👨‍👩‍👧 Fun Things to Do With Kids in Paris During the Winter School Break

Visiting Paris with kids in February? You’ve made a brilliant choice. While most people imagine Paris in spring or summer, winter in the city has its own charm — fewer crowds, shorter lines, and a cozy atmosphere that families love.

And February isn’t a sleepy month here — it’s school holiday season in France, which means museums, attractions, and cafés are full of life. If you’re wondering what to do in Paris with kids, from must-see landmarks to creative and unusual adventures, here’s your ultimate guide.

1) Start With the Classics — But Make Them Kid-Friendly 🗼🎨

Paris’s most famous sights are unforgettable for adults — but they can be magical for children, too, if you approach them the right way.

• Eiffel Tower: Book ahead, go early, and take the lift up to see the city sparkle. Kids love spotting the landmarks below — and don’t forget the small ice rink that sometimes opens on the first floor in winter.

• Louvre Museum: Skip the long halls of Renaissance art and focus on highlights: the Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo, and the Egyptian mummies. The Louvre also offers family trails and scavenger hunt maps (and of course, you can extend the fun with our own treasure hunt nearby — more on that below!).

• Notre-Dame & Île de la Cité: Even while the cathedral is being restored, the surrounding area is full of history and magic. Children love walking by the Seine.

💡 Pro tip: If you’re visiting in February, bundle up and plan short bursts outdoors mixed with warm stops — that’s how Parisian families do it.

2) Fun Things to Do With Kids in Paris : Discover the City Through Play: Treasure Hunts by From Paris With Fun 🕵️‍♀️

Sightseeing with kids can be tricky — too many monuments, too many explanations, not enough fun. That’s where we come in.

At From Paris With Fun, we turn sightseeing into an interactive game. Families follow clues, solve riddles, and learn fun facts about Paris while exploring at their own pace. Fun Things to Do With Kids in Paris

👉 Family favorite: The Seine Treasure Hunt

If it’s your first time in Paris with kids, this one’s a must. Starting near the Louvre and ending by the Eiffel Tower, it’s a journey through Paris’s most iconic postcard views — the Musée d’Orsay, the Pont Alexandre III, the Grand Palais, and the Champs de Mars.

Kids become little detectives, parents rediscover the city, and everyone learns something along the way. The puzzles are easy enough for children (aged 8 and up) but fun for adults too.

💡 Perfect for February: it’s outdoors but not long — and you can stop anytime for hot chocolate or a crêpe along the river.

🎯 Why families love it:

• Self-guided, flexible schedule.

• Combines learning, walking, and laughter.

• A fun, cultural memory to take home (and yes, with photos worthy of a Christmas card).

3) Visit the Musée du Paradoxe — A New Hit With Families 🌀

One of Paris’s most talked-about new attractions right now is the Musée du Paradoxe, and it’s a fantastic choice for curious kids.

Located near the Opéra Garnier, this immersive museum blends science, illusion, and fun — think of it as part art, part physics, and part what just happened?! Kids can walk on walls, see their reflections bend, and test optical illusions that play with your senses.

It’s an experience that makes everyone laugh and think — and unlike traditional museums, touching is encouraged!

💡 Tip: Book your tickets in advance, especially during the February holidays. The museum is a big hit with both local families and international visitors.

4) Rediscover Science at the Reopened Palais de la Découverte 🔬

After years of renovation, the Palais de la Découverte has finally reopened — and it’s better than ever for families.

This legendary science museum (part of the Grand Palais complex) is a Parisian institution. Its new spaces are bright, interactive, and packed with workshops where kids can experiment, play, and learn.

Highlights include:

• The planetarium, with immersive starry skies.

• The electricity room, where you can feel static shocks (safely!).

• The math lab, full of puzzles and games.

It’s science with a French twist — smart, creative, and just the right amount of chaos.

💡 Perfect rainy-day plan: spend the morning at the Palais de la Découverte, have lunch nearby, and enjoy a short outdoor activity like the Seine treasure hunt afterward.

5) Take a Sweet Break: Crêpes and Hot Chocolate on the Left Bank 🍫🥞

After a busy morning, every Parisian family stops for a goûter — that sacred late-afternoon snack.

On the Left Bank, you’ll find some of the city’s best spots for a cozy winter break:

• Les Deux Magots (Saint-Germain-des-Prés) – A Paris institution. Sit under the heaters on the terrace and order their famous thick hot chocolate — rich, comforting, and worth every sip.

• Café de l’Esplanade by Yannick Alléno – The luxurious option: smooth chocolate, elegant service, and a view to match. It’s not cheap (around €15 a cup), but it’s an experience.

• Pierre Hermé Café (Odéon) – The pastry genius himself! Kids love the macarons, parents will adore the tarte infiniment vanille.

💡 Pair it with a visit to the nearby Luxembourg Gardens, where kids can still push the little wooden sailboats across the fountains if the weather allows.

6) Indoor Family Favorites for Chilly Days 🎭

When the weather turns grey, Paris offers endless indoor adventures that don’t feel like second choices:

• Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie (La Villette) – Hands-on experiments, light shows, and a planetarium that kids adore.

• Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle – Giant skeletons, roaring dinosaurs, and glittering minerals.

• Musée Grévin – Wax celebrities and cartoon heroes — surprisingly fun for all ages.

• Atelier des Lumières – Immersive exhibitions where art moves to music — kids are mesmerized by the colors.

💡 Many of these spots are included in the Paris Museum Pass — a great way to save if you plan several visits.

7) Bonus: Small Outdoor Joys ☀️

If the sun comes out (and it often does!), make the most of the crisp winter air:

• Ride the carousel near the Eiffel Tower or Tuileries Gardens.

• Feed the ducks at Parc Monceau or Jardin du Luxembourg.

• Walk across Pont Alexandre III for photos — it’s one of the prettiest bridges in Europe.

The light in February has a golden glow that makes even ordinary moments feel cinematic.

February is one of the best-kept secrets for family travel in Paris. You get all the charm of the city without the summer rush — and activities that mix fun, learning, and a touch of magic.

From treasure hunts along the Seine and science experiments at the Palais de la Découverte to optical illusions at the Musée du Paradoxe and hot chocolates on the Left Bank, every day brings something new to share.

👉 Whether it’s your first time in Paris with kids or your fifth, let them see the city not as a museum, but as a playground of history, creativity, and adventure.