Guide · Rome

Rome with young children

Rome is hard work with small children and worth it anyway. The difficulties are physical rather than cultural: cobbles that fight a pushchair, long stretches without shade, and a summer that regularly passes thirty five degrees. None of it is a reason to stay away, but a plan built for adults will not survive contact with a four year old here.

Two habits make the difference. Start early, because the ruins are cooler and emptier before ten and unbearable at two. And drink from the street fountains: the small cast iron taps running constantly across the city are drinking water, they are free, and refilling a bottle at them is one of the more reliable ways to keep everyone going.

For the sites themselves, pick the ones with something visibly strange rather than the most important. A mouth that supposedly bites liars, a cannon fired at noon, or a buried palace hold attention in a way that a floor plan of a forum does not.

Open Rome on the map

Family places in Rome

🎠Activities 8

Ascol BikeRent a 4 seats bike a family ride in the Villa Borghese park.
Park
Bici Pincio - Rent a BikeRent a 4 seats bike a family ride in the Villa Borghese park.
Park
Bici Pincio - Rent a BikeRent a 4 seats bike a family ride in the Villa Borghese park.
Park
Boat paddleRowing boats for hire on the small lake in Villa Borghese, with the temple of Aesculapius on the bank.
Park
Cinecittà Si MostraTour of the working film studios, with standing sets including ancient Rome and Florence.
Indoor
Official website
Il Cannone del GianicoloA cannon fired from the Janiculum terrace at noon every day, a short and reliable bit of theatre with a view over the rooftops.
FreeOutdoor space
Mouth of TruthMarble disc in the portico of Santa Maria in Cosmedin. Legend says it bites the hand of anyone who lies. Expect a queue for the photo.
FreeOutdoor space
Official website
TechnotownHands-on science and technology playhouse in the grounds of Villa Torlonia, with robotics and digital workshops for 12+.
Ages 12+GamesIndoor
Official website

🌳Parks 7

La Fattoria di ValentinoActivity park with playgrounds, games, restaurant and a petting farm.
Play areaGamesPetting farm
Official website
Orto Botanico di RomaBotanical garden below the Janiculum with a bamboo grove, a Japanese garden and open lawns to run on. Free below 5.
Outdoor
Official website
Parco Regionale dell'Appia AnticaRegional park along the ancient Appian Way, with long stretches of Roman paving to walk or cycle, closed to traffic on Sundays.
Free
Official website
Villa AdaNice park with a playground, walking and bicycle paths.
FreePlay area
Villa BorgheseLarge central park with dog areas, bicycle and rickshaw rentals, paddle boats, carousels, a touristic train and children games.
FreeGames
Official website
Villa Doria PamphiliLargest park near the center with nice walking and bicycle paths.
Free
Official website
Villa TorloniaSmall park with interesting architectural wonders and parrots.
Free

🏛️Museums 5

Domus Aurea entranceNero's buried palace, seen on a guided walk through the excavated rooms with a virtual reality reconstruction. Hard hats provided, and the tunnels are cool and uneven.
Indoor
Official website
Explora - Il Museo dei Bambini di RomaHands-on children's museum with a supermarket, a fire engine and water play. Entry is in timed sessions, so book ahead. Free under 1.
Play areaGames
Official website
Leonardo da Vinci ExperienceExhibition celebrating Leonardo's talent, with model flying machines & copies of famed paintings. Free under 6.
Indoor
Official website
National Gallery of Modern and Contemporary ArtModern art collection next to Villa Borghese, with family workshops for 14+ and a garden cafe. Free under 18.
Outdoor
Official website
Palazzo delle EsposizioniLarge exhibition hall with changing shows and a workshop programme for children.
Ages 1+
Official website

🎡Theme Parks 1

Luneur ParkHistoric amusement park with gentle rides aimed at younger children and a garden to picnic in.
Play areaGames
Official website

🎭Theatres 1

Gianicolo puppet theatreTraditional puppet show in Italian language. Small donation expected.
Outdoor
Official website

🦁Zoo & Animals 6

Bioparco di RomaZoo with elephants & Komodo dragons, animal feeding sessions, a theater & summer camp for children.
Outdoor
Official website
Casale dell'Airone AgriturismoFamily farm open to visitors, with a restaurant, animals to meet and games to play.
Games
Il Giardino di FillyWorking farm open to visitors, with animals to meet and space to run.
Outdoor
Official website
La fattoria degli animaliWorking farm open to visitors, with animals to meet and space to run.
Outdoor
Official website
LAGOTTEROWorking farm open to visitors, with animals to meet and space to run.
Outdoor
Parco Natura VoloAltoWorking farm open to visitors, with animals to meet and space to run.
Outdoor
Official website

🛝Playgrounds 1

Junior Village Roma Parco Giochi GonfiabiliIndoor play centre with inflatables and food, aimed at younger children.
Indoor
Official website

💦Water Parks 1

Parco Acquatico HydromaniaWater park west of Rome with slides, wave pool and shaded areas. Free under 1M.
Outdoor
Official website

🍔Kids Restaurants 15

Agriturismo Il Casale BicoccaRestaurant with a playground, games and animals to meet.
Play areaGamesPetting farmTerrace
Official website
ARCADE and FOOD - Hamburgeria - Steak House - Video GamesBurger and steak restaurant with retro arcade games, pinballs and other games alongside the tables.
Play areaGamesTerrace
Official website
Bottega IoliSmall bakery with pastries, biscuits, cannelloni and pancakes.
Terrace
Official website
Ciclostazione FrattiniFamily-friendly restaurant with indoor play area and outdoor inflatables for children.
Play areaGamesTerrace
Official website
Locanda dei MassimiFamily-friendly restaurant with a playground and farm animals.
Play areaPetting farmTerrace
Official website
MANFORTEFamily-friendly restaurant with a play area for children.
Play area
Official website
MelonciniFamily-friendly restaurant with space for children.
Play areaTerrace
Official website
Risto VillageRestaurant with a play area and outdoor space for children (next door)
Play area
Official website
Ristorante Casette di CampagnaFamily-friendly restaurant with a play area and few animals to look at.
Play areaPetting farmTerrace
Official website
Ristorante Pizzeria - Mucca Pazza ROMAFamily-friendly restaurant with large play areas for children including indoor games and outdoor inflatables.
Play areaGamesTerrace
Official website
Rosti al PignetoRestaurant with an outdoor garden and a small play area with games fr children.
Play areaGamesTerrace
Official website
StrafornoFamily-friendly restaurant with play area for children.
Play areaGames
Official website
Tipi SRLFamily Bar & Concept Store
Games
Official website
Totem Garden barBar in the park for drinks and snacks while the children can pay on the playground.
Play areaTerrace
Official website
Vivi Bistrot Villa Doria PamphiliBistro inside Villa Doria Pamphili, with tables on the lawn and the run of the largest park in Rome.
Terrace
Official website

See everything we have mapped in Rome

Practical tips

Refill at the nasoniThe cast iron street fountains run all day and the water is drinkable. Block the spout with a finger and it arcs upward, which children will do repeatedly.
A carrier beats a pushchairCobbles, kerbs and crowded pavements make wheels hard work in the centre. If your child still tolerates a carrier, bring it for the old city.
Plan the middle of the day indoorsBetween about one and four in summer, be somewhere with shade or air conditioning. Save the outdoor sites for early morning and evening.

Villa Borghese is the release valve: green, central, and big enough to run in, with boats on the lake and bikes to hire at the edge.