Paris City Guide for Families (& How to Have Parisian Fun at Home)

Bonjour! The 2024 Olympics are upon us, and the international sporting competition takes place in none other than Paris this year. We were thrilled when we learned the games were coming to this enchanting French city, inspiring us to create a special Parisian print: Weekend in Paris!

We gathered all the elements we adore about Paris—iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and Notre-Dame, carby cuisine like croissants and baguettes, and charming details like berets, scooters, and painters, giving our print that certain je ne sais quoi.

In our excitement to cheer on our favorite athletes at the Paris Olympics 2024, we’ve also crafted this Paris-inspired, family-friendly guide. Whether you’re planning a long-awaited family trip to Paris, researching kid-friendly activities for the future, or simply looking to enjoy some Parisian fun at home, our LS Paris guide has you covered!

Family-Friendly Activities In Paris

You’ve packed your Weekend in Paris PJs & Play clothes, now it’s time to figure out what you’ll be doing during your time there! Touring Paris with kids might seem like a challenge at first, but all it takes is the right family-friendly destinations, and we’ve got quite the itinerary for you.

Eiffel Tower
What comes to mind when you think of the best Paris landmarks for families? Indeed, the Eiffel Tower is the premiere Paris destination, and it’s a spot that both kids and parents will enjoy.

Buy tickets ahead of time, and if you’re not one for mega crowds or taking stairs, consider marveling at the towering lattice structure at night, when it’s lit up & sparkling – a dreamy sight for both parents and children.

While there are world-class dining destinations in the tower, scope out family-friendly restaurants nearby like Chez Pippo, or have a picnic at Champs de Mars where your family can take in the sights and sounds of Paris.

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Pastries and Patisseries
Paris is known for its patisseries and boulangeries, so do a little research ahead of time and create a list of your must-try culinary destinations, like outdoor cafes, with an emphasis on kid-friendly spaces.

Hoping to find the perfect buttery croissant? Scope out Maison Carton Paris or Ble Sucre. In the mood for an eclair or pain au chocolat? Add Stohrer or Petite Île to your list. Craving a macaron? Try Ladurée or Pierre Hermé.

Notre-Dame
We have a secret about our Weekend in Paris print: if you look closely at the Notre-Dame, you’ll spot a little heart – a nod to the print’s designer Maddie, who was proposed to here. We obviously hold a special place for this cathedral in our hearts, and we think your family will, too.

Though the French Gothic building is closed to the public and is undergoing a restoration after an unfortunate fire, you can take in the amazing sights and destinations around the cathedral at spots like the flower market, a family-friendly cafe called Le Saint Régis, the Place Dauphine public square, or venture out with a short walk to see the Luxembourg Garden – a verdant space with performers, playgrounds, toy boats, and more.

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Seine River Walk
There is so much to take in along the Seine, a waterway that cuts through the heart of Paris. Whether you want to hop on a kid-friendly cruise, or take your own walking tour of the river, you can’t go wrong perusing the Seine.

Stop at Le Musée en Herbe, a local children’s museum, before beholding the gilded Pont Alexandre III bridge. Plan a gourmet picnic at the Ponts des Arts before stopping at the Jardin des Tuileries, or any of the countless shops along the way, like the charming bookstore Shakespeare and Company.

Montmartre
One of the most artistic neighborhoods in Paris, Montmartre is where you’ll make your favorite travel memories. Take guided walking tours on the cobblestone streets and watch artists at work in the same places where Van Gogh once created.

Visit the Sacré-Cœur Basilica – a tour-worthy church atop a hill where you can get in family exercise – some 300 stairs – traversing to the top. See the family-friendly Montmartre Museum and finish with a delicious meal at Le Relais de la Butte or the artist culinary haunt: Le Consulat Paris.

The Louvre
You could take a guided tour of this world-class museum, but your family will fare just fine if you prefer spotting and studying works like Leonardo da Vinci’s The Mona Lisa, Egyptian mummies, Greek statues like the Venus de Milo – not to mention the must-see gardens and fountains – all on your own.
Plan a visit ahead of time, as this museum attracts the daily crowds. Check out the Louvre website for other family-friendly suggestions and events.

Jardin des Plantes
This centuries-old botanical garden is a green space with engaging adventures. Meet exotic animals like flamingos at Paris’ oldest public zoo – the Ménagerie du Jardin des Plantes, explore the blossoming gardens or the insectarium, and of course, pay a visit to the Musée national d'histoire naturelle – the Natural History Museum – with dinosaur bones and even a preserved giant squid!

Arc de Triomphe
The Arc de Triomphe is a monument that pays tribute to France’s fallen soldiers. Make your way here early in the morning to avoid the crowds, or perhaps around 6 pm to catch the moving ceremony: the Flame of Remembrance.

This destination offers interactive exhibits and displays, and you can’t miss the Tomb of The Unknown Soldier. A nearby playground and park, Square René-Le Gall, is only a five-minute walk away.

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Parisian Staycation Ideas for Families

While not everyone can visit Paris right now, you can still capture the French experience at home with a bit of creativity and imagination. Bring the magic of Paris into the comfort of your home and enjoy a delightful Parisian staycation with the following ideas.

French Feasting
If you’re an experienced cook, try your hand at preparing gourmet French fare like crème brûlée, coq au vin, or cassoulet, but if you want to take it easy, enlist the kids to help you make a homemade quiche Lorraine or some sweet Nutella-filled crêpes for dessert.

Don’t want to cook at all? Find a nearby French bakery or a local French restaurant with kid-friendly options like chicken cordon bleu and take your Parisian feast to-go.

French Cinema
A great way to create a Parisian environment is to host a French movie marathon, complete with sweets like macarons for the kids and Champagne for the adults.

What are some family-friendly movies to choose from?

Ratatouille - An ambitious rat becomes a famous Paris chef.
The Hunchback of Notre-Dame - The lovable Quasimodo and the best music you’ll ever hear.
Anastasia - A Romanov princess seeks out her destiny in Paris, and love ensues.
Sabrina - A shy Audrey Hepburn blossoms into a confident Paris chef.
Julie & Julia - A heart-warming true story of two women inspired by French cuisine.
The Hundred-Foot Journey - An immigrant family opens a restaurant across from a competitive Michelin-star restaurant.
Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris - A war widow travels to Paris to buy the designer dress of her dreams.

Parisian-Inspired Crafts
Even if you can't visit the Eiffel Tower in person, you can still bring the wonders of Paris to life through creative crafts.

Looking for some fun Parisian-inspired crafts to try?

Eiffel Tower Collage - The Eiffel Tower is equal parts industrious and artistic – a perfect formula for crafting. Take popsicle sticks, paper cutouts, and glue a lattice layout, adding color character to your architectural creation. .
Impressionist Art - Let your kiddo’s imagination and interpretation run wild, painting with watercolors, and you might find you have a Mary Cassat or Edgar Degas right under your roof.
Play-Doh Patisserie - Take Play-Doh and mold it into your favorite sweets and breads, setting up shop for the family to adore and admire your makeshift patisserie.
Color the City - Print out coloring pages of famous Paris landmarks like Notre-Dame and let your inner Van Gogh come to life.
Build Your Own Béret- Use felt or durable paper and cut out a béret, decorating the iconic accessory with glitter, markers, whatever your heart desires.

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Parisian Fun Abroad or At Home

You might be in the midst of planning a Parisian family escape, budgeting for one in the future, or are hoping to bring a bit of Paris home. No matter what, there’s something for everyone to love and enjoy about this famous French city.

So throw on those Weekend in Paris Little Sleepies and fall in love with all the wonder that is Paris, whether that’s in person or right in the comfort of home — croissant and coffee in hand, of course!