Things to do with kids in Rome

Amazing sights, eye-popping monuments such as the flashy Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, the Colosseum or the gigantic Vittoriano, and plenty of history and culture. But Rome isn’t all just museums and churches and old stuff…

Here are some tips on indoor & outdoor activities and attractions designed to inspire, educate and entertain all at once. 

• SPECIAL EVENTS & SHOWS
• CHILD-FRIENDLY MUSEUMS AND EXHIBITIONS
• THEME & AMUSEMENT PARKS
• EXPLORING ROME WITH FUNNY ITINERARIES

SPECIAL EVENTS & SHOWS

THIS IS WONDERLAND - PINOCCHIO - CHRISTMAS EDITION
From 23 November to 6 January, the magic is back at the Giardino delle Cascate (the Garden of the Waterfalls) in the EUR district with the evocative exhibition path of This is Wonderland - Pinocchio, which, with its fairy-tale atmosphere, presents the adventures of the famous wooden puppet in a new Christmas guise with the sparkling decorations, Christmas trees and illuminations, the fantastic Santa Claus Village, the artists performing shows inspired by the festivities, the light features of the more than 1,500 astonishing light installations, inspired by Collodi's fairy tale, and by the incredible Pinocchio AI puppet.

THE LARGEST EXHIBITION OF LEGO BRICKS
The largest Lego® exhibition in Europe arrives at The Wow Side - Shopping Centre: 1,000 square metres of space dedicated to the world's most famous bricks with seven million pieces used to create unique constructions, many of which are interactive, including educational objects, life-size figures, historical and film characters, impressive buildings, inventions, nature and the world of art and music.

FROM EARTH TO UNIVERSE
​The Planetarium of Rome presents a stunning, 30-minute voyage through space and time conveys, through sparkling sights and sounds, the Universe as revealed to us by science, from the various worlds in the Solar System and the scorching Sun to the colourful birthplaces and burial grounds of stars beyond the Milky Way, to the immensity of myriads of galaxies. Along the way, you will learn about the history of astronomy, the invention of the telescope, and today’s giant telescopes that allow us to probe ever deeper into the Universe. Info and timetables on the official website.

MAGIC CHRISTMAS AT MAGICLAND
From 9 November to 6 January, MagicLand awaits you for the most magical time of the year with an extraordinary adventure for adults and kids: a unique experience in the Kingdom of Santa Claus with the Park adorned with festive decorations, artistic illuminations and themed music, where you can meet Santa Claus in his castle, take a souvenir picture and receive an original and precious gift.

CHRISTMAS AT CINECITTÀ WORLD
From 9 November to 6 January, the magic of the festivities arrives at Rome's cinema amusement park: a large Christmas village, Christmas markets, decorations, illuminations and garlands on Christmas Street, the film set of 1920s New York, Santa Claus and his house, where you can send your letters, and numerous shows and attractions, such as the Christmas Show and Christmas On Ice (from 25 December), the evocative Chinese Lantern Festival (from 23 November), Santa Claus' roller coaster, the giant water screen, the Cinema Nativity Scene, the Christmas Parade, the Christmas Mass and the Christmas Lunch, right up to the big New Year's Eve party and the Befana's.

SANTA'S FANTASTIC CASTLE
From 17 November to 6 January, the Castle in Lunghezza awaits you to discover the world of Santa Claus and enjoy the magic of the festivities together with great shows, special events, meetings, magic, acrobatics and many surprises of the most enchanting time of the year. Opening dates on the official website.

TRAME DI LUCE
From 30 November to 6 January, the evocative multi-sensory and immersive exhibition transforms the Botanical Garden into a fairy-tale landscape with the theme ‘Christmas has a new Light’, divided into five areas - Christmas Tree, Light Displays, Decorations, Music and Emotions and Family Games - redesigning the paths and the marvellous vegetation of the garden on the slopes of the Janiculum Hill with works of art, perspectives of lights and astonishing shades of colours.

CHILD-FRIENDLY MUSEUMS AND EXHIBITIONS

COLOR HOTEL
In the spaces of The Wow Side Shopping Centre, a surprising permanent interactive area with 11 different settings takes you on a journey of play, fantasy, discovery and emotions in a 4,000 square metre path dedicated to play and fun.

MUSEO DELLE ILLUSIONI - MUSEUM OF ILLUSIONS
An interactive space, just a few steps from the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore,where nothing is as it seems: Tricks, optical effects, light games, attractions and special rooms, based on science, physics and psychology, allow you to have fun and learn, unveil the tricks of the mind and test the five senses.

TECHNOTOWN
The creative science hub in the Medieval Villino of Villa Torlonia reopens with a completely new project. Exhibitions and workshops for girls and boys aged 12 and up who want to discover and express their potential. Creative factories and many activities dedicated to science, technology, ingenuity, art and mathematics, including electronic music, photography, 3D printing, colour toning and much more. Among the big news is the world's first Podcast House. Info and schedule of events on the official website.

PLANETARIUM OF ROME
Housed inside the Museum of Roman Civilization, the Planetarium awaits you with new cutting-edge technology! Immersive experiences, appointments for all ages and real astronomical shows lead you to discover the secrets and beauty of the universe. The new Sky Explorer software allows you to “enter” and navigate the sky in any direction of space and time, admiring the Earth from afar and flying over planets, nebulae and galaxies. 

BUTTERFLY EDEN
The paradise of tropical butterflies in the centre of Rome is housed in the splendid gardens of the Botanical Garden. It is a modern and bright air-conditioned marquee in which marvellous and colourful tropical butterflies and moths fly free in direct contact with visitors. It is open all year round, in a continuous change of scientific contents and different settings realised combining the species and the colours of the leaves and flowers of the splendid garden.

EXPLORA - THE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF ROME
Explora is the first non-profit permanent museum entirely conceived for children, schools and families, open to the public since 2001. As well as being a fun place where to play, the institution aims to stimulate and challenge youngsters with age-oriented interactive exhibits and workshops based around themes such as nature, food, transport, science, and much more. In December, the museum turns into a special place to experience the magic of Christmas with a special programme. The museum is closed on 1 January. More info on: www.mdbr.it

WELCOME TO ROME
An amazing and immersive experience through the history of Rome with spectacular video projections on the walls, ceiling and floor, a great plastic of the ancient city and interactive models of some of Rome’s main attractions (Vatican, Roman Forum, Castel St Angelo etc). A short film helps understanding Rome geography and long history in a fun and engaging way. Audio-guides available in 8 languages.

MUSEUM OF ZOOLOGY
A family-friendly museum for all animal fans. Innovative exhibitions, interactive displays, 3D reconstructions and guided tours engage adults and children from the age of 3 years upwards. The museum’s collections include more than five million specimens: insects, birds, mammals, fossils and mollusks from different regions of the world. The younger children will definitely be attracted to the “barrier reef” section but also to the bears, crocodiles, seals and pinnipeds. The Whale Room has a gigantic whale’s skeleton suspended from the ceiling which is really quite impressive!

LEONARDO DA VINCI IN ROME
Everybody knows Leonardo was a genius. He was a painter, a carver, an architect, an engineer, a mathematician, an anatomist, a musician… He invented the tank, the helicopter, the flying machine, the parachute, and the self-powered vehicle even though his inventions weren’t to be realized for centuries. In Rome, there are a few museums dedicated to Leonardo. The Museo Leonardo da Vinci, in Piazza del Popolo, is divided into thematic areas with interactive machines, drawing studies for some of his paintings, sketches of human anatomy, in-depth videos and an immersive multimedia room. Close to Piazza Navona, Palazzo della Cancelleria hosts the Mostra di Leonardo, a permanent exhibition with more than 200 designed machines, 9 animated holograms, 4 thematic showcases and 65 working models that can be touched and experienced. On Via della Conciliazione, the Leonardo Da Vinci Experience Museum has over 50 machines taken from Leonardo’s sketches, in 1:1 reproductions, over 20 life-size reproductions of Da Vinci’s most famous paintings, plus an exciting mirror room to read the genius’ coded messages.

CINECITTÀ SHOWS OFF
A unique, immersive and interactive experience to explore the famed Dream Factory and find out more about the film productions that have contributed to its legend. Three large permanent sets can be toured every day with specialized guides: the monumental “Ancient Rome”, one of the largest sets in Cinecittà, built for the HBO TV series Rome; the “Temple of Jerusalem”; and “Florence in 1400”, made in 2002 and then used for different settings and eras. Also included in the visit is MIAC - Museo italiano dell’Audiovisivo e del Cinema, a huge space with hundreds of films, interactive installations, video art and multimedia experiences.

BIOPARCO
The amazing Zoo of Rome awaits you! You can purchase the entrance ticket online or on-site. Every Thursday and Friday, the appointments with animal meals return, organized by the Zookeepers, to discover the ingredients of their lunch: lemurs, 11.30 am; elephants, at 12.30 and, at 15.45, Cape penguins. From home, have fun with BIOPARCO PLAY WITH US, entering the Virtual World of the tall giraffes, the big felines and elephants, the cute chimpanzees, the reptiles, the bears, and the wolves! A colourful, interactive map, with many games, quizzes, drawing areas, activity books and masks to print, tells you the characteristics of the species hosted.

VIGAMUS - THE VIDEO GAME MUSEUM OF ROME
Perfect for gamers, VIGAMUS is a cool place to come to learn about the history of video games and their evolution. It’s also an amazing place to come if you want to play a selection of consoles and arcade games, from retro and vintage to the modern day. Visitors have access to 36 different stations, whose playable games are updated on a weekly basis. Another reason to come here is the VR Room where it’s possible to try modern virtual reality. 

STADIO OLIMPICO TOUR
The doors of the great Olympic Stadium are open for fans and sports enthusiasts of all ages. A tour in Italian and English, with innovative multimedia technologies, to see its most secret places (from the changing rooms of the Azzuri, Roma and Lazio teams to the playing field) and get thrilled in front of T-shirts, memorabilia and trophies linked to great protagonists and extraordinary moments.

THEME & AMUSEMENT PARKS

LUNEUR PARK
The garden of wonders in Rome is an outdoor oasis of pure fun and adrenaline for the whole family in total safety. There are 25 attractions between rides and games, surrounded by greenery: the Brucomela, the Ferris wheel, the Barcamatta, the Buffoplano. You will be spoiled for choice! New this year is the Great Frisbee, ready to drag the bravest children up and down aboard a rotating flying saucer. 

CINECITTÀ WORLD
Forty attractions and seven themed areas dedicated to major film genres: Cinecittà, Rome, Spaceland, Far West, Adventureland, The kingdom of ice and, in Summer, Aqua World, a true island of fun of 20,000 square metres for those who want to sunbathe between sandy beaches and Cinepiscina, or to let themselves be carried away by the slow river Paradiso, alternating relaxation with the thrills offered by the big Vortex and Boomerang slides. Opening months and times on the official website.

ROMA WORLD
Take a trip to a time 2,000 years ago and spend a day like an ancient Roman. The times of gladiators, emperors and senators aren’t just stories told by touristic guides: they’re experiences you will enjoy first-hand by entering Roma World, an amazing theme park on the Roman countryside, at the south of the city center. The whole place is built as a Roman camp and its village, with plenty of era-appropriate areas and exciting activities for kids. Visitors will get in touch with nature following the practices of 2,000 years in the past, eat and sleep like warriors did, learn to use a gladius and try archery, learn about commerce in the Roman world through the unique shops, see some of the most majestic birds of prey in the world, ride on classic movie Roman chariots and so much more. (Closed in the winter months)

MAGICLAND
With its 60 hectares all around a large lake, it is one of the largest amusement parks in Italy. Accompanied by the magical mascot Gattobaleno, a nice and colourful cat who will follow you along the route, you can discover the park's numerous attractions, divided into thrilling ones, for all and kids, or visit the Cosmo Academy Planetarium, the largest planetarium with full dome projection in 4k laser technology. Even the little ones can find their play areas in the Jungle Camp and, for example, have fun on the Esplorabruco mini rollercoaster, the child-sized excavator or the Gattobaleno Time machine. For opening times and days, check the official website. 

ZOOMARINE
The perfect day-trip from Rome, Zoomarine has myriad amusements and entertainment for the whole family. It is a great combination of marine zoo, water park and amusement park, with swimming and surfing pools, water slides, roller coasters. Zoomarine’s main objective is not only to give infinite fun to its public: it’s about creating awareness about nature and fauna. Which means that animals and natural elements in general are treated with respect. Closed from 2 to 30 November, the park is open during the other months of the year with different timetables.

IL FANTASTICO MONDO DEL FANTASTICO - THE FANTASTIC WORLD OF FANTASY
As you step in through the gates of Il Fantastico Mondo del Fantastico, you will transported into a whole new realm. Located at the Castle of Lunghezza, a few kilometers from the center of Rome, it is a theme park where imagination, storybooks and legends come to life. It blends theater, entertainment, games and nature together. Visitors will discover the magic of legends, loves, duels and battles along with a multitude of characters, superheroes, princesses and pirates, Snow White, the Smurfs, the Musketeers and more. (Closed in the winter months)

EXPLORING ROME WITH FUNNY ITINERARIES

FAMILIES AT VILLA BORGHESE
An itinerary to discover one of the most suggestive parks in Rome, where you can enjoy a relaxing and pleasant day among nature, games, boats, puppet shows, cinema and culture.

THE CAPITOLINE HILL: A PLACE OF LEGENDS
Discover one of Rome's most famous hills, among stories of geese, owls, ancient temples, disappeared books and fascinating legends.

GEMS IN THE GREENERY: OPEN-AIR GREAT BEAUTY
From the historic centre to outside the city, explore some romantic and 'secret' gardens where you can stroll, relax, and have a snack in the open air while enjoying discovering stories and facts and admiring archaeological remains, exotic plants and flowers, breathtaking views and the magic of Rome's colours.

A STONE ZOO
Let's discover the fascinating symbolic animals that hide in the streets of the historic city centre! Among them: the Capitoline Wolf suckling Romulus and Remus; the two Egyptian Lions at the ramp of the Capitol; the little elephant in Piazza della Minerva; the mysterious salamanders of St. Louis of France. Are you ready for an adventurous journey into the myths of Rome?

THE GHOSTS OF ROME
In a city like Rome, where history pervades every street and every stone, some of the historical figures who populated it alive, still do it in the form of a spirit or ghost. Legend, fantasy or reality, at night, these hidden presences, whose soul is trapped between the world of the living and that of the dead, wander in the places they inhabited. The Pimpaccia on her fiery chariot full of treasures running wildly on Ponte Sisto, Messalina, who wanders on Colle Oppio, Beatrice Cenci, Cagliostro, and many others!

OVER THE TIBER: DISCOVERING ROME'S SEVEN MOST ICONIC BRIDGES
A universal symbol of union and connection between man and the city, bridges represented and still represent a fundamental and powerful strategic means for travel, relationships, and commerce in the history of Rome. Along the Tiber, the river with which the Capital has always maintained a symbiotic relationship, there are dozens which, in addition to being the trait d'union between its banks, are splendid creations of human ingenuity and one of the major attractions of the Eternal City. In a mix of ancient architectures, with structures still viable after millennia, and daring contemporary visions, the bridges of Rome offer us glimpses of unrepeatable beauty and unusual itineraries, where history, nature, and romance merge into unforgettable memories, all to tell. Which of the bridges that cross the Tiber best express the identity of the most loved city in the world? Let's find out together.

SPOOKY ROME, AT HALLOWEEN OR ANY TIME
Disembodied hands, dark arts, Gothic allusions and haunted souls: we all know Rome is a city of many faces with an endless number of impressive squares, fountains and must-see monuments. And yet, there is also a dark side. Macabre stories, sinister legends and unexpectedly disturbing atmospheres of some corners of the city will make you feel that unmistakable cold shiver down your spine, not just at Halloween. Are you ready to embark on an unusual and terrifying tour to discover seven of the scariest places in Rome?

A LIGHTHOUSE IN THE CENTRE OF ROME
Twenty meters high and richly decorated, this extravagant lighthouse on the Janiculum Hill is not a reference point for navigation but a work of great symbolic value. It is linked to Italian history, funny Roman sayings and characteristic past habits of roman people!

THE CAPITOLINE HILL: A PLACE OF LEGENDS
The rock of betrayal, the geese that saved the hill, a prophetic "owl" that predicted the end of the world and a fabulous hidden treasure: let's find out the fascinating facts related to the most emblematic place in Rome!