Discover Paris’s 200 best spots for a Families with Young Kids' trip

The Jardin d'Acclimatation combines rides, gardens, and family attractions across a leafy corner of the Bois de Boulogne, and has been a Paris institution for families since the 19th century. This pass covers a full day of access, and reviewers consistently describe it as a magical, well-maintained outing that suits younger children especially well.

Science Experiences offers hands-on exhibits and virtual reality activities aimed at both kids and adults, set within the Bercy Village shopping and leisure complex. Reviewers frequently mention it as a hit with children, with the VR experience singled out as a highlight.

The Parc zoologique de Paris covers 14 hectares and houses more than 3,000 animals, from lions and pumas to giraffes and calaos, organized into distinct biozones. Visitors can follow an interactive trail, join guided activities, or attend seasonal events like summer evening openings and themed weekends.

The zoo also runs conservation programs, offering animal sponsorships and family-oriented experiences such as keeper workshops.

Located close to the Eiffel Tower, this aquarium displays a varied collection of fish and a notably large array of jellyfish. Visitors can watch shows and view videos detailing the history of the site and its species.

The atmosphere is family-friendly, with exhibits presented in a way reviewers describe as both engaging and respectful to marine life.

Spread over 7,000m² in Paris, Aquaboulevard offers wave pools, waterfalls, geysers, water cannons, family rafting and 11 slides, including a wake box, with water kept at 29°C year-round. Outdoor sand-lined areas open in summer, and the park also runs swim lessons for children, baby-swim classes, and adult aqua fitness activities like aqua jogging and aqua pilates.

Birthday parties and pool parties can also be organized on site.

This science and industry museum in the Parc de la Villette offers permanent and temporary exhibitions covering space, health, environment and critical thinking, alongside a planetarium and the Géode cinema. Dedicated Cité des enfants areas let younger visitors explore science through play, while events, VR experiences and conferences round out the programme.

Open Tuesday to Sunday.

Part of the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle in Paris's 5th arrondissement, this gallery displays taxidermied animals, from an African wildlife caravan to marine and endangered species, illustrating the history of life on Earth. Modern lighting and design frame the historic building, blending science with storytelling.

Open daily except Tuesdays, it suits families, school groups and visitors with accessibility needs.

The Piscine de la Butte-aux-Cailles dates to the 1920s and is known for using naturally warm artesian well water, a distinctive feature among Paris's public pools. Reviewers consistently call it beautiful, though it does get crowded, and note it has occasionally closed earlier than scheduled.

Part of the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, this garden combines formal flowerbeds, tree-lined walks, and remarkable specimen trees with the Grandes Serres greenhouses and the Ménagerie zoo. Visitors can also explore galleries devoted to evolution, geology, and mineralogy, plus rotating exhibitions and family-friendly workshops.

It's a spot to wander outdoors and delve into natural science collections in one visit.

La Géode is a striking mirrored sphere housing an IMAX cinema with a 180° dome screen, part of the Pathé network. It shows documentary-style films with immersive visuals and powerful sound, covering topics like nature and science.

The distinctive geodesic structure is notable on its own, making it a landmark within the Cité des Sciences complex. Ticket prices and picture quality draw mixed reactions from visitors.

The Centre Sportif Édouard-Pailleron combines an indoor pool with other sports facilities in the 19th arrondissement, serving mainly a local, residential clientele rather than tourists. Reviewers describe the pool as pleasant, if a little cold at first entry.

Musée Grévin displays wax figures spanning film stars, musicians, athletes, politicians and historical figures across themed rooms. Visitors can pose alongside likenesses of chefs, TV personalities and fictional characters, with immersive sets recreating iconic scenes.

The museum also hosts temporary additions tied to current pop-culture figures, making each visit slightly different.

Managed by the French Senate, this garden features landmarks such as the Médicis Fountain, the Orangerie, ornamental gates, statues and notable trees. Visitors can join guided tours, free horticulture courses, family-friendly trails and games, or explore the on-site Musée du Luxembourg and Davioud pavilion.

A music kiosk and beehive school add to its varied attractions across the grounds.

Parc de la Villette combines green spaces with themed gardens, sports facilities and a small farm for visitors to explore. The site hosts a varied cultural program including theatre, dance, circus and music performances, plus a free open-air cinema season each summer and the annual Jazz à la Villette festival.

Free guided weekend tours cover the park's gardens, architecture and history. A dedicated children's area, Little Villette, adds family-friendly activities.

A relaxed one-hour boat cruise along the Seine, departing right at the foot of the Eiffel Tower. Passengers glide past landmarks including Notre-Dame, the Louvre, and Hôtel de Ville, with optional audio commentary in 14 languages via an interactive web app.

Departures run every 30-60 minutes depending on season.

The Luxembourg Palace was built in the early 17th century for Marie de' Medici and now houses the French Senate, set within the beloved Jardin du Luxembourg. While the palace interior has limited public access, the surrounding gardens — with their fountains, tree-lined paths, and green metal chairs — are one of the most cherished green spaces in Paris.

The Piscine Joséphine Baker floats on the Seine near the Bibliothèque Nationale, its retractable roof allowing it to operate as an open-air pool in summer with river views on either side. Reviewers describe it as a genuine highlight for cooling off during Paris summers, though it draws big crowds on hot days.

Espace Sportif Pontoise centers on a striking 1930s Art Deco swimming pool with a surrounding running track and gym facilities, in the heart of the Quartier Latin. Some reviewers have flagged inconsistent staff interactions around session timing, so it's worth confirming rules on arrival.

Le Café des Chats is a unique Paris restaurant where a dozen cats, all adopted from animal welfare associations, live freely alongside guests. Dishes and desserts are homemade, prepared on-site by the kitchen team.

Strict rules protect the cats' wellbeing, including no feeding, no waking sleeping cats, and no flash photography. Open Tuesday to Sunday, with a weekend 'Pass Ronron' fee during peak times.

Spread across steep, landscaped terrain in the 19th arrondissement, this park centers on a lake overlooked by a suspended bridge and the Temple de la Sybille, perched on a rocky island. Paths wind past grottoes, cascades and grassy slopes, with entrances on Rue Botzaris, Rue Manin, Rue de Crimée and Avenue Simon-Bolivar.

It is accessible to visitors with reduced mobility, though some zones, including the island, temple and cascades, are currently closed due to unstable ground.

Billed as the world's largest balloon, this helium-filled captive balloon rises to 150 metres above Parc André Citroën, carrying up to 30 passengers on a roughly ten-minute flight. Besides sightseeing, it doubles as a flying laboratory measuring greenhouse gases and air pollutants with scientific partners.

Flights depend on weather conditions and run daily without reservation; tickets are bought on-site.

A 2-hour hands-on macaron baking class designed for families, where a pastry chef guides kids and adults through mixing, shaping, and garnishing their own macarons. Depending on the pace of the class, the chef may also demonstrate how to make a ganache or custard cream filling.

Everyone leaves with a box of their own macarons.

The Eiffel Tower rises above Paris with a ground-level parvis, a 2nd floor at 154m and a summit at 276m, each offering different views of the city. Visitors can ascend by elevator or stairs, with tickets sold for various levels and combinations.

Onsite dining includes the Madame Brasserie and a champagne bar, plus a boutique selling official souvenirs. Evening visits offer a quieter atmosphere with shorter queues.

Rent a rowboat by the hour to explore Lac Daumesnil, a 12-hectare lake in the Bois de Vincennes. A leisurely full loop around the lake takes about 45 minutes.

No reservations are needed, boats are available on a walk-up basis, and dogs are welcome. Open daily, with rates from €15 per boat plus a €20 deposit.

Nearby attractions include the Zoo de Paris and the Château de Vincennes.

This museum traces the history of technology and invention through collections spanning scientific instruments, materials, construction, communication, energy, mechanics and transport. Highlights include an automata theater and objects like Ader's early airplane.

Housed partly within a former priory church, it combines historical architecture with hands-on exhibits, guided tours and workshops for children and families.

Parc Monceau sits at 35 boulevard de Courcelles in the 8th arrondissement, reachable via the Monceau, Villiers and Courcelles metro stations. The park is accessible to visitors with reduced mobility and offers shaded pathways for strolling.

Certain allées are opened experimentally to leashed dogs, though swimming is prohibited in its protected biodiversity zone. Opening hours extend into the evening during the summer months.

This landscaped garden links the Louvre to Place de la Concorde, offering tree-lined paths, fountains, and statues alongside a central café. Visitors can expect a peaceful escape amid manicured lawns and gravel walkways, with occasional attractions like a Ferris wheel.

It's a popular spot for a quiet stroll or rest between museum visits.

Le Triangle combines indoor climbing walls with other leisure activities and dining options within the Bercy Village complex, making it a flexible stop for both adults and kids. Reviewers highlight the range and quality of the climbing facilities in particular.

Tucked behind a passage off Rue Berthaud, the Jardin Anne Frank is a small, easily missed garden with play equipment, quiet seating nooks, and a dedication to Anne Frank. Reviewers consistently describe it as a hidden gem, a peaceful break from the busy Marais streets just outside its gates.

Arkose Montmartre is part of a well-regarded Paris bouldering gym chain, with this location's long daily hours making it easy to fit in a session before or after exploring the neighborhood. Reviewers note it can get crowded at peak times but consistently praise the friendly, welcoming staff.