15 Things To Do In Verona With Kids

Verona is a beautiful and ancient city in Italy that was taken over by the Romans back in 89 BCE, making it to be at least 2,000 years old. It has changed a lot during its lifetime, beginning as a French city, Austrian territory, and finally Italian once again, and much of its rich past can still be seen in the streets today. It is located next to Italy's biggest lake and the city is also the setting of the famous Romeo and Juliet play written by William Shakespeare and home to the famous balcony from the story.

If you are planning to take the kids on a vacation to Verona you will not be disappointed. There are many things to do! The city is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site but also has lots of fun and modern activities for the whole family to enjoy. While you are out and about on your family trip in the city, lighten the load for the kids. Leave backpacks and heavy bags in a Verona luggage storage locker. Then, see the best of Verona!

Walls and Fortresses Park

If you want to learn about Verona's history while spending quality time together as a family outside in nature, take a day trip to the Parco della Mura e dei Forti. The trails here span almost 9km and will bring you around the city center and all the way along the Mura Scaligere walkway.

The park is home to different strongholds and offers historic routes or nature paths to follow. If you or the kids are interested in learning more about the history of this place, book a guided tour that can take you through the underground tunnel system connecting the fortresses.

Natural Sciences Museum of Verona

The Natural Sciences Museum of Verona, locally known as the Museo di Storia Naturale, is one of the top activities for families in the city. Part of the museum is located in the Palazzo Pompei near the Ponte Navi and is where you can learn about paleontology, geology and zoology.

The rest of the museum is found near the Ponte di Castelvecchio in Palazzina Comando of the Arsenale Austriaco and is where you can explore sections related to botany and prehistoric artifacts. The museum offers tours perfect for small groups or families as well as different routes catered to specific age groups.

Piazza Arsenale Park

The Parco di Piazza Arsenale is one of the best playgrounds in the city and is found near the Ponte di Castelvecchio. The place is beautiful as it is located on the riverside and is surrounded by green spaces and public gardens.

The park has slides, swings, a merry-go-round, sandpit and playroom, sure to keep the kids entertained for a few hours while you can appreciate the nice view of the city. There is a refreshment area nearby offering coffee, ice cream and snacks in case anyone gets hungry.

Parco Natura Viva

Located in the beautiful hills of Verona you will find the Parco Natura Viva which is a wildlife park that first opened back in 1969. The park takes up a total of 99 acres of space and is home to some pretty amazing wild animals.

Over 250 different species make up the 1,500 animals in the sanctuary with some coming from nearby and others from far away around the world. You can experience the park in two ways; either by a safari in your car or by foot in the fauna zone. Kids will especially love to explore the dinosaur display area that has life-sized replicas of some prehistoric predators.

L'Aquilone Bookshop

If you have any bookworms in your family, stop by the L'Aquilone Bookshop. This store sells books specifically dedicated to children and teenagers as well as fun games to buy. The range of books that you can see here is pretty impressive, and you can find anything from fantasy novels to science textbooks.

Children of all ages can read something that they like, even young kids will enjoy looking at the picture books or pop-up storybooks. The staff here are friendly and can also give you recommendations if you aren't sure about what you want.

Gelato Making Class

If you have a few hours to spend before supper time and find yourself in the city center of Verona then you can take the family to a 2 hour gelato making workshop. This class is led by an experienced chef who will teach you how to make your own handmade fresh fruit sorbet.

Your class will take place in a beautiful cooking school and the hands-on experience will end with you tasting the gelato that you have made. After booking your appointment you can meet your guide at the Ristori Theater entrance.

Arena di Verona

The Arena di Verona is one of the most impressive sights in all of Verona. The ancient amphitheater dates back to the first century CE and is one of the best displays of historic Roman architecture in the city.

Back during the times of the empire this structure and its stands held up to 30,000 people at once who sat to watch the games and battles of gladiators. More recently it has served as an opera venue beginning back in 1913, and starting in 2011 when the sound system was updated it has hosted several concerts from popular modern bands and performers.

Children's Museum Verona

A museum is a marvelous thing to do in Verona with kids. Children's Museum Verona is located on the south side of the city and has lots of interactive exhibits and displays that encourage curiosity, fun and learning.

Some of the activities here include a Water Zone that teaches all about the water cycle, displays of mechanical cogs and machines as well as fun ball pits and climbing areas. Your kids will have a blast and the Children's Museum Verona will exercise both their body and mind.

Gardaland Theme Park

Just outside of Verona is the huge water amusement park of Gardaland. The park is found on Lago di Garda and can be reached pretty easily if you grab a bus from the center of the city. This is a great thing to do on a hot summer day and makes for an unforgettable experience on your family vacation in Verona.

The amusement park has attractions suitable for anyone from toddlers to adults with play areas, small rides and big roller coasters. On site, there are 3D cinemas playing movies as well as outdoor performances put on by acrobats, clowns, dancers and stuntmen.

Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

Touring the city in a hop-on hop-off bus is a good way for families with kids to see the top landmarks and sites in an easy and stress free way. You can enjoy panoramic views of the city while sitting on this double decker bus and get a great audio commentary as well.

If you are vacationing with small kids who can't walk around sightseeing, the bus tours can be the perfect solution for you. Choose between two different routes with 16 individual stops, and if a particular area interests you then you can hop off to explore it further by foot. Tickets last for 24 hours so you can take your time and explore each stop at your own pace.

Parco delle Cascate

If you want to take a break from the buildings and cobblestone streets, spend an afternoon exploring nature at Parco delle Cascate. This waterfall park is gorgeous and the trails will take you through lush vegetation and by huge caves.

You will have three unique routes to choose from, all offering different difficulty levels, which can allow younger travelers to keep up. If you reach the 17th century mill and Molina found at the end of the route you can buy local products. Make sure to dress appropriately in hiking shoes and comfortable clothing.

Castelvecchio Verona

If you are looking to do some sightseeing and want to keep the kids entertained too, your best bet is to visit the Castelvecchio Verona. This is an ancient fortress with medieval-styled towers that can fit into any child's imagination of an old castle with knights and kings.

Over the centuries this building has been used as a residence, stronghold, and safe place for the citizens to escape to in case of danger. Inside is the Museo Civico which is also worth checking out with interesting displays of old coins, artwork and weapons.

Gardaland Sea Life Aquarium

Verona's Castelnuovo del Garda is located on the same lake as the theme parks and is one of the favorite places among kids in the city. There are a total of 40 different habitats here with thousands of creatures from both fresh and saltwater habitats.

In this huge aquarium, you can get as close as possible to the sea creatures by walking through the transparent ocean tunnel which has stingrays, sharks and fish swimming above and beside you. There is an interactive area where you and the kids can touch real starfish and shark eggs, and you can learn a lot by following one of the guided tours.

The Juliet and Romeo Treasure Hunt

There are some fun online resources offered in Verona, including the Gnocchi of Juliet and Romeo treasure hunt. This activity will require the family to work together to solve riddles by listening to stories and following a map to different destinations nearby.

By the end of the treasure hunt, you will receive a prize; a recipe for some delicious gnocchi that you can make together. You will start your adventure at the Madonna Verona Fountain and the total time of the activity should take about an hour and a half. Adults who know the story of Romeo and Juliet will have just as much fun as the kids.

Caneva Aquapark

If you want to explore more amusement parks, take a trip to the Caneva Aquapark which is a sort of resort and entertainment spot all in one. Parents can relax on a lounge chair by the pool or in a lazy river while the kids get their thrill on the fun rides like the Twin Peaks, Kamika or Stukas.

Book your tickets in advance with confidence, since the park is partnered with Movieland Park and you can use your tickets there if ever Caneva has to close due to bad weather. The Movieland Park has its own interactive rides from your favorite movie scenes and is another good thing to do in Verona with kids.

What are the Best Family Activities in Verona?

The Best Things to do with Younger Kids

The Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour is perfect for families with young children since you can see all of Verona's top sites at your own pace without commuting there. Parco Natura Vivo is fabulous. Who doesn't like the zoo? Parco Natura Vivo is sure to fascinate small kids with all of the amazing animals, and you can see them all safely and easily from inside your car. The Children's Museum Verona is specifically dedicated to kids, so they are sure to have a blast.

The Best Things to do with Older Kids

In the Gelato Making Class, older kids will have an easier time following the recipe and making their own gelato. The Gardaland Theme Park has areas suitable for people of all ages, although some of the fun roller coaster rides are reserved for big kids. All will enjoy the Juliet and Romeo Treasure Hunt but it may be best for older children because you will be walking around town and will need to figure out clues.

Free Things to do in Verona with Kids

Piazza Arsenale Park is open to the public and does not require an entrance fee, so you and the kids can take a walk or have fun in the playground for free. L'Aquilone Bookshop is free to visit and browse, although you will have to pay if you choose to buy anything. Visiting the fortresses or getting a tour will cost you money, but you can walk around the Walls and Fortresses Park for free.

Traveling to Verona With Kids

There is so much to do in Verona! Whether you want to go on a historic guided tour, take day trips to nature parks and reserves, or make your own gelato the kids will be thrilled. From hanging out in Piazza Bra (find it near Verona Porta Nuova) to climbing the Lamberti Tower, Verona is full of family fun.