One of the most common questions I get from families with children is:
“Lisa, what can we do in Tuscany with kids?”
Over the years, I’ve done lots of research — partly because I’m a mom too, but mainly because I love being prepared when a guest asks me for advice or help.
It’s always rewarding to give the right tip, the one that helps create a special day and beautiful memories that last forever.
So here’s my selection – which I hope to expand more and more over time.
Podere Casanova
At Podere Casanova, your children can have fun in our playground, jump on the trampoline, and enjoy a ping-pong table, foosball, and of course… our beautiful swimming pool. But that’s not all…
Pizza-Making Class with Lisa
At Podere Casanova, you can book a fun pizza-making class for you and your children – with Lisa herself!
The class takes place on Tuesdays and Fridays at 10:30 AM and lasts about an hour. In the afternoon, after the dough has risen, the kids will roll it out, add toppings, and bake their very own pizza.
A fun – and tasty! – experience.
Bike tour
Are you a family who loves cycling? Or maybe you’re just looking for a new experience?
Just 7 km from Podere Casanova, there’s a well-equipped bike rental shop that can deliver bikes directly to our property upon request.
They also offer guided tours, including trailers for small children — a truly fun adventure for the whole family.
👉 Find out more
Ponies & Horses – Scuderia Bobolino
Just a few kilometers from Podere Casanova, you’ll find Scuderia Bobolino, a beautiful riding school that opened in 2024.
Here, younger children can pet and ride ponies in a gentle, fun setting. Older kids and adults can book horseback rides through stunning countryside, up on a hill with breathtaking views.
👉 Find out more
Ceramics at Home – Ceramiche Ammannati
Just 12 km away, in the Anselmo area (a hamlet of Montespertoli), you can have a truly unique experience in one of the region’s many handmade terracotta and painted ceramic workshops.
At Ceramiche Ammannati, you can book a workshop (Monday to Friday, 3:30–5:30 PM) to create personalized plates, vases, and objects guided by expert ceramic artists.
A memorable activity and a very special souvenir.
👉 Find out more
Museums for Families with Children
Leonardo Museum – Vinci
🔗 museoleonardiano.it
A truly special place entirely dedicated to the life and inventions of Leonardo da Vinci, one of history’s greatest minds. Located in his hometown, the museum features a vast collection of models, replicas, drawings, and original designs. You’ll see flying machines, engineering tools, and mechanical devices — all based on Leonardo’s famous sketches. The museum is interactive and engaging — perfect for sparking curiosity in young minds.
Leonardo da Vinci Interactive Museum – Florence
🔗 museoleonardodavincifirenze.com
Here, history comes alive! This museum is designed for children and families, where learning is fun thanks to interactive exhibits and hands-on labs. All of Leonardo’s machines are reproduced at full scale and are fully functional: catapults, flying machines, tanks, and more! Kids can turn levers, lift weights, and activate mechanisms, becoming true adventurers in rooms filled with mirrors and flying bicycles.
Natural History Museum “La Specola” – Florence
🔗 sma.unifi.it/la-specola
A historic museum designed to bring children and teens closer to natural sciences. The Geology and Paleontology section holds over 300,000 fossils — one of the most important collections in Italy. But the star of the show is “Pietro”, a 4-meter-tall elephant that lived 1.5 million years ago in the Valdarno area! You’ll also find a fascinating collection of taxidermy animals from all over the world: mammals, birds (even extinct ones), reptiles, fish, turtles, shells, and starfish.
Geology & Paleontology Museum – Florence
🔗 sma.unifi.it/p242.html
A fascinating place that tells the story of Earth through fossils, minerals, and geologic samples from around the world. Kids can explore dinosaur skeletons, fossil footprints, precious stones, and interactive geology displays — all presented in simple and engaging ways. A great way to ignite a love for Earth’s wonders!
Stibbert Museum – Florence
🔗 museostibbert.it
Created by collector Frederick Stibbert, this museum is a dream for young history buffs. It holds 64 rooms filled with sculptures, paintings, porcelain, fabrics, and ancient costumes. The highlight? An extraordinary collection of weapons and armor (over 10,000 pieces!) and the famous Cavalcade Room, with 14 armored knights on horseback. Outside, there’s a beautiful park with a pond and gazebo — ideal for a family picnic in a magical setting.
Galileo Museum – Florence
🔗 museogalileo.it
On weekends, the museum offers special activities and workshops just for kids. With the “Full Science Ahead!” program, little ones can:
- play with maps and compasses
- make puppets from recycled materials
- explore microscopes and camera obscuras
- learn about weather with “Rain, Thunder, and Lightning”
A fun and original way to learn science through curiosity and wonder!
Museum of Illusions – Florence
🔗 museumofillusions.it
A unique experience filled with optical illusions, impossible rooms, distorted mirrors, and perception games. Kids will love discovering how the brain sees and interprets images in surprising ways. Perfect for fun family photos and a truly different afternoon!
Toy and Pinocchio Museum
🔗 museodelgiocattolo.it
A journey through the history of play!
This museum lets kids explore how toys have changed over time — a nostalgic and creative experience for adults too.
A chance to rediscover the joy of imagination and the power of play.
Football Museum – Florence
🔗 figc.it
Located in Coverciano, this museum is a must for football fans of all ages.
Relive the most thrilling moments in the history of the Italian National Team — with jerseys, trophies, and exhibits on both the men’s and women’s teams.
A passionate journey into the heart of Italian sport!
Livorno Aquarium
🔗 acquariodilivorno.it
A magical experience for ocean lovers!
The aquarium features tropical fish, sharks, turtles, jellyfish, and much more, with natural habitats recreated from coral reefs to deep-sea environments.
There are also interactive and educational paths to help children learn about marine conservation.
Fun, educational, and unforgettable!
Water Parks, Amusement Parks & Theme Parks
Acqua Village Cecina
🔗 acquavillage.it
Acqua Village in Cecina is a water park located in Marina di Cecina, Tuscany, offering an immersive experience inspired by the exotic atmosphere of Hawaii. Spanning over 40,000 m², it’s perfect for families, groups of friends, and lovers of aquatic fun.
Cavallino Matto – Donoratico
🔗 cavallinomatto.it
The largest amusement park in Tuscany, located in Marina di Castagneto Carducci (Donoratico), surrounded by a pine forest and just steps from the sea. Opened in 1967 as a horse-riding center, it has evolved into a family-friendly theme park with over 30 attractions and daily shows.
Pinocchio Park – Collodi
🔗 pinocchio.it
A magical park dedicated to the beloved puppet, featuring gardens, attractions, shows, and themed trails that enchant both children and adults. It’s the perfect place to step into Pinocchio’s world and enjoy a wide range of fun activities.
The Enzo Pazzagli Art Park is a fascinating open-air garden-museum in southern Florence (Via Sant’Andrea a Rovezzano 5), covering about 23,900 m². It’s a remarkable example of Land Art where nature and creativity merge.
Founded in 2001 by artist Enzo Pazzagli, the park hosts over 250 contemporary artworks, many created by Pazzagli himself. Among its highlights is “The Trinity,” a living sculpture made of 300 cypress trees arranged to form a smiling face and two profiles, visible from above.
The park also features temporary installations like architect Massimiliano Silvestri’s “Photovoltaic Flowers,” blending art and sustainability.
Activities include:
- Guided tours: Saturdays at 4:00 PM and Sundays at 12:00 PM (booking required)
- Treasure hunts: Saturdays from 2:00–4:00 PM, starting every 30 minutes
- Art workshops for kids: Sundays from 3:00–4:00 PM (booking required)
- Cultural events and family-friendly shows
- Playground with swings, slides, and a giant inflatable dragon
Pistoia Zoo
🔗 zoodipistoia.it
One of Italy’s top zoos, located in the heart of Tuscany just a short drive from Florence. Spread across 7 hectares, it’s home to over 600 animals from 102 different species, including mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians.
The zoo supports biodiversity conservation and participates in endangered species breeding programs coordinated by EAZA (European Association of Zoos and Aquaria). Notable residents include:
- Asian elephants
- Brown bears
- African lions
- Tigers
- Giraffes
- Madagascar lemurs
- African penguins
- Red pandas
Adventure Park Il Gigante – Fiesole
🔗 parcoavventurailgigante.it
An adventure park nestled in nature, featuring treetop trails, zip lines, and challenges for all ages. Perfect for those who love nature and a bit of adrenaline.
Parco di Villa Demidoff a Pratolino
🔗 cittametropolitana.fi.it/parco-mediceo-di-pratolino
A vast historical park with gardens, lakes, statues, and open spaces where children can play and explore the natural world.
San Rossore Park – Pisa
🔗 parcosanrossore.org
A protected natural area with forests, beaches, and trails—ideal for walks, cycling, and outdoor adventures.
Parco dei Renai
🔗 parcorenai.it
A natural oasis near Florence, spanning 270+ hectares, transformed into a protected area with WWF collaboration. It hosts rich river and lake biodiversity.
Known as Florence’s “beach,” the park features a sandy shore with umbrellas, loungers, and a swimmable lake that meets all water quality standards.
Highlights include:
- For kids: Happy Park with inflatables, pedal boat rides, and a large playground
- 18-hole mini-golf (open at night)
- Climbing wall with various difficulty levels
- Soccer and beach volleyball courts
- Sailing school and water activities
- Outdoor fitness area with pro equipment
- Running and cycling trails connected to Parco delle Cascine (20+ km of routes)
Elsa River Park
🔗 visitcolledivaldelsa.com/parco-fluviale-dellelsa-sentierelsa
Also known as “SentierElsa,” this protected natural area is in Colle di Val d’Elsa (Siena). Created in 1997 by the Tuscany Region, it follows the river Elsa’s urban stretch, perfect for hikes, nature watching, and relaxing. Wildlife and flora include: Poplars, white willows, field maples, elms, water mint, and reeds; fish, frogs, herons, egrets, and mallards. The 4 km trail includes:
- Le Caldane: ancient thermal baths used since Etruscan and Roman times
- Il Diborrato: 15m waterfall and 10m-deep lake, great for summer swims
- Natural spots like La Grotta dell’Orso, La Conchina, Il Masso Bianco, La Nicchia, and La Spianata dei Falchi
Educational Farms
🔗 Fattoria Didattica a Coltano (Pisa)
🔗 Fattoria Penelope – Brusciana, Empoli
I hope I’ve answered all your questions- and more importantly, matched your children’s tastes and interests. Now it’s time to choose the most exciting experience to enjoy together as a family!
As always, I’m here for any questions you may have…
And I’ll be happy to welcome you — if you wish — at Podere Casanova 🙂
