The Vatican rating comes from the GetYourGuide page seen in October 2026. We could not reliably read the rating of the gladiator school or of the family Colosseum tour: check them on the page before buying.

Vatican for kids: the tour to book first

The Vatican Museums are huge, noisy and very crowded. "Vatican & Sistine Chapel Skip-the-Ticket-Line Tour for Kids" is built for children: 2.5 hours, a group capped at 8, and a guide who uses pop-up books, tablet games and riddles. Skip-the-line entry is included. Similar tours exist, including a private tour with a scavenger hunt (4.8 out of 5, 76 reviews) and a private "Mamma Mia Tours" visit (4.6 out of 5, 108 reviews), which cost more because the group is just your family. What to know: the rooms stay very crowded even with a guide, and shoulders and knees must be covered (see what to wear in churches and at the Vatican). Is it worth it? Yes if your children are 6 or older: without a suitable guide, most lose interest quickly. See the offer.

On price: kids' tours vary widely between offers depending on the format and the currency. Entry alone is cheaper on the Vatican's official site, but then you manage the route yourself with children. To compare the other ways in, see Vatican: which early access to pick.

Family Colosseum tours

Several tours tell the story of the Colosseum to children through games. Our pick is "The Colosseum for Children: a Journey among Gladiators and the Wonders of Rome" (duration, price, access and recommended age: see the listing). Another, "Skip-the-Line Colosseum Family Tour for Kids" (2 hours, from about $53, 4.4 out of 5 but from only 13 reviews, up to 25 people, no strollers), targets ages 7 to 12. The second tour is not wheelchair accessible (see the listing for the first), and for under-6s a shorter independent visit will be less tiring. Official ticketing is covered in our Colosseum ticket comparison. See the offer.

Gladiator school

This is the activity kids bring up afterwards. It takes place at Via Appia Antica 18: about two hours of training with practice weapons. Children as young as 5 enjoyed it according to reviews; below that it is too long. Bring mosquito repellent in summer. The price depends on the reseller and the format: we saw very different amounts across sites, so compare when you book. For the location, see the Via Appia Antica and Rome by bike. See the offer.

Explora, the children's museum

The Explora pavilion, Rome's children's museum

On Via Flaminia near Piazza del Popolo, Explora welcomes children from 0 to 11 in timed slots. There is no guided tour to buy: the simplest is the online ticket on the museum's official site (mdbr.it). The sources we found disagree on opening hours and prices, so check before you go; the museum is closed on Mondays. It is the best card on a rainy day (see what to do in Rome when it rains).

Bioparco

The Bioparco, the zoo in the Villa Borghese park, needs no middleman: buy the ticket at the gate or on the zoo's site. Allow half a day with a picnic in the park.

Pitfalls

  • Minimum ages: some tours exclude under-6s; read the offer page.
  • Strollers: not allowed on some Colosseum tours.
  • Cancellation: some tours are non-refundable; check the policy before paying.
  • ID: some Colosseum tickets require ID, children included.
  • Too much: two booked activities a day is enough with young children.

Which activity to pick?

  • Age 6 and up, one purchase: the kids' Vatican tour.
  • Ages 7 to 12, history fans: the family Colosseum tour.
  • Energetic kids: the gladiator school.
  • Toddlers or a rainy day: Explora.
  • Tight budget: the Bioparco and free parks (see free things to do in Rome).

Frequently asked questions

From what age is a guided Vatican tour worthwhile? From 6 or 7; before that, a short independent visit is more realistic.

Do I need to book ahead? Yes in high season for the Vatican, the Colosseum and the gladiator school. See also what to book in advance in Rome.

Do children pay? It depends on the site and the age; the fare is shown on each offer's page.