Although Paris is a romantic playground for grown-up visitors, you might be surprised to find out how kid-friendly this cosmopolitan city is under the surface. With proper planning, even sites that kids might consider stuffy can turn into grand adventures and the sites adults think are just for kids can be the highlight of their trip!
Tour the Carousels- For a full day adventure that can be beautifully folded in with sightseeing activities, have a treasure hunt to find the all the exquisite carousels tucked around Paris. In the process, the family will wind up visiting sites like the Luxembourg Gardens, the Sacre Coeur in Montmartre, the Jardin Des Tuileries and even the Eiffel Tower. Some carousels are double-deckers with not only the traditional painted high

Paris walks
horses but gondolas for the adults to ride in luxury and sexy mermaids that tempt even the teenagers. Smaller toddler carousels have enchanting fanciful creatures that are just the right size for their first ride on a merry-go-round.
Sandcastles on the Seine – Although scoffed at by many when it opened in 2002, the series of manmade beaches along the Seine known as the Paris Plages developed into a success by offering individual themes like swimming spots, sandy beaches or launches from which to explore the Seine in a kayak or canoe. Often you can catch a free concert in the evenings, but to find an open spot amid the coveted strips of sand to build a sandcastle is challenging but part of the fun.
Science Museums – Reputed to be the finest science museum in the world, the Universcience complex embraces both the ornate Paris Science museum (the Palais de la Découverte) built in the 1930s and the sparkling new Paris Science Museum (Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie at the Parc). Interactive exhibits help kids (and adults) develop a richer understanding of the scientific method. The Geode IMAX theatre features films for the older kids and the Children’s Cité is designed especially for pre-school children with age appropriate exhibits where they can play for 90 minute sessions with pure abandon.
Theme Parks – Definitely Disneyland Paris attracts the most visitors (and heated debate) but don’t overlook other amusement parks that may not be flashy but are just as entertaining. The Parc Aserix is Disney’s main rival, sporting the biggest wooden rollercoaster in Europe. Spend a day roaming the France Miniature Map with its fascinating bird’s eye view of the French countryside that covers 12 acres with exquisitely detailed scale models including recognizable landmarks. The Aquaboulevard is the world’s largest indoor water park and the complex also houses cinemas, sports facilities and restaurants.
Zoos and Aquariums – The animal and undersea kingdoms are well represented in and around Paris and expeditions to the aquarium or zoo are entertaining and educational for all. There are two aquariums, Sea Val d’Europe is the biggest with over 30 displays but the CinéAqua has (originally the Aquarium du Trocadero) has undergone major renovations to add more marine related attractions. The traditional 15 acre Parc Zoologique de Vincennes it is within metro riding distance of the city center and has long been home to exotic and endangered species from around the world. If you have access to a car, you can drive through the Parc Zoologique de Thoiry safari park, but be prepared to do plenty of walking as well to get even closer to friendly animals like the sea lions, giraffes and even get up close and personal with France’s first visiting komodo dragons.
About the author:Lela Lake is a life-long Paris lover and writes for AnyTrip.com, the budget travel specialists. You can browse the site’s selection of Cheap Paris Hotel or enter their Love Paris competition for the chance to win one of four free trips to the City of Light.