Rome taxis for 5 people/suggestions for boys

The taxi fleet in Rome includes vehicles from 4 to 8 passengers. However many are regular cars (4 passengers) therefore you might need to call ahead pre-arranging a larger vehicle. If you are at the airport, there are always some larger vehicles in line, so the taxi stand attendant will simply point you to one of those. In the streets of Rome, there are various taxi stands where taxis wait for walk-in customers or for a radio dispatch, but no guarantee there will be a taxi minivan or van (or even a FIAT Multipla, an ugly car that holds 6 people including driver) sitting there.

Your kids will probably get bored if you subject them to too much museums visiting. While at the Vatican museum, there are numerous itinerary (with color coded stripe on the floor). Follow the one that is shortest in time. It hits the most important works (including the Sistine Chapel) and is not too tiring on the kids (especially the 9 year old).

There is the Gladiators' school that might be interesting for the kids
http://www.scuolagladiatoriroma.it/gladiatore_per_un_giorno_4.html

Also (although I've never been) Italian acquaintances with kids said they liked the "3D Rewind" museum behind the Colosseum

My kids loved climbing the dome at St Peters as well as seeing the Sistine Chapel. We moved at a reasonable pace through the Vatican museums but they particularly enjoyed the map room. They also loved the Colosseum /Forum and Castel Sant Angelo. We took a kids focused private tour at the Colosseum/Forum with Pinocchio Tours which was brilliant. My son enjoyed visiting the Olympic Stadium to watch AS Roma play as well as shopping at one or the AS Roma stores in the centre. Both kids were intrigued by the Capuchhian Crypts. We walked everywhere so stopping for gelato went down well!

We did Rome for 3 days three years ago. Family of 5 (three boys) at the exact same age. If I remember, the only taxi we took was to the airport on departure. We took the subway and bus everywhere. It was pretty easy.

Kids favorites (in no particular order) were probably the Colosseum , Catacombe di Priscilla, Gioliti Gelato (near Piazza di Monte Citorio), climbing St Peters Dome, Sistine Chapel and Pantheon. They also liked hanging out in Piazza Navono. Spanish Steps and Trevi were ok too. They did the Vatican Museum and Borghese without much complaining. My kids can do museums for about 90 minutes.

We stayed near Piazza Di Popolo but near Piazza Navono probably would have been a better location.

Seahunt, what's the location of the accommodations you've booked? It's very probable that you won't need to take public transit at all, and I wouldn't buy the Roma Pass just for that reason. Rome is a great city to walk, and I think your active young people would enjoy that: tons of interesting things to see from the sidewalks! The pass is best purchased for saving some $$ on the attractions it covers.

And if you haven't yet, get the boys involved with the sightseeing plan. Two of them are old enough to make use of a guidebook (one with pictures helps: see if your public library has some Eyewitness guides ) and there may be age-appropriate materials at your library for the youngest as well. There's always the internet for research too. They'll likely be more engaged if they've been part of the process, and it's all good training for becoming independent travelers themselves one day!

You should never buy a Roma Pass just for transportation; if that's all you need, just buy a transit pass instead (much cheaper). On the other hand, if you are seeing enough covered items during its validity, the Roma Pass can be a good deal. Remember it does not cover any Vatican sights. As with any pass, you have to do the math to see if it's a good deal for you.

I agree with the recommendation that you get your kids (all of them) involved in the planning. This way, it's their trip too, and they won't feel they're just being dragged around. In 2 full days, everyone won't get their way, but hopefully everyone will get to see at least one thing they really want.

Thanks for all of the tips so far. We are staying near the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore which is within walking distance of the Termini station and near the Monti neighborhood too. We will be arriving and departing by train so don't need to get to the airport. I had seen some travel shows where some people were saying that taxis were efficient in Rome.

The boys are reading the "Not for Parents" guide to Rome by Lonely Planet and I am actually enjoying it even though I am not supposed to be looking at it! ;-)

We also have a book that is a scavenger hunt for kids in Rome so will be using those books to help us but wanted some opinions first hand.

Keep tips coming if you have them...thanks!!!

Oh goodness, if you're staying near the basilica I don't think you really need taxis. Your longest hike be to the Vatican, and I highly recommend doing it on foot if at all possible. Arrange your route so you cross Ponte Sant'Angelo with its lovely angels either coming or going. It will be a really nice walk on an early, sunny morning.

Otherwise I'd just run over to Termini and hop the metro to the Vatican or, yes, I guess you could take a cab. I'll disagree personally with taxis for efficiency unless you MUST (can't or don't enjoy walking) as you'll miss so much: they can't go into the piazzas and some of the narrower streets that are so much fun to explore.