Keeping children entertained is always a challenge, especially when you need to find ideas that go beyond the ordinary. Between their boundless energy and their constant need for novelty, there's no question of letting them get bored! To make your life easier (and give them unforgettable memories), we've put together a selection of original activities for children in Lyon so they can have an absolute blast!
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1. Play at Pixel Rush, Lyon's #1 Action Game
Let's be honest: if we had to recommend just ONE activity for children in Lyon, it would be Pixel Rush (a little self-promotion never hurts).
The concept? An arena of over 800 m² with 8 themed rooms and more than 300 different challenges. We're talking skill games, dynamic courses, timed challenges, laser, interactive climbing, next-generation hide & seek… All with a connected wristband that counts points in real time.
Accessible from age 8 with an accompanying adult, Pixel Rush is the perfect activity for a birthday party, an outing with friends or a Wednesday afternoon when you absolutely need to tire them out (we know that's often the real goal).
Book online to secure your slot, especially at weekends and during school holidays as spots go fast!
Address: 10 Rue Thomas Blanchet, 69008 Lyon
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2. Visit Parc de la Tête d'Or
No introduction needed for Parc de la Tête d'Or — Lyon's green lung and probably the place where every Lyon child took their first steps (or got into their first mischief). With its 117 hectares, free zoo, lake with pedal boats, fairground rides, play areas and botanical garden, it's the ultimate playground.
Children can spend hours running around, watching the giraffes and elephants at the zoological park, cycling, feeding the ducks or getting lost in the tropical greenhouses. It's free, it's beautiful and above all it's the kind of outing everyone loves, children and parents alike.
Address: Place du Général Leclerc, 69006 Lyon
3. Visit Museums (the Cool Ones, We Promise!)
When you say "museum" to a child, you often see the little grimace appear. But in Lyon, we have some truly great museums for them.
The Musée Cinéma et Miniature (60 Rue Saint-Jean, 69005 Lyon) in Vieux-Lyon is a marvel: full-scale film sets, special effects explained, and detailed miniatures. Harry Potter, Batman and Jurassic Park fans will be in heaven.
The Musée Lumière (25 Rue du Premier-Film, 69008 Lyon) tells the story of the invention of cinema by the Lumière brothers, right in their own villa. Interactive and fascinating, even for the youngest.
The Musée de l'Illusion (Grand Hôtel-Dieu, 69002 Lyon) is a festival of trompe-l'œil, optical illusions and rooms that defy gravity. Children (and adults) come out with dozens of completely wild photos.
Mini World Lyon (3 Rue du Professeur Rollet, 69008 Lyon) is the largest animated miniature park in France. Ultra-detailed scenes that come to life before children's astonished eyes: trains, cars, characters, day and night… It's hypnotic.
4. Climbing Trees at Vanciaventure
Want to watch your children transform into little Tarzans? Head to Vanciaventure, a tree-climbing park set in a 150-year-old former military fort. The setting alone is incredible, but add to that 9 courses of increasing difficulty, zip lines (including one 75 metres long!), passages through the fortifications and forest... and it's pure joy.
Accessible from 1m30 (approximately 7-8 years old), the courses are equipped with a continuous safety line system for maximum security.
What to bring: Closed shoes are mandatory, and don't forget the picnic (there are tables available in the fort!)
Address: Fort de Vancia, 69140 Rillieux-la-Pape
5. Diving into the Deep at Lyon Aquarium
Sharks, clownfish, seahorses, octopus… Lyon Aquarium takes children on an underwater journey through 42 ecosystems and more than 300 species. The highlight? The shark tank, obviously. You could stand there for hours.
The Ocean 360 space, a digital immersion spread over more than 300 m², lets you feel the grandeur of the oceans without the captivity of large marine animals. Educational, fun and spectacular, it's an outing that appeals to all ages.
Allow approximately 1h30 for the visit, a bit more if you attend the activities (shark feeding, commentary dive).
Address: 7 Rue Stéphane Déchant, 69350 La Mulatière
6. Solving Puzzles in a Harry Potter Escape Game
If your children have received their Hogwarts letter (or are still waiting hopefully), take them to Intervalle to live out a Harry Potter-themed escape game. Wands, potions, spells and magical puzzles: they'll literally be living their wizarding dream for 60 minutes.
The set is detailed, the mechanisms are ingenious and the atmosphere is totally immersive. It's the ideal activity for a birthday with friends or a family outing. In teams of 2 to 5 players, children must collaborate to solve the puzzles before time runs out. It's an excellent exercise in communication, logic and teamwork.
Address: Intervalle - 235 Rue Vendôme, 69003 Lyon
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7. Testing Their Senses at SENSAS
Imagine a course where your children are plunged into near-total darkness and must use their 5 senses to complete challenges. That's the concept of SENSAS — a cross between Fort Boyard and a completely unique sensory experience. For 2 hours, guided by a "Master of the Senses", children touch, smell, taste and listen to solve tasks.
Accessible from age 7, SENSAS offers a special birthday course for groups of children (4 to 15 participants). For children under 12, a parent is required in the game to guide and reassure. The experience lasts a full 2 hours and takes place in premises in the 7th arrondissement, 4 minutes from the Jean Jaurès metro. You come out with a head full of laughter and a new appreciation for your five senses!
Address: 14 Rue Michel Felizat, 69007 Lyon
8. Taking to the Skies at iFLY, Indoor Skydiving Simulator
Flying without a plane — it's possible! At iFLY, children (and adults, let's be honest) discover the sensations of freefall in an indoor flight simulator. A glass tube, an ultra-powerful airflow, and off you go: floating in the air like a superhero.
Supervised by qualified instructors, the flight is perfectly safe and accessible from age 5. No need to jump from a plane, no parachute needed: just a helmet, a suit and stars in your eyes.
Address: 48 Ancienne Route de Grenoble, 69800 Saint-Priest
9. Surfing at City Surf Park
No need to travel to the coast to surf! City Surf Park, located at OL Vallée in Décines-Charpieu, boasts the largest indoor surf wave in Europe. In water at 27°C (yes really), children from 27 kg and 1m10 can learn to surf under the guidance of professional instructors.
The briefing lasts 20 minutes, then it's time to ride! Open year-round whatever the weather, City Surf Park is also a great place for birthdays. The atmosphere is relaxed and tropical and children feel like they're on holiday in Hawaii… 20 minutes from Part-Dieu. Not bad, right?
Address: OL Vallée, 69150 Décines-Charpieu
10. Gliding on the Ice at Patinoire Charlemagne
A classic, but it works! Patinoire Charlemagne at Confluence is THE spot for introducing children to ice skating. The youngest can use learning sledges to get started with confidence, while older ones attempt their first spins (or their first tumbles). A convivial atmosphere guaranteed, especially in winter when the rink fills up!
Address: 101 Cours Charlemagne, 69002 Lyon
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11. Laughing Your Head Off at the Maison de Guignol
Lyon is the birthplace of Guignol, the famous puppet that has been making children laugh for over 200 years. And the tradition is still very much alive! The Maison de Guignol in Vieux-Lyon offers interactive shows where children shout, sing and take part in the story.
It's funny, lively, 100% Lyon, and children between 3 and 10 are absolutely captivated. Created in 1808 by Laurent Mourguet, Guignol is far more than a puppet show: it's a living heritage that every Lyon child should experience at least once in their life. The shows change regularly, so you can come back without risk of seeing the same story. And children love shouting "Watch out Guignol, he's behind you!"
Address: 2 Rue Louis Carrand, 69005 Lyon
12. Exploring Vieux-Lyon Like Adventurers
No need to spend anything to give your children a memorable adventure. Vieux-Lyon is a full-scale playground: secret traboules (those mysterious passages that run through buildings), cobbled lanes, hidden staircases, the Cathédrale Saint-Jean with its astronomical clock…
Turn the walk into a treasure hunt or a trail game and your children won't even notice the time passing. Head up to Fourvière for the panoramic view (the funicular is already an attraction in itself!), come back down through the Jardin du Rosaire and finish with an ice cream. Programme approved!
13. Becoming a Ninja at Warrior Adventure
Are your children fans of Ninja Warrior? They're going to go wild discovering Warrior Adventure, the largest hall in France dedicated to Ninja courses. 800 m² of structures with more than 20 obstacles inspired by the show: flying bars, 4-metre climbing wall, rings, balance beams, monkey bars…
Accessible from age 6 (1m10), the venue offers a junior course adapted for younger children and weekly ninja classes for those who want to make it their sport. It's physical, it's fun, and children let off steam like never before.
Address: 8 Impasse Abbé Firmin, 69100 Villeurbanne
14. Painting in the Dark at Mory, Fluorescent Painting Workshop
Forget classic brushes and paint that stains the carpet: at Mory, you paint by black light! Children put on protective clothing, find themselves in a room bathed in UV light, and let their creativity explode with fluorescent paints that glow in the dark.
The result? Absolutely magical neon paintings that they proudly take home. It's artistic, it's original, and above all it's the kind of activity children have never done anywhere else.
The workshop suits children of all ages (the youngest and oldest are equally thrilled) and lasts approximately 1h30. No need to be a budding artist: the whole point is to let your creativity run free.
Address: 20 Rue Royale, 69001 Lyon
15. Playing F1 Driver at OnlyKart
The longest indoor electric karting track in France — sound good? At OnlyKart, children from age 7 put on their helmets and take the wheel of next-generation electric karts on a two-level circuit with a tunnel and bridge. For the very youngest (from age 3!), mini-karts are available on a dedicated track.
And OnlyKart is much more than karting: interactive bowling, laser game, virtual reality, escape game, Prison Island, karaoke… It's a genuine multi-leisure complex where the whole family can have fun for hours.
Address: 195 Avenue de l'Industrie, 01090 Dagneux
16. Getting Your Hands in Clay at a Pottery Workshop
For children who love creating with their hands (and getting a bit messy in the process), a pottery workshop is the perfect activity. Lyon is full of workshops offering introductions for children: throwing a bowl on a potter's wheel, moulding an animal in clay, painting a piece…
It's calm, it's creative, and children leave with an object they made themselves (after firing, of course).
In Lyon, several addresses stand out for children: some workshops offer introductions from age 4, with short one-hour formats perfect for holding the attention of the youngest. Older children (from 8-10 years) can try the potter's wheel — a truly rewarding experience. And when the child picks up their creation a few days later, painted and varnished, the pride in their eyes is worth all the toys in the world!
17. Bouncing at a Trampoline Park
If your children have endless energy (and we know they always have too much), take them to a trampoline park. Lyon has several complexes with dozens of interconnected trampolines, foam pits, obstacle courses, basketball hoops on trampolines…
It's simple: children jump, bounce and let off steam for an hour. Trampoline parks like Exalto (in Villeurbanne and Décines) offer dozens of interconnected trampolines, climbing walls, Ninja courses and free jump zones.
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18. Travelling to Space at the Vaulx-en-Velin Planetarium
Immediate liftoff! The Vaulx-en-Velin Planetarium takes children to explore the far reaches of the universe in a 15-metre diameter dome equipped with an 8K ultra-high-definition simulator. Planets, stars, black holes, comets: the space journey is strikingly realistic.
With more than 4,000 m² dedicated to the discovery of astronomy, the Planetarium offers sessions adapted to all ages (even from 20 months for toddlers!), interactive exhibitions, an observatory and holiday workshops. And it's free on the first Saturday of the month. How great is that?
Address: Place de la Nation, 69120 Vaulx-en-Velin
19. Putting on a Chef's Hat at Nos P'tits Chefs
Lyon's first cooking school for children, accessible from... 18 months. Yes, you read that right! Nos P'tits Chefs offers culinary workshops adapted to each age group: sensory awakening for toddlers, recipes from around the world, creative patisserie for older children.
In parent-child duos or solo from age 7, children discover the basics of cooking with local, seasonal produce, guided by childhood professionals. They leave with their own creations.
Address: 355 Allée Jacques Monod, 69800 Saint-Priest
20. Climbing the Walls at Hapik
Perched at the top of the Part-Dieu shopping centre with a view of Fourvière, Hapik is a 100% fun climbing centre accessible from age 4. Here, no rope to manage or complex technique required: thanks to the auto-belay system, children climb independently on around forty themed walls.
And that's not all: Hapik also offers a large outdoor tree-climbing course on 2 levels with zip lines and monkey bridges, all suspended 8 metres above the shopping centre's rooftops.
The walls are progressive: from the "first climb" zone with large holds for 4-year-old beginners, to more technical routes for budding climbers. No equipment needed: harnesses are provided, and trainers are fine (no open-toed shoes). Hapik also offers weekly climbing classes for 4-12 year olds and holiday camps. Climbing is the ultimate all-round sport: it develops strength, balance, concentration and self-confidence.
Address: 133 Rue Servient, 69003 Lyon (Part-Dieu Shopping Centre, Level R+3)
21. Diving into Virtual Reality at Eclipso
Headset on, controllers in hand, and off your children go — teleported to another world! At Eclipso, virtual reality becomes accessible to families with varied immersive experiences: underwater exploration, space combat, fantasy adventure…
Located in the heart of the Confluence neighbourhood, Eclipso offers family-friendly sessions with cooperative games where the whole family can play together. It's strikingly realistic, the graphics are breathtaking and children come out with stars in their eyes.
Equipped with wireless 4K VR headsets, players move freely in dedicated play spaces. Sessions last between 30 and 60 minutes depending on the experiences chosen, and there's something for every taste: adventure, action, exploration, cooperative puzzles…
Address: 112 Cours Charlemagne, Level 2, 69002 Lyon
22. Trying Out Loads of Games at La Tête dans les Nuages
More than 120 attractions under one roof: welcome to La Tête dans les Nuages! This arcade game paradise is located in the Confluence shopping centre and offers everything children dream of: retro arcade machines, racing games, motion simulators...
The concept is simple: load up a card and play as long as you want. Children move from machine to machine with eyes wide as saucers and parents rediscover their inner child in front of Pac-Man or Street Fighter. Open 7 days a week, 365 days a year, it's the perfect joker for a rainy day.
The great thing about La Tête dans les Nuages is the variety: there are attractions for toddlers (rides, claw machines), gaming machines for teens, driving simulators and even virtual archery games. Ticket-based games let children accumulate points and exchange them for prizes at the shop. A true gaming paradise that can easily fill an entire afternoon.
Address: 112 Cours Charlemagne, Centre Commercial Confluence, 69002 Lyon
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23. Becoming a Little Einstein at Les Savants Fous Tech
Science is boring? Not at Les Savants Fous! This laboratory offers science and robotics workshops for children aged 5 to 12, where learning happens through play and experimentation. Explosions (controlled), smoking potions, robots to program… each session is an adventure.
Les Savants Fous offer weekly clubs (science and robotics), holiday workshops and birthday packages where Professor Plop hosts 2 hours of "sciensational" experiments.
The science club meets on Wednesdays from 2pm to 3:30pm, and the robotics-programming club lets children learn to code and build robots from age 7.
Address: 13 Rue Jacques Monod, 69007 Lyon
24. Defusing a Bomb at Bomb Squad
Urgent mission: a bomb is threatening the city and your children are the only agents capable of defusing it! At Bomb Squad, players move through 4 challenge rooms combining coordination, memory, endurance and cooperation.
On the programme: passages to avoid, sequences to memorise, interactive tiles, group challenges… a fast-paced and dynamic experience, perfect for children who need to move. The activity is played in teams of 2 to 6 players and is designed for children from age 7 (with an adult present for younger ones).
Bomb Squad is an excellent alternative to the classic escape game: fewer static puzzles, more action and cooperation.
Address: 5 Rue Servient, 69003 Lyon
Lyon: Your Children's Giant Playground
As you can see, children in Lyon are never at risk of being bored. Between the sporting activities that let them burn off energy, the creative experiences that stimulate their imagination, the museums and immersive games that take them on extraordinary adventures, there's enough to fill every Wednesday, every weekend and every school holiday of the year.
Our Tips to Make the Most of It
→ Book in advance for the most popular activities (Pixel Rush, Intervalle escape game...), especially during school holidays.
→ Check the minimum ages before you travel
→ Look into birthday packages
Ready to give your children an unforgettable adventure? Book your session at Pixel Rush now by clicking the button below!:
BOOK YOUR SESSION AT PIXEL RUSH!
Read also:
15 great reasons to take your children to an Action Game
30 activities to do as a family in Lyon
Children's birthday in Lyon: 20 ideas that will make you the coolest parent of the year
The real reason why your child should celebrate their birthday in an action game
32 Activities for Teens in Lyon in 2026
