Paris may not look kid-friendly at first glance. Those tiresome metro tunnels and stairs; the endless list of cultural attractions that seem a bit daunting, especially for younger children. The city seems built primarily for culturally savvy adults. But visiting Paris with the young ones in tow doesn't need to be a headache, since there are plenty of great things to do with young visitors: it's just a matter of planning your vacation around a few attractions that you're likely to enjoy (and in most cases learn from) too.
1. Disneyland Paris
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Let's face it: a day or two at Disneyland Paris is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. The resort facilities, including a golf course, Disney Village, and Davy Crockett Ranch camping grounds, can provide adults an amusing excursion too. The Disneyland Paris hotels also offer a fun, laid-back environment for the whole family.
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2. Musee Grevin (Paris Wax Museum)
©2006 Tchitcha. Some rights reserved under the Creative Commons License.
3. Paris Parks and Gardens
©2006 Courtney Traub.
Parisian parks are known for their stately, impeccably groomed and presented lanes, lawns, and flora, but they are also wonderful places to play and discover. From old-world pasttimes like sailing toy boats at the Jardin du Luxembourg, riding ponies and enjoying vintage puppet shows, to fun and games on sleek, mentally stimulating new playgrounds, the city's parks and gardens can provide an ideal opportunity for parents to relax a bit while the kids let loose.
4. Cite des Sciences (Museum of Science and Industry)
Nestled in Paris's ultramodern Parc de la Villette in the northern tip of the city is a vast museum dedicated to learning about science-- the fun way. The Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie (Museum of Science and Industry) regularly curates exhibits designed to captures children's imaginations and pique adults' secret curiosities-- shows like "Snot", which explored common human body functions in a comical, matter-of-fact manner. Special exhibitions for younger children and young adults guarantee no one in the family will be bored.5. Menagerie (Zoo) at the Jardin des Plantes
©2008 Ashley Byock.
Also see: Vincennes Zoo
6. Paris Plages (Paris Beach)
©2007 Courtney Traub.
7. Jardin d'Acclimation
Entering via a narrow-gauge train through a wooden stretch of the leafy Bois de Boulogne park, this 49-acre amusement park and garden hosts a house of mirrors, an archery range, a miniature golf course, zoo animals, a puppet theater, shooting galleries, and La Prévention Routiere, a miniature roadway operated by the Paris police. If all the attractions wear you out, the garden is full of beautiful flowers and grassy areas to picnic, as well as a mill-stirred lagoon where boats can be rented. The kids will love it-- and parents will perhaps appreciate that it's a far cry from the corporate sameness of Disneyland.8. Le 104 Arts Center
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