In Florence with Kids
The Gem of the Tuscany Region
Everything that the art city of Italy has to offer for families with children of all ages;
A multitude of attractions, child-friendly museums, and stunning tours. In a small area, you will find one of the largest concentrations of art treasures in the world. This amazing city will undoubtedly leave you in awe of its unique beauty.
Ready? Let’s hit the road. Here are over 20 attractions and activities with children in Florence, that will make your visit to this art city, set against a backdrop of medieval and Renaissance architecture, an unforgettable experience.
Unique Attractions
1) Hop-On Hop-Off Bus
See the city from above on an open-top bus. These luxurious open buses are the best and most convenient way for you to see the local and unique sights with your families. You can enjoy such beautiful panoramic views that you might find yourself not wanting to get off 😊
Typically, parents really love this experience and get a bit of relaxation!
44 stations have been specially chosen to give you a comprehensive introduction to Florence’s rich history and fascinating culture. Are you ready to explore the capital of Tuscany?
Note – Tickets are valid for 24 hours, 48 hours, or 72 hours, are free for children under 5, and discounted until the age of 15.
☀️ Outdoor
Link to the website and for ticket purchase: Click here.
Link to the location: Click here.
2) Segway tour Florence city
A family trip on the segway – see the city without getting tired. Is there anything more fun than this??
☀️ Outdoor
Link to the website and ticket purchase: Click here.
The exact location will be provided by the organization after the tickets are purchased.
3) Cooking Class for Kids in Florence
An unforgettable experience for the whole family. Indulge in an authentic Italian cooking experience in Florence.
Roll up your sleeves and gain hands-on experience mixing the perfect dough and professionally rolling and cutting pasta.
Listen to the passionate and skilled chef who shares his expertise, guiding you through every step of the process. This is undoubtedly one of the most bonding (and delicious) activities that families can do together during their visit to Florence.
🌧️ Indoor
Link to the website and ticket purchase: Click here.
Link to the meeting point: Click here.
Additional options for cooking classes in Florence: Click here or here.
4) The Carousel at Piazza della Repubblica
Piazza della Repubblica continues to serve as a bustling urban center featuring stalls, restaurants, cafes, and live performances by street artists. It is recommended to visit Piazza della Repubblica at sunset, enjoy the performances and vibrant atmosphere, and cap off your visit with a fine Italian coffee or a good meal at one of the many restaurants in the area.
You won’t be able to miss the carousel in the middle of the piazza, which your children will greatly enjoy!
☀️ Outdoor
Operating Hours: Daily, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Location Link: Click here.
5) Family Bike Tour in Florence
Bicycle Tour in Florence: A truly unique experience. The perfect introduction to the heart of Florence!
Do you want to discover the authentic soul of Florence, wandering through a maze of cobblestone alleys and small piazzas? The best way to get around and make the most of this city is by bike!
With semi-private and uniquely curated bike tours, you’ll see much more than on a walking tour.
During the bike tour, you will uncover hidden landscapes and secret spots of Florence!
Marvel at the most impressive landmarks of the city: Piazza della Repubblica, Piazza Strozzi, the Duomo, Santa Maria Novella, and more. Learn about Florence’s history and heritage, and treat your taste buds to delicious gelato.
The bicycle tours in Florence start right in the city center, three times a day: in the morning, afternoon, and evening! Just choose the most convenient time for your visit.
The tour length is about two and a half hours.
The locations provide child seats for children aged 0-3 years (free of charge) and child seats for ages 4 and up. Kids over 12 can ride their own bikes, and there are also bikes specifically for children.
Website: Click here.
☀️ Outdoor
Meeting point link: Click here.
Additional options for bike rentals: Click here.
6) Hunting Animals in Art
Explore the heart of Florence and discover its glorious past in a fun way while hunting for animal treasures.
There has always been a close connection between Florence and animals, and many can be found by closely observing the monuments and buildings in the city center.
The hunt for animals in art will allow you to explore Florence on foot, following the trail and clues provided to find the hidden creatures in the city’s most famous works of art.
☀️ Outdoor
Two routes are available: the Medieval and the Renaissance. The winner will receive a prize.
For the website and ticket booking: Click here.
The exact location will be provided by the organization after purchasing the tickets.
7) The Local Food Market – San Lorenzo Market
This market is always fun!
In the indoor area of the market, in addition to the colorful fruit and vegetable stalls, there are well-equipped butchers, with exceptional Florentine steaks standing out. On the upper floor, the market transforms into a particularly attractive food spot in Florence, featuring a wide selection of bars and restaurants offering street food and authentic, delicious dishes.
A stop at the market for breakfast or lunch is a must!
Outside the market, there are many stalls selling handicrafts and souvenirs. In the evening, when the market is closed, Florentines and tourists still flock to the area to taste typical Tuscan dishes at the small restaurants in the square and nearby streets. As you can see, the market is undoubtedly a place you should visit during your trip! It’s a delightful experience that allows children to appreciate local culture while trying a variety of flavors.
☀️ Outdoor
Operating hours: Open every day, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
Website link: Click here.
Location link: Click here.
8) The House of Medici Riccardi in the Fifteenth Century
There is an organized initiative at “Casa Medici in the Fifteenth Century” at Riccardi Medici Palazzo every weekend, featuring a variety of special activities for children aged 8 to 12 that you won’t want to miss!
🌧️ Indoor
Website link: Click here.
Location link: Click here.
9) Family flight in a hot air balloon over breathtaking landscapes
A hot air balloon flight in Florence is a unique experience for the whole family, allowing you to leave one of the most beautiful cities in the world to discover all the wonders of the area – from above.
Not only art, history, and architecture, the city of Florence also offers breathtaking natural landscapes of the Tuscan countryside. With a hot air balloon ride in Florence, you can soar over the central monuments, charming villages, and the elegant rolling hills of Chianti rich with vineyards and olive groves. The view is undoubtedly breathtaking, and this is a spectacular attraction that the entire family will surely enjoy.
☀️ Outdoor
There are many companies that offer these tours, for more details: click here.
10) Rafting in Florence
A fantastic opportunity to gain a different perspective on Florence and its surroundings, as this is an experience outside the classic tourist program. Discover the center of Florence with a rafting trip down the Arno River. See its main historical sights, glide down San Niccolò for an adrenaline kick, and paddle under the Ponte Vecchio bridge.
☀️ Outdoor
To purchase tickets: click here.
Link to location: click here.
11) Jewelry Course in Florence
A one-time jewelry-making workshop is a fun, empowering, and unforgettable experience for children and teenagers, especially in Florence, the city of art! The workshop is an experiential session where children learn, experiment, and create a unique piece of jewelry for themselves or a loved one, guided by an experienced jeweler.
In the workshop, the children will receive an explanation of the different types of metals, get to know the jeweler’s tools and the workbench, and after learning about the devices and safety rules, they will begin to craft – they will hammer, saw, sand, mold, polish, and more, until they have their final and perfect piece of jewelry.
🌧️ Indoor
Website: Click here.
Phone number: +39 339 691 8417 (available on WhatsApp Caterina Argento)
Location link: Click here.
12) Visit to the local toy store Dreoni Giocattoli
This toy store is one of the leading shops in Florence, located in the heart of the city! It is a family-owned store that opened in 1923 and has been passed down through generations. The store offers a variety of toys suitable for all ages! The staff is skilled at finding the perfect toy for every child based on their request.
It is definitely a must-visit during a family trip to Florence!
🌧️ Indoor
Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM, and 3:30 PM to 9:00 PM.
Website: Click here.
Location link: Click here.
13) Ascent to a stunning viewpoint overlooking the city of Florence
Without a doubt, a must-visit place when in Florence! Piazzale Michelangelo is one of the most unique spots in Florence. This square is situated on a hill overlooking the city and offers breathtaking panoramic views. In the center of the square stands the statue of David created by Michelangelo, which will amaze children while they admire the stunning landscape. Furthermore, the square is a perfect picnic spot, and nearby, there are various bars and restaurants offering excellent Italian dishes.
The ascent to the square is via a staircase, and the pathway itself is surrounded by lush greenery that creates a pleasant atmosphere. You can visit the location at any time of the day, and we definitely recommend the sunset hours. It is a truly enjoyable family experience that you shouldn’t miss during your visit to Florence!
☀️ Outdoor
Location link: Click here.
Museums
14) Leonardo Museum for Kids
Painter, sculptor, inventor, scientist, genius, architect, engineer, visionary – these are just some of the titles attached to the Renaissance artist, one of the greatest recorded in world history, Leonardo da Vinci.
Many believe that no one as versatile, talented, and special has been born since. Da Vinci inspired many people around the world and contributed greatly to art, culture, and the development of human technology.
The museum in Florence presents its exhibitions by departments, depicting all aspects of Leonardo da Vinci’s life: engineering, science, anatomy, painting, and sculpture. Some claim that this is the most authentic and diverse museum created in honor of the artist.
The museum houses displays and collections of machines and models he designed and built over the years. The variety is extensive, reflecting the rich life of da Vinci. Organized by topics into different exhibitions, you can see dozens of amazing displays of flying machines, anatomical models, tools, weapons, and cannons that precede their times by decades and more.
A different section of the museum is dedicated to the artist’s famous paintings and sculptures. The most important ones, such as the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper, even received their own private area. It is recommended to come with cameras ready, as this is the only time you can see them all concentrated together.
The museum serves as a wonderful way to enrich your knowledge and that of your children, and to understand the immense contributions of this great man. The learning is presented in a captivating and particularly interesting manner: through audio, visual, and interactive means, making the experience enjoyable and suitable for all ages.
🌧️ Indoor
Hours of operation: Open daily, from 9:30 AM to 7:30 PM.
Website: Click here.
Location link: Click here.
Ticket purchase: With a guide Click here. Without a guide Click here.
15) Galileo Museum
For small scientists, the Galileo Museum, or the Museum of the History of Science, is undoubtedly a must-visit place!
This museum preserves and displays every type of scientific instrument created up to the 20th century.
It is one of the most famous science museums in the world!
Among the exhibits, you can see mathematical, optical, astronomical, surgical, and navigational instruments.
There is also a small collection of pocket watches, some of which were made in the late 16th century.
Galileo’s telescope, with which he discovered the moon and Jupiter’s moons, is displayed here, along with the first mercury barometer, invented in 1634.
The museum is interactive and fun – one that you absolutely should not miss!
🌧️ Indoor
Hours of operation: Open every day from 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM.
Website link: Click here.
For ticket purchase: with guide Click here. without a guide Click here.
Location link: Click here.
16) Flying Between the Stars at the Planetarium
A new surface in the planetarium of Florence: a full-dome video projector that allows for images to be projected onto the entire hemisphere of the planetarium, creating a truly captivating experience that fills the viewer’s field of vision.
This is an immersive experience of navigating among stars and galaxies. This place makes the key concepts of astronomy and astrophysics accessible to both children and parents, effortlessly.
🌧️ Indoor
Hours of operation: Open Tuesday to Friday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and closed on Monday.
Website link: Click here.
Location link: Click here.
17) Historical Museum of Animals with Taxidermy and Skeletons
The Natural History Museum, known mainly as La Specola, is an eclectic natural history museum in Florence. This location houses the oldest scientific collection in Europe, gathered by the Medici family. The museum is famous for its 18th-century life-like wax model collection, featuring zoological subjects (like a stuffed hippopotamus) and pets of the Medici from the 17th century that once lived in the Boboli Gardens, as well as an anatomical collection. Additionally, there are wax products and items representing the world’s largest crystals, and this place also provides excellent educational materials on geology and paleontology. This museum will offer enriching experiences for the entire family!
🌧️ Indoor
Opening Hours: Open Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The museum will be
closed on Mondays, January 1st, Easter, May 1st, August 15th, and December 25th.
Link to the website: Click here.
Link to the location: Click here.
18) Discover ancient stories at the Istituto degli Innocenti
For children, discovering the stories of their peers at the Istituto degli Innocenti Museum will be a fascinating experience.
The museum was established in the fifteenth century. The Innocenti degli Spedale is an institution welcoming abandoned newborns from all over Europe, featuring one of the first Renaissance architectures in the world, based on an original project by Filippo Brunelleschi. For the first time, this place was dedicated solely to helping abandoned children.
Narration about daily life through the life paths of sixty children reconstructed from archive documents will take you and your children on an emotional journey into the past. Occasionally, among the swaddling bands of abandoned infants, mothers left a mark of recognition, in case of a possible future reunion.
These small items, evidence of broken love, are still preserved in small pull-out boxes. Each drawer displays the name of the Nocentino to whom the object belonged, and its entire history is sent to a digital archive with a touchscreen that children can browse through.
The audio guides are specifically designed for children, speaking in an understandable language and managing to captivate and create interest. Additionally, the family kit offers user-friendly materials for use during the journey.
Children’s Workshop: At the Museo degli Innocenti, there is a large space dedicated to children aged three to eleven, where educational and creative workshops are organized.
🌧️ Indoor
Operating Hours: Open daily from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
Website link: Click here.
For ticket purchases: Click here.
Location link: Click here.
19) Discover the Selfie Museum in Florence
For both young and old, the Museo del Selfie di Firenze in Florence will give you the best pictures and is dedicated especially to art and creativity. The most unexpected decorations will allow the entire family’s creativity to flow while you can wander among unique works of art.
The little ones in the family will love the “Pinocchio Experience,” a temporary exhibition where they can relive the story of the popular wooden character through an immersive adventure with 360° cartoons.
🌧️ Indoor
Opening Hours: Open every day from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
Website: Click here.
For ticket purchase:Click here.
Location link: Click here.
20) Museo Stibbert
One of the most intriguing museums in Florence that recently opened to the public. It has not yet reached the ears of most tourists and is located outside the old center of Florence. The villa, gardens, and the vast artistic collection will undoubtedly captivate the entire family. Throughout the museum, you can see weapons and armor from all over the world, ranging from the Middle East to Japan. The museum has a variety of unique artifacts and creations.
You will find a reconstruction of a battle in a mesmerizing display! The museum also showcases the famous cloak worn by Napoleon during his coronation. Unlike other museums in the city, the Stibbert Museum is suitable for both children and adults. Firstly, the decor and exhibits ignite the imagination of everyone, regardless of age. Secondly, the place hosts interactive and particularly interesting exhibitions!
🌧️ Indoor
Operating hours: Open on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Closed on Thursdays. On Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Website: Click here.
Location link: Click here.
For ticket purchase: Click here.
Parks
21) Boboli Gardens
After crossing Ponte Vecchio, head towards Pitti Palace (Italian: Palazzo Pitti), once the residence of the great dukes of Tuscany and the seat of the King of Italy. Today it is an important museum worth seeing even from the outside. Don’t miss the gardens of Pitti Palace, or the world-famous Boboli Gardens!
The park is magnificent and monumental: covering an area of about 45,000 square meters, you can stroll around peacefully at your leisure. Inside, you can admire sculptures, valuable structures, and stunningly designed greenery.
Entry to the Boboli Gardens is free for children up to the age of 18.
☀️ Outdoor
Operating hours: Open daily from 8:15 AM to 6:30 PM.
Website link: Click here.
Link to purchase tickets for Pitti Palace: Click here.
Location link: Click here.
Additional and stunning attractions around Florence
As mentioned, Florence is the jewel of the Tuscany region, as it is a diverse area with many unique and special faces. You can visit ancient and romantic towns, explore bustling and beautiful cities, discover castles, villas, and wineries, and experience family fun at a water park, an adventure park, countless hiking trails with breathtaking views, and much more.
If you have come with children, you will find plenty of attractions to include in your visit to this beautiful region!
For more details on our recommendations for 30 attractions in Tuscany with children:
