Activities for children
Play areas, animals, sporting activities … experience the joys of nature with your children
Playtime!
Most of the green spaces in Greater Paris have play areas for children, with swings, slides, merry-go-rounds, trampolines, etc. – all the equipment on which childen love to play. The Jardin d'acclimatation (16th), France’s oldest amusement park, deserves a special mention – it is packed wih attractions that will enchant children and adults alike.
Exploring the animal world
Parks and gardens in Greater Paris are home to a variety of birds, insects and small animals to look out for in the course of a walk. There are many places for wildlife enthusiasts to explore in Paris: a birdsanctuary in the Bois de Vincennes, an apiary at the Parc Georges Valbon, a butterflygarden at the Parc Floral de Paris (12th), a pettingzoo and of course the Ménagerie at the Jardin des Plantes (5th).
Sport for kids
Many parks also have free sporting facilities for young children and teenagers to use: roller skating rinks, mini golf courses, football pitches, etc. Besides these facilities, some green spaces also offer instructor-led lessons and workshops. During the school holidays, there is the ‘Vacan’Sports 92’ initiative in the Hauts-de-Seine: free sporting activities for 6-17-year-olds at the Parc départemental des Chanteraines in Villeneuve-la-Garenne and the Parc départemental de l'île Saint-Germain in Issy-les-Moulineaux.
If your children are keen on a ponyride, you’ll find there are riding schools in some parks and gardens: Parc de la Villette (19th), the Jardin d'Acclimatation (16th), the Parc départemental de l'Île Saint-Germain, the Parc départemental des Chanteraines, the Bois de Vincennes, etc.
And if they enjoy climbing trees, then they’ll love AccroCamp with himalayanbridges, tarzan lianas near Versailles, at Chaville (92), the ‘Évasion verte’ treetopadventuretrail (‘accrobranche’ in French) at the Parc Floral de Paris (12th).
