10 Ways for Your Kids to Interact With Italy

There’s a nasty rumor circulating that Italy is not a place to take young children. Sure, museums can be boring. But even grown-ups can get restless having to view 18 versions of the “Madonna and Child.” The best way to keep Italy exciting is to keep moving and make it fun from the perspective of the younger jet set. So for your children, and the child in us all, consider succumbing to fewer grown-up flights of fancy and experience Italy in a way the entire family can savor.

Milan

Leonardo da Vinci's “Last Supper” is a must for any family-oriented Northern Italian getaway. You’re only allowed in the climate-controlled environment for 15 minutes, so it’s a quick visit. Plus, Leonardo painted it on a wall, something every child is told not to do. Sell it from that forbidden angle, and you’ll have to race your kids to the door. Admission is €6.50 per person (roughly $10.20). Open Mon.-Fri. 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Sat.9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. www.cenacolovinciano.org/english/index.html

Milan’s second recommended offering is right down the street at the National Museum of Science and Technology. Exhibits brilliantly present the quirky mix of science as both artistic and practical by juxtaposing Leonardo’s right and left brain. There are life-sized replicas of some of his most notable inventions; children can operate versions of a drilling machine, cannon, parachute and even an automobile. Even though the models are in simple form, it’s still fascinating to understand the early workings of some of our most sophisticated modern-day machines. Admission is €6.00 for parents and €3.00 for each child with them (roughly $9.40 and $4.70, respectively). Open Tues.-Fri. 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., weekends and holidays 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

• Santa Maria delle Grazie is the home of Leonardo’s “ Last Supper,” which is a mural in the church’s refectory.
• Brian Jeffery Beggerly

Florence

If your children inquire further about Leonardo da Vinci, you might consider taking them a few miles outside of Florence to Vinci and a second museum dedicated to the artist. The Museo Leonardiano di Vinci, too, has replicas of the artist’s inventions. Plus this Leonardo da Vinci museum is housed in a castle. And that’s infinitely cool. Cost is €6.00 (roughly $9.40) per person. Open daily, 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Know what else is cool in Florence? Gelato. Florence is considered to have the best gelato in Italy. No argument here. Handing out an “assignment” to find the smoothest and creamiest gelato in town gives your kids a tasty treat to look forward to every day (or in our case, after every meal). There are oodles of gelato stands with more flavors than you could ever taste. They’re all wonderful. I could tell you my favorite, but where’s the fun in that?

• Gelato comes in many flavors, from traditional chocolate and strawberry to decadent dulce de leche and tiramisù.
• fhwrdh

If you visit in the summertime, Arte al Sole offers budding artists ages 6 to 17 a week of fun based on the artistic findings of the Italian Renaissance. The camp is run by instructors from the United States and reflects a day-camp style that your children will find familiar. Arte al Sole promises that children will have exciting and engaging activities in art history, fine arts principles, nature walks, sketching and painting, and collage. They’ll stay busy for the entire week. Drop them off on your way to more adult fun in Tuscany. Prices start at €210 per week (roughly $329.80).

Siena

If your children are too young to simply drop off for a week, or if you’d prefer a shorter artistic experience, take a drive or train ride to Siena and to Bambimus. Siena's child-centered art museum has it all; it’s located in the center of town, is endlessly appealing and is free of charge. Bambimus introduces children under 11 years old to a myriad of visual arts. Its workshops are also quite popular but do require a fee. Open daily, from 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.