National Museum of Natural History (with kids)
How Kids-Friendly is National Museum of Natural History?
What makes it 94% Kids-Friendly: Children up to 12 can ride the Dodo carousel, follow treasure hunts, attend hands-on workshops, and visit the zoo, with toilets, picnic spots, and reduced family tickets enhancing comfort.
Positives:
- Garden access: The Jardin des Plantes is free and lets kids run safely on lawns.
- Stroller-friendly paths: All main galleries and greenhouses have level floors and elevators.
Challenges:
- Heat in glasshouses: Tropical greenhouses can get hot; carry water and plan short visits.
- Crowded narrow corridors: Weekends can be busy; hold hands in tight spaces and follow group paths.
What is National Museum of Natural History?
- A museum that houses millions of plant, animal, mineral and fossil specimens documenting Earth’s biodiversity and geological evolution
- An institution that unites the Grande Galerie de l’Évolution, specialised galleries of mineralogy, palaeontology and comparative anatomy and the historic Jardin des Plantes with its tropical greenhouses
- A research and education centre founded in 1635 as the Royal Medicinal Botanical Garden and now central to France’s natural science heritage
What is so special about National Museum of Natural History for with kids?
- See 7,000 specimens under a glass roof at the Grande Galerie de l’Évolution
- Join fun workshops and a detective zoo tour tailored for children
- Ride the biology-themed carousel with models of extinct animals
- Use the free quiz-hunt app to engage older kids with interactive learning
- Explore the free Jardin des Plantes gardens on stroller-friendly paths
Recommended visit duration: 2-3 hours
Why 2-3 hours visit duration is ideal for with kids: Enough time to explore the main gallery, zoo tour, workshops and carousel without rushing young children.
Kids-Friendly Activities in National Museum of Natural History
Grande Galerie de l’Évolution:
Walk beneath the glass roof past 7,000 animal specimens and fossils.
Tip: Visit right when doors open to avoid crowds and let kids spot favorite creatures.
Ateliers des Petits:
Hands-on Saturday workshops on ocean monsters and storytelling for ages 3–5.
Tip: Book online in advance to secure spots for both children.
Visite Famille de la Ménagerie:
Detective-style zoo tour teaching habitats and diets with live animals.
Tip: Reserve your time slot on the museum website before arrival.
Manège du Dodo:
Carousel ride featuring models of extinct and endangered species.
Tip: Buy the 3-ride bundle for extra spins at a lower cost.
Sauve les Animaux Web App:
Smartphone quiz hunt through the zoo to find and learn about 15 species.
Tip: Use your own phone; no download needed and it’s free to play.
How to Make the Most of Your Visit to National Museum of Natural History
- Book tickets online: Reserve timed entry for the Grande Galerie to skip ticket lines.
- Start with the zoo app: Play the quiz hunt first before kids get tired of walking.
- Pack a picnic: Use garden benches for a relaxed lunch and save on café prices.
Reviews of National Museum of Natural History
Anh Dean
🌟 The National Museum of Natural History in Paris was definitely a highlight of our trip! The building itself has a beautiful, artistic design 🎨✨ that makes the experience enjoyable for all ages. 👨👩👧 That said, we felt that younger children would probably get more out of the exhibits than we did as two older adults visiting from Australia 🇦🇺. 🏛️ In our opinion, the museum is much smaller...
Cole Bearden
The museum was really beautiful and massive! It had lots of interesting things to see, all related to science, animals, and archeology. The only thing that was not good was that there were no English descriptions of any of the displays. So, unless you speak French, you can’t understand anything in the whole museum 😢
Patrick Sanders
Great experience to learn about the natural history of France. We brought our kids, 9 and 11, and they enjoyed the place and learned quite a bit. Would highly recommend visiting of you are in Paris. This didn't break the bank compared to other tourist areas. Book your ticket in advance to avoid line ups to purchase. We walked right in.
Amanda Galal
The museum’s slightly dim interior creates the perfect atmosphere for each animal and species to stand out beautifully under the spotlights. The architecture is stunning, the gardens are lovely to explore, and it’s very kid-friendly overall. A perfect weekend of knowledge and discovery!
Louis and Elaine
The National Museum of Natural History is really worth visiting. The building is very interesting in itself and absolutely filled with remains of all sorts of life. We saw skeleton displays of dinosaurs all the way to modern animals. We wish there was an English translation of the descriptions but it was easy to follow. A great collection for anyone interested in natural history.
When is the best time to visit National Museum of Natural History (Paris, France)?
Spring and autumn bring mild weather for the gardens. In summer, explore the Grand Serres in the morning to beat heat; in winter, check greenhouse opening hours.
Explore These Activities
Typical Budget for a Family of 4 (2 Adults + 2 Kids)
| Item | Cost (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| Museum tickets for 4 | EUR 42.4 |
| Carousel rides (2 kids, 2 rides each) | EUR 12 |
| Kids workshops | EUR 10 |
| Snacks and drinks | EUR 20 |
| Total Estimated | EUR 84.4 |
Note: All prices are indicative and may vary. Please check directly with the venue for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
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Map of National Museum of Natural History
Address: 57 Rue Cuvier, 75005 Paris, France
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About National Museum of Natural History
Opening Hours
Hours may vary during holidays, special events, and peak seasons. Please check the official website for the most up-to-date information.
Website
Official WebsitePhone Number
+33 1 40 79 56 01Explore Popular Things to Do
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