10 Fun family-friendly activities in Florence

Florence is world-renowned as the birthplace of the Renaissance; a city steeped in art and culture, with famous historical landmarks and architecture around every corner. In addition to its sophisticated charms, however, it is also a city that offers plenty of fun activities for kids. From fun day trips to the beach to child-friendly museum treasure hunts, Florence has something for every taste.

Learn to make delicious authentic Italian pizza with your kids, stroll around the old city eating gelato, or cruise down the River Arno on a raft. Whether your family is interested in sports, history, art, or food, there are many ways to discover all this inspiring city has to offer with your little ones.

1. Hunt for treasure in the Uffizi Gallery

Introduce your little ones to the wonders of art in this Uffizi Gallery kid-friendly treasure hunt tour. Learn in a fun and interactive way about masterpieces by Botticelli, da Vinci, and Caravaggio, solve riddles, and find clues. The final stop is La Strega Nocciola for delicious ice cream.

Best time to go:

This family-friendly activity is ideal for kids between 3 and 14 years old. All treasure hunt materials are provided.

Address and opening hours:

Piazzale degli Uffizi, 50122 Florence. The tour starts at 4 PM and lasts 1.5 hours. Uffizi is open Tuesday-Sunday, 8:15 AM–6:50 PM. Closed Mondays.

2. Take to the Tuscan skies in a balloon

For a truly unforgettable thing to do with kids, why not experience a once-in-a-lifetime adventure in a hot air balloon flight over Tuscany? Watch as the balloons are inflated before soaring up into the air to an altitude of 6000 m. Float over the stunning vistas of cypress hills, castles, valleys, and vineyards, and enjoy a delicious breakfast on landing.

Best time to go:

Perfect for children aged 6 and up: younger children are not permitted for security reasons.

Address and opening hours:

San Casciano Val di Pesa. Take-off times vary depending on conditions.

3. Immerse yourselves in Florence’s rich history — with gelato

Walking tours can be challenging for kids — it’s not always what springs to mind when thinking of things to do with children on vacation. This Florence tour for kids and families has been designed with this in mind — incorporating games, stories, and scavenger hunts. It’s a fun and educational family-friendly activity.

Best time to go:

Suitable for everyone, although bear in mind that younger kids may get tired, so consider bringing a stroller.

Address and opening hours:

Meet at the Dante statue in Piazza di Santa Croce, 50122 Florence. The tour starts at 2:00 PM and lasts 2.5 hours.

4. Create the taste of Italy with homemade pizza and gelato

For a unique kid-friendly attraction, try this fun cooking with kids class. Learn to bake traditional Italian pizza in a wood oven, followed by three delicious flavors of Italian gelato. Your mouth will be watering — and your kids can cook these delicious dishes for you back home.

Best time to go:

Suitable for everyone aged 6 and upwards.

Address and opening hours:

Meet at the corner of Via Camillo Cavour and Via Venezia. Starting at 4:45 PM, the class lasts 3 hours.

5. See the sights of the city while rafting down the River Arno

What better way to take in the sights of Florence than from the river? Drift down the River Arno with this Pontevecchio Bridge and city sights rafting cruise, admire Florence’s most iconic landmarks, and experience a thrill of adrenaline as you go down the San Niccolò slide. This will be an unforgettable family vacation experience.

Best time to go:

This is a fun activity for kids aged 3 and upwards. Not suitable for toddlers.

Address and opening hours:

Meet at Lungarno Benvenuto Cellini, 47, 50125 Florence. Starts at 9:00 AM and lasts 2 hours.

6. Take an unforgettable day trip to Cinque Terre

On this Cinque Terre Porto Venere day trip, the whole family can discover the breathtaking cliffs and pastel villages of one of Italy’s most scenic spots. Enjoy delicious Ligurian food and admire the stunning villages from the sea on a boat trip. Bring your swimming things and explore the lovely beaches near Monterosso before heading back to Florence.

Best time to go:

This is a fun activity for kids of all ages and adults alike.

Address and opening hours:

Meet at Villa Costanza Tram T1, 50018 Scandicci Florence. The tour starts at 7:00 AM and lasts 13.5 hours.

7. Discover the fascinating myths behind the Piazza della Signoria statues

Dive into the rich and inspiring world of Greek mythology, and discover Florence’s most famous and beautiful square, with this fun Piazza della Signoria children’s walking tour. Meet the characters from the square’s beloved sculptures: from Hercules to Neptune, Perseus to Zeus. Hear the stories that inspired these world-famous works of art.

Best time to go:

Children over seven will have a good time.

Address and opening hours:

Meet at the Fountain of Neptune, Piazza della Signoria, 50122 Florence. The tour starts at 9:00 AM and lasts 1 hour.

8. Stimulate inquisitive young minds at the Leonardo Interactive Museum

Leonardo da Vinci is widely considered one of the greatest geniuses in human history. Learn more about his fascinating legacy with a Leonardo Interactive Museum ticket, one of the top things to do in Florence with kids. Interact with the remarkable machinery he designed, take part in interactive workshops, and learn about the astonishing discoveries he made in the fields of physics, engineering, painting, and anatomy.

Best time to go:

Suitable for children aged 7 and up.

Address and opening hours:

Via dei Servi, 66/R, 50122 Florence. Open daily from 9:30 AM–7:30 PM.

9. Race up the Tuscan hills on an e-bike

If your family enjoys bike rides, this private electric bike tour of the hills is an ideal kid-friendly activity. Gaze over stunning views of the city and its surrounding countryside, learn about the city’s fascinating history, and then reward yourselves with gelato.

Best time to go:

Suitable for children of all ages: rear bike seats for small children are available on request.

Address and opening hours:

Meet at the corner of Via de’ Neri and Via della Mosca. Tours start at 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM and last for 2 hours.

10. Let your imagination run wild at the Boboli Gardens

The gardens of Florence’s famous Pitti Palace are a veritable wonderland for kids: explore kilometers of vegetation, woods, grottoes, fountains, and fantastical statues. Discover this wild and beautiful outdoor playground, and learn about the stories behind the works of art dotted throughout the gardens with this tour of Boboli, Medici Gardens and their hidden messages.

Best time to go:

Suitable for children aged 6 and upwards.

Address and opening hours:

Piazza dei Pitti, 50125 Florence. The tour starts at 10:30 AM and lasts 1.5 hours.

FAQs

What are some of the top family-friendly attractions in Florence?

There’s no end of fun things to do for all the family. See the city by bike, Segway, golf cart, raft, or even hot air balloon, take a family walking tour, or simply stroll down the banks of the Arno with a gelato.

What are the best museums for kids in Florence?

Kids of all ages will love La Specola, the city’s Natural History Museum. Budding scientists will be fascinated and inspired by the wide range of scientific instruments at the Galileo Museum.

What are some fun outdoor activities for kids in Florence?

Try a horseback ride in the beautiful Tuscan countryside, or take a tour of the city on golf carts.

What are some unique and off-the-beaten-path experiences to have in Florence with kids?

A must-see is the famous antique carousel at Piazza della Repubblica, dating back to the 1900s. After riding the painted horses, visit the nearby family-run Bartolucci toy workshop. Another fun experience is to climb Giotto’s Bell Tower, to experience the ringing bells and to get the most spectacular views of the city.

What are some fun day trips from Florence that are suitable for families with kids?

There are plenty of family-friendly day trips around Florence. Try the scenic villages of Montalcino and Montepulciano, or take a trip as far as Pisa.