We're spending 3 day in Paris with our kids 11,10 and 9 what should we do?

My suggestion would be to buy a guide book or search the internet.

There's lots to do on your trip to Paris... you need to figure out what interests you.

As joannyc says, we don't know what you and your youngsters like to see and do.

Lots of posters here have written about this, so starting by searching here will give you more ideas.

Several years ago I took 3 of my children to Paris for 3 days. We didn't rush around, we didn't do any museums.

The highlight was the Fat Tire Bike Tour. Other enjoyable things were the time spent in Montmartre,the Eiffel Tower and the Pompidou Centre. We considered the sewer tour and something else underground but it was very hot and energy levels were low.

In fact re-reading my report it seems we didn't do very much at all but they all remember seeing a lot of places and sights. I don't know if it will help at all, but here it is...

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...oung-teens.cfm

Well, surely something made you decide to take the family to Paris. What was it?

You need to do some research. Spend some time on this site, use the "searth the forums" box above. Many posters have traveled with kids and posted great trip reports. Buy a good guidebook or pick a couple up at your library. Have the kids look at the guidebooks and the internet for things they might like to do.

One thing that occurs - your kids would probably enjoy a Seine river cruise. We like the Vedettes du Pont Neuf which is accessed from the Pont Neuf. We like to leave just before dusk and watch the lights come on all over Paris. You will see why Paris is the "City of Lights".

Food and famous sights! Famous ice cream place in Isle St Louis (or thereabouts), near Notre Dame and offer to let the kids climb to the top. (it helps
If they have seen the movie before going)

Take the tacky tourist bateaux mouches for a river tour, then walk across the river to Bkvd St Michel where, if you have a girl, you will buy her a french outfit,and t shirts gor the boys

do the eiffel tower. Take a half day tour in a double decker bus, thereby ensuring you've at least driven by the famous sights.

Get crepes on the street corner and so what if they get sticky? Have lunch in an overpriced cafe somewhere famous that they can remember for years. (try a Croque Monsieur). Buy dinner from the various street vendors in the Latin quarter. Eat in a creperie.

Spend twenty minutes choosing pastries to share. Visit a French cheese store. (and for heavens sake teach the kids how to speak enough French to say good day, please and thank you).

Go to the top of the Arc de Triomphe, having learned about Haussmann first.

Montmartre is far away from everything else but probably a good thing to see, depending on your kids.

When you get tired of walking take a bus somewhere. The 38 goes through some interesting parts of the city

Take the Metro somewhere.

Take a tour of the sewers, having seen Les Mis first, before you leave.

Have a tacky souvenir contest.

Eat as many pastries as you can without getting sick

Absolute rule: only French food or starve (no mcDs).

Have dinner at a creperie.

Give a prize to everyone who makes it through the day with less than three whines.

Have a contest and give point for each interesting thing they can point out. Including gargoyles! And men wearing berets (none but they will notice people that way)

Let each kid, before you go, pick one thing that you will definitely do (thus they prepare first). Go to au printemps for Mom lol.

Walk through a neighborhood marche.

Well, that's a start for you! Apologies for errors, writing from cell phone at five am.

TravelinFeet-------what great suggestions. We have been to Paris often, but not with kids. Obviously you have

Loved the contest suggestions!

@St.Cirq : lol ! Concise and to the point.

As a kid I was introduced to Mussels in Paris, see which is the brave one...

I would hit Berthillon for ice cream on Ile st Louis. Sample the terrific macarons at Un Dimanche a Paris.
Stroll the Promenade Plantee. Maybe the kids would enjoy the Catacombs (take a few pen lights).
Take a Seine cruise at night to see the monuments all lit up. Find the best pain au chocolat in Paris.
Climb the Notre Dame towers ( get there early to get in line before it gets too crowded-it opens at 10am). The view from there is terrific and the many gargoyles are too cool! Head to Versailles and enjoy the gardens there. Luxembourg Gardens is a great place for a picnic.

Drink it all in! Bon voyage.

I don't have kids, but I'd suggest the Pompidou Centre and nearby Stravinsky Fountain.

But like others have pointed out, you've told us nothing about your or your children's interests. I know when I was that age, I loved going to the ballet and to museums, especially museum gift shops. And touristy gift shops in general.