Playgrounds and Fun Things To Do In Paris With Kids
When planning our family trip to Paris with our two young daughters, I looked for the perfect blend of “adult happy” stops and “kid happy” stops. Each day, we'd map out a Parisian neighborhood, explore one or two key landmarks before unwinding at a local playground where our kids happily played while my husband and I happily enjoyed baguettes and coffee.
And I have to say our strategy for a simply awesome family trip to Paris worked beautifully. We were delighted to discover a quiet park or playground in every neighborhood, often right behind a famous landmark that we had just toured.
We watched our daughters play with French children on the playgrounds under the shadow of the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Louvre, and even a medieval castle.
And finally, we just had fun. We rode trains (the metro), cruised the Seine River on a boat, climbed up the stairs of the Eiffel Tower, pretended to shoot arrows through the slots of a castle, enjoyed a scavenger hunt for various impressionist paintings, took photos, delighted in selecting beautiful pastries for dessert, and so much more.
If you like this blog post, you’ll love our Paris With Kids Itinerary. All the information you need in a handy, convenient PDF file on your device. You’ll find all the details you need for each day including worthwhile stops along the way to each location, travel time between destinations, the best family-friendly attractions, helpful tips, labeled maps, and the best lodging/dining choices.
Playgrounds Near Famous Landmarks in Paris
These playgrounds in Paris were perfectly located next to famous Parisian landmarks, which made for truly fun days for everyone in the family.
Playground and Hand-Cranked Carousel in Champs de Mars Park
Playground and carousel near the Eiffel Tower
Under the shadow of the Eiffel Tower and just a 5 minute walk from its base, you will find the wonderful playground and carousel in the large Parc Du Champs de Mars.
Parc Champs de Mars includes plenty of green space with benches, playgrounds, a puppet theater, and most importantly, a 100 year old, hand-painted, hand-cranked carousel.
Hand-Cranked Carousel in Champs de Mars Park Near The Eiffel Tower- Please note that this is not the fancy, new carousel at the foot of the Trocadéro behind the Eiffel Tower and next to the Seine River.
You want the real, authentic, Parisian carousel located off the Avenue Charles-Risler that runs across the park and is accessed from the 7th from Rue de Belgrade.
You will love seeing your kids try to “spear” the rings with their baton as they circle on their horses. The attendant cranking the carousel will cheer them on in French adding to the fun! They are playing the “jeu de bagues” (ring game) - a children's version of the medieval tournament where galloping knights spear rings with lances. Definitely a highlight of our trip, and our girls loved every minute of it. They do charge a small fee for the carousel, but the playground next to it is free.
Champs de Mars Park Playground Near The Eiffel Tower- A nice playground is located right behind the carousel. The backdrop of the Eiffel Tower makes for the most beautiful playground time for the parents. Grab a snack at the stand next to the carousel and soak in the beauty from one of the many park benches. The stand has crepes to order, sandwiches, croissants, ice cream, etc. Cafes also line the streets surrounding the park.
Map showing locations of the playground near the Eiffel Tower. Map courtesy of openstreetmaps.org and annotated.
Playground At Luxembourg Gardens
Near Le Bon Marche Department Store
Luxembourg Gardens is the largest park in Paris, perfect for a picnic after visiting the nearby department store Le Bon Marche. Our daughters loved this playground with its “zipline”, climbing ropes, and slides. It’s a good Sunday activity with all the French families relaxing on their day off.
On your way to its magnificent playground (small admission fee), stroll through the beautiful gardens, watch the kids float their boats in the pond (you can too for a fee), and wander the park looking for the replica of the Statue of Liberty.
The Pond at Luxembourg Gardens
It’s truly a beautiful, quiet oasis in the middle of Paris. The playground is located next to the Puppet Theater, which could also be a fun activity.
Although the park is free, you will need to pay a small admission price for both kids and adults to enter the Children’s Playground Area. Sit and relax watching this Parisian scene through your child’s happy eyes.
Tip: Kids are out of school on Wednesdays, so it can be crowded.
Getting there: If you’re coming straight to the gardens, the RER line B drops you off right in front of the gardens at metro stop Luxembourg.
Or, you can do as we did, and take the metro to the Rue Maubillon station. Pick out your sandwiches or pastries at Gerard Mulot Maison Mulot (closed Wednesdays) at 76 Rue de Seine and and walk down to Luxembourg Gardens (5 minutes to entrance) for a leisurely afternoon and time well spent at this wonderful playground.
Tip: Luxembourg Garden also has a cafe next to the playground if you opted not to bring a picnic.
Map showing location of the playground in Luxembourg Gardens. Map courtesy of openstreetmaps.org and annotated.
Playground At Tuileries Garden
Near the Louvre and Musée D’Orsay
If your kids are still feeling the energy after touring either the Musée D’Orsay or the Louvre, you’ll find an excellent playground nearby in the Jardin de Tuileries. This large, fun playground is located towards the Place de la Concorde end of the park.
In the northwest corner from the playground, you will also find trampolines (a 2 euro fee for 5 minutes of jumping) and more playground equipment. Note: The trampolines are designed for kids aged 2-12. They are easy to miss if you are walking down the main alley (grand allée). They are located closer to the Rue de Rivoli and the Tuileries metro exit.
Tip: Still have energy? A side excursion to the nearby Musée de L’Orangerie is a nearby option. (Opens 9am; closed Tuesdays) We haven’t been to this museum, but it’s one I want to visit as it houses Monet’s full wall-size Water Lilies painting.
Playground at Parc De Floral In the Bois de Vincennes
Near Chateau de Vincennes
Located on the edge of eastern Paris, Chateau de Vincennes is the opposite of Versailles’s extravagance. (It also has a fraction of the visitors.) This stop was a big hit with our daughters. After wandering through the castle, we enjoyed a picnic at the beautiful Parc Floral located behind the castle. The girls thought this playground was the best of their visit.
The metro station is located super close to the castle, and you can use a regular metro ticket to get there.
Chateau de Vincennes
The Playground at Parc Floral- After visiting the castle, walk around the castle towards the Parc de Floral. Stroll by the beautiful flower gardens, large oak trees, lakes, pathways, and large children’s play area (listed as "Jeux pour enfants"). You’ll find a map upon entry to the park, and you’ll likely encounter a peacock strolling the grounds. Seriously!
Take your time, snap some great photos, and picnic on a park bench. During the summer there is a small admission fee, but it’s free other times of the year. We would certainly return here and possibly rent bikes for the family to explore--so beautiful and everyone had fun!
Map showing playground location near Chateau de Vincennes. Map courtesy of openstreetmaps.org
Playground Behind Notre Dame Cathedral
The garden and small playground behind Notre Dame Cathedral in Square Jean XXIII was a great stop for us after touring Notre Dame Cathedral. Enter through a gate along Rue du Cloitre-Notre Dam (the tower side of the cathedral).
Note that the queue to just go inside the Notre Dame Cathedral (it’s free-no Museum pass needed) can be long but moves fairly fast.
Arrive early (preferably on a week day) if you want to go inside! If the line is way too long, just walking around the cathedral admiring the statues and gargoyles is nice too.
Tip: Challenge your kiddos to find the “Pointe Zero” marker in the square in front of the cathedral. This spot marks the official center of Paris.
If time permits after enjoying Notre Dame Cathedral and the small playground, continue on to the the world famous Berthillion ice cream shop on Isle St. Louis. It’s a beautiful 10 minute walk from Notre Dame Cathedral.
IMPORTANT: Following a large fire in 2019 that destroyed much of the upper part of the cathedral, the reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris is announced for the 8th December 2024
Pointe Zero at Notre Dame Cathedral
Playground Along the Jardin Tino Rossi Riverwalk
Near the Museum of Natural History and Botanical Garden
One of the best ways to enjoy Paris is simply walking its wonderful pathways and neighborhoods. The Jardin Tino Rossi Riverwalk is another fun and scenic family stroll in Paris. Enjoy the wandering path along this pedestrian-only pathway stretching along the Seine riverbanks from the Institut du Monde Arabe to the Jardin des Plantes.
Filled with modern concrete sculptures, it’s a great photo op and even has a fun playground for the kiddos. This was one of our stops on the Batobus “water taxi” (see below for more.)
Jardin Tina Rossi Riverwalk
More Fun Things To Do With Young Kids In Paris
My advice to families traveling with young kids to Paris is to pick activities that don’t consume an entire day. For example, we opted for the Musée D’Orsay rather than the massive and crowded Louvre. We still went to the Louvre to look at the glass pyramids, but we didn’t go inside.
We also visited a beautiful medieval castle on the eastern edge of Paris where my children could explore at will rather than getting lost in the crowds and tour buses of Versailles.
Here are some of the fun kid activities that we discovered in Paris. View our Paris With Kids blog for a full, detailed day-by-day itinerary. Includes lodging and dining recommendations as well!
Go Up The Eiffel Tower
Some may tell you that going up the Eiffel Tower is overrated. We absolutely disagree. It was one of the highlights for us and our daughters.
View from 2nd floor Eiffel Tower
2. A Scavenger Hunt at the Musée D'Orsay
The Musée D'Orsay houses one of the best impressionist collections in the world, and I really wanted to visit it while in Paris. But art museums can be a tough sell for young children, so make it fun with a Scavenger hunt.
Before your trip, find 5-10 paintings from the D’Orsay collection and print them out for a scavenger hunt or take photos on your phone. Alternatively, hit the gift shop first to buy 5 postcards of art pieces found in the museum. My girls loved searching for their favorite paintings and Degas sculptures.
The museum also offers two options for families visiting the museum. If you don’t want to self-create a Scavenger Hunt, you can opt for the museum’s self-guided audio tour for children under 12.
Cost is €3.50. Another option is to pick up the museum’s roadmap “Destination: Musée d'Orsay” which offers young visitors (age 6 and older) a time-space journey through the museum's permanent collections. The pamphlet is free and can be requested at the reception desk.
Best times to visit Musée D'Orsay— The museum is closed on Mondays. Don’t go Tuesday as the Louvre is closed and it will be packed. Sunday is also a busy day. The least busy days are Wednesdays and Fridays.
3. Take A Seine Cruise On The Batobus
The “hop on”“hop off” batobus is a fun transportation alternative to get from one Parisian landmark to another.
The batobus is essentially a water taxi that stops at several locations along the river. It offers no commentary but does provide a beautiful and comfortable cruise along the Seine. You can take the batobus to cruise down the Seine River rather than paying more for a crowded, expensive tour boat.
Tip: It’s also a good rainy day activity as it is covered.
The Hop On- Hop Off Batobus
4. Visit the Musée De L'Armée
Musée de L'Armée hosts one of the largest military history and art collections in the world, offering a unique overview of the history of France. You will find plenty of suits of armor, canons, breastplates, and swords tracing French military conflicts.
You can also visit Napoleon's gilded tomb which you can see from several viewpoints throughout the city.
Hint: The audio guide offers an age-appropriate version for kids which was informative and kept them entertained.
5. Find The Lego Store
For the kid who is infatuated with Legos, you’ll find a great Lego Store in the Les Halles area of Paris. Reward the kiddos with pastries at the famous and nearby Stohrer Patisserie and a trip to the Lego Store in Les Halles if they are patient while you shop nearby at one of the best cooking supply stores in Paris— E. Dehillerin.
Lego Store in Les Halles
6. Enjoy the Climbing Walls On Promenade Les Berges de la Seine
Promenade Les Berges de la Seine is a pedestrian-only walkway perfect for soaking in the beauty of Paris while the kiddos get their wiggles out along the way.
You can bike and/or walk this pedestrian-only 2.3 kilometer path along the Seine River. You can go from the Eiffel Tower (Pont de L’Alma) to the Louvre (Pont Royal) and experience the views and activities along the way. FYI: “Pont” means bridge, and they are indeed beautiful.
With climbing walls, hopscotch, and other activities along the path, the whole family is entertained while enjoying a beautiful stroll along the beautiful Seine River.
Follow the path for as long as you’d like or make your end point the climbing wall at Pont des Invalides.
Approximate Walking Times:
From the Eiffel Tower to the climbing wall at Pont des Invalides: 20 minutes
From Pont des Invalides to Musée D’Orsay: 20 minutes
From Pont de L’Alma (near Eiffel Tower) to Pont Royal (Louvre): 30 minutes
See “Our Favorite Walk In Paris With Kids” for more details.
7. Find Souvenirs or a Treat At Marché President Wilson
If you are in Paris on a Saturday morning, be sure to go to Marché President Wilson (also known as Marché d'Alma). This market, located in the 16th, is a sight to behold. It is said to be the largest open market in Paris with pâtés, local wines, cheeses, fresh flowers, five types of escargots, fresh fish, fresh-baked breads, chickens, meats, pastas, and so on. It’s a good place for souvenirs, and you can enjoy hot food from a creperie or other food stall.
More Tips For Families Visiting Paris
Rue Cler Is Our Favorite Area To Stay When Visiting Paris With Kids
Find lodging in Paris's quiet 7th arrondissement near the Rue Cler Market Street. This location is excellent and within walking distance of the Eiffel Tower, 2 metro stations, and the pedestrian-only market street Rue Cler, a foodie's dream.
Paris Perfect rents a variety of apartments throughout the city. They are a super helpful, well respected agency, and provide very nice accommodations. We stayed at Paris Perfect's Pomerol Apartment in the 7th. Loved it! On previous visits, we have also rented an apartment in the 7th through booking.com. Our advice is to be located as close to Rue Cler as you can find for your desired price point.
For a family-size hotel room, try Hotel du Cadran, 10 Rue de Champs de Mars.
Heads up- There are potential affiliate links above. See our full disclosure policy to find out why we don’t accept freebies or sponsored visits and what our affiliate links mean for you cost-wise (hint- nothing)
Happy Trails!
Many assume that Paris isn’t kid friendly, but it is in fact a very family-friendly destination. The city is simply beautiful- the architecture, the food, the gardens, and the people. So, in closing, don’t hesitate to take a trip to Paris with your kids. If planned well, everyone will have a simply awesome trip!
As one of the most visited cities in the world, navigating the sights of Paris with children in tow requires a bit of strategic planning. Crowds of people and waiting in long lines can be exhausting. The key to a successful visit is to explore Paris at a leisurely pace, popping into nearby playgrounds along the way, and taking advantage of ways to minimize crowds and lines.
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