Travelling in Rome for 2 weeks with 3 young children

Posted by rileylucey on 05/12/19 08:34 PM

My family of 5 is travelling abroad for 5 weeks this summer. For the first 2 weeks in July we will be living in Rome while my husband is taking a Latin course in the city. We have an 11 year old, an 8 year old and a 4 year old. We are staying in an apartment on the Trastevere side and I am looking for things to do to fill our days. My husband is going to be studying at a local school for most of the day, Monday through Thursday, for both weeks, so I am going to be on my own for most of the trip. While I have several things planned, I am looking for anything anyone can come up with.

We have a view child-oriented tours set up throughout the city, at different museums. What I am looking for are the hidden gems of the city and its surroundings that might be fun for us to explore. Any thoughts??

Posted by Greencat

05/12/19 10:01 PM

72 posts

We did the Golf Cart Tour with Angel Tours which revealed a lot of hidden gems, I tend to think that kids enjoy anything underground, whats your husband studying it sounds nice to travel to Rome to study. The next time I go I would enjoy some cooking classes.

Posted by TC

Atlanta

05/12/19 10:02 PM

5267 posts

Consider a day trip to Ostia Antica. Easy to get there on public transit and will provide a down day from the hustle and bustle of Rome itself. You will be there in the summer so get an early morning start to beat the worst heat of the day. Should only take three quarters of day at most unless you are really into that kind of site. Google it and see what you think.

Posted by Sherry

Campbell River, Canada

05/13/19 06:12 AM

361 posts

While travelling in Italy in May we encountered many elementary age school groups touring Ostia Antica on the outskirts of Rome. On our same month visit to Orvieto there were also a group of students in the funivia that started up a conversation with us, they were probably 12- 14 years old and between our guesses of what they were asking and vigorous sign language by us all, we had a great time with them. I think your kids would have a great time at either location as well as travelling on the trains. With one child being 11 yrs. he/she would be able to help you manage your group. Perhaps the older two would enjoy researching location and tours with you as well. Have a wonderful trip.

Posted by Greencat

05/13/19 01:13 PM

72 posts

Ostis Antica is a great idea too even the train ride is worth it.

Posted by Kathy

Minnesota 🎒

05/13/19 01:52 PM

16687 posts

A ramble around Villa Borghese would be a fun day out too. This is an enormous park on the northern end of the city (see a map) and it has pedal surreys to rent, a puppet theater, zoo, playground, rowboats to paddle on a small lake, etc.

The only problem is that it doesn't have a website for ALL the information! This piece by an enthusiastic
mom is only a couple years old and should give you some ideas for things to do at the park; google up more:

https://roamthegnome.com/villa-borghese-rome-10-fun-things-kids/

Some top-level info about the park:
https://www.villaborghesetours.com/info/

The Children's Museum is close by:
https://www.mdbr.it/en/
https://roamthegnome.com/rome-with-kids-explora-childrens-museum/

Zoo in the park:
http://www.bioparco.it/english/

Puppet Theater:
https://www.sancarlino.it