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10 August, 2023
A love letter to Italy
Categories
Things to do in Italy with kids: Fun activities, top tips & more
Published
20 December, 2023
Edited
12 February, 2026
Italy is one of the most rewarding family travel destinations. Art and architecture, exceptional food, and landscapes that move easily from city to countryside, all underpinned by centuries of culture and history. The range of things to do in Italy with children is endless; from renowned museums to outdoor adventures and encounters with the Roman Empire that feel anything but textbook.
In this guide, we’ve gathered the best things to do in Italy with the family, along with a few practical tips to help your Italian holiday run smoothly (and stylishly, of course.)
At onefinestay, family travel is approached with the same care and consideration as everything else we do. One visit to Italy is rarely enough, and with exclusive homes across the country from Tuscany to Lake Como, returning for a second (or third) family holiday with onefinestay feels like a natural progression.
Tips for traveling with kids
Before diving into the best things to do in Italy with children, a few considered tips to make traveling with kids of any age feel simpler, and more enjoyable...
Set expectations early
Talk through the journey before you leave, including how long it will take and what the day will look like. Framing travel as part of the experience helps avoid frayed nerves. Simple games go a long way, too.
Bring them into the planning
Older children, in particular, appreciate having a say. Ask what they’re most looking forward to once you arrive at your villa in Italy, then shape a loose family itinerary around those ideas.
Check travel documents in advance
Make sure passports, visas, and any required paperwork are in order well before departure. Some children need their own documentation, even when traveling with parents.
Let them pack a little independence
A small suitcase of their own helps children feel involved and invested in the trip. Think essentials, plus a few personal favorites.
Plan ahead for medication
If your child needs medication, bring more than you think you’ll need, including backups. It’s one detail best handled before you leave, not after you arrive.
What are the popular dishes in Italy for children?
Good food has a special place in Italian culture. Dinner in Italy isn't just a meal, it's a time to sit down with family and friends and socialise.
Your children will be familiar with many of Italy's most famous dishes, pasta and pizza, as they'll always go down well, even with fussy eaters. You should find these featured on almost every restaurant menu, so eating out with younger children is a breeze. Teenagers might be keen to try more adventurous dishes, as well as regional variations on old favourites, such as ravioli, Linguine alle Vongole and Risotto alla Milanese. Desert is easy – gelato is a winner every time with the little ones, while older children should be pleased by classics such as panna cotta or tiramisu.
Children are welcome in most restaurants throughout Italy, and although you won't see a children's menu very often, you can ask for a mezza porzione or a half portion, and the chef will usually be happy to oblige.
The best things to do in Italy with children
Safe, welcoming, and with more than its fair share of wonderful history and culture, Italy is a dream destination for families. In fact, there are so many things to do in Italy with kids, we've broken them down into categories for easy trip planning.
Cultural experiences for children in Italy
Italy is packed with culture. The two cultural epicentres everyone knows are Rome and Florence, but there are so many other locations to visit, such as Pisa or Venice, that you could spend a lifetime exploring. Choose tours that will entertain children (while being short enough to stop them from losing interest halfway through.)
Discovering Rome with kids - Rome alone could keep you coming back for years. Here are our top three Rome attractions that will appeal to children and adults alike:
The Colosseum - No trip to Italy with the family is complete without a tour of one of the most iconic ancient monuments in the world. This huge amphitheatre in the very centre of Rome is filled with fascinating (and slightly gruesome) details. Guided tours will take you through the tunnels the gladiators once used and onto the arena floor, where they would entertain emperors with displays of brutal combat. Ideal for children of around ten and upwards (little ones may find some of the details a little scary).
The Spanish Steps - Climbing a steep slope between Piazza di Spagna and Piazza Trinità dei Monti, the Spanish Steps are one of Rome's major attractions. All around are museums and galleries that introduce you to the artistic wonders of the Renaissance in Rome. Ideal for older children and teenagers with an interest in art and culture.
Vatican scavenger hunt - If you're looking for unusual things to do in Italy with the kids, it doesn't get much more exciting than this. A three-hour guided tour takes you into the heart of the Vatican. The Scavenger Hunt tours include games and puzzles that younger children will love and which also teach them about the Vatican's collection of treasures.
Exploring Florence with children - The Renaissance began here, and Florence still wears that legacy with pride. It’s compact, walkable, and surprisingly engaging for younger travelers, especially when you know where to focus. From larger-than-life sculptures to open piazzas made for wandering, there’s plenty to hold everyone’s attention. Here are three family-friendly Florence attractions worth prioritizing.
The Accademia Gallery - Home to Michelangelo’s David, the Accademia is a surprisingly manageable first museum stop with children, and a memorable introduction to Renaissance art. Head straight to David, it’s hard not to be impressed by something that large, then keep the rest short and focused rather than attempting a full cultural sweep. Challenge kids to spot unfinished sculptures or count the different expressions in the paintings. Pre-book skip-the-line tickets in summer to keep the visit smooth and stress-free.
The Leonardo Interactive Museum - Close to the Accademia Gallery, this fascinating museum delves into the life of the most famous Renaissance artist, Leonardo da Vinci. Interactive exhibits, including his incredible flying machines, will get young minds buzzing.
Electric cart tours - Little legs can get tired with all that walking. A great way to see all of the attractions of Florence is to take an electric cart tour of the city's ancient streets and piazzas. Perfect for younger children, it's one of the more unique things to do with the family in Italy - get in touch with your Guest Experience Team member to get this booked in.
Child-friendly beaches in Italy
Italy's beaches are truly magnificent. From the French border all the way down to the 'toe' of Italy, you'll find golden sandy beaches and warm, safe water to paddle in. Hop on the ferry to Sicily or Sardinia, and you'll discover even more beautiful stretches of sand to enjoy with the little ones. Our top three family-friendly beaches in Italy are:
Levanto, Liguria, the Italian Riviera - This delightful sandy beach is just west of Cinque Terre. It's quieter than the more famous beaches along the Tuscan coast and very family-friendly, with shallow, safe water and plenty of space on its golden sandy beach. Facilities are excellent, and this is a perfect choice if your Italy family holiday has to include at least one trip to the beach.
Anzio, Lazio - Just 40km from Rome, this is an ideal day-trip destination if you want to get away from the crowds at the Colosseum and chill out on a sandy beach. It's famous for the clifftop ruins of Emperor Nero's villa (and some pretty good gelato, too.)
Must-do experience for children in Italy
A visit to one of Italy's famous F1 race tracks - Our top pick is Mugello, the home of Italian motorsports. Located in the heart of the Tuscan countryside, it's a high-octane, thrilling experience, especially when the F1 or MotoGP races are on.
Food, glorious food - Italy boasts one of the most iconic cuisines in the world, and every child is guaranteed to love a slice of authentic Italian pizza. Cooking classes allow them to create their own masterpieces, from learning how to spin the dough bases to choosing their favourite toppings (not pineapple, though…). It is a delicious and fun way to discover more about Italian culture and teaches them useful life skills, too.
That 'Leaning Tower of Pisa' picture - If you're planning your family holiday to Italy, Pisa has to be on the list of places to visit. The Leaning Tower will have your little ones scratching their heads as to how it can lean that far and not fall over.
The Pompeii experience - Frozen in time after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD79, Pompeii offers one of the most vivid windows into ancient Roman life. While it’s better suited to older children and teenagers, who can fully grasp its scale and story, walking the preserved streets feels less like a history lesson and more like stepping into the past. To keep attention high, focus on the everyday details, homes, bakeries, even ancient graffiti, rather than trying to cover the entire site in one go.
Puppet shows and theatre magic - For a dose of theatre that feels both traditional and playful, seek out one of Italy’s long-standing puppet performances. In Florence, small theatres and cultural spaces host lively marionette shows inspired by classic tales, while in Rome, the San Carlino Puppet Theater continues to delight children with its colourful characters and quick-witted storytelling. It’s an easy way to introduce younger travelers to Italian heritage, without it ever feeling like a lesson.
Family-friendly seasonal events and festivals
Italy’s calendar is filled with festivals that bring local traditions to life. In Florence, the Cavalcata dei Magi transforms the city each January, with a historic procession of the Three Kings winding through the streets in full costume. Throughout the summer, Estate Fiorentina fills piazzas with open-air cinema, music, and performances that run well into the evening. Along the Amalfi Coast, the Ravello Festival pairs concerts with sweeping coastal views, serving up cultural moments in unforgettable settings.
Experience the finest family holiday in Italy with onefinestay
Experience the finest family holiday in Italy with onefinestay
Book an Italian villa with onefinestay, and you’ll unlock a world of fun things to do in Italy with kids. Speak to an expert Travel Advisor or browse our destination guides to find a location that suits you, whether that's the golden beauty of Tuscany, or a holiday in the heart of Rome.
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact us; our expert team of Travel Advisors will be happy to help you create the ultimate Italy family holiday.
