The best things to do in Rome with kids: must see, top actives and unexpected attractions you’ll love
[2025 update] Our round-up of fun things to do in Rome with kids and teens: must-see sites, children museums and Rome attractions for kids to add to your family trip to Rome.
If you’re planning a trip to Rome with kids, let me tell you: you’re in for something truly special!
Rome is one of those rare cities that captures the imagination of both adults and children. It’s a place where ancient ruins sit beside playgrounds, where every piazza seems to come with its own gelato stop, and where history and everyday life blend effortlessly.
I know this because I grew up here. I’m a mama of two, born and raised in Rome, and I’ve spent years rediscovering my hometown through my children’s eyes. What I’ve learned is that Rome is not just a city for art lovers and history buffs — it’s one of the best cities to visit with kids, full of experiences that engage curious little minds and delight parents at the same time.
Whether you’re coming for a weekend or a longer stay, this guide will help you plan a visit that balances sightseeing with playtime, history with pizza breaks, and ancient marvels with simple, joyful moments.
Let’s dive into the best things to do in Rome with kids — starting with my personal top ten!
Good to know! Since I have so much to say about Rome with kids, I now how a full website entirely devoted to this very topic! It is called Mama Loves Rome and it has absolutely ALL you need to know about visiting Rome with kids. I hope you check it out!
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Top 10 things to do in Rome with kids
Explore Ancient Rome: The Colosseum and Roman Forum
The marvels of ancient Rome and easy and rewarding to visit with children.
The Colosseum is a wonder for kids — imagining gladiators and roaring crowds makes history come alive and they are usually excited by the visit as the landmarks is so familiar to them from movies and books.
The Roman Forum is just beside it and while some kids may find it less visually impressive than the mighty colosseum, it is a unique place with a magic that is hard to overstate: walking among temples, arches, and the ruins of government buildings gives a tangible sense of how Rome once was, sparking curiosity in both little ones and adults.
You can visit the Colosseum and the Roman Forum in your own time or with a guide. If you prefer a guided experience (especially for the Forum, it adds a lot as there is little info otherwise available), I recommend you get a tour that is for kids, so that they are fully engaged and can learn by playing with. a dedicated guide. The tour I recommend most is this one.
If you prefer to visit in own time, the official site for tickets is this one
2. Stroll Through the City Center
Rome’s historic center is like an open-air museum, with marvels such as Piazza Navona, the Spanish Steps, the Tiber and more.
Wandering cobblestone streets, discovering hidden piazzas, and stumbling across fountains, statues, and colorful markets will make your children feel like explorers in a living storybook. Every corner tells a tale, and there’s no better way to soak up the city’s atmosphere than by simply walking it.
To help kids tap into the many stories the cities hold, I have created some scavenger hunts they can use to explore and learn: you can find them all here, on my website dedicated to Rome with kids. Many of them are free!
3. Toss a Coin in Trevi Fountain
The Trevi Fountain is magical for children (and adults!).
Legend says that tossing a coin ensures your return to Rome. Kids love the ritual — one hand in the water, a careful aim, and a wish whispered to the Eternal City. Plus, the fountain itself is a spectacular sight that never fails to inspire awe.
4. Visit the Pantheon
The Pantheon is not just beautiful; it’s a marvel of ancient engineering. Children are fascinated by the large, round hole in the ceiling — the oculus — which lets sunlight and rain fall into the vast interior. It’s a playful yet awe-inspiring reminder that history can be both grand and engaging.
The Pantheon is popular and the line can be long, although it tends to go fast. If you can, I recommend you get tickets ahead from the official site.
5. Discover the Vatican: St Peter’s Piazza, Basilica, and Dome
Visiting the Vatican is an unforgettable experience for families.
St Peter’s Square alone is enough to make children marvel at its grandeur: the square is car free and immense and like the basilica, free to enter, so you can visit no problem even with very young kids.
Older kids may also enjoy climbing the dome, which feels adventurous and rewards you with one of the most breathtaking views of Rome.
The Vatican is of course also home to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel which you also may want to visit with the kids. I’ll be honest: the museums are wonderful but they are busy and very traditional in layout so if your kids are not used to or do not love art museums, they can be hard for them. I find the very best way to tackle them is with a kids’ tour – this is one of the few attractions in Italy I definitely recommend guidance for. My favorite Vatican tour for kids is this one
6. Explore Castel Sant’Angelo
Castel Sant’Angelo is Rome’s very own castle adventure.
Children love the towering walls, the terraces lined with cannonballs, and the secret passageways — including the tunnel that connects it to the Vatican. From the top, you get panoramic views of the city and the Tiber River, making the climb worthwhile for the whole family. You can get tickets and audioguide here
7. Take a Golf Cart or Vespa Sidecar Tour
Depending on your children’s ages, a golf cart tour or a Vespa sidecar ride is an exhilarating way to explore Rome without tiring little legs. You’ll zip past landmarks, discover hidden corners, and enjoy the city from a fun, unique perspective.
My favorite golf cart tour is this one, while my favorite vespa sidecar one is this one. I recommend teh vespa sidecar one especially to older kids, tweens and teens (not tiny kids or toddler and they need to be able to safely sit on their own in the sidecar)
8. Attend Gladiator School
Attending gladiator school may send really silly but actually, it is super fun and since the organization holding classes is an actual historical reenactment company, there is a lot of learning to be done here too! Kids can don armor, learn sword techniques, and even spar in a safe environment. It’s an interactive, hands-on way to connect with ancient Rome and guarantees laughter and memorable photos. Find info here.
9. Take a Cooking Class
Italian food is central to Roman life, and learning to make pizza or pasta is both fun and delicious. Cooking classes let children get creative, use their hands, and enjoy the immediate reward of eating their creations. It’s a cultural and culinary experience rolled into one. A fantastic class I recommend to all families is this one
10. Cycle Along the Via Appia
For active families, cycling along the ancient Via Appia is a unique adventure. You’ll pedal past ruins and ancient aqueducts, giving kids a sense of history while enjoying fresh air and open space. It’s an unforgettable combination of exercise, exploration, and discovery. You can get bikes here.
More Fun Things to Do in Rome with Kids – history, art and culture
Meet the Capitoline Wolf and take a Percy Jackson tour in Rome’s Capitoline museums
A fantastic museum for adults and kids alike, with wonderful pieces perfect for mythology lovers. You can visit on your own or take a kids’ Percy Jackson tour for extra fun.
Play Truth and Dare at the Mouth of Truth
Inspired by the classic movie Roman Holiday, the Mouth of Truth is a fun stop for kids. Dare them to place their hand in the marble “mouth” — it’s equal parts scary and hilarious.
Run Around Circo Massimo
Once a giant chariot racing stadium, Circo Massimo is now an expansive open space perfect for running off energy while parents enjoy views of Palatine Hill. It’s history in motion, quite literally.
Marvel at the Massive Baths of Caracalla
The ancient Roman baths are breathtaking. Walking among the ruins, children can imagine Romans relaxing in massive pools while learning about this fascinating aspect of daily life in antiquity while being outdoors and free to wander.
Explore Layers of History in San Clemente
San Clemente Church is like a time capsule. Descend through centuries of history from the street-level church down to the ancient Roman structures below. Older kids especially enjoy seeing how layers of time stack up beneath the modern city.
Get Adventurous in Rome’s Catacombs
For families with older, adventurous kids, the catacombs offer a thrilling, mysterious exploration beneath the city. Catacombs are accessible by guided tour only but tours they are easy to follow for kids and bring the history of these underground burial sites to life safely and memorably. I recommend the catacombs to older kids only (not toddler or very sensitive kids due to the nature of the place and the uneven terrain and intrinsic risks of underground tunnels)
Visit Ostia Antica
Step outside the city for a day at Ostia Antica, an open-air museum of ancient Roman life. Kids of all ages can wander through well-preserved ruins, explore an amphitheater, and enjoy a touch of fresh air away from the city crowds
Marvel at the Art in Galleria Borghese
While the museum is renowned for its classical collection, there are statues and sculptures that capture children’s imaginations. Pair it with a stroll in the surrounding park for a perfect blend of culture and play.
Explore Centrale Montemartini
An old power plant turned museum creates a striking contrast between industrial architecture and ancient Roman statues. It’s unusual, visually stunning, and perfect for a rainy day.
Discover the Mosaics of Santa Maria in Trastevere
Kids often find mosaics mesmerizing. This church has stunning examples that are close enough to observe every colorful detail, capturing young imaginations.
Things to do in Rome with kids: Parks, Play, and Nature
Play in Villa Borghese
One of Rome’s most beautiful parks, Villa Borghese has playgrounds, a zoo, and a small pond with rowing boats. It’s a great place for kids to run, explore, and let off energy after sightseeing.
Have a Picnic in Villa Doria Pamphili
This large, leafy park is perfect for a relaxed family picnic. Bring your own or grab a picnic basket from the local bistro and enjoy a slower pace amid beautiful greenery.
Visit Rome Botanical Gardens
In Trastevere, these gardens are full of exotic plants and peaceful paths. Give kids a camera to spot and photograph unusual species — it’s a quiet adventure that sparks curiosity.
Go to the Pond at EUR
For a more modern side of Rome, the EUR area offers interesting architecture and a calm pond perfect for little explorers. It’s a nice contrast to the historic center.
Rome Zoo
Located within Villa Borghese, the zoo is ideal for younger kids who want to see animals without leaving the city center.
Explora Children Museum
Explora is the children museum of Rome, perfect for those times when kids are just done with sightseeing and want a great indoor place to just have fun and play
Museum of Illusions
Part of the museum of illusions family you may have experienced in other cities, this is a fantastic rainy day activity in Rome for kids and teens
Hands-On Fun, classes and Food
Learn to Make Pizza
Pizza is from Rome (and Naples) so taking a pizza making class here is a fun way to combine fun, learning, and delicious results. It’s a hands-on cultural experience that doubles as lunch! We enjoyed taking this one.
Take a DIY food ‘tour to taste the best food Rome has to offer
I have prepared for you a free, self guided ‘food tour’ of Rome which you can find here. A fun and inexpensive way to experience a lot of Rome food in your own time
Drink from Rome’s Small Fountains
Rome’s fountains offer free, fresh water. Kids love to catch water in their hands and giggle at the simple joy of a splash.
Take a Family-Friendly Mosaic Class
Children six and older can try their hand at mosaics with a real artist. It’s a hands-on art experience that’s educational, creative, and immensely satisfying.
Hidden Gems and Quirky Finds
Spy St Peter’s Dome from a Keyhole
On Aventine Hill, peek through a tiny keyhole to see one of Rome’s most breathtaking views: St Peter’s dome perfectly framed. Children are always delighted by this secret little trick.
Explore Fairy Houses in the Coppede District
A hidden corner of Rome, Coppede District looks like it came straight out of a storybook. The whimsical decorations and unusual architecture will charm kids and adults alike.
Visit a Cat Colony
Rome’s cats are beloved, and special “cat colonies” allow children to safely interact with these furry residents. The Ostiense colony by the pyramid is a favorite.
Look for the Elephant in Piazza della Minerva
A tiny statue of an elephant holding an obelisk is easy to miss but fun to find. Kids enjoy spotting it and learning the quirky story behind it. This statue is one of several statues of animals in Rome: you can find my ‘animal statue scavenger hunt’ here
Smell the Flowers in Rome’s Rose Garden
Perched on Aventine Hill, this small rose garden is a peaceful escape. The blooms and views over the city make it an enchanting sensory experience.
Explore a Pyramid
Rome even has its own pyramid in Ostiense. Younger kids love the playground nearby, while the pyramid itself is a surprising twist on city sightseeing.
See Street Art in Ostiense
Ostiense is the best neighborhood to spot modern murals and street art, offering a fun contrast to Rome’s ancient streets.
Catch a View from Rome’s Hills
Rome sits on seven hills, and viewpoints like Giardino degli Aranci, Campidoglio, and the top of St Peter’s dome offer breathtaking panoramas that kids and adults both enjoy.
I hope you enjoyed this round-up of things to do in Rome with kids small and big! Safe family travels.
