15 best things to do in Rome with kids

From opportunities for littles one to unleash their inner gladiator, to creepy catacombs and activity-packed parks, Rome is loaded with fun things to do with kids of all ages. That said, it takes a little planning to make the most of your time in the city in ways that’ll keep everyone happy. Read on to discover how to do exactly that in our guide to things to do in Rome with kids.

1. Planetario e Museo Astronomico

Rome’s Planetarium and Astronomical Museum is a great place to hit while in Rome with kids. Located in the EUR district, it has a massive dome where families watch projections of stars, planets, and galaxies.

The exhibits are hands-on: kids can touch real meteorites, test out gravity experiments, and explore the solar system with augmented reality.

Shows are available in several languages, and there are different programs geared to specific age groups. After a day of exploring ancient ruins, this museum feels like a welcome change of pace. It also runs special events during meteor showers and eclipses. This can be a really fun addition to your Italy itinerary.

2. Bioparco di Roma

Bioparco, set inside Villa Borghese, is Rome’s long-running zoo. Spread across 42 acres (17 hectares), it’s home to more than 200 species.

Kids can see elephants, lemurs, Komodo dragons, and sea lions during training sessions. The zoo emphasizes conservation, with keeper talks and feeding times that explain the animals in more detail.

Younger kids usually enjoy the petting farm, while older ones are often drawn to the reptile house.

Playgrounds are scattered through the grounds, which gives families natural breaks in between the animal exhibits. One thing that stands out here is the setting: you can watch giraffes while also seeing ancient Roman walls in the distance.

Alongside global animals, there’s a focus on Italian and Mediterranean species too, so kids come away learning about local conservation as well. This is one of the best zoos in Italy.
 

3. Explora: Il Museo dei Bambini di Roma

Explora is Rome’s children’s museum, made for kids up to around 11 years old. Entry is timed, so it never feels overcrowded, and everything inside is built for hands-on play.

Kids can run a miniature supermarket with real checkouts, film themselves in a TV studio, or learn about water and physics in the splash area. The exhibits change regularly, with themes like recycling, the human body, or Roman history explained in kid-friendly ways.

If you’re in Rome with kids, it’s a nice place to go because it’s a safe and enclosed space where children can explore freely without constant “don’t touch” reminders. There’s also a restaurant with kid-friendly meals and an educational gift shop that sells toys and books in several languages. 

4. Cinecittà World

Cinecittà World is Rome’s theme park dedicated to cinema, built just outside the city near the legendary Cinecittà Studios, where classics like Ben-Hur and La Dolce Vita were filmed.

It has rides and shows inspired by Italian cinema, from roller coasters and live stunt performances to 4D adventures and themed play areas. Younger kids can explore film sets and enjoy smaller rides, while older ones will probably head straight for the coasters, virtual reality games, and water attractions in summer.

Beyond the rides, the park gives families a chance to see how movies are made. Kids can step in front of a green screen, learn how special effects work, and walk through sets. There’s enough here to keep toddlers, older kids, and teenagers entertained. It's surprisingly off of the tourist trail in Rome, so it never gets too crowded. 
 

5. Technotown

Technotown is in a renovated villa at Villa Torlonia and is designed for children eight and up. It’s a workshop space where kids can build robots, experiment with 3D printing, make digital music, or try coding and game design.

Everything is hands-on, with sessions led by educators who keep activities engaging and practical. Kids come away with something they created themselves, whether that’s a printed model, an animation, or a simple robotic project. The program changes often, and there are also special camps and events. This is a great thing to do outside of Rome while staying in the city to get a break.

6. Puppet show at San Carlino Theater

The San Carlino Theater keeps Rome’s traditional puppet shows alive. The marionettes perform comedies, fairy tales, and Italian classics like Pulcinella, with plenty of humor, action, and audience participation.

The performances are visual and easy to follow, even if you do not speak Italian. Because the theater is small, kids get a clear view, and afterward the puppeteers sometimes show how the marionettes work. It’s an easy, low-key way to introduce children to a piece of Roman culture.
 

7. Villa Borghese

Villa Borghese is Rome’s version of Central Park, a big green space where kids can run around and try different activities. You can rent a rowboat on the small lake and paddle past a classical temple set on an island.

The park has several playgrounds, including the well-loved Gigi Proietti playground with climbing structures, swings, and slides for a range of ages. Families can also rent bikes, including large Surrey bikes that are easy to pedal together along the shady paths. Street performers, puppet shows, and pony rides sometimes appear, which keeps things lively.

Inside the park, Casina di Raffaello organizes workshops and reading rooms for children aged 3–14. For parents, the Borghese Gallery is nearby. This is a great area to stay in Rome if you're with kids as well.

8. EUR Park adventure playground and zipline courses

EUR Park is one of the best places in Rome for active play. The adventure area is designed with rope bridges, climbing structures, and ziplines graded by age and difficulty.

Children as young as four can stick to the low bridges, while teenagers often head straight for the more challenging courses suspended higher up. Instructors provide equipment and guidance, so kids get the thrill of adventure while staying safe.

The park also has traditional playgrounds, sports courts, and picnic areas, which makes it a good choice for a full day out. The setting is quite different from central Rome, with wide streets and modernist buildings from the Fascist era. Next to the park is a lake with walking paths, paddle boats, and space for cycling. This can be a great day trip from Rome.
 

9. Piazza Navona’s street performers and carousel

Piazza Navona is always lively and full of activity. Kids often gather around performers juggling, making balloon animals, or creating giant soap bubbles that drift over Bernini’s fountains. An antique carousel with painted horses is a permanent fixture and makes a gentle ride for younger children.

Around the square, artists paint caricatures and portraits, which can be fun to take home as a memory of the trip. The fountains themselves draw plenty of attention, with children tossing coins and making wishes. In December, the square hosts a Christmas market with games, sweets, and small rides.

10. Gelateria del Teatro

At Gelateria del Teatro, kids can actually watch the gelato being made right in front of them. The open kitchen means you see the ingredients going in and the churning process as it happens.

The flavors change with the seasons, so in winter you might get blood orange and in summer fresh peach (for more about Italy's seasons, see our guide to the best time to visit Italy). They also experiment with herbs and spices, like rosemary with honey or white chocolate with basil, but the classics are always there too.

Choosing a flavor feels like part of the fun, since you can try a few before deciding. This is where you’ll find some of the best gelato in Rome. It’s a short walk from Piazza Navona.
 

11. The Colosseum

The Colosseum is a place where kids can actually picture what life was like in ancient Rome. They can look down into the underground tunnels where animals and gladiators once waited or see how clever the design was with exits that allowed tens of thousands of people to leave quickly. 

Family tours usually use props and stories to help children connect with the history, and older kids often get excited by the recently opened underground areas and the higher levels. 

Nearby, you can find virtual reality experiences that recreate the atmosphere of the games, which can be a fun way to round out the visit. Try going early in the morning or later in the day when it’s less crowded and cooler, which makes it easier to explore. This is one of the most iconic things to do with kids in Italy.

12. Gladiator School

On the Appian Way, kids can try out life as a gladiator in a way that feels both fun and educational. Instructors show them how to handle wooden swords and shields, explain Latin commands, and talk about the different kinds of gladiators. 

A session usually lasts a couple of hours and includes wearing tunics, practicing basic moves, and taking part in lighthearted mock battles. At the end, children get a certificate marking their training. Parents can either watch from shaded seating or take part themselves. Afterwards, you and the family can grab a Roman pizza to celebrate their graduation.

13. Treasure Hunt Tour of the Vatican Museums

The Vatican Museums can be overwhelming, but treasure hunt tours make them feel manageable for kids. Instead of walking through endless galleries, children follow games and clues that turn the experience into something interactive. 

They might look for Raphael’s self-portrait in the School of Athens, count animals woven into tapestries, or try to interpret the symbols in the Gallery of Maps. 

The Egyptian section, with its mummies and hieroglyphs, is always a highlight. Even the Sistine Chapel becomes easier to follow when explained with stories that kids can connect to. 

These tours usually last a couple of hours, often skip the long lines, and sometimes include activity books or tablets to keep children engaged. It’s a good way for both kids and adults to enjoy the museums without feeling drained. That way you don't have to miss out on the best things to do in Rome.

14. Bike ride along the Appian Way

On Sundays, the Appian Way closes to cars and becomes one of the best places in Rome for a family bike ride. Rental shops nearby have kids’ bikes, trailers, and baby seats, so everyone can join in. The path itself is mostly flat and lined with umbrella pines, ancient tombs, and stretches of aqueduct, which makes it easy to imagine how Roman legions once marched the same stones.

You can stop at catacombs along the way, picnic in the meadows, or take a break at the Tomb of Cecilia Metella. Information points help explain the history in ways that work for kids, and the mix of ruins and countryside keeps things interesting. 

Spring brings wildflowers, autumn has rich colors, and in summer the shaded sections are a relief from the heat. This is by far one of the best things to do in Rome with kids.

15. Largo di Torre Argentina Cat Sanctuary

This is one of the most classic things to do in Rome with kids. In the middle of ancient ruins you’ll find something surprising: a cat sanctuary. Around 150 cats live among the temples and columns where Julius Caesar was assassinated.

From street level you can watch them stretched out on the stones or weaving through the ruins. If you go down into the sanctuary, volunteers explain how they look after abandoned and disabled cats and share some of the history of the site.

For kids, it’s fun to see the animals up close while also learning about the past. There’s a small shop with cat-themed souvenirs that help support the sanctuary. Since it’s centrally located, it’s easy to stop by while exploring other sights. 

Ready to see more of the country? See our guide to how to plan a trip to Italy.