Over the past four years of raising kids in Paris, I’ve been to more birthday parties than I can count. Here are my personal observations on how French and expat families celebrate kids’ birthdays, along with ideas for venues for different age groups in Paris.
One thing I’ve learned, and it may sound obvious, is that even when kids are little, it really helps to ask them what they want for their birthday experience. Sometimes it’s just a favorite game, a small outing, or a theme they love. Their ideas might surprise you, and often the simplest wishes create the best memories. Budgets vary a lot, but I’ve found there are plenty of great options in Paris at every price point.
Preschool birthday parties in Paris (up to age 6)
What preschool birthday parties look like in Paris
For the under-sixes, parties are almost always at home (most cost-effective solution!). There are usually about 5–10 kids, sometimes more if parents are feeling brave. Paris apartments are small and not built for crowds, so accommodating the entire class (typically around 25 children in a French public school) is rarely possible. As a result, kids usually invite only those they are closest to. Fancy dress costumes are often encouraged and there may be a theme to the party like princesses or special heroes.
The parties usually last about two hours and are usually drop-off. Parents are not generally expected to stay to help a child “settle in”; it’s a quick drop-off, and parents only return for pick-up. This is where parents can linger a bit longer while the kids are getting dressed to thank the hosts.
From what I’ve seen in Parisian families, birthday parties generally follow a familiar rhythm. First, the children arrive and have some free play to settle in and get comfortable. Parents usually organize some simple games, with piñatas being popular, a birthday cake, and maybe some face-painting if someone gets ambitious. Some parents run the whole show themselves, while others outsource the chaos to an entertainer who sweeps in with bubbles and props. About half of the parties I’ve attended for this age group have been organized entirely by parents, with the other half hiring a party entertainer (“animateur“). From what I’ve been quoted, hiring an entertainer for about two hours typically costs around €200–€400, depending on the theme and what’s included.
Next comes the birthday goûter. This usually involves some savoury or sweet snacks, a birthday cake (often homemade or from a local patisserie) plus juice or other drinks. I’ve seen more elaborate character cakes with frosting, but these are more common in expat families than in French ones. After everyone has enjoyed their sweet treat, it’s time to open presents in front of their friends, which is always a highlight for the birthday child.
Presents
It’s not exactly customary here to ask the parents what kinds of things their child is “into” for gift giving but I do it. I’m not shy about asking, and I’ve had many French mums message me with similar questions. I think it’s a lovely gesture. As for birthday cards, many kids make their own or just draw something for their friends. You’re not expected to buy a readymade birthday card. I’ve noticed that after about age nine, birthday cards seem to disappear altogether and it’s becoming a bit of a lost art. I still make sure my two handmake theirs, and it’s something they genuinely enjoy.
Finally, as the party winds down, each guest is given a goodie bag to take home. These are usually filled with small toys, stickers, or candy – a simple “thank you” for coming. Shops like Normal and HEMA have plenty of budget-friendly items for goodie bags. Once the goodie bags are handed out, it’s time for everyone to say their goodbyes and head home.
Birthday party venues in Paris for preschool kids (up to the age of 6)
Home parties are wonderful, but every now and then, a change of scenery makes the day feel extra special. A trip to a nearby park — letting kids kick a ball, chase bubbles, or simply run wild — always brings big smiles, weather permitting, of course.
If you’re thinking about a venue instead, here are some of my ideas for this age group:
- La Petite Forêt: Located near Parc Monceau inthe 8th arrondissement, this place is a well-oiled machine when it comes to birthday parties. There are two spacious areas that can be privatized for Wednesday afternoons or weekends. They handle everything, from cakes to entertainers, and you can choose your own theme.
- Ôtipi: With 2 Paris Locations (Saint-Placide in the 6th and Breteuil in the 15th), this is a popular birthday spot for children aged 3-10 (and even 1-3 at the Saint-Placide location). Private birthday booking are available on weekends only.
- La Maison des Histoires: Such a magical children’s play centre focused on storytelling and imagination that’s great to visit with toddlers. Now with 2 locations in Paris (Chantelivre in the 6th and Bastille in the 11th) but birthday parties for ages 1-6 only take place at the Bastille venue.
- Luki-Atelier: Just steps from the Bastille in the 12th, this creative workshop offers all-inclusive birthday parties. For 2.5 hours, entertainers look after the kids in a colourful space. Party activities include jewellery making, origami, treasure hunts, and arts and crafts.
- L’Ile de Tortuga: This pirate-themed soft play area in the 19th, inside Boom Boom Villette, organises birthday parties for kids aged 4 and up. You get a private room for two hours and unlimited access to the indoor playground.
- Maison Mômes: This new play centre in the 16th is a concept store that mixes a topy shop, cafe and play area. The area can be privatized for birthdays for children aged 2-10. Flexible options depending on your budget.
- Octopia Kidz: A new spacious and fun play centre in the 17th offers tailored birthday packages for ages 1-8.
Birthday parties in Paris (ages 6-10)
What birthday parties look like for this age
Between six and ten, things start to shift. Many families still host parties at home, but the games and activities change according to the age of the children. I’ve noticed that hiring kids’ entertainers becomes more common at this age if the party is at home. Kids are still pretty happy running around the house for a few hours and even in this age group actually find very creative ways to play by themselves.
At the same time, celebrating at a venue grows in popularity. Options include laser games, art and craft workshops called “ateliers,” and other creative activities. Parents breathe easier, kids leave with something they made, and no one has to mop juice off the floor.
Many venues allow you to privatize the space, so the party can include the activity, the cake, and the presents all in one place. Sometimes the venue is only used for the activity, and if it is nearby, the children return home to celebrate with cake. From what I’ve seen, parties for this age group usually last around three hours.
I’m not against big parties. I even threw one myself — for my daughter’s tenth, I rented a private bus, packed it with 25 kids, and hauled them out of Paris for a full-on tree climbing accrobranche adventure. It was expensive, chaotic, and unforgettable. And it was worth every bit of planning. But it was also a one-off. I wouldn’t repeat this every year because it was very expensive and because I don’t want to set a precedent to my kids that these large parties are a norm.
Birthday party venues in Paris for kids aged 6-10
Both of my kids are now in this age group, which means we’ve attended countless kids’ birthday parties in Paris over the past few years. Below are venues we’ve been to and others that came recommended highly by other parents. As they approach 9 or 10, you may also find the teen venues in the next section useful when looking for party locations.
- La Petite Académie: The art school/studio runs courses for kids across several locations in Paris. We’ve been to quite a few parties at their location in the 15th, where you can choose a workshop (e.g. sculpture, painting, or street art) and any extras for your party like face painting etc . For creative and artistic birthdays, this is a great venue.
- L’Oiseau Bleu: We celebrated my daughter’s 6th birthday at this pottery studio in the 7th, which you can book for parties of up to 12 kids. Depending on their age, you choose what they’ll create and paint. The owner, Nadine, offers classes in French or English.
- Céramicafé Geneviève: With four locations in Paris (3rd, 11th, 14th, and 17th), this ceramic painting studio hosts birthday parties for kids aged 7+ on weekends. Children paint ready-made ceramic pieces like bowls or mugs to take home.
- Les Pépites Maison d’Artisans: This lovely restaurant in the 15th is a popular venue with rooms for private events, including kids’ birthday parties. They can help organise workshops, entertainers, and food.
- Oscar Bijoux: Girls will love this jewellery studio in the 16th, which offers birthday workshops where kids create their own piece with friends. The materials are high quality, and the finished jewellery makes a real keepsake. It’s best to do the activity here and have cake or gouter elsewhere, as space inside is limited.
- My Lovely Atelier: This art workshop in the 16th is small but very popular for birthday parties. There’s a wide range of creative activities for kids to choose from, and each guest comes home with their own masterpiece.
- Bercy Smile World: Birthday packages for ages 6-15 include 1 hour of trampoline fun and/or a laser game ssesion.
- Cirque Bormann: Next to Parc André-Citroën in the 15th, a big striped tent hosts a circus that also organises kids’ birthday parties. Before the show, you get a private space and enjoy a 45-minute circus workshop led by the artists. Afterwards, the party goes in to watch the performance. It’s a really fun and unique experience.
- Kapla Centre: Kapla is a wooden construction toy made of planks for building creative structures. The centre in the 11th organises birthday parties for younger kids (aged 4–5) and older ones (from around 8 or 9) where they build and play with Kapla.
- Jardin d’Acclimatation: We’ve celebrated two birthdays at our favourite amusement park in the 16th, and we love it. We usually buy the Unlimited Pass for the day and let the kids enjoy the rides and as much ice cream as they want. The park also offers organised birthday parties on Wednesdays and weekends, with a two-hour workshop of your choice (e.g. circus, cooking, magic, or perfume making) followed by cake.
- Grand Rex: You can book a private tour for the birthday party (ages 5+) to go behind the scenes of the famous Paris cinema on an interactive tour where kids can pretend to be directors, actors and more. There is no private room for cake and party so you’ll need to head elsewhere after the tour.
- Climb-Up: indoor climbing is a popular activity in Paris and we like this centre in the 13th as well as HAPIK in Nanterre (just outside Paris). Both centres organize birthday parties for ages 6 and up that include supervised climbing activites followed by cake and snacks.
Birthday parties in Paris for tweens and teens (10+)
What birthday parties look like for this age
After ten, the trend shifts toward smaller groups. Some kids like going out for a meal with friends, while others prefer something more active. By this age, they usually know who their closest friends are, so parties tend to be limited to a few rather than a large crowd. I’m generalising, but teens tend to like Asian food. Restaurants parents have recommended include Le Royal China, Brigade du Tigre, Joayo Luxembourg for Korean BBQ, Yoom for dim sum, and Ogata for a Japanese tea ceremony.
Many families still host teen parties at home, but others opt for venues or outings instead. Popular choices include bowling, laser tag, escape rooms, climbing gyms, movies, and creative workshops. Sometimes the celebration combines an activity with cake and presents, either at the venue or afterward at home.
The focus moves away from decorations, party bags, and elaborate themes, and toward the shared experience itself. Kids enjoy doing something fun together and creating memories to take home, rather than focusing on the party’s aesthetics.
Birthday party venues in Paris for tweens and teens (10+)
If you’re looking for a venue that’s suitable for this age group, these are some of my ideas:
- Laser World: The Montparnasse venue in the 14th is a popular spot for birthdays for kids aged 7 to 17. You can play laser games and even hire a private room for cake afterward.
- BAM Karaoke Box: This karaoke spot in the 9th is a fun bar with a private booth you can book for a two-hour kids’ birthday party. The kids choose the music and sing along. A friend celebrated her 10th birthday there, and it was a big hit.
- Quiz Room: With four locations in Paris, this venue organises birthdays for kids aged 8 to 12. It offers a real TV quiz game experience, with a separate space for cake afterward.
- Ecopark Adventures: Tree climbing, or accrobranche, is a much-loved activity in France. You’ll need to go a bit outside the city to try it, and we’ve been to a few birthday parties at Ecopark Adventures, a popular choice for Paris families. Travel aside, it’s a super fun and safe activity for kids aged 8 and up.
- The Edge VR Experience: This virtual reality escape adventure in Marais is for ages 10 and up and lasts about an hour. They offer birthday packages with a reserved room and refreshments.
- Smile World Gaité Montparnasse: Bowling is always a fun activity with friends and this centre in the 14th organises kids’ birthday parties including bowling and/or laser game, and cake.
What I’ve seen over the years is that kids’ birthday parties in Paris come in all shapes and sizes. What matters most is laughter, friends, and a bit of cake.
I’d love to hear from other parents. Have you seen the same or a different approach to kids’ birthday parties in Paris? Are there any birthday venues that you would recommend? Please share your thoughts in the comments below!
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