10 Fun family-friendly activities in Rome

Rome is known for its great culture, with world-famous landmarks and amazing museums. If you're worried that the kids will get bored in the Eternal City, think again. This beautiful, historic city has plenty of things to do in Rome that will make for an unforgettable summer vacation.

Our list of kid-friendly activities includes a taste of Roman history, with gladiator classes and VR spectacles. Rome is also great for foodie things to do with children. Which kid doesn't love pizza, pasta, and gelato? There is a wealth of fun activities for kids in Rome that will ep the whole family happy.

1. Go back to Ancient Rome with a trip to gladiator school

This 2-Hour Gladiator School session is ideal for boisterous youngsters, and eager adults, too. Learn the art of swordplay and discover how the gladiators lived and fought.

Best time to go:

Suitable for ages 6 and up. Grown-ups who want to unleash their inner Russell Crowe are also welcome.

Address and opening hours:

Via Appia Antica 18, 00179 Rome. Open Monday-Sunday, 9:30 AM-7:00 PM.

2. Learn Da Vinci's secrets with a historical treasure hunt

The Da Vinci Museum offers fun for all ages, but the highlight for kids is the Leonardo Da Vinci treasure hunt game. Race around the streets solving puzzles and riddles inspired by the legendary, enigmatic inventor. Learning about Rome and Da Vinci will be effortlessly fun.

Who is is best for?

Kids aged 7 and up will have an easier time solving the clues. Younger ones may need some help from the grown-ups.

Address and opening hours:

Piazza della Cancelleria 1, 00186 Rome. Open Monday-Sunday, 9:30 AM-7:00 PM

3. Get your heart racing with a virtual trip to the Roman circus

The Circus Maximus was one of the main forms of entertainment in ancient Rome, and the Circus Maximus Virtual Reality Game lets 21st-century visitors experience it for themselves. Put on your headset and feel the excitement of a chariot race.

Best time to go:

This is best for kids aged 8 and up, as little ones may find the VR overwhelming.

Address and opening hours:

Viale Aventino, 00186 Rome. Open Tuesday-Sunday, 10:00 AM-2:50 PM.

4. See the Vatican through a child's eyes

A Vatican and Sistine Chapel Skip-the-Ticket-Line Tour for Kids is the best way to ensure your children don't get bored visiting the Vatican. There's a fun treasure hunt for them to enjoy, as well as kid-friendly historical explanations.

Best time to go:

For kids aged 6 and up.

Address and opening hours:

00120 Vatican City. Opening hours vary.

5. Use the latest technology to explore Rome's past

The ancient world tends to fascinate kids, so take them along to Welcome to Rome: Immersive Journey through Rome's History. This immersive multimedia show will make you feel like you're walking through the streets of Rome at the height of the Empire's power.

Best time to go:

Suitable for all ages.

Address and opening hours:

Corso Vittorio Emanuele II 203, 00186 Rome. Open Monday-Thursday, 9:00 AM-7:00 PM, and Friday-Sunday, 10:00 AM-8:00 PM.

6. Chow down on some authentic Italian gelato

Sightseeing is exciting, but it's even better when it's accompanied by some refreshing gelato. The Illuminated Rome Tour for Kids comes with the chance to taste delicious local pizza and gelato. There are also fun worksheets to keep the kids busy.

Best time to go:

Suitable for all ages. Kids under 5 years of age go free.

Address and opening hours:

Meet up next to the fountain in the middle of the square: Piazza delle Cinque Scole, 00186 Rome. Days and times may vary.

7. Go wild at the city zoo

If your kids love animals, then the Bioparco di Roma Zoological Garden is an absolute must. With over 1,200 species to see, this park is great fun for any budding botanist. Don't miss the creepy-crawlies in the Reptile House.

Best time to go:

Suitable for all ages.

Address and opening hours:

Viale del Giardino Zoologico 1, 00197 Rome. Open Monday-Sunday, 9:30 AM-6:00 PM.

8. Teach eager chefs to make their own pizza

Kids learn best by doing, so get them into the kitchen at this Traditional Pizza and Gelato Making Class. You'll learn to make pizza dough from scratch, choose your favorite toppings, and bake it. Plus, the chefs will teach you the secrets to the perfect gelato. You get to relish the fruits of your labor.

Best time to go:

Suitable for ages 8 and up.

Address and opening hours:

Corso del Rinascimento 65, 00186 Rome. Open Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM-11:00 PM.

9. Enjoy a scavenger hunt through the streets of ancient Rome

Keep history fun with the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill Tour for Kids. Scavenger hunts, quizzes, and other fun activities will keep youngsters motivated as they explore the most famous sights of the classical world.

Best time to go:

Suitable for all ages.

Address and opening hours:

Meet with your guide at the newsstand in front of the Colosseum Metro Station exit on the ground level. 00184 Rome. Varying start times.

10. Spend a day exploring Pompeii

Get out of the city and take a Pompeii for Kids 2.5-Hour Guided Tour. The ruins of Pompeii will fascinate young and old, and this child-friendly tour explains the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in a captivating way, complete with games to play.

Best time to go:

Suitable for all ages.

Address and opening hours:

Meet your guide at the Coffee Shop Vittoria: Via Mare, 80045 Pompei, Naples. Varying start times.

FAQs

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

You'll find kid-friendly tours at many of Rome's biggest attractions. Youngsters will probably be particularly interested in the Colosseum, as its colorful ancient history tends to delight young minds.

What are the best museums for kids in Rome?

Take a child-focused tour of the Vatican Museums. The collections of ancient maps, treasures, and art are all explained in a fun way, and there are games and quizzes for little ones to enjoy.

What are some fun outdoor activities for kids in Rome?

Rome has some great parks that you can enjoy with your family, like the Borghese Gardens or the Orange Garden on Aventine Hill. You'll also find Rome's zoo near the Borghese Gardens, a great spot for a family day out. The city center is quite compact, so you may just enjoy wandering the narrow streets with your family.

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

Among the kid-friendly attractions in Rome, a trip to gladiator school is sure to be memorable. You can also go to a cooking class. The most popular Italian cooking classes tend to focus on pasta and pizza. Pasta may be too fiddly for impatient little hands, but pizza provides endless fun, and youngsters can choose their own toppings.

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

In summer, you might want to head to the Amalfi Coast, where you'll find some lovely beaches and charming seaside towns. However, the most exciting day trip from Rome for a family has to be Pompeii. This city, destroyed by a volcano in 79 AD, is incredibly well-preserved. It's the perfect place to encourage a love of history.