Rome for Children
Rome is a city that offers many activities and attractions for families travelling with children. If you are worried that your children might get bored of visiting archaeological ruins and museums, here are some tips on what to do with them in and around Rome.
Rome for Children: Guided Visits to Museums
Many cultural associations organise tours and educational activities in museums, or to discover the most important monuments.
For example, "Cicero in Rome" offers regular underground tours of the San Clemente Basilica for young archaeologists, guided tours of Trajan's Market and the Colosseum for children or even play visits to the Ara Pacis Museum. It starts with activities for children of 3 years and above. Family tours are usually designed to be brief so that children do not get bored and maintain their attention, and are led by guides who have experience in dealing with young visitors.
Even the major museums offer itineraries or offers for young visitors. Is it possible to visit the Vatican Museums with children? Of course! The Vatican Museums have created a family tour with audio guides and maps for young visitors to look for the most important works of art, a bit like a treasure hunt.
Child-friendly Museums
Some museums organise activities for families, such as Palazzo Barberini, which regularly offers guided tours for children aged 5 to 12: a tour of the sculptures and paintings, with an engaging tale suitable for children, including sensory activities at each of the works.
There are also museums specifically for children, including:
- The Planetarium and the Astronomical Museum near the Civic Museum of Zoology offer many activities for children aged 5 and above where they can learn about the planets, the stars and the secrets of the cosmos!
- Technotown is more than a museum or playroom: here, children aged 6 and above can participate in activities involving music, robotics, the environment, photography, cinema, etc.
- La Casina di Raffaello is a playroom dedicated to children aged 3 to 14 years, which opened in 2006. It hosts exhibitions, workshops and events for children.
- The Time Elevator is a fun and interactive way to discover the history of Rome: from the foundation of Rome by Romulus and Remus in 753 BC up to today, covering all the phases of the Roman Empire. From 5 years and older.
Children's Cinema at Villa Borghese
The Cinema dei Piccoli is located inside Villa Borghese, and is a tiny cinema with only 63 seats. It has even been entered in the Guinness Book of World Records as the smallest cinema in the world! It shows films for children in Italian and English.
Parks and Gardens in Rome
Children love to run around in the green, so take them to Villa Borghese if the weather is good. There are boat rides on the lake to admire the neo-classical temple, or they can simply take a walk in the Italian garden. Children especially love the Biopark, Rome's zoo, where they can see lions, hippos, giraffes, zebras, elephants and monkeys up close.
What to do with Children near Rome
If you can leave Rome, there are plenty of other activities available in Lazio. Here are just a few.
Cinecittà
Who does not know the famous Cinecittà film studios, where more than 3000 Italian and international films have been shot, many of which are masterpieces and winners of Oscars. Today, you can visit the sets of some films, or participate in workshops related to the world of cinema in the Cinebimbicittà project (5 years and older).
Half an hour away there is also Cinecittà World, a park with 30 attractions including the 4D simulator in Jurassic Park, the Horror house, the Western train, The War of the Worlds and the electric cars of the future.
Zoomarine
Zoomarine is a huge amusement park for children – and adults! – which includes many activities. In the summer, you can have fun in the large water park, get an adrenaline rush on the water slides or roller coasters, or have fun with younger children in the swimming pool suitable for everyone. Parents can take some time to relax on the beach while their children play amongst the water spouts or in the swimming pool.
Nature and animal lovers can visit the parrots, giant tortoises, flamingos, sea lions and 15 penguins.
Zoomarine also allows children to discover the world of life-sized dinosaurs, or to venture into the pirates' den.
Parks for children
Not far from Rome (in Cisterna di Latina) you can visit the Gardens of Ninfa, described by the New York Times as one of the most beautiful, romantic gardens in the world. Children, too, will love this park with its ponds, colourful flower beds and flowering trees, as well as the castle ruins. It is open a few months a year on guided tours.
