Cité des enfants au Parc Vulcania à Saint-Ours-les-Roches
©Jérôme Chabanne/Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Tourisme
9 activities to do with children aged 0 to 5 in Puy-de-Dôme

What to do with children aged 0 to 5 in the Puy-de-Dôme?

On holiday, finding activities for the little ones can be a real challenge. Whether you want to keep the little one occupied while the older ones get on with other activities, or you want to share moments of discovery and pleasure with your little one, the Puy-de-Dôme region is full of fun and educational options. In this article, we’ve put together 9 ideas for activities with children aged 0 to 5, so that the whole family can enjoy these precious moments together.

1. Visit an educational farm

Just twenty kilometres from Riom, the Ferme de la Marinette in Chapdes-Beaufort is the ideal place for a family outing. The site offers self-guided tours to discover 15 species of animal, which children will love feeding.

Workshops are available for children aged 2 and over, by prior arrangement. For 1 hour, they can put themselves in the shoes of a small farmer and get up close to the animals, as well as awakening their creativity with workshops in wool spinning, making animal prints in clay and egg painting. A visit to the barefoot trail to discover new sensations underfoot, and why not take a ride on a donkey or pony, and there you have it – the secrets of a successful day out!

Practicalities: the site recommends that you bring a baby carrier, as part of the farm is not accessible by pushchair. Baby carriers are available from reception. Facilities available: changing table, picnic tables, children’s games.

2. Take a pony or donkey ride

More than just a walk in the woods, pony or donkey rides are full of lessons for our children. They learn to listen to instructions, take care of their animal, respect its well-being, develop their motor skills and, above all, spend some quality time in the fresh air with their loved ones.

Where can you go horse riding?

  • Volvic: Les Chevaux des Bisettes (from age 3)
  • Chapdes-Beaufort: La Ferme de la Marinette (from 2 years)

3. Take one of our fun walks

Among the activities suitable for children aged 0 to 5, walks are an excellent option. Wandering through the woods in search of animals and other creatures carved in the forest of Châtel-Guyon is an activity that should appeal to young and old alike. Follow the paths of the Châtel-Guyon fitness trails and discover over 50 wooden statues, including a bear, a squirrel, an elf and many others.

In Volvic, follow Rodolphe the Rhinolophus on a 500-metre trail in the Parc de la Source to find out all about the bats that inhabit the caves in this nature reserve.

4. Mountain biking

Introducing toddlers to the pleasures of nature with a mountain bike ride is a fantastic idea for a day full of adventure and laughter.

For younger children who aren’t yet ready to pedal on their own, hiring a baby seat adapted to the bikes allows parents to take them along in complete safety and share in this special moment. Equipped with their colourful little helmets and accompanied by a few breaks, this cycling trip will quickly become a moment of shared happiness, where the little explorers will be able to blossom in complete freedom and perhaps even take a little nap, lulled by the movements of the bike.

For an even more rewarding getaway, the Vélodrome in Châtel-Guyon offers family outings. Follow your instructor and discover the riches of Terra Volcana on electrically-assisted mountain bikes, and the ride is accessible even to beginners.

Where can I hire mountain bikes with equipment for children?

5. Fun in leisure parks

Choose a safe bet and take your little ones to an amusement park where they can have a great time on the attractions: slides, nets, merry-go-rounds and water games. It’s a great opportunity for the little ones to work on their motor skills and make new friends!

Outdoors: Children can work up a sweat on the tree courses, stroke the animals on the mini-farm, splash around in the water areas and discover lots of other games in the natural, wooded setting of Parc Mirabel in Ménétrol, 5km from Riom, and Fermyland in Orcet, 25km from Riom, south of Clermont-Ferrand.

6. Visit an enchanted grotto

Among all the activities for children aged 0 to 5, here’s one that’s sure to stay in the memory!

Enter the enchanted world of the Grotte des Lumières in Volvic. This 45-minute sound and light show will make your children’s eyes sparkle. Older children will enjoy following the adventures of a little otter called Volvis on his quest, while younger ones will be amazed by the cave’s wonderful, colourful décor. Visits are scheduled on Wednesdays and Sundays, and booking is strongly advised during school holidays.

Practical advice: For children who can’t walk, bring a baby carrier as the site does not accept pushchairs. You should also bring warm clothing for the whole family, as the temperature inside does not exceed 10°C.

7. Discovering the world of bees

Discover the fascinating world of bees with your little ones at La Ruche des Puys, an enriching activity accessible from the age of 3. On guided tours specially designed for children, your little explorers can marvel at the life of a beehive as it happens, while learning about the crucial role insects play on our planet. They’ll also discover the fascinating profession of beekeeper and understand the importance of these tiny pollinators in our ecosystem.

During the school holidays, La Ruche des Puys offers interactive workshops that will delight children: candle-making, creating works of land art, building insect nesting boxes, and even a tasting of edible insects for the bravest. It’s a fun, educational adventure that will awaken the curiosity of your little ones and make them more aware of the importance of preserving our environment.

8. Climbing trees

For the little adventurers, why not opt for an afternoon of accrobranche? The Parc Écureuil in Châtel-Guyon has two courses specially designed for children aged 3 to 5. It’s a great way to develop motor skills and discover new sensations in the shade of trees, in complete safety.

By climbing, jumping and swinging, your little ones will develop their coordination and self-confidence, while enjoying the fresh air and the beauty of nature. A fun and educational activity that promises unforgettable family moments.

9. Riding an electric velorail

Here’s an activity you might not have thought of without us. The electric vélorail des Fades offers a 7.5km ride along a former railway line that takes you to the site of the Viaduc des Fades. Built between 1901 and 1909, it is still the highest railway bridge in France and the second highest in Europe!

The walk takes in the shade of the trees and passes through 3 tunnels before arriving at the goal: the viaduct offering an exceptional panorama of the Sioule valley. Theactivity is accessible to children aged 9 months and over, as they are equipped with baby seats.