1. Paris Parks
With over 500 green spaces, Paris is teeming with beautiful parks. Here’s a list of some of the biggest ones, but you can discover plenty more on the Tots City Guide Paris Baby & Toddler Map here.
The centre of town: Le Jardin des Plantes (5e),
West: Parc Georges Brassens (15e), named after the singer, with swings, pony rides and a puppet theatre. The famous and absolutely huge Bois de Boulogne – perfect for cycling around.
In the East: Parc Floral de Paris – Jardin botanique de Paris (Vincennes).
North-East: Parc des Buttes-Chaumont one of the largest green spaces in Paris (25 hectares). Built over an impressive gradient – it’s very hilly, with great views over the capital.
2. Art museums suitable for young kids
Many Paris museums have dedicated spaces for babies, toddlers and young kids – these include The Louvre, Musée de l’Orangerie and Atelier des Lumières. In addition there’s the Le Musée en Herbe – it’s a museum dedicated to children. For more info, we’ve put together a guide here all about kid-friendly museums in Paris.
3. Concerts for babies
Paris offers a host of baby concerts – classic music concerts with a purely baby and toddler audience. Set in a tiny theatre at Théâtre de l’Atelier in Montmarte – is a cultural space where you finally don’t have to worry about your kids making noise! The baby shows are short and sweet with interactive songs at the end too.
Find a list of baby concerts and dates here
4. Baby Cinema
On really rainy or really hot days it can be hard to know what to do with young kids in Paris. A great option is baby cinema. Cinemas L’Entrepôt, MK2 Bastille and Cinema Balzac all offer baby-friendly film showings. Find the locations for various cinemas on the Tots City Guide Baby Map
5. Paris baby cafes
You’ll be happy to hear there are many baby cafes in Paris. Check out:
East: Bambin (19e), for very Instagrammable teddy bear decorated coffees, with play mats and toys for the tiny people. La Famila café, (Montévrain) A skip and a jump from Disneyland Paris you’ll find La Famila café. Enjoy cakes, coffees and brunch with a secure baby play area.
North East: Oh My Cappuccino (19e) Is not strictly a baby cafe, but it has a small play corner and baby change
North West: Petite Forêt (8e), with fresh green decor, inspired by the nearby Parc Monceau. Pépites de familles, (Colombes) – A play space that evolves its theme every three months. With workshops and a cafe too.
West: SPACE 12 Café Poussette (15e) Petite cafe with space for baby to play while you sip coffee.
North: Ernestine Café offers baby workshops in both English and French
Centre Ville: Tribu Paris (19e) has a small play area and baby change.
Read the full roundup of Paris baby cafes here
6. Jardin D’acclimatation amusement park
Many people say Jardin D’acclimatation is a better bet to go to with young kinds than Disneyland. This Paris amusement park is set amongst beautiful trees, there’s space for everyone with little queuing, and it’s certainly way less of a mission to get to than Mickey’s place. With a large playground and water jets (no extra costs), animals, and paid amusement rides too. Just bring your own snacks and save a fortune.
HOT TIP: Free tickets with Foundation Louis Vitton museum which is just next door.
7. Aquarium de Paris
The Paris Aquarium is a great thing to do in Paris with kids when it’s raining. This huge aquarium is home to 7,500 sea creatures, (including 50 sharks) and hosts one of the biggest shark tanks in France, with three million litres of water! The The Médusarium is also the only one in France and is home to 15 tanks 2,500 jellyfish.
HOT TIP: Buy a fixed time ticket via the Aquarium de Paris website for a cheaper ticket – 5 euros cheaper.
8. Ride on a vintage carousel or ‘Manège’
Paris is a treasure trove of carousels, with over 20 permanent ones dotted around the city. Famous ones include, the renowned double decker Carrousel de Saint-Pierre or Sacre Coeur Carousel – you may remember it from its romantic role in the film ‘Amelie’ where she sets up a treasure hunt for her love interest. Jardin des Tuilieries carousel, nestled in a quiet corner amongst the beautiful flowers and trees of the Tuilieries Gardens, a vintage carousel that plays French nursery rhymes. Jardin du Trocadero Carousel is right opposite the Eiffel Tower, a great pit-stop for bored kids during sightseeing.
Find all the Paris carousels easily via our Toddler & Baby Paris Map
9. Visit this inside kiddie paradise at Palomano
Another great one for rainy days! Palomano City has created some immersive pretend worlds for children to play and learn. They have two play houses for kids in Paris. At Palomano Story explore the Far West, Egyptians and more with fancy dress and pyramids and faux horses to ride on Palamona City there’s a mini town with a pretend fire engine, supermarket and hospital, (with fancy dress of course to make the experience complete). It s a bit pricey considering you get just a two hour time slot to play, but it’s well worth it for a special occasion. The kids won’t want to leave!
Find out more about Palomano here
10. Marionnette show
You haven’t ‘done’ Paris with kids until you’ve seen a marionnette show. There are many places to see them. There’s permanent theatres at Champ de Mars Paris (by the Eiffel Tower), Luxembourg Gardens and Ranelagh Puppets just by Bois de Boulogne.
TIP: Bring cash for the entrance fee as not all venues accept cards.
See the Tots City Guide Pars Toddler & Baby Map to locate all the marionnette shows in Paris
11. This totally immersive Kids’ Palace exhibition at Grand Palais
Explore this highly imaginative exhibition Transparence at the beautiful Grand Palais. Sneak peek in video above!
More info here on Transparence at Palais des enfants
See what’s on: PARIS WITH KIDS THIS WEEK
