10 Things to Do in Florence with Kids We’d 100% Do Again
If you’re looking for the best things to do in Florence with kids, you’re probably picturing two very different versions of this trip:
One where it’s all gelato, pizza, and “this is the best day ever.”
…and one where you’re dragging overtired kids through crowded streets wondering why you planned this at all.
We spent 4 days in Florence with our kids (ages 4 and 7), testing what was actually worth it, what to skip (yes—even some of the most famous spots), and how much we could realistically fit into a day before everything fell apart.
Florence can be incredible with kids—but it’s also walk-heavy, museum-heavy, and very easy to overdo.
The difference comes down to choosing the right things.
Here’s what’s actually worth your time, what’s not, and how to plan your days so it feels magical—not exhausting—including a few popular spots we’d skip entirely with younger kids.
1. Boboli Gardens (Best First-Day Activity)
If you do one thing in Florence with kids—make it this.
Boboli Gardens is one of the easiest ways to start your trip, especially after a long travel day. Instead of jumping straight into museums, this gives your kids space to run, reset, and actually enjoy being there.
It’s:
- wide open
- easy to explore at your own pace
- structured enough to feel like sightseeing
- but relaxed enough that kids can just be kids
You can easily spend 1.5–2 hours here without it feeling like too much. It’s the kind of place where kids naturally stay engaged without needing constant entertainment.
One thing to know: it’s hilly.
If you’re traveling with a toddler, a baby carrier will make your life much easier. Older kids can usually manage it with a few breaks, but this isn’t a flat stroll.
The views from the top are worth it—on one side you get Florence, and on the other, the Tuscan hills.
You don’t need to visit the palace to make this worthwhile. For most families, just exploring the gardens is more than enough.
👉 This is a great first-day activity because it helps everyone ease into the trip instead of starting off overstimulated.
Worth it if:
- your kids need space to run
- you want a low-pressure first activity
- you’re arriving jet-lagged
Skip if:
- you’re trying to pack too much into your first day (this works best when you take it slow)
- … but honestly, you shouldn’t skip this!
2. Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore / Florence Duomo (Quick but Impressive Stop)
This is one of those places where even your kids will stop and go, “whoa.”
The cathedral is huge, dramatic, and right in the middle of everything—so it’s very easy to fit into your day.
We kept this visit short (about 30-45 minutes), which was perfect.
Long enough for:
- everyone to be impressed
- a few photos
- soaking in the scale of it all
Short enough to avoid:
- boredom
- complaints
- meltdown territory
If you want to add a bit more interest without extending your visit too much, the underground section is worth checking out. It’s different from what you might expect, but surprisingly impressive—and a nice way to make the stop feel a bit more engaging.
Right across the street, there’s also the Baptistery, which is usually known for its beautiful interior. When we visited, it was under major renovations, so we couldn’t fully appreciate it—but it’s something to keep in mind depending on timing.
We didn’t climb the Duomo (there’s no elevator, and my husband was injured), and honestly?
👉 With young kids, this is usually not the best use of your time or energy.
Worth it if:
- you want a quick “wow” moment
- you’re already nearby
- your kids can handle a short stop
Skip if:
- you’re considering the climb with younger kids
- your day is already full
3. Uffizi Gallery (Make It Fun or Skip It)
Let’s be honest—this one is more for you than for them.
And that’s okay.
If visiting the Uffizi is important to you, it can work with kids—you just need to approach it differently.
The key is to lower your expectations and make it interactive.
Instead of trying to move through the gallery “properly,” turn it into a game:
- ask your kids to find a painting that looks like someone in your family
- make up funny stories about the scenes
- guess what the statues might be saying
This shifts the experience from “looking at art” to playing with it, which makes a huge difference in how long kids stay engaged.
Plan for a shorter visit (1h-1.5 hour max), and don’t try to see everything. Pick a few rooms, keep it light, and leave before kids hit their limit.
Worth it if:
- you really want to experience it
- your kids can handle a short, structured activity
- you’re willing to keep it playful and flexible
Skip if:
- your kids are already tired or overstimulated
- you’re trying to fit too much into one day
- museums tend to be a struggle for your family
👉 Bonus tip: This is one of those activities where timing matters a lot. Earlier in the day is usually your best bet.
4. Piazza della Signoria (Easy Win Right Near Everything)
This is one of those places you’ll likely walk through anyway—but it’s worth slowing down for a bit.
It’s basically an open-air museum:
- statues everywhere
- a large fountain
- plenty to look at without needing a plan
Which makes it surprisingly cool with kids.
Because it’s right in the center of Florence, you’ll probably pass through it multiple times during your trip. It works really well as a pause between activities—a place where kids can move around a bit without it feeling like another structured stop.
There are also a many cute terraces around the piazza, so it’s a nice area to sit down for a meal while still enjoying the atmosphere.
👉 This is especially a good spot in the evening, when things feel a bit more relaxed and you’re not rushing to the next activity.
Right on the square is the Palazzo Vecchio, which you can visit if you want to add something extra. It’s not essential with kids, but it’s an easy option if you’re already there.
Worth it if:
- you want an easy, no-planning stop
- your kids need space to move between activities
- you’re already nearby
Skip if:
- no need to skip—just don’t plan your day around it
5. Ponte Vecchio (Iconic + Best Spot for a Family Photo)
This isn’t really an “activity” — but it’s one of those places you can’t skip.
The views are beautiful, and since it’s right in the center, you’ll likely pass through it at some point without needing to plan for it. But if you don’t…. you should 100% plan for it haha!
👉 It’s a great place to slow down for a few minutes instead of just crossing and moving on.
There are often street performers and musicians around, which adds to the atmosphere and makes it more fun for kids without any extra effort.
This is also one of the best spots in Florence for a family photo. The setting is very “classic Florence,” and it doesn’t take much effort to get a really nice shot.
Because it’s so central, it’s easy to weave into your day:
- on your way to dinner
- between activities
- or during an evening walk
If you’re staying nearby, you’ll probably end up seeing it multiple times — which honestly adds to the experience.
Worth it if:
- you want that iconic Florence view
- you’re already nearby (which you likely will be)
- you want a quick, easy photo stop
Skip if:
- don’t skip—just don’t treat it as a standalone activity
6. Carousel Piazza (Our kids kept begging to go back)
This was one of those spots we didn’t plan for—but ended up going back to a few times because it just made everything easier.
There’s a carousel in a lively piazza, usually with music, street performers, and kids running around.
And it’s just… easy.
The kids would:
- go on the carousel
- grab a snack
- run around a bit
And we could actually sit down for a few minutes and breathe.
👉 It’s perfect when everyone’s starting to get a little tired but you’re not ready to call it a day.
Instead of pushing through another activity (which never ends well), we’d stop here, let them play, and then keep going once everyone was in a better mood.
It doesn’t feel like a “thing to do”—but somehow it ends up being one of the most useful stops of the day.
Worth it if:
- your kids are getting tired or restless
- you need a break without going back to your accommodation
- you want something easy that everyone enjoys
Skip if:
- no need to skip—just use it when you need it
7. Piazzale Michelangelo (Best View in Florence)
If you’ve seen those postcard views of Florence from above, this is probably where they were taken.
And yes — the view really is that beautiful.
But here’s the honest take: we didn’t end up going.
Not because it’s not worth it, but because it didn’t fit into our itinerary without pushing the day too far.
And with kids, that matters more.
Getting there takes effort:
- it’s uphill
- not the easiest with a stroller
- and not ideal at the end of a long day
We chose to prioritize keeping everyone’s energy up instead of adding another “must-do.”
If this is high on your list, it can absolutely be worth it—but it works best when you:
- plan it earlier in the day
- or build it into a lighter schedule
Worth it if:
- your kids still have energy
- you really want that panoramic view
- you plan your day around it
Skip if:
- your kids are already tired
- you’re trying to squeeze too much into one day
- you’re traveling with a stroller
8. Accademia Gallery (Seeing David — Should You Do It?)
This is where you can see Michelangelo’s David—one of the most famous sculptures in the world.
But with kids, this is one of those “do you really need to?” stops.
👉 We didn’t include it in our itinerary.
Not because it’s not impressive—but because we chose to visit the Uffizi Gallery instead, and for our kids, one museum was enough.
Adding another would have been too much for the same day (or even the same trip, honestly).
If seeing David is high on your personal list, this is a relatively quick visit compared to other museums, which makes it more doable with kids.
But if you’re already planning to visit a major museum—or your kids aren’t that into art—you won’t feel like you missed out by skipping it.
Worth it if:
- this is something you really want to see
- you’re only planning one museum
- your kids can handle a short, focused visit
Skip if:
- you’re already doing the Uffizi
- your kids are low on energy
- you’re trying to keep your itinerary light
🗓️ This is a good example of where you don’t need to check every “must-see” box for the trip to feel complete.
9. Tuscan Wine Tour (Yes, This Actually Works perfectly fine with Kids)
This was one of those things we really wanted to do, not knowing when we’d be back in Tuscany.
And honestly? It ended up being so worth it.
Getting out of the city, seeing the Tuscan hills, the vineyards, the scenery… it just feels completely different from Florence. Slower, quieter, and honestly kind of magical.
We weren’t totally sure how it would go with kids, but it worked really well.
At each stop, there was space for them to run around and explore, which made a huge difference. They weren’t stuck sitting the whole time—they could just be outside, moving, and enjoying it too.
People were incredibly kind to them everywhere we went, and during the tasting they had snacks and drinks, so everyone was happy.
And on the way back?
They fell asleep on the bus 😅
If you’re debating whether it’s “too much” with kids, it really didn’t feel that way for us. It was actually one of the more relaxed days of the trip.
Worth it if:
- you don’t know when you’ll be back in Tuscany
- you want to experience the countryside, not just the city
- your kids enjoy being outside and moving around
Skip if:
- your kids struggle with longer outings
- you’d rather stay close to your accommodation
👀 This is the family-friendly wine tour we booked and absolutely loved! We took the morning bus so our kids weren’t too tired. We were back in Florence in mid-afternoon, so we took the rest of the day super easy!
10. Gelato Stops (Florence + Kids = Gelato 🍦)
Florence + kids = gelato. All day, every day.
Honestly, this ended up being one of the easiest (and coolest) things to do in Florence with kids.
It’s simple—but it works every time.
We’d just stop for gelato wherever we were:
- near the Duomo
- in a pretty piazza
- randomly while walking around
And it gave us a reason to pause, sit for a bit, and actually take in the views instead of rushing to the next thing.
It also makes all the walking way more fun for kids. Like yes, we’re walking a lot… but there’s always gelato involved 😅
👉 It’s not something you need to plan—it just naturally becomes part of your day.
And honestly, those little stops ended up being some of our favorite moments.
Worth it if:
- always
Skip if:
- absolutely not
Bonus: Family Photoshoot (Best Souvenir, Hands Down)
I don’t know about you, but I’m basically not in most of our vacation photos… unless I take a selfie with the kids 😅
So I decided to be a bit wild and book a family photoshoot.
And honestly? So worth it.
It was way cheaper than I expected, and you get around 20 beautifully edited photos (with options to upgrade if you want more).
Our photographer walked us around the center of Florence, and we took photos near the Duomo, the carousel, and Ponte Vecchio—which made it feel really natural, not staged.
And now we have actual family photos from the trip… not just selfies.
👉 If you’re on the fence, this is one of those things you’ll be really glad you did later.
FAQ: Family-Friendly Activities in Florence
Is Florence good for kids?
Yes—Florence is actually great with kids.
It’s compact, easy to walk, full of beautiful piazzas where kids can run around, and simple things like gelato stops make the whole experience fun. With the right pacing, it’s one of the easiest Italian cities to visit with kids.
How many days in Florence with kids?
2 to 4 days is ideal. That gives you enough time to explore without rushing, while still keeping the pace manageable for kids.
Is Florence stroller friendly?
It can be—but it’s typical Europe. There are cobblestones and some hills, so a lightweight, but sturdy stroller works best. For younger kids, a carrier is often easier in busy areas.
Can you skip museums in Florence with kids?
100% ! You’ll still have an amazing trip even if you skip the museums. The piazzas, views, food, and slower moments are often what families enjoy most.
Are there good day trips from Florence with kids?
Yes—there are several easy day trips from Florence with kids. The Tuscany countryside is great for a slower day, Pisa is quick and fun for the Leaning Tower, and Lucca is perfect for biking. If you have 3–4 days or more, adding one day trip helps break things up.
So, What Should You Do Next?
Once you know what’s actually worth doing in Florence with kids, the next step is putting it into a plan that makes sense day by day.
Because this is where most trips fall apart—not the what, but the when and how much.
👉 How many things can you realistically do in one day?
👉 What should you pair together?
👉 What’s actually doable without exhausting everyone?
I’ve mapped out exactly how I’d plan a Florence itinerary with kids—based on what worked, what didn’t, and how to keep the days smooth and manageable.
