What else should we do in Rome?

We enjoyed our cooking class while in Rome. The group leaving as we got there had two children who looked happy. A few hours making pizza and gelato - what's not to like. InRome Cooking There seems to be lots of options for classes like this.

We did TWO walking/eating tours with EatingItaly - they both turned out to be fantastic. We walked thru old Roman neighborhoods, leaned tons of history and stopped at the local eating places and had GREAT food along the way.

I would second the food tours. But this place https://www.palazzovalentini.it/domus-romane/index-en.html was a highlight of our visit a few weeks ago. The excavations under the palazzo are covered by a glass floor. You tour while a voiceover plays and various things are lighted. Book the English tour in advance (check website for times) or swing by to buy tickets.

I think the question is...what sorts of things are your children interested in? Cooking classes may or may not work depending on their interest in food versus more enjoyment of physically active pursuits?

So if a kitchen doesn't appeal, what about biking the Appia Antica?
https://www.topbikerental.com/nuovosito/eng/index.phphttps://www.topbikerental.com/nuovosito/eng/tour-rome/ancient-appian-way-catacombs-and-roman-aqueducts-in-rome-italy

As far as your 3rd day, what about putting your kids in charge? Both are old enough to do some research online and though library books/guidebooks for some things to do in Rome which might trip their triggers.

My 11 year old son isn't wanting to go at all but is more interested in action related things or animals/reptiles/fish.

This is a fun evening thing to do, after the heat of the day has passed. http://www.viaggioneifori.it/en/. The walk through Caesar’s Forum is really quite special and somewhat self directed.

Last June, I took my nephews, ages 10 and 12, to a gladiator training class where they learned about gladiator equipment and practiced the skills that gladiators used. They loved it. We had to take a taxi there since it was located outside the center. It was arranged through Viator.com and was listed under Classes and Workshops. Its title is Roman Gladiator School.

Your tour does cover a lot, but it may be too much. I can't imagine doing the Vatican on the same day as the Coliseum, Palatine Hill and Roman Forum. Does your tour include the Sistine Chapel?

There is much, much more to see and do in Rome.

1) Capitoline Museum
2) Trajan's Forum, Trajan's Column and neighboring historical churches.
3) Piazza Navona, once the Stadium of Domitian
4) Spanish Steps
5) Pantheon
6)Borghese Gallery and Gardens
7) Roman Catacombs
8) Jewish Ghetto
9) Appian Way and Roman Aqueducts
10) Trevi Fountain
11) Castel St. Angelo (Hadrian's Mausoleum)
12) Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore
13)Basilica Papale San Paolo Fuori le Mura
14)Museo Nazionale Romano - Palazzo Massimo alle Terme

There is a lot more to see than this, but this hits the main spots. I have been to Rome twice and spent a total of 12 days there and didn't see it all.

Bumping this up with the following question, we have two full days with really nothing planned at the moment. Beyond all the things we will see on day one during the tour are there any other things that we would want to book tickets for ahead of time. Wondering if we should just figure things out as we go for these two days or try and plan out a few more things to maximize our time.

Over the years we have been in Rome a total of 3 to 4 weeks and always find more things to do. You did not come close to covering Rome in one day. Go to a TI, there is a big one in Termini, and talk to them. The have a wealth of information, especially current information, and could id things the kids would like. We always make it a point to hit the TI on arrival in almost any city. The kids might like the catacombs and the Appian Way especially if there over a Sunday.

What is a TI?

TI is Tourist Information. Every city has one although sometimes called by a different name.

Do you have a guidebook? That is the best place to start to explore what to do. Have your kids read a chapter on Rome and plan a day.

I’ll put this out there again https://www.palazzovalentini.it/domus-romane/index-en.html. This will be fun for you and the presentation will likely interest the kids. You should book the English speaking tour in advance and do show up on grime or it goes without you (no late admission). Look into a food tour with Eating Italy in Rome. If the kids are adventurous eaters this will be fun, if not, well.....

Since your 11y/o like animals, this may be of interest and a way to spend part of a day.
https://equitrekking.com/articles/entry/horse-riding-the-appian-way-and-villa-dei-quintili-in-rome
My friend went riding there in May with companion who didn’t know how to ride. She said the horses and guide were good for novices.

I’d recommend a scooter tour. A few years ago my wife & I did “scooteroma”, and it was the highlight of our trip. Not sure about age restrictions, though. They are easy to contact if you’re interested. Good luck!

It's open only during the week-ends, but check if minors are allowed to visit the Domus Aurea. They are still excavating the site and the VR part at the end of the tour is short but interesting.
Tell your son it's the (white) house where a mad emperor ordered both his mother and his favorite teacher to be murdered. He may have also kicked his wife to death, but disagreement exists about it.

For something different, you and your children might enjoy bike riding in the large Villa Borghese park. There are lots of trees, making it very pleasant on a sunny day, and bike rentals weren't terribly expense as I recall. You could combine this activity with visits to the nearby Spanish Steps and Cappuccian Crypt (along the Via Veneto).