Planning a family trip to Florence, Italy, and are thinking about what to do in Florence with kids? Keep scrolling for my list of the best things to do with kids in Florence worth adding to your Italy itinerary!
This list of things to do with kids in Florence was written by family travel expert Marcie Cheung and contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.
Planning a family vacation and want to know what to do in Florence with kids?
Countless families take their children to this Renaissance city every year so there are plenty of things to do with kids in Florence, Italy.
Even if the museums don’t seem kid-friendly on the surface, there are ways to adapt these visits to make them more enjoyable for your children. Plus, there are many gardens, interesting sites, and interactive tours too.
If seeing this historic city is on your bucket list then visiting Florence, or Firenze, with kids in tow is totally doable.
This guide offers plenty of suggestions whether you’re visiting Florence with a toddler or teenager and all ages in between!
25 Things To Do With Kids in Florence, Italy
Family Tour at Palazzo Vecchio
Formerly owned by a member of Florence’s famous Medici family in the 16th century, this medieval palace is one of the top things to do in Florence.
It might not seem like one of the best things to do in Florence with kids, but you can book private family tours of the palace. It’s as interactive and engaging for children aged 6+. Check the latest rates and availability.
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Antique Carousel at Piazza Della Repubblica
Piazza Della Repubblica is one of the city’s main squares, and it just so happens to have one of the most fun things to do in Florence, or Firenze, for kids.
There’s an antique carousel located in this piazza year-round. Sure, it might only provide 15 minutes or so of entertainment but it’s a great way to break up your day in Florence, Italy with kids.
If you’re traveling with super young kids in Florence, it could end up being the highlight of their trip! My kids loved it! Be prepared for them begging to go around again and again.
Skip-the-Line Family Tour at Uffizi Gallery
The 16th-century Uffizi Gallery boasts one of the best art collections in the world. You don’t want to miss it regardless of whether you’re traveling in Florence with children or not.
Unfortunately, if you’re visiting Florence during the high season then the line can be several hours long. To avoid your kids getting overtired and cranky, book a skip-the-line family tour.
Not only do you avoid the wait, but you will have a guide that will cover more interesting works for your children’s ages and go at a pace that suits your family.
If you don’t want a tour, you can still get skip-the-line tickets and explore on your own.
Gelato Making Class
This city is the birthplace of gelato, so what better activity in Florence for children is there than learning how to make it?! Gelato is slightly thicker and creamier than ice cream and just as delicious.
You can choose private or group classes depending on your budget and enjoy your creations afterward. Check the latest rates and availability.
Book a Family Photo Shoot
Whenever we travel, we almost always book a family photo shoot with Flytographer. They are super easy and affordable AND guarantee that I’ll be in some photos. You can get $25 off if you book through this link.
Picnic at Boboli Gardens
Florence has many beautiful gardens, but none more so than the Boboli Gardens in full bloom during the summer months. It’s the perfect place to enjoy a relaxed lunch in Florence for families who want a little green space.
Pack a delicious picnic with Italian deli meats, cheese, and bread. Head to the top of the gardens where you’ll be able to enjoy a view of the city. Get entry tickets here.
Florence’s Duomo
Florence’s iconic cathedral is a huge complex with a church, tower, dome, baptistry, and museum. That’s probably a little too many things to do in Florence, Italy for kids!
There are 463 steps up to Florence’s Dome and 398 steps to the top of Giotto’s Bell Tower so you might want to skip those. Luckily, there are other ways to witness panoramic views over Florence.
Florence’s cathedral is more accessible and free, but the line can be super long. Book a guided tour so you can skip it. Check the latest rates and availability.
Or, simply enjoy walking around the outside! It’s huge and absolutely magnificent from the outside anyway.
The Duomo is located in the historic Florence city center which is a UNESCO world heritage site.
Sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo
One of the more kid-friendly things to do in Florence, Italy if you want a gorgeous view is to visit Piazzale Michelangelo. It’s especially beautiful at sunset.
This hilltop piazza south of the Arno has an unrivaled vantage point. It’s stroller-accessible and there are binoculars too.
Leonardo da Vinci Museum
Famous artist and inventor Leonardo da Vinci spent a good chunk of his life in Florence and the surrounding areas.
The Leonardo da Vinci Museum features replicas of his inventions that your children can play with making it one of the best things to do with kids in Florence, Italy if you want child-friendly museums. Check the latest rates and availability.
Stibbert Museum
The best things to do in Florence when it rains are museums. Luckily, Florence has plenty of kid-friendly ones!
Stibbert Museum is an armory museum where your family can dress up in suits of armor and see lots of cool period costumes. It’s great for little kids and older kids.
Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
Walking tours are a fun way to get to know any city, especially a compact city like Florence.
But if you are traveling with little kids, those little legs get tired fast. Hop-on hop-off buses are very touristy, but they’re a super convenient way to way around while learning some history through the audio guides. Check the latest rates and availability.
Sunrise at Ponte Vecchio
Ponte Vecchio is the most famous bridge in Florence lined with souvenir and jewelry shops.
But it looks much prettier from afar!
If your kids are early risers (and aren’t they all?!) then take advantage of that and head out to watch the sunrise over this beautiful bridge.
Museo Galileo
Everyone knows Galileo was an important scientist, but he was also from Tuscany.
Check out Museo Galileo if you have older kids who are into science. There are lots of interactive exhibits and interesting scientific instruments here. Check the latest rates and availability.
Fontana Del Porcellino
Everyone who rubs the nose of this pig fountain is destined to return to Florence, so the legend says!
But there’s a fun game your kids can play with Fontana Del Porcellino. Give them a coin to place in the pig’s mouth and let it fall to the bottom. They need to keep doing it until the coin falls into the grate below and disappears.
Skip-the-Line to see the David Statue at Gallery Della Accademia
Seeing the Statue of David by Michelangelo isn’t just one of the best things to do in Florence with kids, it’s one of the best things to do hands down.
You can find the statue at Gallery Della Accademia toward the north of the city.
It’s a small museum that is mostly stroller-friendly but the line outside definitely isn’t. Booking a ticket with a timeslot is a must as this museum often has one of the longest lines of any Florence attraction. Check the latest rates and availability.
Day Trip to Pisa
Giving your kids a change of scenery is essential on vacation to keep them engaged.
Take a super easy day trip to Pisa where you can take fun photos of the Leaning Tower of Pisa and enjoy a less crowded city. Plus you can see the Tuscan countryside. Here’s a cool day trip to Pisa and Sienna from Florence.
Vivoli Gelato
You cannot book an Italian vacation without expecting to eat your fair share of gelato. One of the best (and oldest) gelaterias in the city is Vivoli Gelato.
If you need another recommendation, Gelateria dei Neri has delicious gelato too.
La Specola Natural History Museum
One of the top things to do in Florence, Italy with kids is to visit science museums.
La Specola Natural History Museum is a wonderful museum to visit with older kids as they have fossilized skeletons and true-to-life anatomical recreations. Definitely not for squeamish kids!
Florentine Gardens
As well as Boboli Gardens, there are so many other green spaces in the city if you know where to look.
There is Giardino delle Rose, Parco Giochi D’Azeglio, and the University of Florence’s Botanical Garden. Many have children’s play areas and have lots of trees that offer shade.
Piscine Le Pavoniere
Visiting Florence during the hot summer months of July and August? Temperatures can often climb above 90°F/32°C.
You might prefer to take a break from exploring and find somewhere to cool off instead.
Piscine Le Pavoniere is an outdoor public swimming bath in a huge park next to the Arno. There’s a children’s play area as well as an onsite bar and pool chairs.
Florence Markets
Markets can be crowded and make it harder to keep track of your little ones. But they’re also flat which is ideal for strollers. They offer endless sensory delights for young kids too.
Some of the best markets in Florence are San Lorenzo Market, Mercato Centrale, Le Cascine, and Mercato Nuovo.
Palazzo Strozzi + Museum
This palace might not seem like one of the top things to do with kids in Florence, Italy, but Palazzo Strozzi does a great job at accommodating families.
With every child ticket, you get a family kit aimed at children 5+ which has games and suggestions for artworks in the museum which are more appealing for kids.
Paper Marbling at Il Papiro
Marbled paper is a crafting technique local to Florence and it’s a fun, authentic activity you can do with your kids.
Il Paprio has several locations in the city and they lead private paper marbling workshops that you can book for your whole brood.
Italian Soccer Museum
Are your kids more into sports than science? Check out Florence’s Italian Football (that’s soccer!) Museum in the Coverciano neighborhood.
It focuses on Florence’s home teams but it also has replicas of the FIFA World Cup, signed shirts, balls, and a timeline of the teams’ success. Check the latest rates and availability.
Venchi Chocolate Wall
Venchi is one of Italy’s most popular gelateria chains, but their location at Via dei Calzaiuoli, 65/R in Florence is extra special.
They have a wall literally covered in different flavors of chocolate candy. You and your family can choose your favorite flavors and enjoy between scoops of gelato!
Todo Modo Dilà Children’s Bookshop
Todo Modo is a fantastic multi-language bookstore in the heart of Florence, and Todo Modo Dilà is their children’s bookshop just south of the Arno.
They sell books for children of all ages in different languages including Italian language books. They also have an aquarium and small tables where you can sit with your kids and read or play.
Things To Do With Kids in Florence, Italy FAQs
Is Florence suitable for children?
Yes you can definitely visit Florence with kids. It’s small, compact, and flat with lots of car-free piazzas and there are tons of things to do in Florence with kids.
Nightlife in Florence is pretty tame so you don’t need to worry about noise keeping up your kids in Florence, Italy into the wee hours. Plus, Italians love children and most restaurants will adapt their dishes to suit tiny appetites.
Saying that, avoid traveling with your kids in Florence during festivals like Easter to avoid extremely busy crowds.
Side-stepping the peak summer months of July and August if you’re traveling to Florence with toddlers or babies is also for the best. You’ll avoid the busiest crowds and the harshest heat.
How many days do you need in Florence with kids?
Couples and solo travelers may only need two days in Florence to whizz around the top museums, galleries, palaces, and churches.
However, when visiting Florence with kids, you may want to allow three or four days.
You’ll be able to experience Florence at a more relaxed pace so little legs don’t get overtired. Plus, if you do manage to see everything on your itinerary in Florence with family in three days, there are plenty of day trip options.
Can kids climb the Duomo?
Yes, kids can climb the Duomo in Florence. The minimum age to climb the dome is 6 years old, and children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. The climb is steep and there are some narrow passages, so it is important to use caution. The views from the top are amazing, and it is a great way to see the city of Florence.
What are the top kid friendly museums in Florence?
A few of the top kid-friendly museums in Florence include the Galileo Museum, The Leonardo da Vinci Museum, The Natural History Museum, The Museum of Childhood, and The Museum of the History of Science.
Where can we see Michelangelo’s David?
You’ll find Michelangelo’s David at the Accademia Gallery in Florence alongside many famous paintings.
Is there a children’s bookstore in Florence?
Yes, there are a few children’s bookstores in Florence including Libreria Il Riccio, Libreria La Feltrinelli Ragazzi, and Libreria Città del Sole. These have general children’s books for the entire family.
What’s the best toy store in Florence for kids?
Dreoni Giocattoli is one of the most popular toys stores in Florence. This store has a wide selection of toys for all ages, from classic wooden toys to modern electronic games.
Where to stay in Florence with kids?
Florence has a bus and tram network. But if you choose to stay in a central location in Florence with family, you could avoid having to take public transport altogether.
The Centro Storico (historic center) and Santa Croce are both great central neighborhoods.
If you’d prefer a little more peace and quiet, the Oltrarno neighborhood just south of the River Arno is a top choice. Everything to do in Florence for kids is still well within walking distance.
Things To Do With Kids in Florence, Italy Wrap Up
It’s surprising how many things to do with kids in Florence there are.
With child-friendly museums and tours and lots of Florence kids’ activities, you can easily visit all the must-sees in Florence.
You might even find visiting Florence with kids helps you find lots of fun and authentic stuff to do in Florence that you would have never considered otherwise.
If you need fun activities in Florence, Italy that the whole family can enjoy, this list has you covered so you can have an unforgettable vacation.
Looking for more Florence travel resources? Check out the best Day Trips from Florence by Train, best family hotels in Florence, 2-day Florence itinerary for families, is it worth visiting the Leaning Tower of Pisa with kids, how to spend 10 days in Italy with kids, tips for visiting Italy with kids, Europe travel tips, and Florence Travel Tips!
