Italy is a beautiful country full of amazing food, spectacular sites, and fun things to do for the entire family. This makes it the perfect spot for a family trip. However, traveling to Italy with kids can present a bit of a challenge, but you can still have an amazing trip if you check out these tips for travel to Italy with kids.
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PLAN KID-FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES
When putting together your itinerary you’ll likely have plenty of cultural sites in mind to visit. That’s because Italy is full of can’t-miss sites. But make sure that you mix in kid-friendly attractions as well.
Some sites are so awesome that kids will enjoy them no matter what, but you’ll have to add some breaks to the culture. Look for children’s museums, parks, playgrounds and beaches. These will always keep kids happy.
USE SKIP-THE-LINE TICKETS
One thing that will quickly ruin a trip is waiting in several long lines with kids. It may cost more, but buying skip-the-line tickets is one of the best things we invested in on our trips to Italy. It’s worth it.
Whenever possible we automatically purchase the skip-the-line tickets so that we can just walk up and go right in. It’s such a superb way to go that we’re never going back to waiting in line.
No matter where you want to go, Viator likely has a skip-the-line option. You can search here for whatever attraction you want to visit.
CHOOSE FAMILY-FRIENDLY ACCOMMODATIONS
When it’s time to pick where to stay on your trip, look for family-friendly places. Since we’re a family of four, we prioritize space, everyone having their bed and good wifi. That doesn’t work in most hotel rooms in Europe, so we go with home-sharing options like VRBO and Airbnb.
On some of our stops, the kids get their own rooms and they love it. If you opt for a hotel look for one with amenities that your family will enjoy such as a pool or even a playground.
ALWAYS HAVE SNACKS
If waiting in line is the #1 way to ruin a vacation with kids, hunger is the 2nd. Always have some snacks handy in case someone gets hungry. It’s pretty easy to carry a backpack or a crossbody bag big enough to hold a few snacks.
No matter how much you plan, you can never completely predict when hunger will strike and the wait for a restaurant may be longer than expected.
If you don’t have snacks on you, take advantage of Italy’s street food options for a quick and easy snack.
EAT PLENTY OF GELATO
This just may be the best part of visiting Italy. Gelato is sure to make any kid happy and since you’re in Italy you can technically have as much gelato as you want.
Don’t worry about how much gelato they’re having and they’ll stay happy even when it’s time to visit another cultural site. Try different flavors and combinations and you’re sure to find a favorite.
SCHEDULE PLAYTIME
Scheduling time for a visit to a park or playground can make a big difference in how kids experience their visit to Italy. When planning your itinerary research parks and playgrounds and make that a part of your schedule.
You might be surprised at the options near popular tourist areas.
To help keep your kids safe, you should also make sure you have travel insurance in place. While you don’t want to think about your kids or yourself being injured while on vacation, it can happen.​​
INVOLVE THE KIDS IN PLANNING
While you’re planning your trip, go over the plans with the kids and see what they’re interested in (and not interested in). If they’re old enough they can easily check out things to do on YouTube, TikTok, or Instagram to get some ideas.
Instead of just sites, think of activities such as pizza-making classes that may appeal to them. There are also kid-friendly versions of tours that are fun. If they have input in the itinerary they’ll likely enjoy the trip much more.
PACK LIGHT AND SMART
Prioritize the essentials to avoid unnecessary items or duplicates. This will save money on baggage fees and may allow you to purchase cheaper tickets. It’ll also be easier to maneuver and will be less to keep up with.
Bring comfortable durable clothing and shoes, sun protection, and clothes that you can match and swap if you’re planning an extended stay.
Use a compact, lightweight travel stroller instead of your everyday stroller which will make it easier to stow and make your way through crowded streets.
STAY FLEXIBLE WITH YOUR ITINERARY
It may be tempting to schedule your itinerary from morning to evening but often, with kids, less can be more. The ideal schedule can be one main site in the morning, one in the afternoon, and then kind of fill in the rest with attractions that may be nearby or things that you discover.
As much as you plan, it’ll never completely work out due to fatigue, weather, or countless other scenarios. Sometimes you’ll have to adjust on the fly or just miss some things that you planned on. Being flexible can make a big difference in the enjoyment of your trip.
CAPTURE MOMENTS
Encourage your kids to keep a travel journal by writing down simple notes at the end of the day while they’re on their trip. Use smartphones as a way to capture short video clips and pics from their perspective.
ENJOY ITALY WITH YOUR KIDS
Travel to Italy can be an amazing experience despite the potential challenges as long as you’re prepared. By following these tips you and your family will have an awesome time and a trip that you’ll never forget. Are you ready to start planning your trip to Italy? Make sure you check out our guide for saving money on your trip to Italy, our essential travel family planner as well as tips on how to book flights to Europe that have saved our family over $3,000 on our flights.
