Traveling with kids anywhere can be tricky. As parents, you are the ones keeping an eye on them, holding on to their stuff, and cleaning up after them. It is one thing having to do this where you live, but being in a foreign country can bring this stress to an entirely new level. But fear not, while you are traveling the city of the seven hills, there are plenty of places to go and experience a new culture that you and your children will enjoy.

Trastevere

Located across the Tiber river, its name literally translates into across the river. A relic of medieval Rome, it serves as an escape from the city that can fill an entire day with how much there is to see. Not many locals visit since this area attracts a lot of tourists. But with chocolate shops kids can eat at, and Internet cafes where they can check email, all in between tight sidewalks and shrines on the corners, you still get that the Roman feel.

Some of the prettier spots are right on the river where the Santa Cecilia en Trastevere church is. Having been dedicated to the patroness of music, Saint Cecilia, the statue by the alter was built on the remains of her coffin that was opened by Cardinal Paul Emilius Sfondrati when he rebuilt the church in 1599. The place is so popular, and safe, you do not have to worry about losing members of your family. There is also enough space for children to run around release their energy.

Old Appian Way Park

Over 2,000 years ago the Appian Way was a well-travelled road that went from Rome to the coast of Brindisi. In the times of the Empire, Romans buried their dead along this trail erecting monuments and tombs along the way, along with the catacombs that Christians used as burial grounds as well, it is a perfect place for kids who want to pretend to be a Roman warrior, or are into science and want to look at the ruins.

It is also a great place if you want to escape the city and have a family picnic. In this country side, there’s green grass all around, with working farms that have horses and goats so kids can be amused. But if your children know how to ride bikes, they are available to rent where the entire family can ride north through the picturesque Valle della Caffarella, or south on the adventurous dirt path of Via Appia Antica.

Ostia Antica

As the port of Rome in First Century B.C. to Fourth Century A.D., Ostia was filled with wear houses, trading houses, and markets that the ancient Romans flocked in order to get the latest goods from across world. Your kids will love being outside and walking on the same streets of what used to be the center of the world. Kids are always fascinated to look around and check everything out. It is also easy for them to run around because nothing is roped off.

Always an eye popper for young children is the Ostia are the baths of Neptune, with black and white mosaics of the sea god Neptune, depicting dolphins and sea nymphs around him, kids always ask about the God of the sea. It is also hard to miss the theatre that was capable of holding 2500 people. As it has been restored performances for the entire family can be seen during the summer.