Planning to visit Bologna with kids? Bologna has a lot to offer to these special little guests: food, nature, culture! Lots of entertainment is kid friendly or specially designed for them, so if you’re planning a trip check out our guide to the best things to do in Bologna with kids!
by Agave Barone
Get Them Outdoors
If the sun is out and the temperature is gentle, a walk in the park smelling the flowers or watching the animals in the garden lakes could be relaxing for you as well as exciting for them, and definitely healthy for both! I'd recommend a visit to Giardini Margherita, huge and central, or Villa Ghigi, a little further from the city centre but worth visiting. If you're staying in the very centre remember that on Saturdays and Sundays the “T” area is pedestrianized and traffic free, and via Indipendenza and via Rizzoli host often puppeteers, jugglers or street artists. If your family fancies cycling you can rent a bike for you and your children at Dynamo, in via Indipendenza.
Kid Friendly Culture
This city can claim to have one of the most important educational centres for kids in Italy: MAMbo, museum of modern Art of Bologna in via Don Minzoni, which offers many workshops and activities related to the displayed exhibitions. Another exciting destination for kids would be the Zoology Museum with its astonishing collection of different species and rare, charming animals. For the book lovers, a great experience would be visiting the children's library section at Sala Borsa in piazza del Nettuno, full of the most beautiful childrens books and where you’ll sometimes find illustration or comics exhibitions in the central court. At Teatro Testoni Ragazzi in via Matteotti kids only shows and festivals are performed, while Cineteca di Bologna plays children movies almost every week.
Toys, Games and More
For toys and games visit Città del Sole in Strada Maggiore. The best children's bookstores are Giannino Stoppani in via Rizzoli and corrainiMAMbo in via Don Minzoni. Don't miss Zoo in Strada Maggiore where cheesecakes, bagels and buns meet an exciting choice of toys, books and accessories you can buy, while exhibitions and workshops will satisfy your family's arty side! A toyshop and cupcake shop all under one roof, this space has been designed for kids and families and is run by a friendly team.
photo credit: gianninostoppanilibreria.net
Let Them Eat Cake! (And Pizza, and Ice cream)
For very creamy and yummy ice cream, truly bolognese style, head to Sorbetteria Castiglione in via Castiglione or Cremeria Funivia in Piazza Cavour. Galleria 49 in via Galliera is also a great option, you just need a bit of patience to queue! Crossing the street you'll find Forno Brisa, a new bakery who are very strict about the ingredients they use in their produce. For a slice of pizza there’s PizzArtist in via Marsala - the pumpkin cream and sausage pizza has been conceived for their little customers - and 'O Fiore Mio in piazza Malpighi, and for fresh juices stop at Zazie in via Malcontenti or via D'Azeglio.
photo credit: www.jessicasdinnerparty.com
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