Experiencing Paris with kids gives you a completely different appreciation for the city. On our most recent trip, we found the best balance of art, gardens, scooters, boat rides, chocolate, playgrounds, and plenty of crêpes along the way. Some of these stops were planned, and some ended up being the unexpected highlights of our trip. Here are my favorite things to do and see in Paris with kids.

1. Decathlon Sporting Goods Store

Our first stop right off the plane was Decathlon, which has locations all over Paris. We bought a scooter and helmet for under $100, and it was honestly the best money we spent on the entire trip. No complaining about tired legs, no dragging anyone through long walks, and Otis had the best time zipping around the city. I cannot recommend this enough.

2. Trampolines at the Tuileries Garden

The trampolines at the Tuileries Garden are such a fun stop for kids, especially after a museum or a long walk through the city. They get to jump around and get all their energy out, while the adults get to enjoy one of the most beautiful settings in Paris. Everyone wins.

3. Luxembourg Gardens Playground

The playground at Luxembourg Gardens might be the best playground in Paris. It feels like it was built by fairies, with so many charming details and endless ways for kids to play. It’s the kind of place where you plan to stay for an hour and suddenly realize you’ve spent half the afternoon there.

4. Batobus

The Batobus is a hop-on, hop-off boat that travels along the Seine, and it is one of the easiest ways to see a lot of Paris without completely exhausting the kids. You get views of so many iconic landmarks, the children love being on the water, and you can hop off whenever something catches your eye. It makes sightseeing feel like part of the adventure.

5. Fondation Louis Vuitton & Jardin d’Acclimatation

The Fondation Louis Vuitton is worth visiting for the Frank Gehry-designed building alone. It’s incredible. Even better, the museum is located inside the Jardin d’Acclimatation, which feels like a charmingly old-school amusement park mixed with a tiny zoo. It’s the perfect combination: something inspiring and beautiful for adults, with plenty of genuine fun for kids.

6. Jardin des Plantes

The Jardin des Plantes is a beautiful place to spend part of the day, with natural history exhibits to explore and gorgeous gardens surrounding them. It’s educational without feeling overly structured, and the outdoor setting makes it easy to wander at your own pace. It’s a perfect option when you want something interesting that everyone can enjoy.

7. Bourse de Commerce

The Bourse de Commerce is right in the middle of the city and surprisingly great with kids. Because it’s smaller than many Paris museums, it feels manageable, and the contemporary art is often bold and immersive enough to keep younger visitors interested. Also, do not leave without looking for the tiny mouse hidden in the wall of the gift shop.

8. Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature

The Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature is one of the more unexpected museums in Paris and such a hidden gem. Set inside a beautiful mansion in the Marais, it is filled with animals, art, natural history, and wonderfully strange details. It’s beautiful, fascinating, and just unusual enough to hold everyone’s attention.

9. Any Crêpe Stand on the Street

Sometimes the simplest things are the most memorable. Stopping for a crêpe from a street stand became one of our favorite little Paris traditions. We always went for strawberries and whipped cream, which is possibly the most delicious afternoon pick-me-up after a day of walking and exploring.

10. Le Chocolat Alain Ducasse, La Manufacture

A chocolate factory in Paris is already an easy sell with kids, but Le Chocolat Alain Ducasse, La Manufacture makes it especially memorable. You can see where the chocolate is made, choose a few treats to bring home, and fully embrace the Willy Wonka feeling of it all. It’s such a fun stop to build into a day of sightseeing, especially when everyone needs a little afternoon reward.

11. Merci

Merci is a beautiful concept store that is genuinely fun for the whole family to browse. There is always something interesting to discover, and it’s a great place to find a special little souvenir to bring home. It’s stylish, relaxed, and one of those Paris stops I always enjoy returning to.

12. Deyrolle

Deyrolle is completely mind-blowing and unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. The best way to describe it is imagining a museum that is also a shop. It is filled with extraordinary natural history displays and curiosities that feel magical, surprising, and endlessly fascinating for kids and adults alike. It is a must-see.

Paris Through Their Eyes

Paris with kids is definitely a different kind of trip, but in the best possible way. You notice different things, spend more time in gardens, stop for more treats, and find yourself seeing the city through their eyes. These were some of our favorite discoveries, and the places I would go back to with my family again and again.