A father and his two kids having fun in kid-friendly Paris on a fair ground ride (left) and children in their bathing suits playing in the fountains outside the Louis Vuitton Foundation in the summer sun (right).
Top image: Jolies Mamans. Above images: Jardin d’Acclimatation

When Paris mayor, Anne Hidalgo, announced in early January that she would soon be making the city’s public transportation services free for children under the age of 11, she took another step towards reducing air pollution in Paris. The added bonus of this move, which Hidalgo hopes will encourage parents to travel with their young children on the extensive Paris metro and bus system instead of driving cars, is that it makes the city a more welcoming place for little ones. While urban environments are not often considered kid friendly, efforts such as this are signs that cities and kiddies can coexist.

Parks

One of the most charming aspects of Paris, especially in the warmer months, is the multitude of parks that dot the city. Guidebooks often advise travelers on a budget to avail themselves of this city resource as a convenient picnic spot or place to prendre l’apéro. But those with kids in tow will want to note that these green spaces are full of treasures for tots.

An aerial view of kid in a yellow t-shirt, walking across a cobblestone square in summer in Paris (left). Two pairs of children's legs as they lean into the pond at the Jardin des Tuileries, a popular kid-friendly spot in Paris (right).
Claude Attard / Steve McFarland

Pair tourism with playtime at Place des Vosges, where you can ogle the stunning residences that once housed artists such as the author Victor Hugo, while your little one builds castles in the sandpits that are just their size. Luxembourg Garden is a paradise for children, with model boats to sail in the central reflection pond and an antique merry-go-round located next to a huge, enclosed playground. Le Jardin d’Acclimation is a perfect way to spend a day with children in Paris. The park has rides, a petting zoo, and several organized activities to keep your kid interested and entertained.

A teenage kid zipping passed the Eiffel Tower on a scooter in Paris (left). Paris has lots of kid-friendly spots like the many squares and even bridges where they can play ball like these two children and their parent (right).
Modes Rodríguez / Kitchou

If you want to stay in your neighborhood, don’t forget that Paris has several squares, or small parks, every few blocks. Equipped with playground equipment and open space for play, these spots are the place to be for after-school fun and snacktime.

Restaurants

Super Café is one of the best kid-friendly restaurants in Paris and we love its light, airy interiors and the French food.
Super Café

As a gastronomic destination, Paris attracts eaters from around the world and children shouldn’t be left out of the fun of enjoying the city’s restaurants. While Parisian waiters may be more patient than expected when it comes to welcoming kids in their restaurants, the spaces are often restrictive to toddler fidgeting, so you’ll want to keep these super kid-friendly addresses up your sleeve.

Brunch in Paris at Super Café which comes with a tricycle-friendly outdoor area (left) and plenty space to play inside (right).
Super Café – Fabien Breuil / Catherine Delahaye

Victoria Station is a quirky restaurant in the Grands Boulevards neighborhood that is sure to delight little ones as they are seated in imitation train wagons and share plush velour banquette seats. Chez Hé is a favorite among parents who flock to this Chinese restaurant, which centers around a large playground where kids can play while mom and dad finish their meal in peace.

 A kid-friendly Paris brunch at Grand Central with kid-approved options like quinoa salad and avocado toast (left). It's also spacious inside so there's plenty of room for parking strollers and for playing (right).
Grand Central

Brunch in Paris is surprisingly simple when it comes to bringing kids along. Super Café is a cozy breakfast/coffee spot with a tricycle-friendly terrasse and plenty of games and space to play inside. Grand Central serves a brunch with plenty of kid-approved options on Saturdays and Sundays and has a large playroom next door. Head to Aloha Café for an affordable kid’s brunch menu that they’ll finish up quickly so they can head to the game room to play with the other kids.

Museums

Paris is full of museums adapted to children’s tastes and interests. The added bonus: They’re interesting for adults, too!

Kids drawing on the walls (left) and exploring the interactive exhibits (right) at Paris' Science Museum.
Cite des Enfants – JP Attal / S Chivet

The Cité des Enfants has a permanent collection as well as rotating exhibitions all targeted at children, even as young as two years old. The Palais de la Découverte has science-related exhibits that will catch your kid’s eye (the current exhibit, Poison, includes over thirty species of venomous animals) and the Musée de la Magie is quaint and kitschy and fun for the whole family.

Cafés

A drawing of a fox at Le Renard & l'Entonnoir, a kid-friendly Paris cafe and children's bookshop (left). Inside Mombini, a unique cafe and shop that hosts workshops for mommies and children's parties too (left).
Le Renard & l’Entonnoir / Mombini

If mommy needs a coffee after a day with the kids, she’ll be happy to know that Paris has her covered. Mombini is a great place to grab a coffee or a homemade lunch and do some shopping (the adjoining boutique is full of colorful, artisanal toys for kids). This unique boutique/café also hosts children’s birthday parties, baby gym classes, and workshops for new moms.

Similarly, Le Renard & l’Entonnoir serves as a salon de thé and shop focusing on children’s books. As the self-proclaimed “café des enfants,” Cafézoïde is an animated space just for kids, with regular workshops, activities, and monthly events for both little ones and moms.

Inside Paris kid-friendly coffee shop, Super Café in the 20th arrondissement (left) and its Scandinavian-inspired decor (right).
Super Café

And that’s not all…

There are all kinds of creative way to flourish as a family in Paris. Thanks to the city becoming more kid-centric, new businesses are popping up or deciding to serve moms and their mômes.

A group of moms taking part in a kid-friendly yoga class in Paris at Casa Yoga.
Casa Yoga

Jolies Mamans has two locations in the city where women can go get their hair and nails done while the kids are watched by a certified babysitter. Everyone can share in the self care at Mommy and Me baby yoga classes at Casa Yoga. Young yogis even have their own classes (ages 6-11) at Ashtanga Yoga Paris.

At kid-friendly Ashtanga Yoga studio in Paris, young yogis even have their own classes like these kids aged 6 to 11.
Ashtanga Yoga Paris

For more sporty fun, Blockout Paris is a kid friendly climbing gym that organizes children’s birthday parties. Another great party spot is Le Zèbre de Belleville, a cabaret with concerts and circus performances that invite kids to get in on the fun.

The blue (left) and pink (right) climbing walls at Blockout, a Paris kid-friendly climbing club that organizes children’s birthday parties.
Blockout Paris

For a rainy day activity, take les petits to Studio des Ursulines, a cinema in the 5tharrondissement that shows children’s films (often in VO, the original language!) every day of the week.

Posters for kid-friendly cabarets in Paris like the Cabaret du Cirque (right) and the Cabaret des Familles (left), perfect for a rainy day with kids in Paris.
Le Zèbre de Belleville

Related Links

Posters for Cafézoïde, a cafe offering lots of kid-friendly activities in Paris like radio workshops on Thursdays and games on Sundays.
Cafézoïde

Written by Emily Dilling for HiP Paris. Looking for a fabulous vacation, or long term, rental in Paris, Italy, France or elsewhere in Europe? Let us know. We can help!

WRITTEN BY

Emily Dilling

Emily Dilling is a France based writer and author of My Paris Market Cookbook: A Culinary Tour of French Flavors and Seasonal Recipes. In 2005 Emily moved to Paris from her native California and began exploring the cities markets, restaurants, and cafés. In 2010 she founded the blog Paris Paysanne, where she writes about her favorite addresses and artisans in the city. Emily currently lives in the Loir-et-Cher region of France, where she writes and works in the grapevines.

6 Comments

  1. Hi, I’d like to include my favorite address for yoga for kids, the Anjaliom Shala in the 19th arr. They have an incredible teacher (Isabelle) who will put your kids in a handstand in less than 3 minutes!:) Their site is https://www.yoga.paris, check it out.
    Peace,
    Chris

  2. Hi, I would like to include several other places that I go with my little ones… Jardin des Plantes has everything that you might want for a full day out (or just a short visit): lots of gardens to explore, wide open spaces to run around, the wonderful ménagerie, a place to picnic or several food stands and cafés /restaurants to choose from, the stunning Galerie d’évolution which includes a childrens exhibit, and the fascinating Musée de Paléontologie. Elsewhere in the city, I recommend Pâtisserie A Lacroix (6ème) just over the river from Notre Dame, which is very welcoming and frequently holds get togthers for mothers with young children. HD Diner Opéra is an American 50s style milkbar with a play area to keep the kids amused while parents relax over their meal. And Une Mere Une Fille à Paris (15ème) is a café, boutique and children’s party venue with plenty of great toys and serve kidfriendly meals on request.

  3. Hello HiP team and Emily, thank you so much for featuring CasaYoga in this great article. We are surely proud to be part of kid-friendly Paris 🙂 See you soon at the studio !

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