Top Six Child-Friendly Museums in Florence

Being a tourist can be daunting especially if you’re traveling with children. Though Florence, a city steeped in history, may not seem the most child-friendly vacation spot, there are plenty of opportunities to introduce your children to great works of art with breaks for museums that offer kids room to let off steam.

What child could resist the Museo del Giocattolo e del Bambino (the “Museum of Toys and Children”)? Located behind the cathedral, it is full of thousands of toys dating back three centuries. Not only are the toys fun to look at but the history of toys is a fascinating detour from the history of art for which Florence is so famous.

The Galileo Museum is perfect for budding scientists but it should also appeal to children and adults interested in seeing scientific instruments from the Medici collection dating from the 15th to the 18th century as well as more recent instruments, machines and wax models from the 18th and 19th centuries.

The Leonardo Interactive Museum is a wonderful museum for children and adults. Models of da Vinci’s scientific ideas and machines, including a helicopter, parachute, armored tank and Archimedean Screw, have been created from his original sketches. You are allowed to work the machines which makes the museum a must visit for parents and children.

For a look at evolution from the dinosaurs to the present, check out La Specola Natural History Museum. Originally founded as an astronomical observatory in 1790, it’s the oldest scientific museum in Europe with collections going back to the Medici period. Scientific and medical instruments, realistic wax figures taken from corpses in the 17th century (for use in understanding the human anatomy), a hall of skeletons and a stuffed hippopotamus (originally a 17th century Medici pet) are among the many fascinating objects that fill the 34 rooms of the Palazzo Torrigiani.

The Selfie Museum is the ideal spot to let your child (and teenager) blow off some energy while having fun creating photographic and video images that they can share with their friends. Over 1000 square meters, this huge space includes various immersive installations and scenarios that have been created by over 400 artists.

Don’t forget the Boboli Gardens where families can picnic, take walks and children can run and play.

Book your family-friendly vacation in Florence with A.M.A Selections today.