*Updated May 2026*

During a Paris heatwave, the best places to head with young kids are splash pads, shaded playareas, indoor museums, pools and air-conditioned cafés. This Paris heatwave guide focuses on toddler-friendly cooling spots that are stroller-friendly and realistic with babies and young children.

1. Best sprinklers and splash pads in Paris

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).
• Parc André Citroën (15e)
• Jardin d’Acclimatation (Boulogne) – but note there is an entry fee to enter the park (with access to toher attractions too.
• And then over at Versailles head to Square des Francine a great way for tots to cool down after a long visit at the Versailles Chateau.
• South of Paris in Clamart find fountains at Fontaine du Panorama residence (open to everyone). There’s also restaurants on site too
• Saint-Quentin Ile de Loisirs there’s a splash pad right by the huge playground.

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

2. *Some only open in summer* Open air swimming pools in Paris

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

• The Seine swimming sites are returning for summer 2026 after the successful 2025 launch.
• The Bassin de la Villette swimming pools (“Paris Plages” floating pools) are also expected back from roughly early July to end of August 2026.
• Keep an eye on the Tots City Guide Paris Toddler & Baby Map for the latest updates
• Find out more about the pop-up beach clubs via sotirparis.com

Best permanent Paris swimming pools with kids

You can also bathe outside in permanent 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.

Also check out the newly renovated Piscine Olympique de Colombes, a huge pool that’s very family friendly

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

When: July- August.

3. Ile de loisirs – lakes near Paris

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 in or around Paris

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.

• East of Paris is Bois de Vincennes, with huge forest obstacle courses and playgrounds for kids of all ages.
• 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!

5. Cool kid-friendly museums in Paris

Escaping the sweltering heat to the peace and cool and calm of a Paris museum.

PARENT HACK: Musée d’Orsay 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.

Find more ideas on the Tots City Guide baby & toddler map

Paris Heatwave Tips with Kids

• Bring refillable water bottles at Paris fountains if you’re heading to parks especially ( as often it can be far to find a local shop in walking distance).
• Although bring a good supply of water with you just in case no fountains available.
• Bring hats as many Paris playgrounds have little or no shade
• PARENT HACK: Freeze compote/ applesauce pouches for instant ice lollies on the go that last and aren’t messy!
• Avoid plan long journeys across Paris during a heatwave as the metro is not very stroller friendly and you could end up doing some heavy lifting
• Avoid playgrounds after 12pm if you can when it gets super hot
• Plan museums for afternoon chill when the heat is at its max
• Bring swim diapers for splash parks and water shoes as the ground can be slippery