Quaint(ish) things to do with kids in Paris

Paris is a city that excels at grand gestures:

towering monuments, sweeping boulevards, pastries so perfect they seem to require a license. But when you’re traveling with kids, it’s often the humbler pleasures that linger in family memory: a wooden boat, a gentle carousel, a train that chugs through the trees. Here are four wonderfully quaint Parisian experiences that combine old-fashioned charm with just enough unpredictability to keep both adults and children on their toes (and, occasionally, slightly damp).

1. Watching the Boats at Luxembourg Gardens

There’s something quietly triumphant about watching your child launch a tiny wooden sailboat onto the Luxembourg Gardens’ pond. The boats, painted in cheerful colors and rented by the half-hour, bob and dart across the water, propelled by nothing more than the wind and the hopeful prodding of a long stick. It’s a scene that hasn’t changed much in generations, except perhaps for the addition of parents discreetly checking their phones between sips of coffee. The real joy here is in the simplicity: no screens, no tickets to lose, just the timeless challenge of coaxing your vessel to the far shore before it’s commandeered by a rogue gust (or an overzealous toddler from Geneva).

2. Carousel Ride in Front of Saint-Sulpice

Not far away, in the shadow of Saint-Sulpice’s grand façade, sits a carousel that could have stepped out of a sepia photograph. The horses are painted, the music is sweetly tinny, and the ride is just brisk enough to produce a satisfying swirl of hair and scarf. For a few euros, your child can take a spin while you admire the church, or, more realistically, try to snap a non-blurry photo before the inevitable plea for “just one more ride.” There’s a certain Parisian magic in the way the carousel lights up the square, making even the most skeptical parent a little sentimental.

3. Train Ride at Jardin d’Acclimatation

The Jardin d’Acclimatation, a sprawling park on the city’s edge, is home to a miniature train that’s equal parts nostalgia and gentle adventure. The train winds past playgrounds, gardens, and the occasional peacock, its whistle providing a soundtrack that’s pleasingly retro. The ride is long enough to feel like an outing but short enough to avoid mutinous restlessness. For adults, it’s a chance to relax and enjoy the scenery, or at least to sit down for a few blessed minutes while someone else does the driving.

4. Row Boats at the Bois de Vincennes

If you’re feeling ambitious (or simply want to test your family’s teamwork), head to the Bois de Vincennes and rent a rowboat. The lake is wide, the ducks are plentiful, and the rowing is—well, let’s call it a character-building experience. Kids delight in the novelty, parents get a mild upper-body workout, and everyone gets a story to tell about that time you nearly collided with a swan. It’s a peaceful escape from the city’s bustle and a reminder that sometimes the best Parisian moments involve a little fresh air and a lot of laughter.

These four activities may not be the headline acts of Paris, but they’re the kind of experiences that turn a trip into a memory. They’re simple, a bit old-fashioned, and, like all the best things in Paris, best enjoyed at a leisurely pace, with plenty of room for detours and second helpings.