The 2026 winter break is fast approaching, and are you looking for activities for kids in Paris and the Île-de-France region to keep them busy during the holidays, away from tablets and video game consoles? What family activities can you do over the two-week break? Here are 6 ideas for family activities in Paris and the surrounding area, suitable for all ages and budgets, to turn this school break into an unforgettable experience.
2026 Winter Break Dates:
- Zone A (Besançon, Bordeaux, Clermont-Ferrand, Dijon, Grenoble, Limoges, Lyon, Poitiers): February 7–23, 2026
- Zone B (Aix-Marseille, Amiens, Caen, Lille, Nancy-Metz, Nantes, Nice, Orléans-Tours, Reims, Rennes, Rouen, Strasbourg): February 21–March 9, 2026
- Zone C (Créteil, Montpellier, Paris, Toulouse, Versailles): February 14–March 2, 2026
Between the rainy days of February and the boundless energy of young Parisians, finding stimulating screen-free activities can quickly become a headache for parents. Rest assured: the Paris region is brimming with free or low-cost activities, both indoors and outdoors, to satisfy everyone from the contemplative to the adventurous.
1. Arts and crafts for kids: at-home workshops
Why does it work? Creative activities help develop fine motor skills, concentration, and imagination. They also provide a special opportunity for parents and children to bond, away from screens.
Some concrete ideas for creative workshops
Painting on pebbles: Take a walk in a forest in the Île-de-France region to collect pebbles, then have a painting session at home. This activity is completely free and easy to organize, even with very young children.
Customizing tote bags: Let your little ones use fabric markers to create their own personalized bags. Practical and one-of-a-kind!
Origami and papier-mâché: Techniques suitable for children as young as 5 or 6 that captivate both kids and adults. Perfect for rainy February days.
Making pop-up cards: Whether for Valentine's Day or just as a gift, this craft activity is a big hit with kids ages 7–12.
📍 Location: At home | 💰 Cost: €5–20 | 👶 Age: 3+ | ⏱️ Duration: 1–3 hours
Extra tip: Set up a permanent “craft corner” during the February break with easily accessible supplies (scissors, glue, colored paper, markers). The kids can drop by whenever they like to get creative between family activities.
2. Treasure Hunt in Île-de-France: A Free Activity for Kids in Paris
Why does it work? Combining play, urban exploration, and culture makes learning feel effortless. Kids love challenges, puzzles, and discovering their neighborhood in a whole new light.
How to Organize an Urban Scavenger Hunt
Create a scavenger hunt in your Parisian neighborhood or in a park in the Île-de-France region, with puzzles tailored to your children’s ages. You can also use apps like “Baludik” or “Furet Company: Paris Enigme,” which offer ready-made scavenger hunts in the Paris area.
Ages 3–6: Color hunt in the park (find 5 red objects, 3 yellow objects, etc.).
Ages 7–10: Riddles using a neighborhood map and hidden clues.
Ages 11 and up: Urban escape game with QR codes and photo challenges.
📍 Location: Parks and neighborhoods in the Île-de-France region | 💰 Cost: Free | 👶 Age: 3+ | ⏱️ Duration: 1.5–3 hours
Extra tip: Get your kids involved in the preparations. The older ones can plan a treasure hunt for their younger siblings.
3. Museums for kids in the Paris area: our top picks
Why does it work? Many museums in the Île-de-France region offer spaces designed specifically for young people, featuring fun, educational, and interactive exhibits. It’s the perfect family activity in Paris when it rains in February.
Our top picks for kids' activities in Paris
The City of Science and Industry (Paris 19th arrondissement): The Children’s City features themed areas organized by age group (ages 2–7 and 5–12). Hands-on activities, science experiments, and discoveries are guaranteed.
Le Musée en Herbe (1st arrondissement, Paris): Exhibitions designed for children ages 3–12, complete with activity booklets. Accessible and fun.
The Grande Galerie de l’Évolution (Paris 5th arrondissement, Jardin des Plantes): Impressive and free for EU residents under 26. The taxidermied animals fascinate visitors of all ages.
The Museum of Magic (Paris 4th arrondissement): Shows and workshops during school breaks. Perfect for 6- to 12-year-olds who love magic.
The Palais de la Découverte ( 8th arrondissement, Paris): Live science experiments, planetarium. Fascinating for ages 8 and up.
📍 Location: Paris | 💰 Cost: €0–12 | 👶 Age: 2+ | ⏱️ Duration: 2–4 hours
Extra tip: Check out the evening events and holiday workshops offered in February. Book online to avoid waiting in line.
4. Cooking workshops with kids: Holiday recipe ideas
Why does it work? Cooking fosters independence and patience, and provides an opportunity to spend quality time together. It’s also a fully sensory activity that appeals to people of all ages. Perfect for keeping kids busy during school breaks at home.
Recipe ideas for kids
Decorated pancakes: Easy and festive for Candlemas (February 2)—everyone can customize their own pancake.
Custom cookies: Fun shapes made with cookie cutters (hearts for Valentine's Day, animals, letters).
Homemade pizzas: Everyone rolls out their own dough and adds their own toppings. Perfect for a fun family lunch.
Fruit skewers: Healthy, colorful, and no cooking required. Even 3-year-olds can help out.
Yogurt Cake: A foolproof recipe that kids as young as 5 or 6 can make almost entirely on their own.
For teens: cooking + creative video editing
Bonus idea for ages 11–17: Film the preparation process with a smartphone, then edit the video together using free software like CapCut (mobile/PC), DaVinci Resolve (PC/Mac), or iMovie (Mac/iPhone). Teens love creating content: trendy music, stylish transitions, time-lapse footage of the baking process… The result: a creative vacation memory to share with the family.
"Instagram-worthy" recipes: Colorful bowls, Japanese pancakes, giant cookies, homemade bubble tea.
📍 Location: At home | 💰 Cost: €10–25 | 👶 Age: 3+ | ⏱️ Duration: 1–2 hours
Extra tip: Take photos of your creations and work together to make a "family recipe book" that the kids can illustrate.
5. Nature Outings Around Paris: Family Activities in the Île-de-France Region
Why does it work? Nature offers an endless, free playground, even in winter. Outdoor activities let kids burn off their boundless energy while discovering the biodiversity of the Paris region.
Nature destinations accessible from Paris
Fontainebleau Forest (Seine-et-Marne, 40 minutes from Gare de Lyon): Rock climbing, marked trails, picnic areas.
Sceaux Park (Hauts-de-Seine, RER B): Large lawns for running, a canal, and a French-style garden.
Bois de Vincennes (12th arrondissement, Paris; Metro Line 1): Free educational farm, lakes, fitness trails, and a botanical garden.
Chevreuse Valley (Yvelines, RER B): Easy family walks, medieval castles, picturesque villages.
French Vexin Regional Nature Park: More rugged, perfect for families who love unspoiled nature.
Free outdoor activities
Building treehouses, birdwatching (using the free BirdNET app), land art using natural materials, creating a herbarium or collecting leaves.
📍 Location: Forests and parks in Île-de-France | 💰 Cost: Free | 👶 Age: All ages | ⏱️ Duration: 3–6 hours
Extra tip: Make sure you’re well-prepared for winter in the Paris area (warm, layered clothing, waterproof boots, and a hot snack in a thermos).
6. Board games for kids: our selection by age (screen-free)
Why does it work? Modern board games help develop logical thinking, strategy, and teamwork, and foster genuine family bonds around the table.
Our selection of family games by age group
Ages 3–6: Little Cooperation, Croque-Carotte, Haba My First Orchard
Ages 7–10: Unlock! Kids, Kingdomino, Magic Maze
Ages 11 and up: Dixit, Wingspan, 7 Wonders
📍 Location: At home | 👶 Age: Depends on the game | ⏱️ Duration: 20 min–1 hr 30 min
Bonus tip: Many game libraries in the Île-de-France region let you borrow board games for free during the holidays.
How to Keep Kids Busy During the Holidays: Our Practical Tips
Vary your pace: A vigorous workout in the morning, a low-key activity in the afternoon. Avoid overbooking your days.
Involve the kids in the planning: Create a visual “vacation schedule” together. This will help avoid the dreaded “I’m bored” on the third day.
Set aside some free time: Kids need time to play freely and get bored (it’s good for creativity!).
Share with other families: Organize group board game afternoons or creative workshops.
Summary table: Our 6 activities at a glance
| Activity | Budget | Age | Duration | Type | Best moment |
| Creative Workshops | €5–20 | 3+ years | 1–3 hours | Interior | A rainy afternoon |
| Treasure Hunt | Free | 3+ years | 1½–3 hours | Exterior | A sunny morning |
| Museums for Kids | €0–12 | 2+ years | 2–4 hours | Interior | All day |
| Cooking as a family | €10–25 | 3+ years | 1–2 hours | Interior | Late morning |
| Nature Outings | Free | All | 3–6 hours | Exterior | Full day |
| Board games | Variable | 3+ years | 20 minutes–1 hour and 30 minutes | Interior | Family Night |
Conclusion: A successful vacation is, above all, about quality time
The 2026 winter break lasts only two weeks, depending on your zone (February 7–23 for Zone A, February 21–March 9 for Zone B, February 14–March 2 for Zone C), but it can create lasting memories for your children. By offering family activities in Paris and the Île-de-France region tailored to your children’s interests and your family budget, you’re creating much more than just ways to keep them occupied: you’re building family traditions, fostering their natural curiosity, and strengthening your emotional bonds.
The goal isn’t to be perfect parents or to fill every minute of the schedule with extraordinary outings. It’s about enjoying time together, trying new things, sometimes getting a little bored (it’s good for creativity!)… and creating those little moments of connection that make all the difference in a child’s memories.
And once school break is over? Many of these activities can become regular events throughout the year: art classes on Wednesdays, cooking classes on Thursdays, creative workshops every other Saturday… If coordinating transportation to these after-school activities seems complicated given your work schedule, rest assured that there are solutions available to make your family’s daily life easier.
Happy winter break to the whole family!
KidCab helps families in the Île-de-France region manage transportation to after-school and extracurricular activities. Because every child deserves the chance to develop their talents and passions, even when their parents are working.
FAQ: Your Questions About Screen-Free Winter Break
What are the best free activities for kids in the Île-de-France region?
The 3 best free activities to keep kids busy during the holidays are: 1) Outings in nature in the parks and forests of Île-de-France (Bois de Vincennes, Parc de Sceaux, Forêt de Fontainebleau), 2) Museums that are free for those under 26, such as the Grande Galerie de l’Évolution, 3) DIY urban scavenger hunts in your Parisian neighborhood.
What activities are there for kids in Paris during winter break?
Paris offers a wide range of activities for children during winter break: the Cité des Sciences (19th arrondissement), the Musée en Herbe (Paris 1st), the Grande Galerie de l’Évolution (Paris 5th), the Musée de la Magie (Paris 4th), or even free urban scavenger hunts in Parisian parks. These family-friendly activities in Paris are suitable for all ages.
What family-friendly activities can you do in Paris without breaking the bank?
The best free or low-cost family activities in Paris include: outdoor excursions (Bois de Vincennes, Parc de Sceaux), museums that are free for visitors under 26, DIY urban scavenger hunts, creative workshops at home, and game libraries where you can borrow family games for free.
What family game can keep the kids entertained during the holidays?
To keep the kids entertained during the holidays with a family game, choose from the following based on their age: Little Cooperation and Croque-Carotte (ages 3–6), Unlock! Kids and Kingdomino (ages 7–10), and Dixit and 7 Wonders (ages 11 and up). These board games foster cooperation and strategic thinking while strengthening family bonds.
What can you do with kids when it rains all day?
Indoor activities are your best bet for keeping the kids entertained during the holidays: cooking workshops, board games, creative projects (painting, collage, modeling clay), building (Lego, Kapla, Duplo), reading aloud, family yoga or dance, and museum visits.
What activities are there for 5-year-olds during winter break?
For a 5-year-old, consider: simple arts-and-crafts activities (painting, collage), easy baking (cookies, pancakes), cooperative board games (Little Cooperation, Croque-Carotte), nature outings involving collecting natural treasures, and interactive museums such as the Cité des Enfants (ages 2–7) at the Cité des Sciences.
Do these activities work for teens, too?
Absolutely! Just adjust the level of difficulty: urban escape games with challenging puzzles, elaborate cooking projects with creative video editing (macarons, sushi, colorful bowls filmed and edited in CapCut or iMovie), strategic board games (7 Wonders, Wingspan), photo hikes in the forest… The key is to involve them in choosing the activities.
