Itinerary Suggestions for Rome with Kids

Lisa...my adviced based on 9 year old grandson...We really liked the HOHO bus so we could do what we wanted. He did enjoy listening to the commentaries on the bus, but we are not fond of long-winded tour guides trooping us around, so we are on our own most of the time. Most important part of our itinerary was where we were going to find our next gelato!
One thing I have done is to make the kids write in a journal every day. When I took one of the kids he is not as forthcoming with information and I knew if I did not ask specific questions his journal would be blank! I basically designed a fill-in-the-blank type of travel log...where we started, the route we took, memorable moments etc. I have used this on many trips and also given it to people who took a photo tour with us...there is so much that goes on and you think you will remember, but it is really fun to have the kids be able to look at their trip logs and even they are surprised as what they forgot about. If you PM me I can send you a copy of the page and you can make your own for each child. I also have lots of pages for additional stories and sketches.

Lisa, I was in Rome with my kids (12,8,6) last year. I suggest mixing up some of the museums with places like the colosseum. We did the Vatican tour in the morning had lunch and then Colosseum and Roman Forum in the afternoon. Mix in gelatto at every stop and the kids will be thrilled. As far as guided tours go we didn't do any private tours so we could taylor the trip to how we were feeling. Tired...go back to the hotel and take a nap. Wake up and walk the streets. If your kids are adventurous they will have a blast.

This blog http://www.ciaobambino.com/ciaobambinoblog/index.php/tag/Italy looks to have wonderful information about things to do with children all over Italy.

Hi Lisa, I've traveled to Italy recently with my children (11 and 6) and the most important principle I stick to when traveling with children is to be aware of sleep, eating on time and down time. Family trips to fantastic locations like Rome and Milan can turn sour when a normally delightful child or tween is ornery from lack of sleep or agitated because lunchtime has passed without a timely meal. To prevent this, set your schedule ahead of time and stick to it. For example, out the door to breakfast by 8:30a and on your way to an activity by 9:00a. Enjoy whatever sights you can until 12p and find a place for lunch before the group's blood sugar starts to plummet. Be aware to feed the kids by 1:30p and then move on to another activity, especially one that does not include waiting in long lines or alot of time wandering in search of a sight. Hands-on activities that allow for space to skip and dance around also help keep kids balanced and fresh so they can enjoy art, architecture and history.
Melissa

We are planning to go to Italy w/ our 2 boys (ages 7 & 9) in late November as well, though we are only there for a couple of days. For Rome, our plan was to do one day doing the ancient sites - Colosseum, Forum, etc. The other day do St. Peters & the Vatican Museum. I don't think you want to cram it all in in one day - they might get overwhelmed / bored. Rome is a pretty walkable city (I spent a semester there in college many years ago), especially in the Centro Storico, so it's easy to hang out at the Spanish Steps, then visit Piazza Navona, Pantheon, etc. Seeing the Trevi Fountain at night is pretty cool too. I've promised the boys they can try the Granita di Caffe Con Panna (shaved espresso ice with whipped cream) from Tazza D'Oro, which is right by the Pantheon. If your kids are into gory things, the Cappuchin Crypt is pretty cool to see if you have time.

Speaking from the experience I had my first trip to Rome when I was 11 years old, I can tell you that I was on total church and art museum overload and to me, at that age, everything looked the same with the exception of the Capuchin Crypt and the giant statues in the courtyard at the Capitoline Museum. To this day, those are still my favorite places to see in Rome and I would rate them as "can't miss" with young kids or teenagers in tow. I did like seeing the Vatican as a kid. As I had family who lived there, the other great thing for me to do in Rome as a kid was to ride around and see the sights on the back of a Vespa. I believe there are organized Vespa tours where you can drive your own or have a guide and ride on the back of the Vespa. While it is no doubt more costly than a Hop-On/Hop-Off sightseeing bus, it's going to be more memorable for your children. Besides the above, it was also fun to simply hang around the fountains (Trevi, Piazza Navona, etc) and have a gelato, particularly in the evening hours.