10 Free Things to Do in Rome With Kids
Plan an eventful yet budget friendly family trip including these 11 free things to do in Rome with kids!
Rome, a city rich in history and culture, offers countless opportunities for families with kids to explore without spending a fortune. From ancient ruins on every street corner to beautiful piazzas, there are plenty of free activities that both kids and adults can experience.
Traveling with kids in Rome doesn’t have to be expensive. In fact, many of the city’s most famous attractions are completely free and perfect for families looking to soak up its historical and cultural charm.
Rome is full of surprises, particularly for families on a budget.
This guide will show you the best free, family-friendly experiences in the Eternal City that prove money can’t buy memories.
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Quick List: Free Things to Do in Rome With Kids
- Make a Wish at the Trevi Fountain
- Climb Up the Spanish Steps
- Watch the Fountains at Piazza Navona
- Marvel at the Pantheon
- See the Roman Forum for Free From Piazza Del Campidoglio
- Walk Around the Colosseum
- Visit a Scenic Playground in Parco del Colle Oppio
- Experience Multiple Sights Within Villa Borghese
- Watch the Sunrise From Janiculum Hill
- Visit Vatican City
The Essentials for Visiting Rome With Kids
🎟 The first Sunday of each month is the best time to visit for free activities in Rome with kids, as admission to the majority of Rome’s landmarks is free for everyone!
🚊 Guided tours are convenient, but if you’re traveling on a budget, opt for public transportation instead. Many of Rome’s main attractions are located near metro, tram, and bus stops.
🌲 Rome has many green spaces sprinkled throughout the city, which are naturally better enjoyed by kids during the warmer months. Plan a family trip in the spring or fall when it’s not too hot or cold outside.
🍕The best cheap food in Rome includes pizza, sandwiches (panini), takeaway pasta, and items from bakeries. Fortunately, this food is proven to be kid-approved!
10 Free Things to Do in Rome With Kids
1. Make a Wish at the Trevi Fountain
While it’s one of the most popular places among tourists today, the Trevi Fountain, first and foremost, celebrates the importance of water in Roman life. Its central figure, Neptune (the god of the sea), is surrounded by figurative sculptures representing both abundance and health.
Of course, you can make a wish, but the fountain’s original tradition of tossing coins into the water means you are ensuring yourself a return trip to Rome. In reality, the coins are periodically collected and contributed to local welfare projects.
The Trevi Fountain is always free to visit and a sensation that people of all ages are sure to revel in.
2. Race Up the Spanish Steps
The Spanish Steps were initially constructed for one purpose – to connect Trinità dei Monti Church to the piazza below. In the midst of things and as a result of the architects’ origins, they became a physical symbol of unity between France and Spain in Rome.
Today, there are alternative ways to ascend a street above but the 135-step staircase remains a must-see landmark and one of the best places in Rome for people watching.
It’s also a good free workout for the entire family!
3. Watch the Fountains at Piazza Navona
As one of the oldest town squares in Rome, Piazza Navona has origins that date back to the 1st century AD. It was once used as an athletic centre for competitions and events. It kind of looks like a field, right?
Piazza Navona was transformed in the 17th-century into its present day style which includes not one, but three stunning water fountains. The water features are all different and backed by beautiful elegant buildings while the piazza is dotted with cute restaurants.
Although this underrated location is free to visit, its romantic Roman atmosphere is worth a million bucks.
4. Marvel at the Pantheon
The Pantheon is among the most mesmerizing structures in Rome and was designed as a temple dedicated to all Roman gods. The structure’s gigantic dome includes a central oculus open to the “heavens” and is considered an engineering marvel of ancient Rome.
If you’re not necessarily hung up on just free things to do in Rome with kids, the Pantheon is definitely one of the cheapest landmarks to visit.
A basic entry ticket costs as little as €5 for adults and children under 18 years old are always free! Additionally, every first Sunday of the month is free admission for everyone.
5. See the Roman Forum for Free
Founded in the 7th century, the Forum grew over time with temples, basilicas, and monuments, becoming the center of Roman public life for centuries. This is where significant events such as elections and trials took place.
Since Rome is filled with remnants of the ancient civilization on every street corner, you may not always feel compelled to pay to see more ruins. While the Roman Forum is free for children under 18, there’s a way for the entire family to get an overhead view of the Forum for free.
Head up towards Piazza del Campidoglio and walk to this viewpoint, just off the side of the road. You’ll be able to capture a sweeping view of the Forum without spending a cent!
6. Walk Around the Colosseum
Also known as the Flavian Amphitheater, the arena was completed in 80 CE under Emperor Titus and became the largest in the Roman world. It most famously hosted gladiator contests, animal hunts, and public spectacles.
We’ve been to Rome several times, and we still have yet to enter the Colosseum. Perhaps the constant crowds or long lines have put us off, but going inside always seemed more trouble than it was worth.
Fortunately, the Colosseum makes just as strong an impression from the outside, and you don’t need to spend any money to experience it.
Especially if you’re short on time or traveling with young kids who aren’t excited about waiting in line, simply stroll around the Colosseum, snap a few photos, and move on.
7. Visit a Scenic Playground in Parco del Colle Oppio
Parco del Colle Oppio is home to one of the least touristy archaeological parks in the center of Rome. It is rarely crowded, yet it includes ruins of ancient Roman baths and the Domus Aurea, the remains of Emperor Nero’s villa.
In addition to offering the best elevated view of the Colosseum, the park is also equipped with a playground for kids. Surrounded by shaded trees, Parco del Colle Oppio is the perfect rest stop during a long sightseeing trek through Rome.
8. Experience Multiple Sights Within Villa Borghese
This vast park is located just a short distance from the city center and should be a focal point for any families visiting Rome with kids. There are playgrounds for children, ancient landmarks for adults to enjoy, and the scenic Temple of Aesculapius, sitting on a small lake.
Originally constructed in the 17th century, the estate was acquired by the city of Rome in 1903 and transformed into a public park. Villa Borghese is now one of the largest and most admired green spaces in the city.
Villa Borghese also shares its green space with Rome’s zoo, which may not be free but is always a guaranteed fun time for the little ones.
9. Watch the Sunset From Janiculum Hill
On the west side of River Tiber and above the Trastavere neighbourhood sits an extensive green park filled with botanical gardens, bamboo forests, fountains and monuments. At the top, there is a panoramic terrace known as Janiculum Hill.
It is most famous for its view of the entire city, particularly during sunrise or sunset. During the warmed months, there is an outdoor miniature children’s amusement park.
10. Visit Vatican City
Vatican City is home to the world-famous Sistine Chapel and the Pope, serving as a religious and cultural hub for millions of Catholics worldwide.
Although access to the Vatican Museums is far from free, you can still enter Vatican City at no cost. Vatican City is separated from the rest of Rome by a defensive wall, but pedestrians can easily enter the micro nation through the St. Peter’s Square Obelisk.
The entire square, including St. Peter’s Basilica (since it is a church), is free to visit.
FAQs: Visiting Rome With Kids On a Budget
Can Kids Visit Museums in Rome for Free?
Rome’s cultural attractions are very budget-friendly for families visiting with kids. Most museums and landmarks offer free admission to children under 18 years old, which is pretty impressive considering that other cities may only offer discounts for kids under 5!
Additionally, everyone can enter museums in Rome on the first Sunday of each month for €0.
Are There Playgrounds in Rome?
Within the historic center of Rome, you won’t find many playgrounds. While there are several small gardens and parks with benches, you won’t stumble upon numerous swings or slides.
As you move further away from the old quarter, you will have a much better chance of finding playgrounds near the Colosseum, Villa Borghese, and Vatican City.
Is Rome Stroller Friendly?
Rome is an ancient city, with many of its side roads constructed of cobblestones. If you are interested in taking a stroller around Rome, make sure that your stroller has big wheels that can handle ‘terrain’ rather than just smooth concrete.
It is entirely possible to use a stroller while touring Rome (we’ve done it!), but you must set expectations beforehand.
There are many staircases, which you can either haul the stroller up with a partner or take a longer route around.
Due to the bumpy roads, make sure your child is strapped in and doesn’t mind a less-than-perfectly smooth ride.
How Many Days to Spend in Rome With Kids?
This is entirely dependent on what you’re looking to accomplish while visiting Rome. If you’re a family determined to see all of the top sights, we recommend at least two days in the city.
Families who are interested in actually touring a majority of the sites, such as entering the Vatican Museums and taking a tour of inside the Colosseum, should plan for a minimum of three or four days in Rome.
Are Restaurants in Rome Kid Friendly?
Most restaurants in Rome are family-friendly because it’s a cultural norm for parents to go out to eat with their kids.
If you’re visiting a restaurant in Rome and find a kids’ section on the menu, this restaurant is likely geared toward tourists. The reason is that Italians don’t tend to differentiate between children and adults when it comes to food.
Of course, you can simply ask your waiter for a kid-sized portion of whatever dish is on the regular menu. Nine out of ten times, restaurants in Italy will make this adjustment for you.
How to Get Around Rome With Kids
Most of the free things to do in Rome with kids are accessible by public transportation. Utilize the metro, tram, and even bus when journeying around Rome’s top sights, instead of always hailing a taxi (the cost adds up!).
The metro is best for traveling longer distances because it doesn’t cover the historic center of Rome at all. Rome’s metro lines will get you to the perimeter of the historic center, but the inner streets of the old town are only serviced by bus.
Public transportation tickets are interchangeable among the different types (bus, tram, and metro) and are time-based. For example, you can purchase a single ride for €1.50, which is valid for 100 minutes, or €18 for three days.
Additionally, the hop-on-hop-off buses are extremely popular in Rome, and for good reason. While they may look touristy, they accomplish pretty much everything you want them to. Unfortunately, they’re not the most budget-friendly option, and an unlimited day pass starts at around €25 per adult.
Where to Stay in Rome With Kids
There really isn’t a bad choice when it comes to which area(s) of Rome you should or shouldn’t stay in. However, if you’re traveling with kids, you may want to avoid accommodations near Termini Station because the atmosphere at night is less than favorable for families.
Personally, we prefer sticking to hotels or Airbnbs that are close to a park. Anywhere near the perimeter of Villa Borghese is a solid choice, and the low-key neighborhood of Prati (near Vatican City) is also lovely.
Wherever you may land in Rome, make sure you book a stay near public transportation. This is absolutely key when visiting Rome with kids because you don’t want to waste much of the day commuting.
Trust us, we know what it’s like when a what-should-be 5-minute walk turns into half an hour with a toddler.
Top Rated Family Friendly Hotels in Rome
San Pietro House – CHECK PRICES
Maison Vittorio Borgo Pio – CHECK PRICES
Home Rome Lepanto – CHECK PRICES
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