What to do in Paris with kids on a rainy day? Don’t worry – there’s still plenty to enjoy, even when the weather isn’t ideal. From hands-on museums to cozy cafés and exciting indoor play spaces, Paris has lots of great options for keeping children entertained and dry. Here are my rainy day activity suggestions for families visiting or living in Paris.
1. Explore museums that kids will actually love
Paris is full of museums that are anything but boring. Below is a selection of great spots to head for on those rainy days in Paris. These are places where your kids will learn without even realizing it, and where you might even hear the rare “that was actually cool” on the way out. I’ve focused on museums that don’t require booking weeks in advance. You can usually grab tickets at the door, making them ideal for a spontaneous, weather-proof adventure.
Roam with elephants at the Grande Galerie de l’Évolution
This natural history museum, set within the Jardin des Plantes, is a must for kids who love animals. Inside the Grande Galerie de l’Évolution, hundreds of animals are displayed in lifelike scenes that showcase the diversity of nature. Older kids will be drawn to the interactive exhibits on biodiversity, evolution, and climate change. The little ones will love the bright, open layout and the chance to spot creatures from both land and sea.
Address: 36 Rue Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 75005, Paris
Tickets: €13 for adults, free for those under the age of 26
Go bone-hunting at the Galerie de Paléontologie
If you’ve got a dinosaur enthusiast in the family, the Galerie de Paléontologie et d’Anatomie Comparée is a must. This atmospheric museum is packed from floor to ceiling with skeletons of every kind – towering dinosaurs, prehistoric mammals, delicate birds, and even early human remains. It’s especially great for slightly older kids who are fascinated by ancient creatures and love spotting the biggest, strangest skeleton in the room. While you’re there, consider pairing your visit with the Grande Galerie de l’Évolution just next door – they make the perfect rainy-day double act.
Address: 32 rue Buffon, 75005, Paris
Tickets: €12 for adults, free for those under the age of 26
Let them loose at the Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie
For families with curious minds and lots of energy, head to the Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie in Parc de La Villette. It’s Europe’s largest science museum, and it’s built with kids in mind. The main draw for families is the “Cité des Enfants,” which is split into two age zones: one for 2–7 year olds, and another for ages 5–12. Think water play tables, building zones, climbing structures, sound labs, and a thousand buttons to press. It’s loud, stimulating, and incredibly fun – and since timed entries are required, it never gets too chaotic. There is also a planetarium and many science-related exhibitions on offer throughout the year.
Address: 30 Avenue Corentin-Cariou, 75019, Paris
Tickets:
- Cité des Enfants : €13 adults; €10 for those under 25
- Combined ticket for Cité des Enfants and all exhibitions: €17 adults and children
Taste your way through Choco-Story Paris
The chocolate museum, Choco-Story Paris, near Grands Boulevards takes you through the history of chocolate from the Mayans to modern day, with plenty of samples along the way. Kids love watching the live chocolate-making demonstrations (and tasting the results). Older ones can even join a 45-minute hands-on workshop to make their own. It’s a sweet little museum and a great way to lift everyone’s spirits on a gloomy and rainy day in Paris.
Address: 28 Bd de Bonne Nouvelle, 75010, Paris
Tickets: €18 for adults, €10.80 for kids (ages 3-11), free for under 3
Wander through ancient worlds at the Musée du Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac
Just a short walk from the Eiffel Tower, the Musée du Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac invites kids into a world of giant masks, totem poles, and dazzling artefacts from Africa, Asia, Oceania, and the Americas. Ask for the children’s discovery trail at the front desk to give your visit a playful, interactive twist. For French-speaking kids, the museum offers year-round family events like visits narrated by storytellers, guided tours, and craft workshops.
Address: 37 Quai Branly, 75007, Paris
Tickets: €14 adults, free for children under 18
Step inside the art at the Atelier des Lumières
If your kids think museums are just for looking – not touching or moving – they’ve never been to Atelier des Lumières. This digital art space turns entire rooms into moving, glowing, immersive installations. Paintings by artists like Picasso and Van Gogh (depending on what exhibition is on) are projected floor-to-ceiling and set to music, creating a full sensory experience that feels more like a dream than a gallery. Children can walk, twirl, lie down, or dance right through the artwork, which is constantly shifting and alive. There are no plaques to read, no “don’t touch” signs – just light, sound, and space to explore.
Address: 38 rue Saint-Maur, 75011, Paris
Tickets: €18 for adults, €11 for children (aged 3-11), free for those under the age of 3
Wander through water lilies at the Musée de l’Orangerie
Tucked into the corner of the Tuileries Garden, the Musée de l’Orangerie is a calm, compact museum that’s perfect for families looking to dip their toes into the art world without feeling overwhelmed. The main attraction? Monet’s monumental Water Lilies, displayed in two curved, softly lit rooms that have a surprisingly soothing effect on kids and adults alike. Younger children can wander the space freely, taking in the colours and light without the pressure of reading labels or standing still. The museum is small enough to explore in under an hour, making it an ideal stop when attention spans are short and the weather isn’t cooperating.
Downstairs, you’ll also find a collection of paintings by Renoir, Cézanne, Picasso, and Matisse – a bonus for parents hoping to squeeze in a little more culture while the kids are still in a good mood. A dedicated Family Area for children aged 0-12, offers a sensory-based and creative experience of the artworks. It includes touch-based activities for toddlers, a reading corner, and various painting workshops. Pair your visit with a hot chocolate at Angelina nearby. Alternatively, stroll through the gardens when the rain lets up.
Address: Jardin des Tuileries, Place de la Concorde (Seine side), 75001, Paris
Tickets: €12.50 for adults, free for those under 18
2. Where to warm up when everyone is cold, wet and hangry
Sometimes the best rainy-day plan is to sit somewhere warm with a snack and regroup. Paris has a few indoor spots that are perfect for pressing pause without giving up on the day entirely.
Escape into storyland at a cozy bookstore or library
When the rain sets in and everyone needs a quiet moment, few places feel more comforting than a warm, book-filled space. Paris has several where kids can curl up with a good story – and parents can take a much-needed breather.
Shakespeare & Company, across from Notre-Dame, is one of the most beloved English-language bookstores in Paris, full of history, charm, and cozy nooks. Its children’s section is small, but it’s still a wonderful spot to soak in the atmosphere. Head upstairs and flip through a book while listening to the rain outside.
For a broader selection of English-language books, Smith & Son on Rue de Rivoli offers a well-stocked kids’ section with everything from board books to teen reads. A lovely café in the back offers lunch and afternoon tea.
Those looking for something a little more local and low-key might enjoy the beautiful Bibliothèque Richelieu, just steps from the Louvre. It’s free to enter, which makes it an easy and spontaneous stop, especially on a rainy day in Paris. The stunning oval reading room features glass ceilings, soaring archways, and plenty of plush seating. It’s a peaceful space to browse books – including some in English – or simply sit and enjoy the quiet atmosphere.
Make furry friends at Le Café des Chats
Located in the Marais, the cozy cat café, Le Café des Chats, lets kids sip juice and nibble cookies while watching friendly felines roam the tables and windowsills. The cafe adopted all their cats from animal welfare organizations. It’s calm, quirky, and a sweet treat for animal-loving children. Just remind little ones that the cats are in charge.
Address: 9 rue Sedaine, 75011
Wander through Paris’s covered passages
When it’s too wet to walk the boulevards but your kids still need to move, Paris’s historic covered passages offer the perfect escape. On rainy days in Paris, these 19th-century glass-roofed arcades feel like secret indoor streets.
Passage Jouffroy is one of the most family-friendly, with toy stores, bookshops, and the Musée Grévin (Paris’s wax museum) tucked right inside. Don’t miss Pain d’Épices, a wonderful toy store selling traditional wooden toys with an incredible assortment of dollhouses, and miniature figures and objects that go in them.
Just a 10-minute walk away, Galerie Vivienne is another beautiful passage with mosaic-tiled floors and boutiques. The toy store Si Tu Veux is one of my favourite Paris toy stores for original gifts and beautifully crafted toys. Don’t miss L’Aparté, a stunning boutique filled with flowers and foliage made entirely from delicate mulberry paper.
Passage des Panoramas, one of the oldest in Paris, is great for exploring antique shops, stamp dealers, and bookshops. It also has some excellent food options – check out Caffè Stern for Italian flair or Racines for modern French dishes.
3. Indoor play areas for rainy days in Paris
When a quiet museum won’t cut it, these indoor spots let kids move, climb, and play – all without getting wet.
Dans les Petits Nuages is a fun arcade centre that’s ideal for a rainy afternoon in Paris. Open every day of the year, it’s free to enter, but you’ll need to buy a pre-loaded card with the euro amount of your choice to get tokens for the games. There are two floors of arcade games, pinball machines, and indoor bowling.
There’s also Climb Up Paris, which offers indoor climbing walls for all levels – including kid-friendly routes and challenges for beginners from age 3 and up. It’s a great option when your kids need to stay active and burn off some energy indoors.
And for the boldest of thrill-seekers, there’s iFLY Paris at La Villette – an indoor skydiving experience where kids (and adults) can float on air inside a vertical wind tunnel. Open to children from age 5 and up, with full safety gear and instructors guiding every flight, it’s not your everyday rainy-day activity, but it’s guaranteed to be unforgettable. You can combine it with a visit to the nearby Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie, and grab a bite at the indoor food court Boom Boom Villette to make a full day of it.
What would you add?
Rainy days happen – but they don’t have to ruin the fun. I hope these ideas help you make the most of your time in Paris, whatever the weather. What’s your favourite rainy day activity in Paris with kids?
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