GemmaVenice isn’t just about gondolas, masks, and romantic canals. It’s also a playground of cultural treasures and interactive experiences that your kids will genuinely love. From my own personal experience, Venice can be a magical place for families—if you know where to go beyond the usual tourist spots. Forget long museum lines and crowded piazzas for a moment; this city has hidden gems, hands-on activities, and unforgettable moments that will make exploring Venice with kids an adventure you all talk about for years.
Here’s a guide to 10 things to do in Venice that are both fun and culturally enriching, perfect for curious young minds and adults who still want to embrace their inner kid.
1. Take a Gondola Ride—but Make It a Story
A gondola ride is almost mandatory in Venice, but here’s the twist: turn it into a storytelling adventure. Tell your kids about the gondoliers’ history, their famous rowing style called “la voga alla veneta,” or even invent a little pirate tale as you glide through the canals. Kids love imagining secret missions along Venice’s winding waterways, and adults can sneak in some history too.
From my own personal experience, making the ride interactive—asking kids to spot bridges, statues, or curious windows—turns a simple boat ride into a memory they’ll never forget. Bonus tip: pick a smaller canal for a quieter, more magical ride.
2. Explore the Doge’s Palace with a Treasure Hunt
The Doge’s Palace is a masterpiece of Venetian Gothic architecture, but kids can find history overwhelming if it’s just a stroll through halls. Transform it into a treasure hunt. Before you go, prepare a list of things for them to spot: the Bridge of Sighs, the golden staircase, a lion statue, or a secret trapdoor.
You’ll find that giving them a mission not only keeps them engaged but also makes them remember what they saw. By exploring Venice through interactive discovery, your kids learn history without even realizing it.
3. Visit the Peggy Guggenheim Collection for a Splash of Creativity
Modern art may sound intimidating for kids, but Venice’s Peggy Guggenheim Collection can surprise you. The museum has sculptures, paintings, and installations that are visually striking. Encourage your kids to describe what they see in funny or imaginative ways. Ask them what story a painting might be telling or which colors they’d use to add their own twist.
From my overall experience, kids love museums that let them talk, ask questions, and create their own interpretations. This is one museum where curiosity is more important than quiet walking.
4. Step Back in Time at the Natural History Museum
Venice’s Natural History Museum is a hidden gem, perfect for families. From towering dinosaur skeletons to sparkling minerals, there’s enough here to spark endless “wow” moments. The interactive exhibits let kids touch, explore, and learn at their own pace, making history feel alive.
This museum is ideal for a cultural adventure that combines learning with playful exploration, and it’s especially great if you want a break from the heat or rainy days in Venice.
5. Take a Mask-Making Workshop
Venice is synonymous with its carnival masks, and a mask-making workshop is one of the most memorable things to do with kids. They can paint, decorate, and design their own Venetian mask, then proudly wear it around the city. It’s not just crafting—it’s a deep dive into Venetian culture, art, and tradition.
Based on my overall experience, children are fascinated by the history of the masks, and seeing their creations displayed feels like a real achievement. It’s hands-on, fun, and a keepsake to take home.
6. Ride a Vaporetto along the Grand Canal
Vaporettos are Venice’s water buses, and riding one is an adventure in itself. Instead of taking the gondola everywhere, hop on a vaporetto and see the city from a local’s perspective. Kids enjoy spotting landmarks, bridges, and water taxis zipping by.
Tip: grab a window seat, point out the Rialto Bridge, or share fun facts about the palaces lining the Grand Canal. It’s a practical and memorable way to navigate Venice while letting kids absorb the city’s energy.
7. Discover Hidden Gardens and Quiet Squares
Venice is famous for crowded squares, but it also hides secret gardens and peaceful campos. These spots are perfect for a picnic or a quick rest. Campo Santa Margherita, for instance, is lively enough for kids to play but quiet enough to enjoy some downtime. Gardens like Giardini della Biennale often have sculptures and fountains to explore, sparking curiosity and creativity.
Exploring these hidden corners teaches kids that Venice isn’t just a postcard—it’s a living city with secrets waiting to be uncovered.
8. Take a Boat Trip to Murano and Learn Glassblowing
Murano is world-famous for glassmaking, and a visit here is like stepping into a storybook. Watch master glassblowers create intricate designs in real-time. Kids are fascinated by the colors, shapes, and flames. Some workshops even allow children to try simple glass crafting with safe, guided techniques.
From my overall experience, kids love seeing “magic” happen in front of their eyes, and Murano offers a perfect mix of cultural education and hands-on wonder.
9. Explore Venice’s Rialto Market
Rialto Market is a sensory explosion: vibrant fruits, fresh seafood, and local life bustling all around. Take your kids early in the morning and show them how Venetians shop daily. Let them spot the unusual seafood or compare fruit colors. It’s an informal way to explore culture while encouraging curiosity about local food and traditions.
The market is also a great place to try a Venetian snack, like fresh cicchetti. Your kids might surprise you by trying something new—they often remember tasting adventures as much as visual ones.
10. Attend a Puppet Show or Local Theater
Venice has a rich history of puppetry and live performances that kids love. From marionette shows to traditional Italian theater, the performances are interactive, engaging, and culturally immersive. Attending a show teaches children about storytelling traditions while keeping them entertained for an hour or two.
Let them pick the performance, or surprise them with one. Puppets, laughter, and dramatic gestures make history come alive in a way that lectures or museums can’t.
Bonus Tips for Exploring Venice with Kids
- Plan short excursions – Young kids can get tired walking around Venice’s winding streets. Mix active days with quieter ones.
- Interactive learning – Turn every sightseeing stop into a small game or discovery challenge.
- Snacks and water – Venice is full of walking; always carry snacks to keep energy levels high.
- Flexible schedules – Crowds can be overwhelming, so early mornings or late afternoons are ideal.
- Use water taxis smartly – They are practical and a memorable experience, but plan ahead—they are faster than walking for long distances.
Final Thoughts
Venice is more than a scenic city; it’s a living classroom, a playground of culture, and a treasure trove of experiences your family will cherish. By combining interactive activities, cultural exploration, and a touch of creativity, you can create memories that are educational and fun. From mask-making in artisan workshops to secret gardens and puppet shows, Venice offers experiences that your kids will truly love and talk about for years.
When planning your trip, remember: it’s about the journey as much as the landmarks. Make every gondola ride a story, every museum visit a treasure hunt, and every street corner an adventure. Venice is a city where culture meets imagination, and when explored with kids, it becomes an unforgettable adventure for the whole family.
I’m Gemma, a passionate lifestyle blogger sharing my creative world with you. Gemitaliano.com is my little corner of the internet, glad you’re here.