Salut from Paris

Best for: Book lovers, tweens, teens
Time needed: 30–45 minutes

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.

Yes, it’s an English bookstore in Paris. And yes, it’s magical. Let kids pick out one book for the trip — it gives them ownership.

Pair it with:

• Notre Dame views

• A nearby crepe

4. The Louvre — But Do It Strategically

Photo Credit: Deposit Photos

Best for: 8+
Time needed: 90 minutes max

The Louvre is another excellent place to visit children. 

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

Do not attempt the whole Louvre.

Instead:

• Pre-book tickets

• Grab the free masterpieces route

• Or use the Nintendo DS audio guide

See:

• Mona Lisa

• Venus de Milo

• Winged Victory

Then leave before anyone melts down.

Short and successful beats ambitious and miserable.

5. Luxembourg Gardens

Best for: All ages
Time needed: 1–2 hours

If you need a break from museums and monuments, Luxembourg Gardens is where Paris truly shines for families. Located in the Latin Quarter, this sprawling park feels like the city’s backyard. Kids can sail little wooden boats in the central fountain, ride ponies, watch a puppet show, or burn off energy in one of the best playgrounds in Paris (there’s a small entrance fee, and it’s worth every euro).

Luxembourg Gardens has:

• A paid playground (worth it)

• Puppet shows

• Pony rides

• Sailboats kids push with sticks in the fountain

• Wide gravel paths to run

This is where Paris feels made for families.

Bring a baguette and let kids run.

6. Cruise the Canal Saint-Martin Locks

Photo Credit: Salut from Paris

Best for: Curious kids
Time needed: 2 hours

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).

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.

Unlike the typical Seine cruise, this route shows the locks working — boats rising and lowering in water chambers.

Kids LOVE watching the mechanics.

Bonus: End near Parc de la Villette for playground time.

7. Jardin des Plantes + Grand Gallery of Evolution

Photo Credit: Deposit Photos

Best for: Animal lovers
Time needed: 2–3 hours

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.

If it rains? This is your backup plan.

8. Jardin d’Acclimatation (Amusement Park Inside Paris)

Photo Credit: Deposit Photos

Best for: Younger kids
Time needed: Half day

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.

Buy Tickets to the Theme Park

A mini amusement park inside the Bois de Boulogne. Rides, a small zoo, playgrounds, and boating.

If your kids need a “normal fun day” mid-trip, this is it.

9.  Disneyland Paris (If You Have the Time)

Photo Credit: Deposit Photos

Best for: Disney families
Time needed: Full day

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!

If your kids are hardcore Disney fans, it’s worth it.

If not? Paris itself is magical enough.

10. Eiffel Tower Picnic at Trocadéro

Photo credit: Deposit Photos

Best for: All ages
Time needed: 1–2 hours

The best view of the Eiffel Tower — especially with kids — is from the Trocadéro. You get that full, postcard-perfect shot without fighting the crowds underneath it, and there’s plenty of open space for kids to run while you snap photos. Go in the evening and wait for the tower to sparkle — it’s one of those simple Paris moments your family will never forget.

Let kids:

• Run in the grass

• Watch it sparkle at night

Sometimes the best memory isn’t the ticketed attraction.

11. Seine River Cruise (Classic for a Reason)

Best for: All ages
Time needed: 1 hour

A Seine River cruise is one of the easiest wins when you’re traveling to Paris with kids. Everyone gets to sit down, rest their feet, and see the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, and the Louvre glide by without another step logged on your watch. It’s relaxing, scenic, and just structured enough to feel educational — but fun enough that kids don’t even realize they’re learning.

Yes, it’s touristy. Yes, you should do it.

It’s a reset button in the middle of your trip.

12. Montmartre + Sacré-Cœur + Carousel

Best for: 6+
Time needed: 2 hours

Montmartre feels like stepping into a storybook version of Paris. Take the funicular up (or climb if your crew has energy), visit Sacré-Cœur for sweeping city views, and then wander the cobblestone streets filled with artists and tiny cafés. There’s even a charming carousel at the base of the hill, which makes the whole neighborhood feel extra magical for kids.

It feels storybook-European in the best way.

13. Chocolate & Crepe Tasting

Best for: All ages
Time needed: 1 hour

There are some things that make everyone happy and are part of the heart and soul of Paris.  In fact, this needs to description. Find the nearest chocolatier or crepe stand and make every single person happier.

Paris + kids = sugar diplomacy.

Visit:

• A chocolate shop (Patrick Roger or Jacques Genin)

• A crepe stand near Notre Dame

Let kids choose their flavor.
It buys you goodwill for the rest of the afternoon.

14. Aquarium de Paris

Photo Credit: Deposit Photos

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

3 Days in Paris With Kids: A Simple, Realistic Plan

If you only have three days in Paris with kids, don’t try to do everything. The goal is iconic sights + one fun win per day + built-in downtime.

 Day 1: Eiffel Tower Magic & A Boat Ride

Morning: Trocadéro + Eiffel Tower Picnic
Start at the Trocadéro for that postcard-perfect Eiffel Tower view. Kids can run around the open plaza while you take photos. Walk down to Champ de Mars and enjoy a simple picnic — baguette, cheese, fruit, macarons. Let everyone ease into Paris.

Midday: Seine River Cruise
Hop on a 1-hour Seine cruise. Everyone gets to sit, rest their feet, and see Notre Dame, the Louvre, and the bridges without walking another mile. It’s the perfect reset.

Afternoon: Carousel or Playground Stop
There’s a carousel near the Eiffel Tower, or you can find a nearby park to let kids burn off steam.

Evening: Eiffel Tower Sparkle
If your kids can make it, come back after dark to watch the tower sparkle. It happens on the hour and feels pure magic.

Why this works:
Low stress. Big icons. Lots of space to move.

Day 2: Culture + Play

Morning: The Louvre (Short & Strategic)
Pre-book tickets and follow the “masterpieces route.”
See:

• Mona Lisa

• Venus de Milo

• Winged Victory

Spend 90 minutes max. Leave while everyone is still happy.

Midday: Tuileries Garden
Right outside the Louvre. Grab ice cream, ride the carousel, let kids run. This is the recovery zone after the museum.

Afternoon: Luxembourg Gardens
Head to Luxembourg Gardens in the Latin Quarter.
Kids can:

• Sail toy boats

• Ride ponies

• Play in the playground

Parents can finally sit down in those iconic green chairs.

Why this works:
Museum + massive outdoor time = balance.

Day 3: Neighborhood Charm & Fun Finds

Morning: Montmartre & Sacré-Cœur
Take the funicular up to Sacré-Cœur (save those legs). Wander the cobblestone streets, watch artists at work, and ride the carousel at the base of the hill.

Midday: Chocolate & Crepes
Find a chocolatier or crepe stand and let everyone pick a flavor. Sugar diplomacy goes a long way.

Afternoon: Choose Your Adventure
Pick based on your kids:

• ? Aquarium de Paris (great if staying near Trocadéro)

• ? Canal Saint-Martin Cruise (for curious kids who love how things work)

• ? Jardin d’Acclimatation (if you need a “normal fun day”)

• ? Hunt Space Invaders (great for tweens)

Why this works:
Day 3 feels flexible and fun — not pressured.

? Optional Add-On

If you have a fourth day:

• Disneyland Paris

• Versailles

• Musée d’Orsay

• Parc de la Villette

Final Paris With Kids Tip

Plan only 2–3 major things per day.

Build in playgrounds.

Say yes to pastries.

Leave before meltdowns.

Paris doesn’t need to be rushed to feel magical.

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.

Can’t Visit Paris?

Check out a great way to “travel” to France from Home!

Post written by Lena of Salut from Paris: