10 brilliant things to do with kids in Paris

Located in Parc de la Villette, the Cité des Sciences and its Géode have been welcoming families and school groups for over 40 years. A must-visit for budding scientists, the institution added two Cités des Enfants (Kids Cities) in 1992: one for children aged two to seven and another for those aged five to twelve. The various spaces in the nineteenth arrondissement invite young visitors to explore, experiment, touch, test, and learn while having fun. We guarantee this one will be a hit with the whole family.

Time Out Tip: From here, it's just a short walk through the park to La Philharmonie des Enfants, another of our top picks for entertaining children in Paris

The Centre Pompidou is, of course, an essential stop for contemporary art lovers, but it also has plenty to attract future art historians. Whether in the Children’s Gallery, Station 2.0 (a new space dedicated to early childhood), or Studio 13/16 (the first space entirely dedicated to teens), children and young people are very well catered for here. The museum offers exhibitions, installations, tours and creative workshops.

Time Out Tip: The Centre Pompidou organises free events for children and teens throughout the year.

Head to the Bois de Bologne to discover a nineteenth-century amusement park offering fun for all ages. With 42 attractions, including flying boats and rides titled Speed Rockets and Crazy Frogs, the Jardin d'Acclimatation will surely please thrill-seekers. Smaller kids can waddle around the paddling pool or frolic in the Dry Fountain and Bear's Den, while nature lovers can enjoy a boat ride on the Enchanted River, and there's even a farm with pony rides. Arrive from Paris by metro or jump aboard the legendary Le Petit Train from Porte Maillot, which dates back to 1878.

Time Out Tip: If you have tickets to the neighbouring Fondation Louis Vuitton, you can access the Jardin d'Acclimatation for free (excluding attractions).

Imagine a musical version of the Cité des Sciences, and you’ve got the Philharmonie des Enfants. This permanent space is independent from the concert hall, inviting music lovers aged four to ten to embark on a true musical journey. Through a five-step pathway, young visitors are introduced to the world of sound and performance. With fun, tactile, and immersive installations, children can play the role of Mozart, learning how sound is produced, discovering various musical instruments, conducting an orchestra, singing, and composing a piece.

Time Out Tip: Kids will love having a go on the pianograph, a strange instrument based on the harmonium (a small church organ) and a synthesiser.

Prepare to get up close and personal with donkeys, goats, chickens, and rabbits at La Ferme de la Villette, located in Parc de la Villette. Two elderly Sardinian donkeys named Quoquine and Lerminette (as well as three generations of goats) are just some of the animals that call this farm home. Every weekend, a farmer welcomes kids to feed and brush the animals, giving the little ones and their parents a taste of farm life. This rural addition to city life opened in July 2023 thanks to the support of the Adrienne and Pierre Sommer Foundation.

Time Out Tip: Hop over to Little Villette to enjoy free weekend activities for kids, including films, storytelling, a circus, dance, and visual arts.

Want to induct your little ones into the cult of brunch early? Every Sunday from 12pm to 4pm, La Felicità by the Big Mamma Group caters to children from three years old. The menu is stacked with Italian family favourites (think pizza, focaccia, and fresh pasta), as well as decadent desserts, so the entire family will be well nourished while the kids are entertained. Themed workshops and activities within the massive food court are organised in collaboration with Teepee Paris. There's also a creative space for children to colour, draw, dress up in costumes, play board games, or read.

Time Out Tip: Every week, La Felicità offers an exciting lineup of cultural events, including kid-friendly workshops.

The Museum of Natural History has devoted several galleries to all sorts of animals past and present. Check out the palaeontology building for dozens of skeletons and replicas of dinosaurs. The Gallery of Evolution, featuring a collection of stuffed animals, is also a big hit with children. You’ll find African animals – elephants, giraffes and other familiar faces – on the ground floor. A treat for children and adults alike.

Time Out Tip: Stroll the fragrant 400-year-old botanical gardens of the Jardin des Plantes that leads up to the museum. An annual nocturnal exhibit lights up the park from November 20 to January 19.

We know you probably didn’t expect to see the Palais de Tokyo in this selection. Focused on (very) contemporary art, this sixteenth arrondissement museum also offers a plethora of activities for younger visitors. Starting with its Tok-Tok workshops, designed to help children aged five to twelve discover contemporary art alongside the cultural centre’s exhibitions. Accompanied by a guide, children can explore the space in a fun way and participate in various creative and sound workshops.

Time Out Tip: Kids aged three to five will enjoy the adorable early art discovery paths.

The Ménagerie in the Jardin des Plantes is the second oldest zoo in Europe. Home to 150 species – many threatened – this animal haven includes notable art deco-style buildings dating back to 1794. Kids and adults of all ages will be fixated on the orangutans, big cats, and red pandas when not searching for the Arabian oryx and those tough-to-spot snow leopards! The melody of birdsong fills the Great Aviary, while the Reptile Gallery is a much more slippery affair. Don’t miss the bears and the very personable orangutan Nénette, who turned 50 in 2019.

Time Out Tip: If you're looking for an unusual souvenir, why not adopt an animal in the Ménagerie? Your money will go towards the organisation's work conserving endangered species. It's an excellent cause – and far better than buying yet another fridge magnet.

There's plenty of imagination at play at the immersive Palomano City in Clichy, a leisure park designed like a mini city, where kids can explore an airport, a fire station, a restaurant, and a beauty salon. There are also costumes for kids to dress up in during their two-hour visit. At Palomano Story in Rueil-Malmaison, the brand’s latest and largest leisure park, the rooms have a selection of fun themes, including the Egyptians, princesses, knights, pirates, and the Wild West. These playful lessons in city life and civilizations are designed to be enjoyed by kids aged three to eight.

Time Out Tip: Palomano City is the perfect place to bring a gaggle of friends or to plan a little one's birthday party.