12 Best Things to Do in Athens With Kids

You’ll find Athens perfect for families with kids who love adventure and history. Start early at the Acropolis to beat crowds, then explore the Ancient Agora where children can discover how families lived 2,500 years ago. The Acropolis Museum offers treasure hunts and LEGO models at kid height, while the National Gardens provide 40 acres of playgrounds and mini-zoos. Don’t miss Playmobil Fun Park‘s themed zones and traditional Greek cooking classes where kids create authentic dishes—this city offers countless ways to make ancient history unforgettable.

Explore the Acropolis and Marvel at the Parthenon

Standing 490 feet above Athens, the Acropolis offers your family an unforgettable journey through 2,500 years of history while the iconic Parthenon serves as the crown jewel of ancient Greek architecture.

You’ll want to arrive at 8 AM when gates open for peaceful exploration and perfect golden-hour photography. The UNESCO World Heritage Site provides panoramic views ideal for educational family photos.

Plan your visit during April-May or September-October when you’ll encounter 50% fewer crowds and ideal weather. Avoid the 10 AM-2 PM rush when cruise ships create 2-3 hour waits.

Evening visits two hours before closing offer stunning sunset views with minimal crowds. After exploring the Acropolis, enhance your family’s experience at the nearby Acropolis Museum, which welcomes 2 million visitors annually and operates until 8 PM with excellent crowd management.

Winter weekdays provide budget-friendly €10 tickets versus €20 peak season pricing, plus you’ll have the ancient site nearly to yourselves.

Discover Ancient Greek Life at the Ancient Agora

While the Acropolis showcases ancient Greece’s architectural grandeur, the Ancient Agora reveals how ordinary families actually lived, worked, and governed themselves 2,500 years ago. This open-air archaeological site functions like a city park where kids can run freely while exploring democracy’s birthplace.

You’ll find two excellent options for families. Guided tours lasting two hours engage children ages 5-12 through storytelling about Athenian heroes like Theseus, hands-on activities with ancient toys, and exploration of the Temple of Hephaestus and Stoa of Attalos. The tours include experiential gaming activities that make learning about democratic principles both simple and engaging for young minds.

Alternatively, the Narratologies mobile app offers treasure hunts lasting 80 minutes, perfect for independent exploration.

The site experiences fewer crowds than major attractions, and entrance fees include museum access. Watch for the train track running through—it adds unique visual interest to your archaeological adventure.

Hunt for Treasures at the Acropolis Museum

Beyond admiring ancient artifacts behind glass cases, the Acropolis Museum transforms your family visit into an interactive adventure where kids become archaeological detectives.

Start at the second floor’s Kids Corner, where digital games teach Greek mythology through engaging treasure hunts on giant touch screens. Your children will love the world-class LEGO Acropolis model and holographic displays featuring Goddess Athena, positioned at child-height for comfortable exploration.

Grab free Family Backpacks at the Information Desk, packed with age-specific trails for kids 5-8 and 8-10. The “Looking for Goddess Athena” game guides families through 12 exhibits while teaching symbols and iconography.

Don’t miss pottery workshops and mosaic creation activities where kids recreate Parthenon frieze blocks using authentic ancient Greek techniques. Throughout your visit, take advantage of the Archaeologist-Hosts who provide expert answers to curious questions and use visual aids to bring ancient history to life for young minds.

Relax and Play in the National Gardens

After exploring ancient treasures indoors, your family will appreciate stretching their legs in the sprawling National Gardens, where 40 acres of green space offer the perfect antidote to museum fatigue.

Your kids will love the free mini-zoo featuring baby goats, sheep, peacocks, and parrots, while ducks and geese populate two scenic ponds.

The playground offers swings, slides, and sensory play zones with natural materials like sand and water.

With over 7,000 labeled trees and shaded paths, it’s perfect for educational walks. The gardens provide an ideal picnic spot where families can relax between visits to nearby cultural attractions like museums and historical sites.

The children’s library provides quiet storytime sessions, while the Ancient Greek Family Games workshop engages ages 6-12 with interactive learning.

Pack a picnic and enjoy the café’s snacks.

Gates close at sunset, so plan accordingly.

Watch the Changing of the Guard at Syntagma Square

Every hour on the hour, you’ll witness one of Athens’ most enthralling free spectacles as the Evzones perform their precision ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. These elite guards execute intricate, slow-motion movements in their traditional uniforms featuring 400-pleat kilts and 3-kilogram shoes with 60 nails.

The daily ceremony lasts about 10 minutes, but arrive early on Sundays for the elaborate 11 a.m. parade featuring military bands and white ceremonial dress. This impressive display takes place in front of the Greek Parliament, which has been housed in the Old Royal Palace since 1934.

Position yourselves across Vasilissis Sofias Avenue from Syntagma Square for ideal viewing.

Take a Funicular Ride Up Mount Lycabettus

From Syntagma Square, you can easily reach another spectacular vantage point that’ll give your family breathtaking 360-degree views of Athens. The Mount Lycabettus funicular operates daily from 9:00 am to 2:30 am, departing every 30 minutes (more frequently during busy periods).

You’ll find the base station at Aristippou Street junction with Ploutarchou in the Kolonaki neighborhood—look for the “Teleferik” sign.

The three-minute journey travels through a 210-meter tunnel with psychedelic lighting that kids love. Each car holds 34 passengers safely. The railway climbs at a maximum incline of 28°, making it one of the steeper funicular rides you’ll experience. Return tickets cost 7-13 euros, and the system accepts both cash and cards.

At the summit, you’ll discover the charming Chapel of St. George, walking trails, and a restaurant. The panoramic views encompass the Parthenon, sea, and surrounding mountains.

Adventure Through Stavros Niarchos Park

Just 15 minutes south of Athens’ city center, Stavros Niarchos Park transforms 21 hectares of reclaimed coastal land into the perfect family adventure destination. You’ll discover expansive green spaces where kids can run freely across the Great Lawn while you enjoy panoramic views of the Acropolis and Saronic Gulf.

The modern playground features age-appropriate equipment made from sustainable materials, plus interactive water jets that’ll keep children cool during warm weather.

You can rent bikes for €1 per hour and explore winding pathways through Mediterranean flora, or catch the dancing fountain show with 59 jets performing every 30 minutes. The park offers free parking with dedicated bike racks, making it convenient for families arriving by car or bicycle.

Best of all, park access is completely free. Pack a picnic, bring your camera, and let your family experience this architectural marvel combining culture, nature, and endless entertainment opportunities.

Learn Through Play at the Hellenic Children’s Museum

While most museums ask children to look but don’t touch, the Hellenic Children’s Museum invites your little ones to explore, play, and learn through hands-on discovery. Located in a neoclassical building, this interactive space offers permanent exhibits covering science, arts, and daily life skills through engaging activities.

Your children can practice shopping at the mini-market, build with construction materials, and safely explore water play areas. The “Hello Pythagoras!” exhibit introduces geometry concepts, while the kitchen area teaches nutrition through role-playing games. Kids can assemble objects, solve problems, and create items to take home.

The museum welcomes children up to 12 years old with adult supervision. While exhibits are primarily in Greek, many activities suit non-Greek speakers, and staff members speak English to assist your family. The museum operates with free admission, making it an accessible destination for families exploring Athens.

Build and Create at Playmobil Fun Park

When you’re looking for a place where creativity meets endless entertainment, Playmobil Fun Park in Kifisia delivers an expansive 1,100m² playground that transforms imaginative play into reality.

Eight themed zones feature life-sized medieval castles and pirate ships where kids build adventures using authentic Playmobil toys.

You’ll find dedicated toddler areas with soft surfaces perfect for 18-month to 3-year-olds, while older children explore the new Greek mythology-themed sections.

Staff constantly maintain play areas for safety and cleanliness. The park offers seasonal updates with rotating exhibits that keep the experience fresh throughout the year.

Located at the 17th km on Athens-Lamia National Road, you’ll pay 8€ weekdays or 10€ weekends, including free juice.

Take bus 522 or 523 from Kifisia HSAP station, or drive with free parking available.

Explore Nature at the Goulandris Natural History Museum

After creative indoor play, shift gears to hands-on learning at the Goulandris Natural History Museum in Kifissia, where your kids discover Greece’s incredible biodiversity through interactive exhibits and real specimens.

You’ll explore over 200,000 botanical specimens, impressive shell displays from the marine collection, and fascinating exhibits featuring giraffes, white rhinos, and zebras. The GAIA Centre captivates young minds with Earth’s evolutionary story spanning millions of years.

Your family can participate in educational workshops covering soil, water, and air research, plus exciting programs like “Snakes and Cultural Connection” that blend science with Greek legends. The museum’s safe garden café provides perfect rest stops between exhibits.

Don’t miss the gift shop for science books and educational souvenirs that extend learning beyond your visit. All exhibits feature English captions to ensure your family can fully understand and engage with the educational content throughout your exploration.

Experience History Through Interactive Ancient Theater Tours

Transform your children into ancient Greek citizens through enthralling interactive theater tours that bring Athens’ dramatic heritage to life. You’ll explore the Theater of Dionysus, birthplace of tragedy built on Acropolis slopes, where your kids become ancient participants through engaging storytelling and games.

These well-paced tours cover multiple historical sites including the Parthenon, Propylaea, and Odeon of Herodes Atticus. Your children will learn about rowdy ancient theatergoers while participating in mythology-based activities that spark curiosity and maintain engagement. Tours begin with convenient hotel pickup at 10:00 AM, ensuring a stress-free start to your family adventure.

Expert guides use age-specific games and educational activities to teach theater history, democracy, and ancient medicine. Tours run daily with prices starting from €65 per person for 3-hour experiences. You’re ensuring both entertainment and education while exploring Athens’ most significant archaeological treasures safely.

Enjoy Traditional Greek Cooking Classes for Families

Beyond exploring ancient amphitheaters, you’ll create lasting family memories through hands-on Greek cooking classes that teach your children authentic Mediterranean culinary traditions. Choose from 2-hour home sessions or 4-hour all-encompassing experiences that include market visits for ingredient selection.

Your family will learn signature dishes like tyrokafteri, horiatiki salad, and keftedes using recipes passed down through generations. English-speaking instructors accommodate groups of 1-6 participants, with children ages 5-11 receiving 50% discounts and infants attending free. These intimate cooking experiences take place in private Athens homes, connecting your family with authentic Greek culture through home-cooked meals.

Classes start at €95 per person for 3-hour sessions. You’ll need to communicate dietary restrictions and allergies during booking to ensure safe, enjoyable experiences. Vegetarian and vegan options are available with advance notice, making these classes accessible for all family preferences.

The Sum Up

You’ve got an incredible adventure waiting in Athens with your kids. From climbing ancient ruins to hands-on museum experiences, you’ll create lasting memories while keeping everyone engaged and safe. Remember to pack water, wear comfortable shoes, and plan rest breaks between activities. Don’t rush—let your children’s curiosity guide the pace. Athens offers the perfect blend of education and fun, making it an ideal family destination you’ll want to revisit.