What to do with a baby (not a kid yet!) in France and in an interesting way? Because there are so many standard, usual things every parent can think off but the new ways of brining up babies in France, bring more interesting ideas for activities for a baby in France!

This is a very interesting and challenging topic for me which I fully experienced and want to share my observations and learnings about activities for a toddler… a baby around 1 year. 

Why? I want to think about myself as not a boring person. I love being active, learn, do something different every day and I include people around me with all those creative, sometimes silly ideas… 

My partner is quite happy about it, he often enjoys my creativity, and he is putting me down-to-earth on other occasions…This is a great compromise full of frustrations and learnings to have. 

Once a new stage in my life started…Being a mum and an interesting mum. It came with the responsibility to assure my baby is developing well. The priority is to see her being safe and healthy, being loved and secured…Then the place for creativity comes. I thought that since I am a very creative and interesting person I will have no problems to find activities to do with a baby in France. 

But I came across so many difficulties in finding interesting activities for a baby in France. Why? Probably, because I am a Polish expat living and learning the French culture, traditions, mentality and lifestyle. I am also a new parent, and I am also human struggling with energy levels and tiredness. 

But since I am learning to accept my limitations, adapt to the situation, share, ask for help and work as a team…. I am getting there. 

I have put together this little list of top very interesting (not boring at all) activities to do in France with a baby around 1 year.  It’s not completed as I think there are no limits to creativity. Therefore, if you could share any ideas for an interesting activity for a toddler in France, it would be wonderful. Thank you and enjoy the below…

• Go for a walk. Universal anywhere. In the park, around the house, anywhere, anytime wherever the fresh air is. 

  

• Music activities available under 1-year-old. I haven’t used it myself as I love singing and getting silly therefore I practice a lot of music at home. I didn’t like the idea of paying 25 euros per 45 minutes of music class for a baby. 

  

• Swimming for babies. My favourite choice for an activity for a toddler. Why? Because I believe that babies are natural in water and if we use this opportunity to get them into a habit of swimming this is the best sport you can think of. 

  

• Yoga with mum. I’m ashamed to admit but I’m not a yoga person at all. I tried so many times, but I am simply totally not patient and too quick. I have a serious problem with relaxing and yoga is teaching you this. So I know it’s ideal for me and my baby but I’m not there yet. However, I would highly recommend this activity to any new mum and her baby.

  

• Painting with a baby younger than one year. That totally surprised me. Art is super and I love it but I would not imagine paying for an activity for a baby painting. Imagine… you booked, paid for a class and your baby decided to have a nap. I also didn’t test it as I found it too late for a baby below 1 year. I am going to do art activities with a baby over 1 year at home… having said so, painting with a toddler is a popular activity in France. 

  

• Massage for a baby in France. I practice a short massage with my baby every day after the bath. However, it’s not a professional massage I can do. Therefore, offering a baby a real massage by a specialist is a good thing to do. 

  

• Meeting up with other babies while mums having a coffee.

  

• Creative at home…. Just paying attention to your babies’ needs and sharing quality time together full of cuddling, kissing. 

  

•  Reading books. I started to read Tuwim early when my baby girl was born to kick off the Polish language and now when she is older she recognizes them. It is very rewarding. 

• Singing a lot! After cuddling this was my fav activity. Any excuse to get silly as an adult was good for me 
• Museums, galleries, and the aquarium… It’s never too early to take your baby outside to admire art and nature. It’s very popular in France. When I was without a baby when I was visiting a museum and I saw the parents with babies I didn’t understand. I was shocked indeed. Now I do understand. It’s important to show the kids the world around at the early stage and stay happy with yourself meaning enjoying activities together. 

  

• Going on holidays with a baby. I am a bit disappointed with myself as we didn’t go for a proper holiday with a baby. But there were such circumstances that we couldn’t consider leaving a country or travelling freely in France. There was a particular time of COVID-19 which complicated things. Having said so, we organized many little trips around Lyon with a baby. Some of them were super successful, some trips were more difficult. But they taught me and showed me that travelling with a baby is totally different from visiting places with kids. That is why I decided to share my experience of visiting Lyon with a baby in other articles on my blog. I also put together a post about the top trips with a baby around Lyon. 

  

• Visiting France with a baby. As I mentioned I didn’t have the opportunity to do it myself….it was too late, she grew up. But I will definitely restart visiting the whole of France with a kid. Having said so, I came across fascinating articles about traveling in France with a baby and the recommendations for top places to visit in France with a baby. 

  

• Anything else? 

I hope you like my list of very interesting (not boring at all)activities to do with a toddler, a baby below 1 year in France. I am afraid it’s not as extensive as I would like it to be therefore I would love to ask you to contribute and add any other interesting activity for a baby in France. Thank you in advance!