Venice for children: fun attractions for a holiday with children

A city on the water, nestled on more than 100 small islands. In Venice there are no roads, but canals and instead of cars you will see placid and delicate gondolas passing by, just as if you were inside a fairy tale. And also bridges to pass over as if in a game, ancient shops where time has stopped in which to admire colored glass and artisans at work. Venice is that dream that every child will carry in his heart.

No fear in Venice with kids there are no risks, in this article we will give you a range of ideas on where to take kids to have a fun experience tailored to children, but that can also please tireless parents: the best museums for children in Venice and the right advice to make your visit easy and stress-free, with the right precautions and attentions.

Yes, Venice is a good destination for children! In 2025 there are many museums with activities dedicated to young guests and their families that offer guided tours, creative workshops designed to stimulate their curiosity. And perhaps you didn't know that in Venice there are 6 gardens: green areas where you can rest, run or play without risks, and that's not all for the more adventurous young tourists who want to sail the sea and go a little but not too far away on board a vaporetto you will find two natural oases: the Lipu nature reserve and the WWF oasis. Itineraries for children and families in Venice are not lacking.

Of course, some precautions will help make your visit easier, for example if you have small children it is absolutely not recommended to use a stroller, because of the stairs and bridges it could be difficult. It is much better to use a baby carrier or a sling, it will be more relaxing and without risks. If the children are older, but still at an age where the sense of risk is not expected, when you walk along the canals always keep them at a distance where your eyes can reach them. It will be necessary to explain to them well before landing in Venice what they can and cannot do. If you want to make your visit even easier and more fun, the suggestion is to use the Venice Pass, a single app that includes admission to the most famous attractions in Venice and unlimited use of the means of transport in the Lagoon.

Let's start right away with one of the most loved and convenient activities for children, the Kids day of the Guggenheim Collection. The Peggy Guggenheim Collection is one of the most important museums of European and American art of the twentieth century, created by the extraordinary collector Peggy Guggenheim. It is located in the Dorsoduro district at Palazzo Venier dei Leoni.

The second museum we suggest is the Fondazione Musei Civici Veneziani, an incredible group of museums that includes: Palazzo Ducale, Museo Correr, Ca’ Rezzonico, Ca’ Pesaro, Palazzo Mocenigo, Casa Goldoni, Museo del Vetro, Museo del Merletto, Museo di Storia Naturale in the historic center of Venice and inside the Centro Culturale Candiani in Mestre.

The Pinault Foundation has two exhibition locations: Punta della Dogana, in the Dorsoduro district, and Palazzo Grassi in the San Marco district. They are family-friendly museums that provide priority access for families and pregnant women, as well as providing strollers for visiting the museum, and changing tables in the bathrooms.

The Pinault Foundation has hosted collections of modern and contemporary art since 2006 thanks to François Pinault, who is one of the world's largest collectors of contemporary art. Special materials, dedicated content, workshops, performances, screenings, the game guide for the Tatiana Trouvé, la strana vita delle cose exhibition, designed specifically for children, and many other events for all those families who want to experience contemporary art.

The Gallerie dell’Accademia hosts the largest collection of Venetian and Veneto paintings from the 14th century to the Renaissance, where the very famous Vitruvian Man by Leonardo da Vinci is kept. In addition to the permanent collection there are regular temporary exhibitions.

Venice Carnival is one of those unmissable events that could excite your little troop, you will see masks and characters dressed in strange ways or with period costumes wandering around the streets and squares and for your children it will all be a surprise.

But if you fear the crowd, which in this festive period could make your visit with children difficult, you must keep in mind that in Venice in all periods of the year it is possible to participate in the workshops of the Mascareri, the master craftsmen who will teach and create their mask together with your children. A unique work to jealously keep at home among the most dear memories.

Let's now move on to what you didn't imagine you would find in Venice: green areas where you can stop in peace, rediscover nature and relax your children, who knows, maybe even planning an impromptu picnic on the lawn, to create a welcoming break. In the historic center of Venice there are 6 public gardens, discover with us which ones:

• The Napoleonic Gardens of Castello, are also called the Gardens of the Biennale because during the Venice Biennale they are an integral part of the artistic event, in the periods of the year in which there is no biennale from December to April other events may be held. 

• The Papadopoli Gardens, a small public park in the Santa Croce district, reachable on foot from Piazzale Roma 

• The Royal Gardens of San Marco, are fantastic and interesting because they are located right near the homonymous square at the San Marco pier, in the San Marco district

• The Savorgnan Gardens, is an area of pure relaxation, located in the Cannaregio district near the Guglie bridge in Fondamenta Venier 349. The other entrances are in Calle Pesaro and Calle Vergola

• The Groggia Gardens, has an unusual and original style and in these parts you can breathe a deep silence, they are also located in the Cannaregio district, in the Sant'Alvise Calle del Capitello area 

• The Parco delle Rimenbranze, Pineta di Sant'Elena, represent the easternmost edge of Venice, they are large, inside there are also fields for playing football or volleyball. You can even find small wooden niches placed in the trees where you can choose a book and do book-crossing. 

Moving on to the islands of the Lagoon, you will discover that with children it is fun to discover the green areas hidden inside convents, private residences and institutional headquarters. In addition, two natural and public oases are worth seeing:  

• The Lipu Nature Reserve of Ca' Roman from Cavallino to Chioggia  

• The WWF Oasis Dune degli Alberoni at the Lido of Venice.

Finally, one last incredible proposal from the famous Teatro La Fenice in Venice, which for the 2025 season has a very busy program dedicated to families: Fenice Education.

Many workshops and musical events for children and their families. The programs include initiatives for children from 0 to 14 years old that include sound immersions, dedicated concerts, invitations to listen, games and workshops up to the staging of an opera. We recommend that children also experience the theater as spectators, in addition to La Fenice there are various theaters in Venice.

In Venice with children in 2025 there will be no boredom! A beautiful experience that will remain etched in their young hearts. Venice with kids whether very small, less small or teenagers is fine, at each age its own dedicated initiatives, their own itineraries and suggestions.

Some useful tips to always keep in mind:

• No to strollers, favor baby carriers for younger children 

• Always go around equipped with everything you might need

• Find moments to take long breaks in gardens and parks where children can play

• Give the more adventurous children an island adventure to discover some treasure

• Lastly, plan your trip ahead of time and avail yourself of a Pass such as the Visit Venice Pass to get around the city more simply

Enjoy your trip!