9 Family-Friendly Things To Do in Florence

The massive Uffizi Galleries can be overwhelming, especially for younger visitors. With a guide specializing in kid-friendly tours, however, this world-class museum can become one of the best family attractions in Florence. Tours designed for kids keep everyone engaged and entertained, plus they can move the visit along quickly to focus on the most important artworks and cover the collection in just a few hours. Opt for a small-group tour or enjoy the full attention of a guide with a private Uffizi tour.

Piazza della Repubblica is a sweeping, traffic-free square where little ones can blow off a bit of steam safely, plus ride the old-fashioned carousel that sits in its center all year round—one of the top fun things for kids in Florence. Most walking tours make a stop at this storied square that marks the heart of both the Renaissance center of the city and its most famous shopping area. For a sweet snack, stop at one of the square’s landmark coffee shops and grab a table to watch the buskers perform for passersby.

Take a turn through a bustling outdoor market and sample Florentine street food, pastries, and—of course—gelato with a food tour calibrated to satisfy kids’ palates. Florence is known for its hearty Tuscan fare and is the birthplace of gelato, so there are plenty of specialties that kids will love. Teens can keep up with a small-group tour, but families with younger gourmands can opt for a private tour for a more kid-friendly pace and curated tastings that everyone will enjoy.

Related: 9 Quintessentially Florentine Dishes and Where To Eat Them in Florence

Nothing saps kids’ energy—and parents’ patience—like getting caught in an endless line. The Accademia Gallery is one of the most popular museums in Florence, and the wait to enter can stretch for hours. Avoid this hassle by booking a skip-the-line tour that includes fast-track, timed entry and a kid-friendly guide to get the most out of your visit. One of the best art-focused Florence activities for children, the Accademia Gallery is home to Michelangelo’s David and can be covered in as little as an hour.

Inject a bit of fun into your explorations of Florence’s historic center with a treasure hunt–inspired walk that uses interactive games, challenges, and clues to keep your sightseeing lively. You can choose an itinerary led by a kid-friendly Florence guide or a self-guided, app-based treasure hunt through Florence for families. Most tours take in highlights including the Duomo, Piazza della Signoria, Ponte Vecchio, and the city’s Renaissance heart, plus stop for a gelato or other sweet treat to refuel along the way.

Push pause on the sightseeing and go hands-on with a casual cooking class that everyone in the family will enjoy. Choose from a variety of workshops that focus on everything from simple pizza and gelato to multi-course menus including handmade pasta and creamy tiramisù, then roll up your sleeves and get to work preparing each dish under the watchful eye of your instructor. Classes end with a tasting or meal featuring what you’ve prepared together, offering a fun alternative to a restaurant lunch or dinner.

Boat trips are perennial crowd-pleasers for all ages, and a traditional gondola cruise along the Arno River is one of the most unique family outings in Florence. Glide under the Ponte Vecchio on a barchetto while learning about the sights without getting footsore, and take advantage of this unique vantage point to snap souvenir family photos. Most boat trips only take about an hour, making it easy to pair with a guided walking tour or museum visit on the same day.

Tucked behind the immense Pitti Palace, the Boboli Gardens developed as a Renaissance-era park. There’s no playground here, but there is plenty of space to wander at your own pace among winding paths lined by lawns and flower beds, historic fountains, and open-air statuary. This stately garden has just a fraction of the crowds in Florence’s central streets and squares, making it one of the top family destinations in Florence. Pair your visit here with a tour of the Pitti Palace museums, which house a treasure trove of art and other collections.

Florence is famous for its rich artisan history that continues today, and no family Florence travel guide would be complete without a mention of the city’s traditional workshops. Book an artisan tour to discover landmark ateliers or join a hands-on workshop to create one-of-a-kind souvenirs, including marbled paper, perfume, ceramics, jewelry, leather bags, and more. Perfect for families with school-aged kids and older, these workshops offer a behind-the-scenes look at some of the most storied Florentine crafts—plus an opportunity to create custom mementos to bring home.