Discover with us what to do and see with toddlers and kids during a family vacation in Rome.
Rome is a fantastic destination for travelers of all ages since the Eternal City is not only rich in history and culture, but it is also a surprisingly family-friendly travel destination. Rome offers a magical blend of culture, history, and adventure targeted at kids who will remember it for a lifetime.
From tossing coins into the Trevi Fountain to biking through lush parks, the Eternal City offers unforgettable adventures for every age, as there are countless things to do in Rome with kids that are both fun and educational.
Whether you are traveling with toddlers or teens, discover with us 10 things to do and see in Rome with kids with our ultimate guide, a perfect mix of culture, discovery, and child-friendly charm.
Explora – Rome’s Kids’ Museum
It is the unmissable place to visit during a vacation in Rome with kids, one of the best family attractions of the Eternal City. Explora, the kids’ museum of Rome, is the city’s top interactive museum designed just for children.
Located close to Piazza del Popolo, Explora offers a fun, educational escape where kids can touch, play, and learn through hands-on exhibits in science, nature, technology, and creativity.
Ideal for toddlers to 12-year-olds, Explora offers a vibrant mix of science, technology, environment, and creativity where everything is made to be touched, tested, and explored, in a fully immersive learning playground for children aged 0–12.
Rome with kids: Museum of Musical Instruments
It is an hidden gem located close to the Basilica of Saint Holy Cross in Jerusalem. The Museum of Musical Instruments in Rome is a surprising treasure trove where music, history, and craftsmanship come to life.
With over 3,000 musical instruments from around the world, Rome’s Museum of Musical Instruments is a feast for the eyes and ears, rich in culture, fun, and interactive learning. With its ornate instruments such as centuries-old violins, curious harps, antique pianos, and ancient Roman horns, the museum tells the story of sound across time, and it is a perfect place to visit for kids with an ear for music or a curious mind.
Villa Borghese, the best places to visit during a vacation in Rome with kids
It is the biggest park in the historical Rome city center and one of the best places to visit during a vacation in Rome with kids.
Whether spending the whole day or just a few hours, Villa Borghese is a perfect spot to play, learn, and enjoy a slower, greener side of Rome. The park is packed with many activities for any age. Whether kids are animal lovers, budding artists, or just need a green break from ancient ruins, in fact, inside Villa Borghese there are playgrounds and picnic areas, a zoo garden, a puppet theater, and a small lake where it is possible to rent a rowboat to enjoy the Temple of Asclepius surrounded by swans and statues.
Villa Borghese can also be visited by renting a bike or a pedal kart, or alternatively with a golf cart: a fun way to explore the park in an easy and eco-friendly way (here 5 things to do in Villa Borghese if you don’t want to visit the Museum).
Rome with kids: Casina delle Civette – House of the Owls
It is one of Rome’s most enchanting hidden gems. The Casina delle Civette (House of the Owls) is one of Rome’s best-kept secrets. Located inside the Villa Torlonia Park, the Casina delle Civette is a whimsical Art Nouveau villa, once home to Prince Giovanni Torlonia, which with its shapes and architecture seems to be out of a Harry Potter movie.
This enchanted house is filled with stained-glass windows, intricate mosaics, and—of course—its iconic owl motifs. The Casina delle Civette is a must-visit for lovers of intricate architecture and off-the-beaten-path treasures, and one of the best places to visit in Rome with kids.
The Botanic Garden of Rome
It is a quiet escape from the chaos of Rome’s historical city center and a perfect place for a midday recharge from the crowded touristy areas.
Rome’s Botanic Garden is a peaceful green oasis of the Eternal City. Located in the Trastevere district, the botanic garden with its 30 acres hosts more than 7,000 plant species from around the world and features themed areas such as a Japanese Garden, Mediterranean paths, greenhouses with tropical plants, and a Bamboo Forest. Perfect for nature lovers and families with kids, the Rome Botanical Garden offers winding paths, cascading waterfalls, and panoramic views of the Eternal City.
Rome with kids: Tossing coins into the Trevi Fountain
The Trevi Fountain is one of the most iconic landmarks in Rome, one of the most famous in the world, and a must-see during a vacation in Rome, also for kids. Visiting the Trevi Fountain is more than a photo stop; it is a chance to join in a centuries-old tradition: tossing a coin into the fountain.
Every child can throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain – right hand over the left shoulder – as a wish to ensure a return to Rome. It is fast, it is fun, and it leaves the kids wide-eyed at the game of throwing the coin.
Domus Romane of Valentini Palace, 3D projections of ancient Rome
Behind the elegant facade of Palazzo Valentini, just steps from Piazza Venezia, lies one of Rome’s most fascinating hidden treasures, an extraordinary underground archaeological site that brings ancient history to life like never before. The Domus Romane of Palazzo Valentini host the remains of luxurious Roman homes from the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD, complete with intricate mosaics, private baths, and stunning frescoes.
This site is perfect to explore with kids because Palazzo Valentini offers a fully immersive experience: you walk on transparent floors over ancient Roman villas and baths, while 3D projections and lights recreate what these homes once looked like.
Mouth of Truth – Bocca della Verità
It is one of Rome’s most iconic and curious landmarks. The Mouth of Truth is a perfect mix of legend, mystery, and a little bit of fear. Tucked under the portico of the ancient Santa Maria in Cosmedin church, close to the Circus Maximus, this giant marble face has captured the imagination of travelers for centuries.
According to legend, if you tell a lie with your hand inside the Mouth of Truth, it might just bite! This quirky tradition makes it one of the most photographed spots in Rome, especially for families, couples, and movie lovers (overall Roman Holiday movie fans), and here parents with kids can “test their honesty” — it’s a fun way to engage them in a legendary piece of folklore.
Historical Museum of the Firefighters
The Historical Museum of the Firefighters is a Rome’s hidden gem dedicated to the fearless men and women who have protected the city from fire for centuries. Located in the Testaccio district just outside the city center, this fascinating museum showcases vintage fire trucks, antique equipment, uniforms, and rescue stories that span from ancient Rome to modern times.
Kids love climbing aboard old fire engines, while history buffs will enjoy learning about the evolution of firefighting techniques. The Historical Museum of Firefighters features vintage fire engines, ladders, uniforms, and rescue equipment.
Rome with kids: the best playgrounds of the Eternal City
Exploring Rome with kids is an unforgettable adventure, but even the most curious young travelers need a break from museums, monuments, and long walks. Rome’s playgrounds come to the rescue and are a very good option for a pit stop in a day of visits during a vacation in Rome. Whether kids need to burn off energy, meet local children, or simply swing under the Roman sun, the Eternal City offers a variety of kid-friendly parks and playgrounds tucked among its ancient wonders. The best playgrounds in Rome that families shouldn’t miss are in Villa Borghese, Gianicolo hill, Villa Doria Pamphili, the Park of the Aqueducts, and the Via Sannio gardens close to the Saint John Lateran Basilica.
Spending time playing in the shade of some of the most iconic sites and historical monuments is perfect for a Rome vacation with kids; it is fun, inspiring, and totally unforgettable.