Featured in this article - Cultural and Educational Experiences in Tuscany - Theme Parks - Adventure Parks - Amusement Parks and Playgrounds |
Cultural And Educational Experiences in Tuscany
Italian art and history are not exclusively for the grown-ups. Many famous museums have now created a special “children's” tour - such as Uffizzi. Below is a list of museums tailored for children and other cultural activities you can’t miss while in Tuscany with your kids.
Leonardo Da Vinci Museum - Vinci (FI)
Leonardo Da Vinci Museum is, unsurprisingly, located in Vinci - in the province of Florence - Leonardo’s hometown. The museum offers dedicated trails and educational workshops for the whole family. To find out more, you can view the full program here.
The Sword in The Stone - San Galgano (SI)
You might be wrong if you’ve grown up thinking “The Sword in the Stone” was an English exclusive. In the Rotonda di Montesiepi, part of the stunning Abbazia di San Galgano complex, a sword is embedded in the rock. The sword allegedly belonged to San Galgano, but some say it is nothing less than the famous Excalibur.
Park Of Prehistory - Cetona (SI)
The Civic Museum for Prehistory of Monte Cetona documents the various phases of human settlement from the Palaeolithic to the end of the Bronze Age, in the territory of Monte Cetona (near Siena). The museum is closely connected to the Belvedere Archaeological Naturalistic Park, where it is possible to visit some of the caves utilised by man in the prehistoric period for funerary or cult purposes, and the remains of outdoor settlements.
Palazzo Vecchio Kids - Florence
In Palazzo Vecchio’s Museum, there are several activities and trails dedicated to children and families. The range goes from a painting laboratory to a tour via the palace’s secret passages. You can find the full list here.
Archaeological Mines Park of San Silvestro - Campiglia Marittima (LI)
In the Archaeological Mines Park of San Silvestro, you will find museums, mine tunnels, a mediaeval village of miners and smelters founded thousands of years ago. The park is part of the Val Di Cornia, cradle of Etruscan civilization.
Santa Maria della Scala Children’s Art Museum - Siena
This art museum is designed to allow parents to experience the museum spaces together with their children using interactive exhibits, stimulating games and laboratory activities. You can experiment with different artistic techniques, leaving free reign to the creative imagination of the little ones. Visit their website to learn more.
Nature Train (a tour on a Historic Steam Train) - Val d’Orcia (SI)
In the beautiful Val d'Orcia (Siena), it is possible to take a tour on a Historic Steam Train and explore the typical Tuscan landscape. Oftentimes Nature Train's itineraries are linked to a special event or a festival dedicated to local products such as wine, oil, mushrooms, or truffles.
If you prefer more outdoor activities, we’ve also got some great recommendations for you covering adventure, amusement and theme parks. Our local experts have put together a list covering all the main areas in Tuscany.
Theme Parks
Pinocchio Theme Park - Collodi (PI)
Il Parco di Pinocchio is a theme park dedicated to the famous Pinocchio. It is located in Collodi, where Carlo Lorenzi, the book’s author, spent his childhood. Pinocchio Park was built as a pathway of surprises inspired by the story. Inside the park there is also a butterfly house, inhabited by hundreds of butterflies native to tropical or equatorial regions.
The Tarot Garden (Artistic Park) - Capalbio (GR)
Il Giardino dei Tarocchi is an artistic park conceived by the Franco-American artist Niki de Saint Phalle. It is inspired by Antoni Gaudí' s Parque Guell in Barcelona, and is populated with statues inspired by the figures of the major arcana of the tarot. By the artist's design, there are no guided tours in the Tarot Garden to leave visitors to their own interpretations.
Adventure Parks
Il Saltalbero Adventure Park - Rapolano (SI)
Saltalbero is an Oasis of tranquillity surrounded by vast meadows and a wonderful forest, overlooking the Ombrone river valley. Challenge yourself with acrobatic paths on the trees or just relax in the woods.
Il Gigante Adventure Park - Vaglia (FI)
Parco Avventura il Gigante offers aerial courses in the context of a magical forest on the hills of Firenze, just a few kilometres from the city centre.
Buffardello Adventure Park - San Romano (LU)
Selva del Buffardello Adventure Park is located in the heart of Garfagnana, in the Appennino Tosco-Emiliano National Park territory. There are 10 different trails to choose from, all divided by expertise level (and some are also suitable for small kids).
Il Tasso Scatenato Adventure Park - Scarlino (GR)
The adventure park Il Tasso Scatenato is located inside the forest complex of the Bandite di Scarlino, in the province of Grosseto. A few hundred metres from the enchanting beaches of the Gulf of Follonica and the wonderful beach of Cala Violina. The park is within a green area of paths, ideal for cycling or walking.
Il Giardino Sospeso Adventure Park - Riparbella (PI)
The Giardino Sospeso is a very well-equipped park near Pisa. Their offering is tailored for kids and adults, and families can benefit from a discount.
Geo-Archeo Adventure Park - Equi Terme (MS)
The Geo-Archeo-Adventure Park of the Equi Caves is a site of exceptional naturalistic and geological interest. The park is a very welcoming village community, located in the northern part of the Regional Park of the Apuan Alps - Global Geopark Unesco. GAAP Offers visitors diversified and customisable experiences according to personal interests and attitudes: from zipline experiences to paths in the cave.
IndianaPark Amiata Adventure Park - Castel del Piano (GR)
Indiana Park Amiata is located in an exceptional location: Monte Amiata. The park extends over two hectares of beech and fir forest and offers routes for adults and children. You can choose between adrenaline activities, walks, excursions, and cultural visits.
Amusement Parks and Playgrounds
Cavallino Matto Amusement Park - Castagneto Carducci (LI)
Cavallino Matto is the largest amusement park in Tuscany, located in a lush pine forest overlooking the beach of Marina di Castagneto Carducci. The Park covers an area of 100,000 square metres and offers over 25 rides and attractions for all tastes and all ages, from those for children, such as the Topozorro mini-roller coaster, to the more adrenaline-pumping ones, suitable for adults.
Acquavillage Water Parks - Cecina (LI) and Follonica (GR)
These two Hawaiian-themed water parks are located in Cecina (Livorno) and Follonica (Grosseto). The parks offer 2 kilometres of slides, 6000 cubic metres of moving water, and seven swimming pools.
Giardino Volante Public Playground - Pistoia
This playground is located in the heart of the city of Pistoia, in a radically renovated place. Giardino Volante (Flying Garden) is a public park accessible to all, where the little ones can play and live their adventures inspired by nature and the play sculptures made by artists that cooperated to the project.
From cultural activities to high adrenaline escapes, you can find a bit of everything in our guide for The Perfect Family Friendly Holiday In Tuscany.
If you want to know more about Tuscany, or the area where your Villa is located, you can find dedicated guides for all the main Tuscan regions in our Travel Guides section of our online magazine.
Start to plan your dream holiday today, and if you need help finding the perfect country villa, please visit our range of handpicked villas to rent in Tuscany.
Alternatively, please feel free to contact our team for more information.