Best Things To Do In Paris With A Toddler

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If you’re planning a trip to Paris and worry there will not be enough for a toddler to do, fear not!  Paris is an amazing city for young children.  It provides them with opportunities to explore a new area and culture in a fun and age-appropriate way.  It is relatively easy to get around Paris with toddlers as long as you have the right guidelines and there are so many great activities no matter when you go!  There are even some hotels in Paris with indoor pools for relaxing after a busy day too! Here are some of the best things to do in Paris with a toddler.

Getting Around Paris With A Toddler

When planning a trip with a toddler, getting around is always something to keep in mind.  You want to make sure that getting around is easy enough to do with a human prone to a short attention span, sudden need for snacks, bathroom stops or diaper changes, and of course tantrums.

Eurostar from UK to Paris

Taking the Eurostar train to Gare du Nord is an efficient option that works well with a young family.  Get on in St. Pancras, London.  You’ll be in Paris in just 2 hours and 16 minutes.  There’s plenty of space to spread out, and you can walk down to the cafe car for food and snacks.  Perfect!

The passport checks are done before you board the train in London, so when you arrive in Paris at Gare du Nord station, you’ll be free to explore.  Prices depend on when you’re traveling, but for adults, they start around €117 and can go up to €318 for business class seats if you leave it last minute – cheaper tickets can be found in advance.  The good news is that kids are free until age 4. However, be aware, that there are no lifts down to the Metro – so bring a lightweight stroller!

Flying Into Charles de Gaulle Airport

If you’re planning on traveling to Paris with a toddler via airplane, CDG is your airport.  Once you land, you’ll want to want to make your way into the city to get to your hotel or attractions.  The regional rail services CDG airport approximately every 10 minutes.  The RER B train will take you to the city centre.

Metro

The Paris metro system is a good way to travel when you’re getting around Paris.  Children under 4 are free.  Adults cost €1.90, making it an affordable way to travel as well.  It is relatively easy to use and will take you where you need to go.

Walking

Paris is a very walkable city, so break out the stroller and stroll.  If your kids are already walking, this is a great way to get some of their energy out.  You can see some great sites on foot. Plus,  Paris is a manageable size for walking, even if you’re visiting Paris with children.

Get A Paris Pass

You already know that most toddlers are not very patient by nature.  Waiting in line isn’t pleasant for anyone, but with toddlers, it can turn into a downright meltdown pretty quickly.  Getting a Paris Pass is totally worth it.  It will give you preferential entry to many of the great Paris attractions, and you’ll avoid at least one source of tantrums.  This is a must-have for many of the things to do in Paris with young children.

Is Paris Stroller Friendly?

The short answer is yes!  Since Paris is such a walkable city, it’s a great idea to bring a stroller.  If your baby isn’t walking yet, they’ll love riding along and gazing at the sites.  Walking toddlers can tire quickly so the stroller is perfect for them. Bringing a stroller opens up your options for things to do in Paris with a baby or toddler. 

There are a few areas where it is a little challenging to manoeuvre the stroller so just be sure to look out for these before you head off.  If you’re traveling to Les Catacombs or Montmartre skip the stroller.  It will only get in the way.  Also, some museums don’t allow strollers, so check their guidelines ahead of time.  A baby carrier might prove to be more useful in some of these situations.

If you will be using the metro for travel, be prepared to carry the stroller up and down stairs.  Fold it up to make your job easier.  The Paris metro is an older system so it’s not built for maximum stroller accessibility.  We struggled with our large Bugaboo, and would really recommend a small, lightweight travel stroller.

Paris also has some bumpy streets so make sure your stroller has good wheels to make it easier.  An umbrella stroller would not be your best bet here.  If you plan to walk along the Seine River, stick to the sidewalk up above.  Trying to get your stroller down to the walking path, will not be fun!

Best Activities To Do With Toddlers In Paris

If you are visiting Paris for the first time and got to this part – you’ve figured out the basics in and outs of traveling to and around Paris. You’re now wondering what to do in Paris with toddlers. So it’s time to plan what fun Paris kids attractions you can do with your little ones while you’re there!  Paris has a number of sites, landmarks, and attractions that are perfect for kids.  Here are some things to do with toddlers in Paris.

Hot Air Balloon 

Going up in a hot air balloon is an amazing experience for a toddler.  The ride is pretty short, which is excellent for that age.  You’ll get a breathtaking view of Paris, which automatically puts this on the list of things to do with children in Paris.  The hot air balloon is located in the charming Parc Andre Citroen.  

Before showing up, it is recommended that you check to make sure the balloon is running that day.  The first ride is at 9am, and its recommended that if you’re going at a popular vacation time, that you arrive in the morning to avoid long lines.  Children under 3 are free.  Ages 3-11 are €8 and adults cost €15.

Puppet Shows

For another idea of what to do in Paris with a toddler, try a puppet show.  In France, Marionnettes or Guignols are puppet shows that are very popular among children.  This is a great activity for a toddler because even if they don’t understand French, the visual show fully captivates their attention.

You can find puppet shows in many places in Paris.  Some of the more popular locations are Puppets from the Luxembourg Gardens, Marionnettes du Champ de Mars Paris, and Guignol in Paris.  The theaters are indoors so if you are looking for attractions in Paris in winter with kids, this will work well.  The shows are approximately one hour long with a brief intermission.  The price is around €7 per seat.

Picnic in the Park

Paris has some beautiful parks that provide lovely locations for picnics in the warmer months.  Load up some sandwiches or find a Monoprix store to get some packable travel snacks and food to go , and head out for your picnic lunch.

Jardin de Luxembourg is the perfect park for a picnic for toddlers.  Stroll around the park and take in the small lake, lush trees, and vibrant flowers.  After you’ve enjoyed lunch on its beautiful grounds, there is a large playground for little kids to get some of that energy out before nap time.  

Tuk Tuk Ride

If you’re looking for a more unique activity, try taking a tuk tuk tour.  There are many different options for tuk tuk tours, but one of the reasons they’re great for young children is because they’re private tours.  So if tantrum happens or you need a quick stop, you don’t feel like you’re inconveniencing a whole bunch of other people.  Also, you can see a lot of sites without having to walk or take the metro.

Two popular tuk tuk tours are Champs-Elysees + Eiffel Tower and Paris + Notre Dame. Both are 45 minutes long, which is short enough to keep a young child’s attention.  There are 3 hour and half day or full day options if you have a very go-with-the-flow toddler who can handle more sightseeing.  You can see most of the sites of Paris in one day with kids by taking the the tuk tuk tours.

The tuk tuks are electric, but you’ll be on city streets with other vehicles, so be prepared to smell some exhaust.  You can fold up your stroller and bring it along.   However, you may want a baby carrier if you’re in Paris with a baby, because the road can be a little bumpy and it’s not like there are car seats.  The tuk tuk tours are free for children under 5, which is great if you’re visiting Paris with young children.  The prices for adults depend on the number of people and length of the tour, but start at €50 per person for a quick 30 min tour.

Little Train of Montmartre in Paris

Most toddlers love trains, so riding the Little Train of Montmarte or The Petit Train de Montmartre will be a hit! Leave the stroller behind and climb aboard the little train outside the Moulin Rouge located at the bottom of Montmartre hill.  

There is music and commentary as you ride through the town of Montmartre 15 minutes to Place Blanche to Place du Tertre to make the first stop.  The next stop is another 15 minutes in at Place du Tertre to Place Blanche.  When you get off, you can walk around the town and explore the Sacré Coeur Basilica.

Kids under 2 ride the train for free, making it awesome it you’re visiting Paris with a baby or toddler.  An adult ticket costs €7.  The trains depart every 30 minutes starting at 10 am, and are open until 22:00 in the summer.

Eiffel Tower

Even if you think your kids can’t handle going all the way up the Eiffel Tower, there are still many ways to explore it.  So it certainly lands on the list of things to do in Paris with toddlers.  There are tons of food trucks and catering options all around the attraction so you can enjoy a picnic in the grass behind the tower and let your little ones run free.

You can also go to the first floor, which is still 58 meters (190 ft) up.  There are animations for families as well as a fun educational tour for kids about the history of the Eiffel Tower.  Book tickets in advance because this world famous attraction can get quite crowded.  Kids under 4 are free. Adult prices range from 10,70€ to 26,80€ depending on how far up the tower you’ll be going and how much of that journey will be on the lift.

Disneyland Paris

Disneyland Paris has so much to do and see for toddlers that it is a worthwhile stop while visiting Paris with a toddler   It is possible to visit both parks in one day or even just Disneyland Park and get a good feel for Disneyland.  DLP is a short train ride away from the center of Paris.

The rides, themed restaurants, and favorite Disney characters walking around make this a special place for young children.  It’s fun in the summer, but also around Halloween and Christmas, Disneyland Paris becomes an entertaining holiday delight!  So if you’re looking for things to do with kids in Paris in winter, consider DLP at Christmas.

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