7 Fun Things To Do With Kids In Paris

When I decided to visit Paris with my family, I had no idea what there was to do with kids. I had been to Paris before, but that was before kids, so it was an entirely different experience. I mean, Europe in general is kid-friendly, so I knew we would have no problems enjoying the city with the kids, but when it came to planning specific activities, I was at a loss… until I wasn’t. With the help of some local friends and a little research, we found the funnest things to do with kids, both free and not-so-free. The girls had a blast on the trip, and honestly, so did we. So here are 7 Fun Things To Do with Kids In Paris (in the summer).xx

1. Picnic at Jardin Du Luxembourg

Jardin du Luxembourg 75006 Paris, France

You can’t come to Paris in the summer and not have a picnic. That honestly should be illegal. Go to Paris and have a picnic, lots of them, as many as you can fit. And a beautiful spot to have one is at Jardin du Luxembourg. Not only is this garden absolutely stunning (I mean, they imported palm trees), but there is a lot to do here, from a playground for kids, cafes, pony rides, a carousel, tennis, and good old-fashioned people watching. The Jardin alone is a must-visit. We grabbed some flowers and food at the local markets and had a little picnic on their lush grass. (Make sure to bring a waterproof blanket, as the grass tends to be moist.) This was one of my favorite days in Paris; you could easily spend the whole day here.

2. Visit the Balloon Museum

EuphoЯia Paris 22 Cr la Reine, 75008 Paris, France

The balloon museum was an unexpected visit during our trip to Paris. Some friends suggested it, and since it was a rainy day, we figured we’d take advantage of an indoor activity. We went with low expectations and were BLOWN away. This museum is so interactive and fun for both adults and kids. You will leave feeling like you fed your inner child, and your outer children will have a blast. I mean, there's an entire ball pit ROOM. Definitely plan a trip to the balloon museum with your kids while you're in Paris; you will not regret it.

3. Catch an Exhibit at Atelier des Lumières

38 Rue Saint-Maur, 75011 Paris, France

Atelier Des Lumieres literally means Workshop of Lights, and this place is seriously cool. Atelier Des Lumieres, at its simplest, is a museum that offers exhibits that immerse you in an interactive world through 360-degree light projections. They offer different exhibits, and there's always one kid-friendly one. When we visited, they were playing Le Petit Prince, a popular French children's novel. I would check the website to see which exhibits are playing during your visit and decide which would be best for your family. I recommend booking beforehand as time slots can sell out. The museum is also in a bustling neighborhood with lots of cute little shops, restaurants, and even a playground nearby.

4. Spend the Day at Disneyland Paris

Bd de Parc, 77700 Coupvray, France

I mean, Disneyland is inherently kid-friendly, and it’s less than an hour away from Paris and easily accessible by train, so it's a must-visit in our book. It’s nice because the park is small compared to Disney World Orlando, so you can see a lot in one day. The price is MUCH lower, too. There are two parks, and you pay for each separately. Unfortunately, the day we visited was cold and rainy, even though it was July, but we made the best of it anyway. Definitely download the app and book anything you can beforehand, as the waits can be long and certain events sell out.

5. Visit the Oldest Ice Cream Shop in Paris- Berthillon

31 Rue Saint-Louis en l'Île, 75004 Paris, France

Well, we all know Paris is elite in the dessert department, and it can be overwhelming knowing where to go (the answer is pretty much anywhere, for dessert is good). We couldn’t resist heading to the oldest ice cream shop in Paris, and this place did not disappoint. It's located in Île Saint-Louis, very close to Le Marais (a cute area to walk around). There is a small indoor place to sit and enjoy ice cream, with a select set of flavors, and also really cute, delicious ice cream sundaes. Because their indoor seating is small and they don't take reservations, you are likely to have to wait a bit before being seated. A queue formed quickly behind us, and I recommend staying in the queue, as people will cut in front of you if you don't stand your ground. But if you don't feel like waiting, they have a strictly “to-go” area next door. There is nowhere to sit on that side, so you may have to sit on the sidewalk or walk and eat your ice cream. We opted to wait because it was rainy and not the best day to eat ice cream. The ice cream was decadent, fresh, and so delicious. They served it with fresh whipped cream, a biscuit, and chocolate sauce. Tens across the board. They also offer smaller portions for kids. You already know ice cream was a hit with them. The coffee and the caramel flavor were our favorites.

6. Picnic under the Eiffel Tower

Champ-de-Mars75007 Paris, France

You may be thinking, “another picnic?” Yes, I say, another picnic. I did say have lots of them, didn't I? And what a special experience to have a picnic under the Eiffel Tower. The park right in front of the tower is a perfect spot, and it’s beautiful. We used a service to set up an entire picnic for us, so all we had to do was show up, and it was totally worth it. The kids loved it, and it made for beautiful memories with our family. See how we booked this picnic HERE.

7. Go To A Cafe, and People Watch

Well, did you really go to Paris if you didn’t sit at a cafe and people-watch? It is, in fact, the most quintessential Parisian thing to do. Grab a dessert or hot chocolate, pop a squat, and chat with your littles while you enjoy your sweet treats and watch the city pass by. It’s such a nice way to pass the time.

Paris in the summer is officially my favorite, and I think it may become an annual trip. It’s so family-friendly, and I love the pace of the city in the summer. We left many of our days open to just walk around and explore the neighborhood. It’s so easy to stumble upon things to do and set a nice pace when you’re not filling every moment with a specific activity. I also wanted to note that the sun sets very late in the summer in Paris, around 10 pm, so you really can make the most of your days. If you end up doing one of these activities, let me know how you like them, and feel free to share your favorite things to do in Paris in the summer so I can copy you.

Honorary Mention: There used to be a carousel right next to the Eiffel Tower, but it was moved for the Olympics. I don’t know if they'll bring it back, but it’s really cute for the kids and a fun activity, especially if you end up having a picnic under the Eiffel Tower.