2 days in Paris with kids

when my daughter was 10 in Paris, the thing she most wanted to do was go up the Notre Dame tower and see the gargoyles up close. If you decide to do that, have the kids see the Disney Hunchback film before you go and go get in line about half an hour or a bit more before the tower opens as they only allow 20 up at a time. I think it is worth it -- the sort of things kids remember.

Tickets for the Eiffel Tower go on sale 3 mos in advance and go quickly. You can decide whether going up in the tower is important enought to stand in line but watching it sparkle from Trocadero is quite stunning and I suspect something the kids will remember.

We always let our kids choose a fancy pastry from a bakery or patisserie each afternoon; we carried them to the closest park to eat them. My daughter particularly liked the little pink pigs they have in some bakeries, but even without piggies there are lots of pretty choices.

I'd talk to your kids about what they want to see and try to pick a few things that will make powerful memories -- those three are some of them.

The Tuilleries Garden and Luxembourg Garden are great for kids, both have pools where you can sail boats (small toy ones), Luxembourg also has pony rides. If you go to Luxembourg Garden, go from there a couple of blocks to the plaza at St. Sulpice -- three is a neat fountain your kids might enjoy. There is usually a carousel across the street from the Eiffel Tower, so you could enjoy seeing it from the ground, and your kids can enjoy the carousel. If you can't go up, I suggest you really try to see the Tower after dark on the hour when it lights up. A fantastic sight.

You can also get on one of the Seine boat cruises near the ET, which kids seem to love, as well as adults.

The garden at the Rodin Museum has a very low admission and is lovely, has a snack bar.

I heartily agree with the Notre Dame tower advice. I took each of my 3 kids there. Also show them the "center of Europe" brass plaque on the patio of Notre Dame, and the sculpture of St. Denis holding his head over the ND entrance door.
Most 11 year olds like the Paris Catacombs and the Sewer Tour.

As for Eiffel, we skipped the long lines and just walked up. It is cheaper (by about half) and great exercise to tire the kids out. I believe that is still an option for avoiding the lines. It's at another leg of the Eiffel, probably the one with a short line.

There is a pay playground at Luxembourg Gardens that has toys in it that are perfect for kids the age of yours and the gardens have as others have noted the toy sailboats, pony rides, puppet shows. The Tuilleries has a pay trampoline area as well as some pretty good free playgrounds, also has pony rides sometimes, and has the little boats. The Tuilleries also has just stunning views. Sitting by the pool reading with the Louvre sitting there in the gardens is terrific.

I would also visit the Louvre and have the kids each pick out 3 things they want to see ahead of time on the web site or a guide book and then go see those. If a parent wants to spend a bit more time, the other parents can take the kids into the Tuilleries to play and you can even switch off if you like as your Louvre ticket is good all day.

From Eiffel Tower take the RER C to Gare d'Austerlitz - it is a 15 minute walk across the river

or

RER C to Bibliotheque Fr. Mitterand change to Metro line 14 to Gare de Lyon

You can try to book a skip the line tour for the ET - it'll cost but if its the only way might be worth it.

Thanks everyone for the inputs. Much appreciated .