Family activities in Paris

Great museums for kids

Paris may very well be one of the most museum-rich cities in the world, but not every child will appreciate the wonders of Impressionism or the crowds at the Louvre.

Instead, discover children's museums where young visitors can interact with the exhibits, and have fun while learning new things. The Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie in Paris is a good place to start. It is located in the Parc de la Villette and offers children of all ages a fun approach to science, math, transport, technology and more through interactive exhibits.

Are you or your children a fan of magic? Let yourself be tempted by the Musée des Automates and the Musée de la Magie, an underground museum located in the historic district of Le Marais, where automatons will fascinate children and where magic reigns supreme. For a dreamlike visit, the Musée des Arts Forains will please you: it is a place dedicated to the fairground! Vintage merry-go-rounds, old games, carousels: this whimsical museum houses a whole world of old-fashioned beauty that will be appreciated by children and adults alike.

Read also Things to see and to do in Paris

Green spaces

If you're looking for a place where kids can run around freely, spend energy and enjoy the green spaces of Paris, then visit one of the many municipal squares in Paris. Most of these green spaces have activities for children, such as the popular Jardins du Luxembourg with its puppet theater, tennis courts, sailing boat rentals and adventure playground. To find out which park is right for you, take a look at our list of the best parks in Paris. Don't forget the banks of the Seine too, where you'll find activities for kids, wide open spaces to explore, and green spaces to spend the afternoon.

Consider visiting one of Paris' theme parks, they offer a complete experience for kids. Disneyland, just 32 kilometers from the center of Paris via the RER train system, remains arguably the ultimate Parisian destination for kids. Just take the RER A to Marne la Vallée station, which is only 2 minutes from the theme park gates.

The Jardin d'Acclimatation located in the Bois de Boulogne, was completely renovated in 2018 and is also an interesting stop for the family. There are over 40 attractions, counting 4 roller coasters, ride tracks, fairground rides, games, a miniature railroad ride, a zip line, a virtual reality wildlife adventure and more!

For kids who love to swim, look no further: Aquaboulevard is the place to be. It has no less than eleven water slides, indoor and outdoor pools, waterfalls, Jacuzzis, wave pools, and restaurants. A full day of relaxation for adults and entertainment for the little ones who love the water.

Zoos and animal parks in Paris

A few minutes from the Trocadero, the Paris Aquarium has the largest tank in France where you can observe 25 sharks and fish of all colors and marine creatures from all over the world. With movie screenings, workshops, shows and exhibits, children will have plenty to keep them busy while they explore the underwater world.

Little animal lovers should definitely visit the Menagerie, the zoo at the Jardin des Plantes for a fantastic experience. This historic zoo is filled with small and medium-sized animals - most of which are in danger of extinction. You'll be able to see as many as 12,000 species such as snow leopards, red pandas, orangutans, and pink flamingos. It is also a budget-friendly stop.

The Zoological Park is another scale altogether. This very recently renovated zoo is home to 2,000 animals including giraffes, lions, rhinos, monkeys, penguins, sea lions, wolves and much more.

Useful links:

Cité des sciences
Museum of magic - Museum of automatons
Museum of fairground arts
Disneyland Paris
Puppets of Luxembourg
Jardin d'Acclimatation
Aquarium of Paris
Zoological Park