Fun Things to do in Florence with Kids: Insider Tips and Tricks for Your Perfect Trip to Italy

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Traveling to Italy with kids is the perfect opportunity to open their eyes to world-renowned culture, food, history, and art. Indulge in delicious food as you stroll through the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance, taking in stunning piazzas, monuments, and buildings. With something new to marvel at on every corner, visitors of all ages will be in awe of Florence.

Florence Museums with Kids

Forget the concern that museums aren’t “kid-friendly” and spend some time exploring Florence’s famed museums. Going to a museum is one of the best things to do with kids in Florence, as it offers a wealth of learning opportunities.

The Uffizi Gallery

The Uffizi Gallery, located in the historic center of Florence, has a wide-ranging collection dating from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Built in the 16th century to accommodate the “Uffizi,” Florence's administrative and legal offices, the gallery opened to the public as a museum in 1769. This is your chance to introduce kids to some of the most extraordinary Renaissance art in the world.

We think it’s the perfect place for a budding artist or art historian to get exposure to the greatest masters—Botticelli, Michelangelo, Giotto, Caravaggio, and Leonardo Da Vinci. Our Uffizi Tour for Kids is a great introduction to Renaissance art for families.

The Natural History Museum

Fossils, crystals, butterfly collections – what kid wouldn’t enjoy checking out a collection ranging from botany to mineralogy to anthropology to zoology?

The majority of the museum’s collection was inherited from the Medici family, providing another layer of historical significance to this engaging and educational place. No matter your kids’ interests, the Natural History Museum has several engaging collections. Children will enjoy seeing a range of artifacts, including large crystals, fossils, rare plants, butterfly collections, and anatomical wax models.

Leonardo da Vinci Museum

This is an experience kids can really get their hands on! The Leonardo da Vinci Museum, located near the Piazza Duomo, has interactive machines kids can use, like the rotating crane or the Archimedean screw designed to pump water.

The museum is dedicated to the life-size reproductions of machines invented by the famous Italian Renaissance polymath, with uses spanning from warfare to flight to civil engineering. Visitors can read about their history, purposes, and mechanisms while seeing how the machines work.

The Museo Galileo

The Museo Galileo is dedicated to the life and works of another polymath, the Florentine astronomer, physicist, and engineer Galileo Galilei. Located in the historic Palazzo Castellani, the museum features an expansive collection of scientific instruments dating back to the 15th century, including early microscopes, telescopes, globes, and thermometers.

Museo dell'Opera del Duomo

The Museo dell'Opera del Duomo is not just a museum but a piece of living history in Florence. The museum is a unique opportunity to discover why the Renaissance flourished in this incredible city. Preserved within its architecturally significant walls are original works of art, including Michelangelo, Donatello, Brunelleschi, Ghiberti, and countless others.

Take a peek inside its Restoration Workshop that seamlessly blends the old world with the present day, as you’ll see modern machinery alongside manual tools used by Renaissance-era craftsmen.

Museo degli Innocenti

The Museo degli Innocenti is located in a famous complex designed by Brunelleschi and was one of Europe’s first known orphanages. This moving and emotional museum brings to life the experience of children who lived here, complete with personal items and effects. You can also view frescoes and artwork as you walk through this architecturally stunning building.

5 Gardens, Parks, and Picnic Spots

If you’re wondering what to do with kids in Florence, don’t overthink it – head to one of Florence’s beautiful gardens, parks, or picnic areas. Take a break from the bustling streets and busy museums and enjoy time in the sun while the kids run out their energy.

The Boboli Gardens

How often do kids get to play in a park created by the Medici family? The Boboli Gardens at Palazzo Pitti is one of the best places to go to when visiting Florence with kids. Take a delicious picnic lunch and enjoy the lush gardens. After you eat, you can play ball games or simply enjoy a leisurely walk. Don’t miss Michelangelo's famous Atlas figures and the secret gardens with precious botanical collections.

Giardino Torrigiani

The nearby Giardino Torrigiani, one of Europe’s largest private gardens, is also a perfect spot to take kids. The garden still has an uncommonly wide variety of trees, especially exotic species, laid out in an English landscape style. Plant lovers can explore Boboli Gardens and Torrigiani on our Secret Gardens of Florence tour led by a horticulturist.

Giardino dei Semplici

Calling all botanists (or aspiring botanists!) – this 16th-century garden contains nearly 4,500 plant species. Pay a visit to a Taxus baccata older than the United States, having been planted in 1720. The collection of plants, palms, cycads, and more housed here is unparalleled and not to be missed.

Parco delle Cascine

The largest public park in Florence, Parco delle Cascine is another jewel in the Medici’s crown of green spaces. It is the largest public park in the city, located on the banks of the Arno River. The park was built in the 16th century as farming and hunting grounds for the Medici family and was opened to the public in the late 18th century. Today, children create their own adventures at the park’s playgrounds, public swimming pool, tennis courts, archery and football fields, and more.

Sample Florence Flavors

It’s a known fact – even the pickiest eater won’t shy away from a slice of pizza!

Sampling local cuisine is a must-do in Florence, especially when traveling to Italy with kids. Give the kids an unforgettable gastronomic experience with mouthwatering pizza, pasta, and gelato located throughout the city.

Mercato Centrale

A great place to discover the flavors of Tuscany is the Mercato Centrale, the food marketplace tucked inside the historic San Lorenzo market. Artisan traders sell fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, cheese, truffles, baked goods, coffee, specialty sauces, aged balsamic vinegar, and local olive oil.

Enjoy a piping hot slice of wood-oven baked pizza, then cool down at the gelato and chocolate stall to watch gelato experts craft this delicious treat from scratch. For those looking for a more interactive, educational food experience, take a class at the Lorenzo de’ Medici cooking school located at the market (classes are offered in English and Italian).

To dive deeper into Florence’s culinary scene, explore the bakeries, cafes, and restaurants in the city’s historic center with a local food expert in our Savoring Florence Food Tour. You can also learn about Florentine and Tuscan food traditions from a private chef in our From Market to Table: Cooking in Florence Tour.

Make the Most of Your Trip to Florence with Kids

Traveling to Italy with kids can be a magical experience – the sights, sounds, and tastes will amaze visitors of any age. With a bit of pre-planning (and some guided tours), you can experience the wonders of Florence through new eyes.

If you want to learn a little before you hop on the plane, check out Context’s courses, seminars, and on-demand learning opportunities available through Context Learning. Give the kids a sneak peek of what to expect on your trip!