Things to do with kids in Lille

How to read this guide

This guide gathers 25 selected places to go with children in Lille, for example L'Impertinente Café Chéri, Les Sales Mômes and Octopus. They are sorted by type of outing rather than by neighbourhood, so you can quickly find an idea by age, weather and mood.

The Lille places are tested by local parents and then checked (address, photo, opening). Ratings and review counts shown are Google's. Always check hours before you go.

Family-friendly cafes and restaurants in Lille

L'Impertinente Café Chéri : Neighbourhood tea room with a daily-changing display of artisan pastries.

Les Sales Mômes : A board-game bar near the Gare d'eau with a rotating game library, homemade burgers and pastries, and a weekend brunch. The website states strollers are welcome, with high chairs and a changing table in the restrooms.

Octopus : Seafood and responsible-cooking restaurant near place Sébastopol with a dedicated children's menu next to the main menu.

Madeleine Café Restaurant : Café-restaurant serving homemade breakfast and lunch. According to CitizenKid, children have a dedicated corner for play and colouring.

Les Potes en Ciel, le Café des enfants : Community children's café open to the whole family, where little ones play and create while parents relax over a snack.

La Dinette : Family-run restaurant in Vieux-Lille with soft, colourful vintage decor, known for its homeburgers and weekend brunch.

Creative workshops for kids in Lille

Les Artisanes : Creative workshop space that runs parent-child DIY sessions, children's holiday workshops and creative birthday parties alongside its adult classes.

La Papoterie Café Céramique : Café-workshop where you pick a ceramic piece to paint over a drink or snack. The website has a dedicated family and children page and birthday packages.

Gecko Café Céramique : Ceramic café on rue Solférino where you paint your own plates, mugs or bowls. The site's FAQ says the sessions suit children, with a range of pieces adapted to younger kids.

Florine est Micheline : Artisan ceramics studio offering discovery workshops and term-long classes. One format, 'dessert plates as a family', lets several generations model clay together.

Atelier Colors Café Céramique : Ceramic café where you paint a piece during a 2-hour slot, with drinks and pastries on site. Children from 4 are welcome with an adult and kids' birthdays are possible.

Farms and animals around Lille

Ferme pédagogique Marcel Dhénin : City-run farm in the heart of Lille where children get close to farm animals with guides and learn about the seasons.

Zoo de Lille : Small municipal zoo at the foot of the Citadel, easy to tour with young children.

Parks and playgrounds in Lille

Parc de la Citadelle : Lille's biggest green space with 110 hectares around the Citadel and the Deûle canal. It has playgrounds, rides, picnic tables and a fitness trail, with Lille Zoo next door.

Parc Jean-Baptiste Lebas : Large park in central Lille with a playground, water points and a summer mist fountain.

Parc Matisse : Eight hectares of green space in the heart of Euralille with a playground, a hedge maze and lawns.

Jardin des Plantes de Lille : Garden of more than 11 hectares in Moulins with ponds, rose garden, orangery and an equatorial greenhouse open Wednesday to Saturday according to CitizenKid.

What to do on a rainy day in Lille

Climb Up Lille Centre : Indoor climbing gym with bouldering and roped routes, offering kids' classes, a climbing school, holiday courses and family sessions.

Aqua-Kin : Fitness and rehabilitation centre with a pool in Saint-Maurice that runs children's swimming lessons alongside aqua fitness and physiotherapy.

Smallicieux Lillenium : Children's city for ages 2 to 8 with water play, wooden games, a building site, a science bar and special effects.