Visit Florence With Kids

If you’re travelling to Florence with kids, you will find several different museums that have many activities for children like:

1. The The Istituto degli Innocenti, Along with the Istituto degli Innocenti, this museum offers special activities for families and children,
2. The Palazzo Strozzi Foundation offers a “Family Kit”, containing material for both children and adults,
3. The Galileo Museum – This museum includes a series of themed tours and workshops that introduce kids to the world of science and its history through play.
4. Archaeological museum – Here you will discover Egyptian mummies, Etruscan sarcophagus and Roman sculptures.
5. Palenthology museum – A natural history museum dating back to 1775, with a science observatory and botanical gardens.
6. Galileo’s telescopes – Discover the original telescope made by Galileo.
7. The toy soldiers museum (Calenzano) – This Historical Figurine Museum is situated in the castle of Calenzano Alto. Discover a collection of old historical figurines (dating back to the Etruscan and Roman ages) and the toy soldiers of the Second World War.
8. The Planetarium museum – Features a dome and seats up to 54 people. Visits and themes organised at the planetarium in Florence are led by experienced astronomers of the Astrophysical Observatory of Arcetri in Florence.  Bookings are required for visits.
9. Firenze for families map – Get the Firenze for Families kit for free at the tourist information points in the city. The kit includes a map and a guide- available in Italian and English, which show kids our city in a simple and colourful way. Follow the map and explore some of the most interesting places for children.
10. Officina Profumo Santa Maria Novella – This is said to be the world’s oldest pharmacy that has been turned into a museum and shop where you can also purchase perfunes and beauty products.

Loggia del Lanzi in Piazza della Signoria – The art here is free to see and it’s a great way to introduce some art to your kids.

Here are two apps to learn while having fun:

Firenze Game (the free app to discover the city with an addicting game) and

The Medici Game (an investigative video game, at the interior of the Pitti Palace rebuilt in 3D).

In winter at the main Piazza of the Cascine’s park – Piazza delle Cascine, there is a small Luna Park.

Libraries in Florence

In Florence you can find different libraries that have different activities and spaces for children like:

1. The Biblioteca delle Oblate  – A great library with a children’s section. If you’re visiting Florence with a baby or toddler, note that this library has changing facilities for your little ones!
2. The Bibloteca Orticultura – A public library situated in the middle of the Orticultura gardens,
3. The Biblioteca Pietro Thouar – Situated in Piazza Tasso. There is a children’s section that was designed for kids.
4. The Bibliobus – What is cool about the Bibliobus library is that it is a mobile one. It moves around the city of Florence and stops at a place for 2 days before moving to a different one.
5. The Biblioteca Fabrizio De’Andrè – Situated in the heart of San Jacopino near Porta al Prato and the Stazione Leopolda. Before the entrance you will find a small library of intertwined stories – a space for boys and girls up to 6 years old.

Todo Modo – This is both a cafe and a bookshop, located within the city centre. Book titles are available both in English and Italian.

Florence treasure hunt tour for kids – A fun way to explore Florence with kids, with a local guide. Kids will discover fun and interesting facts about the city.

Our top recommended cafés and restaurants, when travelling to Florence with kids:

Pic Park | Ristorante per Famiglie – Pizza e Hamburger – A family-friendly restaurant. Whilst kids have fun, parents can relax here. There is an indoor play area and an outdoor area that has a park with kids games too. Their menu is simple but delicious, full of genuine ingredients that all will love. Pizza, pasta and burgers are amongst the top favourite.

Mercato di san lorenzo – The Market is actually divided into. The indoor market is the Central Market, mainly dedicated to food.The outdoor market along the narrow streets where you will find other local things such as souvenirs. At the Central Market you can enjoy a dish or pick out some ingredients to create your own dish.

Fattoria di Maiano – Lo Spaccio restaurant here is the ideal location to try out the typical traditional dishes of the area.

La Lombricaia di Montalbino -Enjoy an authentic Florentine meal here in between the countryside. They also have a kids menu.

L’angolo del Gusto – Ideal for family lunches and dinners. Children have a special area where they can play, leaving the parents time to enjoy their meals. Serving mostly pizzas but other dishes too. 

Fuoco Matto – Located in FLorence’s city centre, this is a pizza and grill restaurant. Here you will find a children playing area with games.

American Diner 1950 – As an American diner, serving is on roller skates. On Kids Tuesday, for every adult/parent that finishes a whole meal, a child (up to 8 years) eats for free.

It’s good to note that most restaurants will cater for a toddler, making a smaller portion of what’s on the menu. Some restaurants also offer to make a plate of pasta with tomato sauce for kids.

• DREONI – An old and traditional Florentine shop.
• LEGO store – Selling all LEGO sets and minifigures.
• Città del sole  – You will find toys and books for children, teenagers and adults alike. Città del sole is a toy store unlike any other.
• Maghi e Maci  –  A children’s clothing shop. All collections are created and produced in Tuscany.
• Baboo – A children’s clothing store located in in the Piazza Beccaria area. You will also find items from the following brands: Moulin Roty, Popolini, Loud&Proud, Maxomorra. You will find games, items for sleep and travel and also gifts.
• Anichini– Clothing for newborns, boy and girls. They also sell clothing for occasions, accessories and gifts.
• Baroni  – Great quality clothes for babies and children, made in Italy.