1. Sprinklers and splash pads

What do kids love more than anything on a hot day? Water fountains! Luckily Paris has lots of them… There’s Place de la République (11e). In the 15e at Parc André Citroën and Jardin d’Acclimatation (Boulogne). And then over at Versailles head to Square des Francine. South of Paris in Clamart find fountains at Fontaine du Panorama and Saint-Quentin Ile de Loisirs there’s a splash pad right by the playground.

Find out exactly where all the Paris fountains are on our Toddler & Baby Paris Map here

2. Open air swimming pools

There are many free pop up open air pools to choose from in Paris along the River Seine, here’s where to head:

• Parc Rives de Seine
• Bassin de la Villette
• Canal Saint-Martin 
• Bras Marie
• Bras de Grenelle 
• Quai de Bercy
• Riverside at Grenelle

You can also bathe outside in permenant Paris swimming pools – see our Paris baby map to find the swimming pool most convenient for you. But if we’re choosing, Aquaboulevard (15e) – is our top pick of Paris pools. It’s perfect for young kids as there’s so many activities, and tons of both indoor and outside space, lots of shallow areas and a grassy outside area where you can picnic and take a break too.

TIP: Book in advance for 10% off your Aquaboulevard tickets see more here!

When: Until 31st August.

Find out more about the pop-up beach clubs via sotirparis.com

3. Ile de loisirs

There are many lakes just outside of Paris you can head to, the areas are packed with things to do for kids, including playgrounds, sometimes sprinklers and many offer swimming in the lakes themselves.

In the south there’s Île de Loisirs (Créteil). East there’s Island Recreation Vaires (Torcy) and Jablines-Annet Leisure Island (Jablines) and north west Ile de Loisirs (Cergy-Pontoise). For longer trips, be sure to check out Lac de Léry-Poses on the edge of Normandy, just over an hour drive from most points in Paris. There’s a zoo on the same site too Biotropica, if you want to pack in even more activities over your weekend.

Check out the Tots City Guide Paris baby map for more ideas

4. Forests and forest playgrounds

Under the trees during a heatwave it can feel 5°C to 15°C cooler than the paved city centre of Paris – making it THE place to escape to when temperatures rise. Fontainebleau Forest is a huge forest south of Paris. West of Paris, in Versailles and around the area are tons of forests and hidden amongst them, an array of forest playgrounds. See our baby and toddler Paris map to discover them all! East of Paris is Bois de Vincennes, with huge forest obstacle courses and playgrounds for kids of all ages.

5. Cool kid-friendly museums

Escaping the sweltering heat to the peace and cool of a Paris museum. Musée d’Orsay for example has a huge kiddie room fulled with games. It’s open all summer long and you only need an entry ticket to get in (between €11- €16, depending on whether or you’re a resident). Find our full round up of kid-friendly Paris museums here.