Paris can be also fun for kids. Not only the discovery of different tastes at the market, but also the Maneges everywhere in the city.
The maneges are the modern version of a Carrousel. Instead of wood horses going up and down, kids can ride helicopter, planes, Formula One car, motorcycle,...on the sound of techno or kid show music. In every park, in any tourist place, you can find them. 1 or 2 euros per ride. Not cheap if your kids love them ! But so much fun...
I recommand les Jardin des Tuileries where you can also ride la Grande Roue (Ferris Wheel) with your kids and have a wonderful view of Paris from up high and then take them for a more cultural visit in Le musee du Louvre.
If you want to go to the Eiffel Tower, plan to spend 2-3 hours in the queue. Don't take the lift, but climb the stairs to the second floor. I did it with my 5 years old son and 6 month pregnant...
After your visit, have your kids ride the pedal kart on the Champs de Mars. My son would spend hours over there. 2 euros for 7 turns . They are exhausted after that. Good to regulate the jet lag...
Another great place in Paris for kids from 3 to 12 years old is the 50 acres park named Jardin d'Acclimatation in the northern part of Bois de Boulogne. Only recommandations, bring a lot of euros and plan to stay the day over there, unless you leave your kids to the wonderful Ateliers ( sort of camp) where they will cook, plant, taste, discover chemistry, paint,...
In the same park, you'll find a house of mirrors, an archery range, a miniature-golf course, zoo animals, a puppet theater (performances Wed, Sat, Sun, and holidays), a playground, a hurdle-racing course, junior-scale rides, shooting galleries, and waffle stalls. You can trot the kids off on a pony (Sat and Sun only) or join them in a boat on a mill-stirred lagoon. La Prévention Routière is a miniature roadway operated by the Paris police: Youngsters drive through in small cars equipped to start and stop, and are required by two genuine gendarmes to obey street signs and light changes. Inside the gate is an easy-to-follow map.
www.jardindacclimatation.fr
