10 Things to Do in Rome with kids

Rome can be like an amusement park for children, especially with a little background on the history of the Empire and with the right visits and activities. Fortunately, the Eternal City has a number of options for them to enjoy an unforgettable trip.

Here is a list of 10 things to do in Rome with children, with activities that even you will want to do. But sorry, you're only a child once in your life!

Bioparco, also known as Giardino Zoologico di Roma, is a zoo with more than two hundred different species of animals located in Villa Borghese park. There you can find lions, monkeys, elephants, tigers, giraffes and some endangered species such as the Egyptian tortoise.

It offers a very pleasant walk and, unlike zoos in other European capitals, it is a natural environment that fits in very well with a stroll through the Borghese Gardens. However, I recommend that you buy your tickets for the Bioparco in advance to avoid queues at the zoo entrance.

The Official Gladiator School of Rome, located on the ancient Via Apia, offers an unparalleled experience for young travellers visiting the city: becoming a gladiator for a day.

With an authentic gladiator training session in which they will learn the fighting techniques that drew cheers in the Colosseum, this is a different way to learn about a facet of the history of the Roman Empire. The school uses special tunics, swords and shields to faithfully recreate the experience of a gladiator.

It can sometimes be difficult to get children to walk around a city all day long with a smile on their faces, especially if it's a typical tour full of facts and history. Fortunately, there is a very fun way to explore Rome, and that is by turning the walk into a game of searching for hidden treasures.

You have different options when it comes to this type of game; you can book an exploration game through the old town of Rome and take advantage of the opportunity to see the most famous places in Rome while the younger ones are entertained.

When you book this experience, you will receive a confirmation email indicating a meeting point. Once there, you will need to enter the code from your email on the website and you will receive a password to open a secret box and receive your inventory to start the adventure. Take your time and you will discover Rome's best-kept secrets. They will leave you speechless!

Another treasure, like those housed in the Vatican Museums, can overwhelm even the oldest visitors. But knowing in advance that it is one of the top places to visit in Rome, don't give up on visiting it if you are travelling with children, as there are tours designed especially for them.

With the guided tour of the Vatican for families, the tour of the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica will be much more fun. The guide will tell anecdotes, invent interactive games and ensure that the little ones don't get bored and learn about history. In addition, tickets are included and you will avoid the queues at the ticket office.

The Leonardo Da Vinci Museum, located at Via Conciliazione, 19, is the only museum in the world with more than 50 certified inventions by Da Vinci, as well as a place where you can see some of his most famous paintings.

Here you can discover how the mind of the Renaissance genius worked by operating his machines and learning about mechanics and physics, which can be very interesting for both adults and teenagers. With tickets to the Leonardo Da Vinci Museum, you will also have access to the underground pond.

When I was little, my favourite holiday of the year was Halloween, and what I liked to do most with my friends was play Dungeons and Dragons, so if my parents had taken me to visit the Catacombs of Rome, it would probably have been an experience I would never have forgotten.

Okay, maybe it's not an activity for all children as it can be a little scary, but as long as you take a tour of the Catacombs of San Calixto or San Sebastián, you won't find any human remains or tombs built with bones. These are two of the most popular in Rome, the former being perhaps the most interesting due to its historical importance and size.

If you would like to enjoy this experience as a family, bear in mind that they can only be visited on an organised tour. For full information about visiting the Catacombs of Rome, I recommend reading this article: Catacombs of Rome Tickets and Tours.

The gardens of Villa Borghese are a delight to stroll through before visiting the fascinating Borghese Gallery. But I suggest something a little different for the whole family to enjoy: renting a bicycle, rollerblades or a Segway to explore the flower-lined paths of this park. You'll find shops and stalls where you can rent equipment in the vicinity of Villa Borghese.

You can also hop on the miniature train that takes you around all the places of interest in Villa Borghese, running continuously from 10:30 a.m. until sunset. It's a fun way to explore these gardens and see their beautiful sculptures along the way.

Rainbow MagicLand is a theme park located an hour from Rome, in the town of Valmontone, where you can find a wide range of 40 attractions and shows, perfect for a day of thrills with the family.

Much of the amusement park is set in the Club Winx universe, with a recreation of Alfea Castle and Fairy Lake, where you can ride roller coasters, shuttles, water attractions and enjoy performances and musical shows. There are also areas dedicated to the legend of King Arthur, with horse tournaments, arena battles, and taverns where you can eat medieval-style (spoiler: they don't provide cutlery).

The best way to get to Rainbow MagicLand amusement park is by train or bus, both of which depart from Termini station. As this is a full-day excursion, I recommend only doing it if you are going to be in Rome for five days or more.

Largo di Torre Argentina is the name of a group of ruins from the Roman Republic era, comprising four temples and part of the Roman Senate building. Most visitors come here for its historical interest: history tells us that Julius Caesar was assassinated here in 44 BC.

But on the other hand, Largo di Torre Argentina|url=https://viajes.nationalgeographic.com.es/lifestyle/roma-abrira-publico-largo-di-torre-argentina-lugar-donde-julio-cesar-fue-asesinado_16738::: is home to hundreds of abandoned cats that live in a shelter in the square itself and wander peacefully among the ruins of what was once an important site in ancient Rome. If you go with children, the experience of learning about the history of the place while petting a cat or watching them wander around can be very endearing and beautiful.

After a hard day of walking and visiting tourist attractions, you can buy a nice souvenir for the little ones at Bartolucci, at Via dei Pastini 96-99. This is a wooden toy shop where you will find cuckoo clocks, Pinocchios, aeroplanes and rocking horses, all tastefully made and hard to find elsewhere.

Another option is to visit Al Sogno, at Piazza Navona, 53, known for its endless catalogue of soft toys. Here, your children can take home a unique souvenir of their visit to Rome.

I can't finish this article without telling you some of the tricks for travelling to Rome with your family and saving some money and time, as many attractions and museums offer free admission for children or special discounts. Here are a few things to know before your trip:

• The metro and bus are free for children up to 9 years old, and the train is free for children up to 3 years old, with 50% discounts for children between 4 and 11 years old.
• Entrance to the Catacombs is free for children up to 6 years old, and children between 7 and 15 years old have reduced admission.
• Similarly, admission to the Vatican Museums is free for children up to 5 years old and reduced for those up to 18 years old.
• Rome is not the most pram-friendly city, so I recommend carrying your baby in a baby carrier. It's also a good idea to bring nappies and baby food from home, as the brands sold in supermarkets there will probably be unfamiliar to you.
• With a Roma Pass, your children get free admission and access to everything included in the pass.
• I advise you to prepare your children a little in advance of the trip, giving them at least a basic overview of the history of Rome and the places they are going to see.