Paris in September with kids means the city is waking up again after the long summer break. La rentrée is here – schools are back in session, Parisians return from the coast, and the rhythm of daily life picks up. The Metro is busy in the mornings, cafés and terraces spill over in the evenings, and everywhere there’s a sense of renewal – people are refreshed from their breaks, and the city buzzes with a fresh energy that sets the tone for the season ahead.
And while kids might be back at school during the week, there’s no shortage of things to do together on weekends or afternoons. September is the perfect month to dive into cultural events, enjoy seasonal activities, and explore the city in new ways.
With that in mind, here are my top picks for enjoying Paris with kids this September.
- 1. Visit the redesigned Children's Area at the Science Museum
- 2. Explore the Journées du Patrimoine (Heritage Days)
- 3. Visit a Paris Fire Station: Behind the Scenes with Local Firefighters
- 4. Jazz for Kids: Family-Friendly Concerts at Jazz à la Villette
- 5. Paris Zoo Run: walk and run for animal protection
- 6. Immerse kids in Van Gogh’s world at the Atelier des Lumières
- 7. Experience the “Jules Verne” show at Le Grand Hôtel des Rêves
- 8. Play some indoor "Mad Golf"
- 9. Explore Euphoria Exhibition at the Grand Palais
- 10. Watch Oliver Twist musical on stage at Le Lucernaire
1. Visit the redesigned Children’s Area at the Science Museum
One of my favourite museums in Paris for kids is the Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie. Located in the green space of Parc de la Villette, this huge science museum is packed with interactive exhibits and hands-on experiments that keep children of all ages curious and engaged.
Children’s Area
The Children’s Area is the main reason we keep coming back. If you only have time for one activity, book a 90-minute session here. The space was completely redesigned and reopened in July 2025, and we loved what they’ve done. What makes it special is that it’s not about looking at things behind glass – kids get to get involved. Almost every display invites them to press buttons, pull levers, test ideas, and discover new things.
Cité des Enfants usually has two sections: ages 2–7 and 5–10. Right now, the 5–10 zone is open after the redesign, while the 2–7 zone is closed for renovation until summer 2026. Once inside, let the kids lead. They can roam freely, exploring at their own pace. Parents often get involved too, whether helping build a bridge or timing each other on the funfair activities. And if you need a quiet moment, there’s a chill-out corner to relax.
Check out Visiting the Cité des Sciences in Paris with Kids for more on the Children’s Area and other fun museum activities.
Address: 30 Avenue Corentin-Cariou, 75019, Paris
Tickets: Opening hours: 10am to 6pm Tuesday to Saturday; 10am – 7pm on Sunday
Prices: Buy your tickets for Cité des Enfants here in advance of your visit. The combined ticket for all the exhibitions, the Planetarium and the Argonaute submarine costs €15 for adults and €12 for those under 25.
2. Explore the Journées du Patrimoine (Heritage Days)
The Journées du Patrimoine (Heritage Days) are one of the biggest cultural weekends of the year in Paris. On Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 September 2025, hundreds of landmarks, museums, and institutions will throw open their doors – many of them normally closed to the public. From the gilded salons of the Élysée Palace to backstage tours of theaters and even hidden parts of the Métro, Parisians and visitors alike get a rare chance to step inside some of the capital’s most fascinating places.
I took advantage of the event last year to visit the Élysée Palace, home of the French President, an experience that’s usually impossible for the public. It was a real highlight and a “pinch me” moment, and I shared the full story and tips on securing this reservation in this post.
Alongside these unique openings, the weekend also includes special events designed for younger visitors. Families can join treasure hunts through historic buildings, hands-on workshops in museums, or storytelling sessions that bring Paris’s past to life. It’s a chance not only to see the city’s famous monuments in a new way but also to discover corners of Paris that most people never get to experience.
You can browse the full program on the official Journées du Patrimoine website. Each listing explains how booking works in more detail. Some venues are open for walk-ins (though be prepared for long lines at popular spots), while others require advance reservations. Registration usually opens a couple of weeks before the event, so it’s worth checking early and planning ahead.
3. Visit a Paris Fire Station: Behind the Scenes with Local Firefighters
The fire stations of Paris and the Île-de-France region open their doors to the public on certain Saturdays and Sundays throughout the year, giving families a rare chance to step into the world of firefighters. During these open days, visitors explore stations, meet firefighters, climb ladders, and watch fire drill demonstrations. Children’s activities are also included, though the program varies depending on the station.
Every weekend from May to June and September to October, fire stations open in rotation. Admission is free, open to everyone, and no reservations are required. Younger children often leave with stars in their eyes, while older kids can learn all about what happens during interventions and daily life at a fire station.
Some Paris locations for September 2025 include:
- CS Landon, 188 quai de Valmy, Paris 10th arrondissement on 13 September 2025
- CS Malar, 7 rue de Malar, Paris 7th arrondissement on 27 September 2025
- CS Dauphine, 8 rue Mesnil, Paris 16th arrondissement on 27 September 2025
4. Jazz for Kids: Family-Friendly Concerts at Jazz à la Villette
If you’re looking for something musical this September, Jazz à la Villette has a special program just for kids. At La Villette and the Cité de la Musique, young music lovers can enjoy participatory concerts, film-concerts, workshops, and storytelling, all designed to introduce children from the age of 3 to the world of jazz. It’s a lively, festive way for the whole family to explore music together while experiencing the energy of one of Paris’s biggest cultural festivals.
Part of the Jazz à la Villette festival, the 2025 season offers four special events for families:
- Saturday, September 6 – 11am & 4pm, Le Studio – Philharmonie
Animal and Instinctive Big Band, Surnatural Orchestra brings today’s jazz to life with energy and creativity (recommended from 7 years old). - Sunday, September 7 – 11am & 4pm, Amphitheater – Cité de la Musique
A cine-concert featuring five short films that celebrate inspiring women, perfect for children from 3 years old.
Address: La Villette and the Cité de la Musique
Dates: 6-7 September 2025
Tickets: Book your tickets here.
5. Paris Zoo Run: walk and run for animal protection
For a fun and active family outing, the Paris Zoo Run at the Parc Zoologique de Paris is a fantastic choice. Taking place on Sunday, 21 September, 2025, this special event invites participants of all ages to walk or run in support of the Borana Conservancy to fund initiatives to benefit Kenya’s animals.
Events and distances:
- 5 km walk from 3 years old
- 5 km race from 9 years old
- 10 km race from 15 years old
Special activities for younger children:
- T’Choupi Run (ages 3–5): A fun pedestrial challenge with T’Choupi cheering on the little ones.
- Crazy Run (ages 6–8): A playful race to teach children about endangered species.
- Family Conservation Walk (ages 3+): Afternoon challenges to learn about animals and their protection.
Price: From €19 per participant. The fee includes race participation, refreshments, a souvenir gift, and entrance to the zoo on the day. The registration fee is donated to the conservation project.
Address: Crossroads of Avenue Daumesnil and Route de Ceinture du Lac Daumesnil, Paris, 75012
Dates: 21 September 2025
Tickets: Buy your tickets here.
6. Immerse kids in Van Gogh’s world at the Atelier des Lumières
This month, the Atelier des Lumières brings Vincent van Gogh’s masterpieces to life through breathtaking immersive projections and music. Until 20 September, 2025, audiences can wander amidst Van Gogh’s vibrant brushstrokes, from Sunflowers to Starry Night, projected in 360° across the foundry’s raw walls and floors, creating a fully sensory journey.
This 2025 edition features new animations and a reimagined scenography, making the experience richer and even more dynamic than before. Each 50-minute session typically runs from Monday through Saturday, with specific opening hours depending on the day.
Children under 3 enter free, and included in the ticket price is access to an interactive space called L’Atelier des Enfants, where younger visitors can explore digital art in a playful, hands-on format inspired by the artist Rousseau. Beyond Van Gogh’s works, the venue also includes Dreamed Japan, offering a serene digital journey into Japanese art and culture, a beautiful complement to the painter’s emotionally rich visuals.
Address: 38 rue Saint-Maur, 75011, Paris
Dates: Until 20 September 2025
Tickets: €18 adults, €16 for ages 12-25, €11 for ages 3-11, free for those under the age of 3. Buy tickets here.
7. Experience the “Jules Verne” show at Le Grand Hôtel des Rêves
Until 2 November 2025, Le Grand Hôtel des Rêves in the 5th arrondissement hosts Jules Verne – Le Voyage Extraordinaire, an immersive show that lasts about an hour. You follow the actors from room to room, set to set, as Jules Verne himself leads you through his best-known stories. One minute you stand beside Phileas Fogg on his world tour; the next you step onto Captain Nemo’s Nautilus or float with Dr Fergusson above Africa.
Twenty-four performers fill eight richly decorated scenes, and you stand close enough to feel part of the action. Props move, sound swells and lights change to pull you into oceans, skies and polar ice. After the final scene, a cosy café lets families relax with drinks and snacks before heading back out.
Address: 47 rue du Cardinal Lemoine, 75005, Paris
Dates: Until 2 November 2025
Tickets: €29.99 adults, €19.99 children (4-15 years old), free for under 4. Buy your tickets here.
8. Play some indoor “Mad Golf”
If you’re looking for something fun and original to do with teenagers, Mad Golf is a fun spot in the 2nd arrondissement. Spread over 600m², this is Paris’s first fully indoor mini-golf course, offering two immersive 9-hole tracks in a playful retro setting.
- Sunset Course: Transport yourself straight to California – swing your way through a skateboard ramp, surfboard, and even a donut factory. Perfect for fans of beach vibes and bold colors.
- Flashback Course: A nostalgic trip through the 80s, 90s and early 2000s, featuring nods to Tetris, video clubs, the Chicago Bulls, and more.
With neon lights, upbeat playlists, and quirky décors, it’s an immersive experience teens (and parents) will love. Between games, you can grab non-alcoholic cocktails and finger foods like chicken popcorn, sweet mini-waffles, or hot dogs making it easy to stretch the outing into a full afternoon. Each game is approximately 40 minutes long.
Address: 137 boulevard de Sébastopol, Paris, 75002
Opening hours: Times vary between Wednesday and Sunday (see website for more details).
Tickets: €16 adults, €13 for those under 16. Buy your tickets here.
9. Explore Euphoria Exhibition at the Grand Palais
There is only one week to go before the wonderful exhibition “Euphoria: Art Is in the Air” comes to an end on 7 September 2025. The freshly restored Grand Palais fills 4,000 m² with monumental inflatables conceived by the Balloon Museum team. Oversized, touch-friendly sculptures transform one vaulted room after another, inviting visitors to squeeze giant balloons, bounce across springy floors and wade through clouds of colour, sound and texture.
It is irresistible sensory play for anyone from steady-on-their-feet toddlers to thrill-seeking teens—though babies and very young toddlers are better left for a calmer outing. As you make your way through the circuit you can dive into a bubble pool, pop water-filled spheres and watch mirrored orbs drift overhead, all under the Grand Palais’ legendary glass roof. Expect 90 giddy minutes of bouncing, laughing and selfie stops, and book a timed ticket before you go: the joy of inflatable art is proving wildly popular this summer.
Address: Grand Palais, 1 avenue Winston Churchill, 75008 Paris
Dates: until 7 September 2025
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 10am-8.30pm, weekends 9am-8.30pm.
Tickets: €29 adults, €27 for ages 12-25, €24 for ages 4-11, free for under 4. Buy your tickets here.
10. Watch Oliver Twist musical on stage at Le Lucernaire
Step into the world of Charles Dickens with this brand-new musical adaptation of Oliver Twist. Brought to life by six talented young actor-singer-dancers, the show transports families to the streets of 19th-century London through music, dance, and a touch of theatrical magic.
Children will be swept up in the adventures of Oliver, Nancy, Fagin, and more, as the performers switch roles to tell the story with humour, energy, and emotion. Expect a mix of laughter, suspense, and heartfelt moments, all set to lively songs, tap numbers, and choreography that make the story sparkle on stage. It’s a great introduction to musical theatre for kids while still offering plenty for parents to enjoy. The show runs for 1 hour and 20 minutes.
Address: 53 rue Notre-Dame-des-Champs, Paris, 75006
Show times: 2.30pm on Wednesdays and Saturdays, 2pm on Sundays.
Dates: Until 11 January 2026
Tickets: €15 per person. Buy your tickets here.
What’s your favourite thing to do in Paris?
September is such a beautiful time of year to be in Paris. I hope these ideas inspire you to explore the city as a family. Share your favourite places and activities to discover in Paris this September in the comments below!
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If you’re looking for Paris itineraries with kids, then check out my free Paris Itineraries with Kids. My Ultimate Guide to Paris with Kids is also packed with family-friendly tips and recommendations on things to see and do in Paris.
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