You’ll find Bologna perfect for family adventures with hands-on experiences at the Carpigiani Gelato Museum, where kids can make their own gelato, and Luna Farm’s 14 farm-themed rides within FICO Eataly World. Explore sprawling parks like Giardini Margherita with playgrounds and lakes, cool off at Villaggio della Salute Più’s 24 pools, and hunt for treasures at the medieval Mercato di Mezzo. Climb historic towers for panoramic views and discover interactive food experiences that’ll keep everyone entertained throughout your stay.
- Explore Bologna’s Beautiful Parks and Green Spaces
- Experience Food Culture at Grand Tour Italia
- Learn Gelato Making at Carpigiani Gelato Museum
- Have Fun at Luna Farm Indoor Theme Park
- Discover History Through Interactive Museums
- Climb Medieval Towers for Spectacular Views
- Cool Off at Summer Water Parks
- Hunt for Treasures in Local Markets and Food Shops
- The Sum Up
Explore Bologna’s Beautiful Parks and Green Spaces
When you’re traveling with kids, Bologna’s abundant green spaces offer the perfect remedy for restless energy and crowded city streets.
Start at Giardini Margherita, the city’s largest park at 26 hectares, where your children can enjoy playgrounds, trampolines, and a charming carousel while you relax by the small lake.
For spectacular city views, climb to San Michele in Bosco Park, perched 132 meters high around a historic monastery.
Villa Ghigi Park offers educational activities and birdwatching among fruit trees and vineyards. The park maintains the structure of an ancient estate with its original layout of cultivated areas and ornamental gardens.
Don’t miss Parco della Montagnola, Bologna’s oldest park with its majestic Pincio staircase and weekend markets.
These green havens provide perfect spots for picnics, soccer games, and memorable family moments.
Experience Food Culture at Grand Tour Italia
After working up an appetite in Bologna’s parks, you’ll want to introduce your kids to Italy’s incredible food culture at Grand Tour Italia, a massive 50,000 square meter park that opened in September 2024. This free-admission destination takes families on a culinary journey through all 20 Italian regions, featuring traditional osterias and regional specialties.
Your children will love the Luna Farm amusement park with rides and games, plus hands-on workshop like “Sfoglini for a day” where they’ll make tagliatelle and tortellini. Free workshops for ages 5-13 happen Thursdays and Fridays at 6:30 pm.
The park also offers family picnic experiences for €20 on weekends and educational tours with tastings, making Italian food culture accessible and exciting for young explorers. Kids can explore 4 thematic zones that focus on animal world and agricultural production, providing an engaging way to learn about food sustainability and biodiversity through interactive materials.
Learn Gelato Making at Carpigiani Gelato Museum
While your kids might think gelato is just Italian ice cream, they’ll discover the fascinating science and artistry behind this beloved treat at the Carpigiani Gelato Museum. Located 20 kilometers from Bologna’s center, this interactive museum offers hands-on gelato making workshops where children use authentic Carpigiani machines to create their own sorbet.
The hour-long guided tours span three levels, showcasing over 20 artisanal machines and the evolution of gelato from luxury item to global dessert. Tours are conducted in both Italian and English, making the experience accessible to international families visiting Bologna.
Your family’ll explore multimedia stations with video interviews and participate in tasting sessions featuring unique flavors.
You’ll need advance reservations via [email protected], as walk-ins aren’t accepted. Adult tickets cost €12, and the museum’s open Wednesday through Saturday. It’s accessible by Bus 87 from Bologna.
Have Fun at Luna Farm Indoor Theme Park
If rainy weather threatens your Bologna adventure, Luna Farm Indoor Theme Park offers the perfect escape with 14 farm-themed attractions spread across 6,500 square meters of climate-controlled fun.
Your kids will love meeting Gianni the farmer and his animal mascots while enjoying rides like Flying Pigs, Formula Farm, and Honey Factory.
Entry costs just 12 euros online (14 euros cash) and includes unlimited access to 12 attractions.
Children under 90cm enter free but can’t ride, while those over 105cm can enjoy everything independently.
Kids between 90-105cm have specific restrictions you’ll need to check on-site.
Beyond rides, you’ll find party rooms, a gift shop, refreshments, and virtual reality options. The venue also features accessibility features for wheelchair users and visitors with disabilities, making it welcoming for all families.
Located within FICO Eataly World, it’s perfectly positioned for a full family day out.
Discover History Through Interactive Museums
Bologna’s interactive museums transform learning into adventure, letting your kids touch, explore, and experience history rather than simply observe it.
At the Gelato Museum in Anzola dell’Emilia, children become ice cream makers through hands-on workshops while discovering gelato’s fascinating history.
The Virtual Reality Museum Time Machine offers VR experiences like “Bononia,” reconstructing Roman Bologna, and “Tower Power,” simulating flight among medieval towers—perfect for kids 8 and older.
The Museum of History of Bologna uses multimedia displays spanning 2,500 years, where children create medieval armor, coats of arms, and transform into knights.
For contemporary art lovers, MAMbo’s children’s section provides interactive experiences.
Don’t miss the Dinosaur exhibitions featuring 30 life-size prehistoric models, including a spectacular 26-meter Jurassic dinosaur that’ll captivate young paleontologists. In nearby Budrio, the Museum of Ocarinas showcases terracotta musical instruments and highlights fascinating local musical traditions that children can explore and appreciate.
Climb Medieval Towers for Spectacular Views
Since the iconic Torre degli Asinelli is temporarily closed for restoration work, you’ll need to adjust your tower-climbing plans, but don’t worry—Bologna still offers incredible aerial adventures for your family.
Head to San Petronio Cathedral for stunning 360° panoramic views from the roof. Your kids will love spotting seashell fossils in the orange stone and finding their birth months marked in marble on the floor.
Around noon, sunlight streams through a 27-meter opening, illuminating Europe’s longest sundial—it’s absolutely magical.
Can’t handle the climb? Try the “Tower and Power” virtual reality experience instead. Kids under 8 get automatic viewing, while older children control their medieval Bologna adventure.
You’ll explore the city’s towered past without breaking a sweat, making it perfect for families with varying energy levels. When the Asinelli Tower reopens, it offers a thrilling 498-step climb to reach spectacular panoramic views from Italy’s tallest medieval leaning tower.
Cool Off at Summer Water Parks
When Bologna’s summer heat becomes unbearable, you’ll find salvation at the incredible Villaggio della Salute Più, where 24 pools await your family just outside the city.
Your kids will love the thrilling water slides and spacious swimming areas, while you can relax on natural turf sunbathing zones.
The complex opens at 10am with reduced afternoon rates starting at 2pm – perfect for budget-conscious families.
At just €15 for water park access, it’s an affordable day out that’ll keep everyone cool and entertained. This remarkable destination sits within an oxygen-rich climate in the rolling hills of the Apennines, creating the perfect natural environment for family relaxation.
The on-site farmhouse restaurant serves organic local dishes with gluten-free and vegan options available, so you won’t need to pack lunch.
Plus, pools must be vacated 30 minutes before closing, giving you plenty of warning to wrap up your aquatic adventure.
Hunt for Treasures in Local Markets and Food Shops
Transform your family’s grocery shopping into an exciting treasure hunt through Bologna’s vibrant Mercato di Mezzo, where kids can weave through medieval alleys discovering colorful pyramids of fresh fruit, wheels of cheese with funny names, and steaming plates of handmade tortellini.
Your children will love people-watching while snacking on nearby streets, turning this central Bologna location into pure entertainment.
Visit Bruno e Franco La Salumeria in the morning for fresh tortellini, then grab mortadella sandwiches from Murtadela for quick street food bites.
The market’s sensory exploration suits ages 0-12 perfectly, offering simple, free fun through strolling and sampling. When the heat becomes overwhelming, duck into the air conditioning at nearby Eataly Bologna for a refreshing break with cafe treats and shopping.
Complete your treasure hunt by enrolling in hands-on cooking classes where kids can get their hands dirty making pasta from ingredients you’ve discovered together.
The Sum Up
You’ll create unforgettable memories exploring Bologna with your kids! From climbing ancient towers to making gelato and splashing in water parks, there’s something for every family. Don’t forget to pack comfortable shoes for all that walking and bring your appetite for amazing food adventures. Bologna’s perfect blend of history, culture, and kid-friendly activities makes it an ideal destination where you’ll all have fun learning and discovering together.
