Best fun museums in Rome for kids

If you’re looking for a break from the historical sites, here are three of the best museums in Rome for kids..

1. Explora museum: ziplines and water play outside, water pumps, cogs and wheels and other educational games inside. My five year old is fascinated with the scarf blower at the entrance and the hose at the top of the fire engine, but there are vegetables to plant and gather, supermarkets to play shop and upstairs a series of games to teach kids everything from changing a nappy to changing a car wheel! It’s a short walk north from Piazza del Popolo.
   www.mdbr.it/en/

2. Leonardo da Vinci Museum: this small museum has over 64 interactive recreations of Leonardo’s inventions; from an early helicopter, a tank to general machinery used today. Located a few minutes walk from Campo dei Fiori, the museum is rarely busy, and there is a lovely courtyard and a room underground showcasing inventions to walk on water over a submerged ancient Roman tomb. Small children will enjoy the cranks and levers (you might need to ask for a. stool to reach some) the mirror room and the holograms, even if they can’t follow the advanced thinking of this multi-talented genius.. Don’t miss the room where you can recreate da Vinci’s suspended bridge. Even with the steps provided, it can be quite a challenge! The museum is a few steps from Campo de’ Fiori market.
   www.mostradileonardo.com

3. Chiostra del Bramante: this museum offers contemporary art exhibitions that are both immersive and engaging in a 16th century cloister designed by Donato Bramante. The small intimate space means exhibitions are a good size for small attention spans. If the exhibition doesn’t appeal, its cafe, with seats around the cloister, is worth a visit. It’s a stone’s throw from Piazza Navona.

   Trova tips: In the cafe reading room there is a window that allows you to peek into the church next door to view a Caravaggio painting.

   The current exhibition Crazy; madness in contemporary art is on until January 8 2023 and is great fun for children and adults.
   www.chiostrodelbramante.it/?lang=en