9 Family-Friendly Things To Do in Rome

The Colosseum is one of the top ancient sites in Rome, but visiting armed with a long list of facts and dates will dull its luster for young visitors. Instead, keep them enthralled with tales of gladiator battles, imperial ceremonies, and more on a guided tour created for families, including the option of a private tour with an art historian. Younger kids will enjoy interactive quizzes and games while exploring the Colosseum, while older teens can also explore the adjacent Roman Forum. All tours include timed tickets, so you can make the most of your Rome with kids itinerary.

Once you’ve visited the Colosseum, immerse your family in gladiator history and lore at the Gladiator School. Hear about the lives of these ancient fighters, then don period garb and grab training weapons to pick up the basics of hand-to-hand combat during gladiator lessons in a replica arena not far from the ancient Appian Way. One of the most memorable educational activities for children in Rome, Gladiator School is a fun way to break up a day of sightseeing for families with kids ages 6 and above.

Booking priority admission tickets in advance to the most popular sights tops the list of Rome family travel tips. This is especially true of the Vatican Museums, where lines to enter can stretch for blocks. Look for a kid-friendly tour that includes skip-the-line entry and an express visit that touches on the collection’s highlights and the Sistine Chapel in just a few hours to keep kids engaged and leave time for extra sightseeing.

If your kids still have some stamina, end your day with time inside St. Peter’s Basilica and climb St. Peter’s Dome for one of the best views of the city.

Guided food walks are one of the most surprisingly family-friendly tours in Rome, and there’s no better neighborhood for sampling the local specialties than Trastevere. Book your tour time to coincide with lunch or dinner and stroll through this storied district to taste crowd-pleasers such as fried supplì (rice balls), pizza, gelato, and more. Most Trastevere food tours include a wide variety of dishes, so even the pickiest eaters will find something that satisfies, and the itinerant nature of the tour offers a break from long sit-down restaurant meals.

With its go-go pace, Rome can be overwhelming for families traveling with young kids. Put some space between your tots and the city traffic in Villa Borghese, one of the best parks for families in Rome. In addition to wide expanses of lawn, walking and cycling paths, a pond with rental rowboats, bicycles for rent, a tourist train, and scattered playgrounds, the park is also home to the Bioparco (the city’s zoo).

Insider tip: If you time your visit for the late afternoon, you can catch a sweeping sunset view over the city from the terrace in the Pincio Gardens.

Hidden below the city streets, Rome’s catacombs and crypts are a fascinating—and satisfyingly spooky—Rome family vacation idea if you’re traveling with teens. The most accessible of these is also the most striking: the Capuchin Crypt located at the bottom of Via Veneto, a highlight of Rome ghost tours. Decorated with thousands of human bones, these chapels are not for the faint of heart.

Insider tip: For a slightly less macabre underground burial site, opt for one of the many early Christian catacombs scattered around the outskirts of the city center—all offer guided tours.

Get out of the city and admire ancient baths, Rome catacombs, and rolling hills on two wheels with a guided bike tour along the Appian Way, one of the most unforgettable outdoor adventures for kids in Rome. Once a major Roman highway, the Via Appia Antica today is a park and cycling route that winds its way from the Aurelian Walls into the hills of Lazio, passing picturesque ruins, herds of sheep, and even stretches of towering aqueducts. An e-bike tour makes it easier, stopping at one of the early Christian catacombs that line the route.

Keep it light with a family-friendly Historic Center tour of Rome that includes playful scavenger hunt elements, from fun riddles to lively activities. Hold the attention of your kids as you marvel at treasures, such as the Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Spanish Steps, and other Roman must-sees. Explore at your own pace with a self-guided treasure hunt app, or join a tour led by a guide specialized in keeping young visitors engaged. Afterward, pop into the Leonardo da Vinci Museum or one of the other interactive museums for children in Rome.

Entertain kids who have had their fill of art and culture with a hands-on cooking class at a local home or professional kitchen. Choose options that focus on classic Roman pasta dishes, authentic Italian pizza, luscious gelato, or a combination of these favorites, and get to work creating delicious dishes as a family. Hone your culinary skills, pick up tips and recipes, and end your experience by gathering around the table to sample your handiwork together. Small-group classes are ideal for connecting with other traveling families, while private classes are customized to suit your kids’ ages and skill levels.