Paris With Kids: 3 Unforgettable Things To Do as a Family

Paris with kids felt like a perfect mix of memorable, beautiful, and (per usual for us) just a little bit chaotic. I mean that in the best way. We tried not to over-plan every minute, and looking back, the experiences we all loved the most were the ones that gave our kids room to actually experience the city, not just see it. These are the three things we did that I would recommend over and over again.

01. A Private Boat Ride Down The Seine

Seeing Paris from the Seine was one of those “once in a lifetime” type of feelings. We booked ours with JP Boats, which gave the kids room to move around while we took in some of the most beautiful views of the city. The Eiffel tower, Notre-Dame, and so many of the landmarks we’d been walking past. It was relaxed, beautiful, and such an easy way to experience Paris as a family. If you’re traveling with kids, I would absolutely recommend splurging on the private boat over one of the larger sightseeing cruises. It felt personal, unrushed, and was easily one of our favorite things we did.

02. A Private Louvre Scavenger Hunt

Visiting the Louvre with kids can feel a little intimidating. It’s enormous, there’s so much to see, and wandering room to room and just hoping everyone stays interested wasn’t exactly how I wanted to spend our time in Paris. We used the company Paris and Beyond Tours for a private scavenger hunt that completely upgraded the experience for us.

Instead of simply walking through the museum, the kids had clues to follow and things to look for along the way. Our tour guide even gave them little gifts as they unlocked different clues. They were engaged, asking questions, and genuinely excited to see what was next. We still got to experience the iconic pieces we wanted to see, but it felt more like an adventure than a museum tour.

We were able to skip the lines at both entry and security and even had access to a private bathroom. (With young kids, this is a true GAME. CHANGER.)

You can check out a video of our tour HERE.

This is one of those experiences that we would absolutely book again, especially if you’re visiting Paris with elementary- aged kids. It gave them a way to interact with the art and history instead of just being told about it.

03.Not Your Average Eiffel Tower Picnic

Kids playing soccer near the Eiffel Tower during a family picnic in Paris.

One of my biggest tips for Paris with kids is surprisingly simple: bring a ball, grab a picnic, and leave yourself space in the schedule to have nowhere else to be.

We set up near the Eiffel Tower thinking we’d give the kids time to run around and burn off some energy. Instead, our boys ended up playing soccer for hours with kids from three different countries. They didn’t speak the same language, but it didn’t even matter. Within minutes, they had found common ground and were completely wrapped up in the game.

It ended up being their favorite memory from the entire trip- and honestly, one I’ll never forget. I remember thinking in that moment, “This is exactly why we go through the effort of traveling with kids.” There was something incredibly special about watching them beneath the Eiffel Tower connecting with kids they would have otherwise never met.

Paris has plenty of amazing things to eat, see, and do but this was a reminder that sometimes the moments you don’t plan are the most memorable. Bring the ball. Pack the picnic. Give yourself space and time to stay awhile.