Our Favorite Experiences in Rome with Kids

June 2018 – The Colosseum Stole Their Imaginations

Why I worried about whether my children would find the joy in Italy is beyond me. Italy is ripe for exploration at any age – and we ranged from 5 to 70 in our 2018 trip. The boys’ favorite place was the city we landed in first – Roma. They were as awestruck by the Colosseum as I was the first time I laid eyes on it 21 years before. We took it slow – only one or two sights a day – leaving time to return to the air bnb and cool off in the afternoon heat. This is a city I could return to time and time again, and I know the boys feel the same way.

Though it has been a year and a half since we landed state-side, there are several memories that the kids still rave about. I think we can thank Italy for encouraging our oldest (picky eater) to try (and like?!) new foods. . . which, let me tell you, is a monumental task! Italy also gave me confidence that no matter where we venture, when we slow down and take time to enjoy the culture, the whole family will enjoy the trip.

The Boys Top 5:

The Colosseum – get a kid-centered guide and be there right when it opens to stay as cool as possible. Specifically, if you can hire Donato from Rome Tours with Kids, DO IT! https://rometourswithkids.com/ He had the boys’ attention from the get-go with his “boys vs. girls” competition to answering Roman trivia questions. Somehow, the boys won. . . Along the way, he taught adults and kids new information in a fun, engaging manner.
The Sistine Chapel – yes, it was crowded. But, by hiring a guide, we did not have to stand in the line to get in (you can also buy timed tickets ahead of time to avoid the line) and she knew how to maneuver around all the crowds.
The Trevi Fountain – Throw coins from your right hand over your left shoulder – so you return to Rome.
A Pizza Making Tour – A year and a half later, the kids still prefer margarita pizza thanks to their pizza making class through Walks of Italy https://www.walksofitaly.com/rome-tours/rome-food-tour/. Fantastic, informative, fun tour. The tour was more geared toward adults, but the boys enjoyed trying new foods and REALLY loved making pizza.
Gelato – Eat gelato every day. It makes a great snack to tide over tired sightseerers until the later Italian dinner time. Just don’t eat it from stores that pile it high above the container. That means it contains extra vegetable fats and other ingredients – that it’s “not good quality.” The kids became discerning gelato connoisseurs.

Other favorites from Mom –

We really didn’t have anything that the kids hated while in Rome. They were most interested in the places listed above, but this is how we rounded out our trip:

Borghese Gallery & Gardens – I finally made reservations for this gallery and I am so glad that I did. If for nothing else than to see the beautiful sculpture of Napoleon’s sister, Pauline. (This was something I had read about and was very excited to see). For the kids, this was a relatively small, air-conditioned museum. I spent time having them search for one or two works in each room. They enjoyed it. . . and their favorite artwork was a painting of David holding Goliath’s head. . . go figure! After the gallery, we meandered through the gardens and had a light lunch at a cafe in the park. It was the perfect place to burn off energy and relax.
Piazza’s day and night – in front of the Pantheon & Piazza Navona were always lively whenever we wandered through. Whether chasing bubbles, listening to live music, or just people watching, everyone was content to soak in the atmosphere in these amazing open spaces.
St. Peter’s Basilica – Lincoln loved all the cathedrals, Logan did not (but tolerated them). Which is why it makes my list but not the boy’s!

Top Tips for Traveling to Rome with a Family –

Choose a centrally located airbnb. I love the Piazza Navona/Pantheon areas because you can walk or take a bus everywhere from here. This makes it easy to come back for a little nap in the heat of the day as well.
Eat gelato every day.
Pick one or two major sites a day. Just live the rest of the time.
Double and triple check before you leave about opening/closing times. Also check for holidays. I knew about the feast of St. Peter and Paul and that it fell on our last full day in Rome. I wasn’t worried because we would do the Vatican earlier in the week… but it turned out that the Pantheon was also closed that day… and it was harder to get reservations/tickets for tours the rest of the week, etc. because of the holiday.
Be aware of your surroundings so you don’t get pick pocketed, especially on crowded public transportation. If someone approaches you and tries to give you (or your child) something, walk away and say no. Teach your kids about this before you go so they understand why you don’t want to accept that bracelet from the “nice man.”
If traveling in summer, find a place with AC. It is nice to have the option to get out of the heat if needed.

If you’re thinking of taking the family to Rome – do it! It was such a great family bonding, historical, and cultural experience!