We skipped the usual must-dos on our trip to Europe. I know my kids had more fun because of it.

The author said the food tour her family took while in Paris was much more fun than waiting in line at a crowded museum.

Courtesy of Kate Loweth.

A few years ago, I decided to take my three kids to Paris on a summer trip. When I started planning our itinerary, I reviewed a bunch of "best things to do in Paris with kids" lists and consulted with other parents who'd visited with their families.Since this was my kids' first time in Paris, everyone recommended we visit the typical spots like the Louvre, Versailles, and Disneyland Paris.But as the trip got closer, the more I found myself wanting to ditch all the typical must-do spots and plan a trip I knew my kids would actually enjoy instead.

While the author skipped many popular tourist spots like the Louve and Versailles, her family did make a visit to the Eiffel Tower while in Paris.

Courtesy of Kate Loweth.