2 Days in Paris with Kids : The Best Family Itinerary
Parents keen to see Paris, kids mostly hoping for something a bit more exciting than “another beautiful building”. You can see how that might lead to a few family negotiations. At Les Canards de Paris, we like itineraries that keep everyone happy with big-hitting landmarks, well-timed breaks, and activities kids will actually enjoy. So here’s our idea of a great way to spend 2 days in Paris with kids: fun, manageable, and paced well enough that nobody starts complaining by lunchtime. Even the teenagers might go along with it. Might.
Day 1 in Paris : Top Sights but Happy Kids
Tick off the Eiffel Tower early
It is nearly impossible to plan 2 days in Paris with kids without hearing about the Eiffel Tower at least a dozen times before you even leave home. So you may as well start with it. It is the star of the weekend, the sight the kids are waiting for, the one parents want to tick off, and usually the easiest way to get everyone excited right from the start.
The smart move is to go early, before the biggest crowds roll in. If your young adventurers have plenty of energy and the stroller is not needed, climbing the stairs to the second floor is a great option. More fun, often smoother, and a good way to burn off some of that excitement before the rest of the day. Stair tickets can be booked online. If you want to go all the way to the top, though, it is worth planning ahead. The stairs + summit ticket must be bought on site, and you cannot simply add the lift later with a basic stairs ticket. And if the idea of climbing hundreds of steps already causes a few worried looks, no problem! The lift works perfectly well for the whole family.
Once you are up there, the reward is immediate. Paris stretches out in every direction, the rooftops seem endless, and even the children usually pause for a moment to really look. Back on the ground, there is no need to rush off straight away: the Champ de Mars is right there, perfect for a breather, a quick run around, or simply enjoying the view with the Eiffel Tower still towering above you.
Lunch near the Eiffel Tower : our anti-tourist trap plan
Around the Eiffel Tower, you can find the very best food places… and the very forgettable ones. To avoid an overpriced, underwhelming lunch, Rue Cler is a very good option. This charming pedestrian street is packed with good things to snack on or take away. Pastries, sandwiches, cheese, fruit, little treats for later in the afternoon everyone can put together their own ideal lunch without any diplomatic incident at the ordering stage.
The best plan? Pick up something tasty and improvise a picnic on the Champ de Mars, or sit down at a café terrace and enjoy a proper pause before the next part of the day. After a morning spent high above Paris, that break will feel very welcome, especially for little legs.
Les Canards de Paris : The funniest part of the day
Once the Eiffel Tower is checked off and everyone has refuelled, it is time for something that feels very different from a classic sightseeing visit. With our amphibious bus, Paris becomes a family adventure: fun, unusual, and just the right amount of silly for both children and parents. Yes, we are a little biased. But it is hard not to be when you see families’ faces at splash time.
The idea is simple: part of the route takes place on the road, passing through western Paris, and then our bus Marcel leaves the pavement behind and dives straight into the Seine to the delight, and usually the loud shrieks, of everyone on board. The mood is anything but quiet: people point out landmarks, wave at passers-by, laugh a lot, and learn fun facts about Paris. It is joyful, unusual, and wonderfully family-friendly. Exactly the kind of experience that makes a weekend in Paris with kids even more memorable !
End the day along the Seine
After the big splash and all the laughter on board Marcel, there is no need to dash off somewhere else. The nicest way to round off the day is with a relaxed walk along the Seine, between Pont Neuf and Pont de Sully. In this part of Paris, made for walkers rather than traffic, the sound of cars gives way to chatter, scooter wheels, and those slightly wobbly end-of-day zigzags only children can master.
There is still room here for kids to climb, run around a little, or simply watch what is going on, while parents get a moment to breathe and enjoy the view on Parisian sights. And to keep everyone happy until the very end, this is the perfect time to buy an ice cream and stroll along the river while replaying the day’s greatest hit: that unforgettable splash into the Seine. A simple, happy way to stretch out the excitement of the day, with Paris as the backdrop and that lovely feeling of having already made a very good start to the family trip.
Day 2 in Paris : From Historic Sights to a More Playful Afternoon
Notre-Dame and Île de la Cité: A Family-Friendly Paris Classic
To begin the second day, head to Île de la Cité, right in the historic heart of Paris. This is where Notre-Dame stands: huge, famous, and not only because of its distant past. Children may already know about it for a recent reason: the 2019 fire, the dramatic images seen around the world, and the long restoration that followed. And that recent story often makes the visit feel much more real to them.
In person, the cathedral is just as impressive as you would expect. You look up at the towers, notice the carved details, and realise that after everything it has been through, seeing it standing proudly again feels quite special. Inside, the vaulted ceilings, stained glass and restored light add even more to the atmosphere. Even younger children often find themselves quietly drawn in for a few moments by the sheer scale of it all.
The Canal de l’Ourcq: a different side of Paris
After Notre-Dame, a change of scene feels like a very good idea. The Canal de l’Ourcq offers a more relaxed, playful and local side of Paris, one that many visitors miss, but that works brilliantly for families. It is the kind of place that feels especially welcome once children are ready to stretch their legs again and think about something other than old churches and stained glass.
With Marin d’eau douce, you can rent a small electric boat, no licence needed, and turn lunch into a picnic on the water. You take the helm, the children get fully into their role as little captains, and lunch suddenly feels much more like part of the adventure. It is calm, unusual and a lovely way to see a different side of Paris.
Cité des Sciences: one last stop for curious minds
At the end of the trip, when you still need one more family-friendly activity but do not want to launch into another long walk, the Cité des Enfants is a great option. It is the perfect way to finish these two days on a note that is playful, clever, and genuinely designed for children, while still being interesting enough for parents too.
At Cité des Enfants, children can touch, test, build, experiment and turn handles to their heart’s content, which is refreshing in itself. The spaces are adapted by age, and the activities revolve around water, air, light, movement and optical illusions. In other words, it is smart, funny, and fully geared towards families.
Two days in Paris with kids is short, but it is already enough to make some wonderful family memories. Famous landmarks, splash into the Seine, picnic on the water and hands-on discoveries… There are plenty here to keep everyone happy without wearing the whole family out. And that is usually the sign of a weekend well spent, plus a very good excuse to come back ! Maybe to spend 3 days in Paris this time ?
