15 Best Things To Do in Italy With Kids

Are you looking for the best things to do in Italy with kids?

Italy is a very good place to live in for children. They make sure of it with the Città Amice dei Bambini (Child-Friendly City) initiative that the Italian National Committee lead for the UNICEF.

This is good news for non-Italian families who are planning to visit the country because we’re assured that Italy is going to be a very child-friendly destination.

Italy is home to beautiful destinations that offer activities that visitors will enjoy no matter how old or young they are.

From impressive mountains to stunning coastlines, magical hamlets, and fabulous foods that are both popular to kids and adults alike, families will never run out of things to do to create good memories to last a lifetime.

If you’re going on an Italian vacation with your family soon, here are 15 best things to do in Italy with kids to enjoy your stay in this beautiful country.

Table of Contents

Best Things To Do in Italy with Kids: The Best Theme Parks

1. Mirabilandia

Address: SS16, Km. 162, 48125 Savio RA, Italy
Phone No.: +39 0544 561156
Website: http://www.mirabilandia.it/

At 850,000 sq.m., Mirabilandia is the largest theme park in Italy. It is clean and nicely landscaped. Located just outside the city of Ravenna and with lots of signs, the park is easy to find whichever direction you come from.

Mirabilandia offers big rides as well as slower ones for the younger kids or those not into adrenaline stuff (or if you just need a break). You and your kids will love the iSpeed, the Horror Zone, and Katun (roller coaster). You shouldn’t miss the Hot Wheels.

The souvenir shop is lovely and will wrap your stuff in bubblewrap, making sure they get home safe.

Mirabilandia is one of the best attractions in Italy for kids.

2. Acquario di Genova

Address: Ponte Spinola, 16128 Genova GE, Italy
Phone No.: +39 010 23451
Website: https://www.acquariodigenova.it/

The Aquarium of Genoa offers extraordinary memories to be created which your kids will treasure as they grow older. The place attracts over 1.2 million annual visitors and — at 33,000 sq. ft. — is the biggest aquarium in Italy.

Situated at the historic center of Genoa, the Porto Antico (the old port), it is very easy to get to.

Here you and your kids can walk among dolphins, sharks, penguins, and hundreds of other aquatic species. They also have a snack bar and souvenir shop.

3. Italia in Miniatura

Address: Via Popilia, 239, 47922 Rimini RN, Italy
Phone No.: +39 0541 736736
Website: https://www.italiainminiatura.com/

Here’s a chance for your kids to see the major landmarks of Italy and Europe in one place.

Italia in Miniatura is the miniature park in Rimini, which has amazed visitors of all ages since 1970 with its 273 perfect scale reproductions of Italian and European monuments and architectural masterpieces.

This leisure park has been entertaing kids and adults alike since 1970. It showcases 273 miniatures of famous Italian and European buildings in scale 1:25 and 1:50, with thousands of plants and miniature trees in the park’s landscape.

The park houses miniature versions of Venice, complete with the navigable Grand Canal and Piazza San Marco, as well as the Interactive Driving School, where children can learn how to drive small cars that talk. These are just some of the big “mini” attractions you and your children will love.

The tour of Italy and Europe in miniature is one of the best activities in Italy for kids — a wonderful experience that will create memories your children will treasure for years to come.

4. Gardaland Resort

Address: 37014 Castelnuovo del Garda, VR, Italy
Phone No.: +39 045 644 9777
Website: https://www.gardaland.it/en/

Gardaland Resort is an amusement park located in the Verona Province of Lombardy, adjacent to one of the best lakes you should visit in Italy — the famous Lake Garda.

Gardaland Resort is a 445,000-sq.m. complex that’s comprised of Gardaland Park, Gardaland Sea-Life, Legoland Waterpark, Gardaland Hotel, Adventure Hotel, and Magic Hotel. It has been entertaining kids and adults with its entertainment shows and traditional attractions since 1975.

Almost 3 million people come to Gardaland Resort every year, making it one of Europe’s top theme parks by the number of visitors.

You’ll never run out things to see here, but the ummissable are the safari and aquapark, the Space Vertigo, and some free rides like the Peppa Pig Land. Your children will sure want to come back for more!

Best Things To Do in Italy with Kids: The Big Cities

5. Gondola Ride in Venice

What kid wouldn’t be thrilled about a gondola ride? It’s in the bucket list of everyone visiting Venice.

Gondolas have been plying the canals and lagoon in Venice since the 11th century. Venetians in the olden times rode the gondolas regularly. Today gondolas have been replaced by waterbuses called the vaporetti as the main form of water transportation in the city. There used to be about 10,000 of gondolas in their heydays, but only about 400 of them are left today, mainly serving tourists.

Gondolas are definitely one of the most iconic images not only in Italy but in the world. It’s a must-do when in Venice because it provides an opportunity to see this beautiful northern Italy from a completely different point-of-view.

Gondolas are good for 6 people, ideal for a family. You can book through an agency or your hotel, but before that you should check the current gondola fares here.

You can find gondolas at the Grand Canal, St. Mark’s Square, the Jewish Ghetto, and the San Polo and Campo San Barnaba areas.

6. Vatican City

Any visit to Rome is not complete without going to the Holy See.

The Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica are no doubt the highlights of a visit to Rome. However, they can overwhelm small kids, given the slow-moving crowds and the amount of walking you all have to do since strollers are discouraged here.

If you’re bringing small kids, you should book an off-hours or express tour. Also make sure the kids are not hungry when you go as most Vatican attractions take at two to three hours and pack some light snack if to be sure. Their onsite café is a bit pricey and there’s no guarantee your kids will appreciate the food.

The kids will love munching on Italian street foods like maritozzi or arancini in between chasing pigeons in St. Peter’s Square.

7. The Mouth of Truth in Rome

Bocca della Verità or Mouth of Truth is an ancient carving of man’s face on a marble manhole cover in the Italian capital. It now stands against a wall in the Church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin. It was the site of an ancient Roman cattle market.

The myth attached to it makes the Mouth of Truth one of the most popular attractions in Italy for kids. It is said that the Mouth will bite off the hand of any liar who places their hand in it.

Well, would your kids dare put their hands in the Mouth of Truth? Whether the Mouth bites or not is for you to find out!

It is one of the most unusual things to do in Rome that you and your children shouldn’t miss.

8. Museo d’Arte per Bambini in Siena

Address: Complesso Museale di Santa Maria della Scala, Piazza del Duomo, 1, 53100 Siena SI, Italy
Website: https://www.santamariadellascala.com/museo-d-arte-per-bambini/

This children’s museum is part of the Santa Maria della Scala complex in Siena, created to make children appreciate and embrace art and culture. Museo d’Arte per Bambini is targeted at children from ages 3 to 11.

The museum is small but fun, offering a range of different artworks from the ancient to modern. Your young ones will appreciate the interactive exhibits. There’s also a range of mediums such as paintings, sculptures, photography and videography.

Museo d’Arte per Bambini is a unique art gallery for children, definitely worth a look when you’re in Siena.

9. Leonardo Da Vinci Museum in Florence

Address: Via San Vittore, 21, 20123 Milano MI, Italy
Phone No.: +39 02 485551
Website: https://www.museoscienza.org/

This is a science museum both you and your kids will love.

Leonardo Da Vinci Museum is small but jam-packed with information about the amazing genius of Da Vinci. Here you will discover a lot more besides his famous artworks. Your kids will be amazed to see his inventions and interact with them.

What’s special about the Leonardo Da Vinci Museum is that it allows its guests to actually touch some exhibits. Kids will absolutely love to try building a bridge! Adults, on the other hand, will be delighted to watch the film about Da Vinci’s life.

You should spend at least three hours here; you and your kids will love it.

10. The Carousel at Piazza della Repubblica in Florence

The original site of the city’s Roman forum, Piazza della Repubblica is now one of the most famous and liveliest squares you can visit in Florence.

Any child will be delighted with the antique-looking carousel in this historic piazza, so this is an absolute must when in Florence. This wooden carousel consists of 20 horses and two gilded “king’s carriages.” While your kids are busy riding the carousel, you can chill out and watch people pass by.

The large bustling piazza is in the center of old Florence. Here you can find numerous quaint little places to stop and visit once the kids are done with the carousel.

Spending time at the Carousel Piazza della Repubblica in Florence is definitely one of the best things to do in Italy in with kids.

11. The Leaning Tower of Pisa

Pisa is an easy day trip from Florence. When visiting this Tuscan city with kids, the Leaning Tower of Pisa should be your priority. You can check the other items in your TDL afterwards.

We’re pretty sure one of your top must-dos is having photographs of the world-famous leaning tower with your kids. This can be difficult as this attraction is pretty crowded most of the time, but the famous tower is hands down one of the best places to visit in Italy with kids.

If you want the perfect picture of your kids holding up the tower, you should come very early, before the throngs of tourists fill the place.

12. The Tram System in Milan

The tram system is the sure best way for getting around Milan with kids.

The trams are easy to use and kids can ride for free. You and your kids will definitely enjoy seeing the city’s main sights while on a tram. An entirely novel experience that you can’t find in many cities, this is definitely one of the best things to do in Italy with kids.

Best Things To Do in Italy with Kids: The Smaller Towns and Outdoor Adventures

13. The Dolomites

Kids will love the Dolomites! The area is not all about majestic mountains and sports for adrenaline junkies. It also has nature parks, magical villages, and fabulous lakes. Of course, skiing in winter will be appreciated by both adults and children!

The Dolomites also provide good opportunities for hiking. You should pick any of the following child-friendly hikes: Passo Gardena, Malga Val Parola, and Rifuhio Scotoni.

There are numerous villages the whole family will enjoy. Some of our recommendations in South Tyrol are Alta Pusteria, Val Gardena, Alpe di Siusi, and Alta Badia. In Trentino, San Martino di Castrozza will delight you and your kids. In the Venetian Dolomites, Cortina d’Ampezzo is highly recommended.

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14. The Green Flag Beaches

Italy bosts fantastic coastline with five seas and sandy beaches, the best ones of which are given the Blue Flag Award. Some beaches, however, get the Green Flag — an award given by pediatricians for being child-friendly.

Green Flag beaches have clean sand, children’s playground, a shallow entrance to the sea, and long shallow waters, among others.

Some of the best Green Flag beaches in Italy are Alba Adriatica and Teramo Roseto degli Abruzzi in Abruzzo, Cefalù and San Vito Lo Capo in Sicily, Anzio in Lazio, and Praia a Mare in Calabria. These are some of the best places in Italy to visit with kids.

15. Medieval Castles

The castles of Italy give us a glimpse on the country’s turbulent history from pre-Roman times to the gunpowder era.

Some of these castles have been restored to their former glory while some castles are far too ruined to be explored by children but can be enjoyed from a distance. There are others that not only allow visitors in but offers overnight stays as well.

A visit to any of these medieval castles — there are possibly hundreds! — is one of the best things to do in Italy with kids. It will be a pleasant experience to your family.

Here are some of them: Castello del Buonconsiglio in Trentino-South Tyrol, Fénis Castle in Aosta Valley, Castello di Cerro al Volturno in Molise, Rocca Maggiore in Umbria, and Castel del Monte in Puglia.

Also check out the best castles in Northern Italy you should visit!