The top 10 things to do in Venice with kids

You might think of Venice as a romantic destination, thanks to its sophisticated cuisine and beautiful landmarks. However, there are plenty of family-friendly activities to try. Little ones are more than welcome in La Serenissima, with a great variety of things to do in Venice with kids.

You'll find kid-friendly attractions like nearby water parks, exhibitions, puzzle quests, and plenty of other great things to do with children in the city. Enjoy the fun of a masquerade, explore the canals together, and discover a huge number of fun activities for kids in the floating city.

1. Admire the colorful houses of Burano Island

The brightly colored façades on Burano Island will delight kids of all ages. The whole family can have fun here, with little alleys to explore and local butter cookies to eat. A Murano and Burano boat tour also includes a visit to the famous glassmakers of Murano.

Best time to go:

Kids of all ages will enjoy a trip to the island.

2. Have a prehistoric adventure at the Natural History Museum

The Natural History Museum's highlight is its dinosaur exhibition, with the massive skeleton of an Ouranosaurus Nigeriensis the star of the show. There are also brilliantly colored butterflies to admire, and a range of plants, fossils, and other natural wonders to fascinate young minds.

Best time to go:

This is suitable for kids of all ages, particularly if they're going through a dinosaur phase.

Address and opening hours:

Salizada del Fontego dei Turchi 1730, 30135 Venice. Open Tuesday-Sunday 10:00 AM-6:00 PM. Closed Mondays.

3. Take a trip into toyland at the Creature di Gomma Exhibition

This museum will surely put a smile on everyone's face. With tickets to the Creature di Gomma Exhibition, you can marvel at Europe's largest collection of vintage toys. There are toys from all over the world, making this an Aladdin's Cave to explore.

Best time to go:

This is a good option for kids of all ages, as well as nostalgic adults.

Address and opening hours:

Calle de la Vida 2390A, 30125 Venice. Open Monday-Sunday 10:30 AM-7:00 PM.

4. Escape the heat at Caribe Bay Water Park

Venice in summer is very hot. Cool off with a Caribe Bay Water Theme Park ticket. This is Italy's best water park, with rides, attractions, and shows to suit all ages.

Best time to go:

There's something for all ages, from gentle paddling pools for toddlers to wild slides for teens and adults.

Address and opening hours:

Via Michelangelo Buonarroti 15A, 30016 Lido di Jesolo. Open daily 10:00 AM-6:00 PM.

5. Unleash your creativity at a carnival mask workshop

A classic Venetian masquerade is strictly adults-only, but a Carnival mask workshop offers fun for all ages. Under the instruction of an expert, you'll learn to decorate a paper-mache mask. Let your imagination run wild as you create your own totally unique mask.

Best time to go:

All ages are welcome, but kids aged 6 and up will probably have an easier time decorating their mask. Young kids will need some parental help.

6. Have interactive fun at the Procutarie Vecchie

While the grown-ups admire the glorious architectural surroundings, kids will have a lot of fun at the Procuratie Vecchie Interactive Exhibition. There are 16 interactive games and exhibits to test your personality and strengths. The goal of the exhibit is to fill you with hope, gratitude, and curiosity.

Best time to go:

This is suitable for all ages but may be more fun for kids aged 6 and up. Kids under 10 get free entry.

Address and opening hours:

Piazza San Marco 105, 30124 Venice. Open Wednesday-Monday 10:00 AM-7:00 PM. Closed Tuesdays.

7. Test your puzzle-solving skills as you explore the city

Kids can be bored by traditional tours, but a city discovery game will keep them entertained for hours. Solving riddles, looking for hidden clues, and seeing the city’s fun side is a great way to explore Venice for the first time.

Best time to go:

All ages are welcome, but kids aged 8 and up will have an easier time solving the riddles.

8. Play pirate games at the Naval Museum

If your kids are going through a pirate phase, they'll love the Museo Storico Navale. This museum has some stunning models of Venetian galleons and other ships, showing some incredible vessels through the ages. This is a great museum for anyone who likes boats.

Best time to go:

All ages can come in, but this attraction is best suited to kids aged 5 and up.

Address and opening hours:

Riva San Biasio 2138, 30122 Venice. Open Wednesday-Monday 11:00 AM-5:00 PM. Closed Tuesdays.

9. See the puppets at the House of Carlo Goldoni

The House of Carlo Goldoni is an exciting place for anyone with a big imagination. The collection of marionettes and glove puppets is fascinating, and there are also regular puppet shows. Enjoy the magic of the Venetian theater here.

Best time to go:

This is best for kids aged 6 and up. Some of the puppets might be scary for very young children.

Address and opening hours:

Rio Terà dei Nomboli 2794, 30125 Venice. Open Thursday-Tuesday 10:00 AM-4:00 PM. Closed Wednesdays.

10. Have a morning of sweet treats on a pastry shop tour

Venice's most famous boozy dessert, tiramisu, is more suited to adults. However, there are lots of sweet treats to enjoy on a walking tour of Venice’s cafes and pastry shops. Try to get them to save some room for the gelato tasting.

Best time to go:

This is a walking tour, so your children should be old enough to walk around without getting too tired.

FAQs

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

Kids will find the canals and the lagoon as exciting as adults. A city with canals instead of streets is always interesting and will spark imaginative dreams. Kids will also love the chance to visit Burano Island, with its brightly colored houses.

What are the best museums for kids in Venice?

The Natural History Museum is the best museum for kids in Venice, thanks to its great dinosaur exhibit. Kids will also enjoy the Naval Museum, which has an impressive collection of historic boats and ships. Carlo Goldoni's House is a theatrical museum, with puppets and marionettes that kids will enjoy looking at. You may also be able to see a puppet show while you're visiting.

What are some fun outdoor activities for kids in Venice?

There are many different ways to see the canals, from traditional gondolas to speedboats. You'll also find family-friendly city tours, including some with fun riddles to solve as you explore the canals, bridges, and alleyways. If it's just too hot in the city, a great outdoor activity is the Caribe Bay Water Park, a short distance from Venice, which is the best option for a family-friendly day trip.

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

Try attending a mask-making workshop. Children will love the chance to decorate their own masks and may even learn something about Venice's carnival traditions along the way. For something unusual and fun, try watching a glassblowing demonstration on Murano Island. This art form isn't really suitable for little ones to try, but they'll certainly enjoy the chance to watch artisans at work, as it's a fascinating, colorful process.