Paris: Six Attractions for Kids in Paris

Paris: Six attractions for kids.

Paris is known as a city for lovers, full of amazing architecture, luxury fashion, some of the world’s best museums, and Michelin star restaurants.

But it’s also a perfect holiday destination for families with kids. As such, there’s much to explore that’s child friendly, and the instagram opportunities are everywhere.

There are literally hundreds of activities you can do with your kids, from trying a typical French bistro to taste testing the myriad of new foods on the streets to visiting churches, ice cream shops and more.

But here are six amazing Paris attractions for kids you probably haven’t heard of. (that aren’t Disneyland Paris).

Bois de Vincennes

Tis is a great way to spend a day in Paris with children. The largest public park in Paris, Bois de Vincennes is a sprawling playground of woods, gardens and lakes.

Just 15 minutes east of the city centre by train, Bois de Vincennes is a perfect place to escape the city with the kids.

The grounds are complete with a medieval castle, the Chateau de Vincennes, which is a beautiful example of Medieval architecture. A world class zoo is another feature, with many exotic animals including giraffes, jaguars, rhinos and sea turtles.

Home to one of Paris’ most beautiful botanical gardens, exploring the lush fields can also lead to an 18-hole mini golf course, slides, a train ride and a tree-top adventure park.

Or, hire a row boat to take out on one of the many lakes. Visit the butterfly house or the children’s library. Bois de Vincennes is a complete, fun day out for the whole family.

Prices: The grounds are free to access, with varying prices for different attractions.

Musée Grevin

For something out of the ordinary, head to the Musée Grevin Paris, Europe’s oldest wax museum.

Over 300 famous celebrities and public figures are in the Musée Grevin. Napoléon, Marilyn Monroe, Donald Trump and Cristiano Ronaldo, among others,  are all housed in the Museum’s themed halls.

A “Kids Discovery” tour is also available that introduces French history while explaining how the figures are made.

Located in the centre of Paris, the museum is easily accessible. Open from Monday to Saturday, 9am to 5pm.

Prices: Adults from €17.50, children from €14.10

Musée Gourmet du Chocolat

A modern-day Willy-Wonka experience comes to Paris with an entire gourmet museum dedicated to Chocolate.

Explore more than 4000 years of the history of cocoa and chocolate. Statues, pictures and actual chocolate to try at tasting stations throughout the exhibitions make this a treat.

Children will love the live demonstrations from master chocolatiers. They’ll reveal the secrets of making shiny and delectable chocolates.

Or, they can get their hands dirty and participate in different workshops to make their own chocolates. The best part – taste testing at the end. After that, there’s an  amazing chocolate shop for take-home treats full of cocoa flavours from all over the world.

Located on the Grands Boulevards and open every day from 10am to 6pm.

Prices: Museum entry: €11 for adults, €10 for students, €8 for kids (6-12 years old)

Entry + 45minute chocolate making workshop: €35 per person

Bateaux-Mouches

See Paris on the water with Bateaux-Mouches, an open-air cruise that travels down a 15 kilometre stretch of the River Seine.

This 1 hour 15-minute cruise will bypass must-see sights. View the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Musée d’Orsay, and the Louvre, all with commentary.

Being on the water the whole time means no added stress of walking from monument to monument with children. Kids will also love seeing the city in a different way, from the water.

 Prices: €14 for adults, €6 for children under 12 years, Free for children under 4 years.

Aquarium of Paris

Just across from the Eiffel Tower, 10,000 sea creatures of all kinds reside in the Aquarium of Paris.

Perfect for a rainy-day activity, children will love exploring the many exhibitions and animals. On display, there are sharks, stingrays, puffers and clown fish.

Daily shows also entertain, with characters such as pirates and Peppa Pig offering facts about the ocean. Children can even watch Claire the Mermaid dazzle and swim underwater.

Prices: €20.50 for adults, €16 for children aged 13-17, €13 for children ages 3-12 (under 3 years are free)

Cite des Sciences

Located in the beautiful Parc de la Villette, head to the Cite des Sciences with the kids for an educational, yet fun, day out.

Housed over three floors, this interactive museum is perfect for exploring, with exhibits, workshops and cinema shows changed regularly.

Currently on offer are exhibits including “the great story of the universe”, “under the ocean” and “man and genes.” Consequently allowing children to learn hands-on about real world material, this is a great Paris attraction for kids.

A planetarium is also one of the main highlights. It offers an astronomical simulator that was the first of its kind in Europe. It’s an immersive, visual experience where children can learn about black holes, the moon cycle and stars.

Prices: Starting from €12 for adults, €9 for children, additional costs for shows and some exhibits.

Still after more Paris tips? Head here for more insider knowledge.