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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Venice recommendations with primary-aged kids

10 replies

Flockameanie · 10/08/2023 16:16

We'll be in Venice for two days (one full day, two half days) at the tail end of our holiday in a few weeks.

Does anyone have any recommendations of things to do with kids (10 & 8)?

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Mischance · 10/08/2023 16:32

Don't drag them around the galleries or they (like the adults) will get culture overload. Try looking online to find a particular picture in a particular gallery; research its history and take them to see that, and walk past all the others. Better to look at one in depth than do the yawn-worthy trek that will bore them to tears. Preferably find a pic with animals in it - or lots to try and spot in the background. When I went, my DD had just completed a term at Venice university, studying History of Art, and she did just that - she marched us past everything in one particular gallery and said: "This is what you need to see!" She knew everything about it and it was fascinating.

St Marks Basilica is of course awe-inspiring, and will be more so for little ones because of the size - but make the visit brief.... although you might find yourself queuing to get in this time of year. Let them climb to the top; and also to the top of The Campanile di San Marco - they will love that, especially if someone can take a pic of them waving from below.

My most exciting moment was coming out of St Marks walking on tables as the Aqua Alta had descended and the square had flooded while we were inside. Not good news of course, but very interesting.

That's quite enough culture ........

Can you afford a gondola ride? - or if not a boat ride to Murano to see the glass-making?

Cafe to watch pizzas being made?

They might just enjoy running round the back streets and crossing the bridges, as this is a novelty. If you head for the back streets and the the Jewish Ghetto there are cafes that do not charge as much.

Flockameanie · 10/08/2023 18:28

Yes, not intending to drag around galleries. Although I love the idea of choosing one or two paintings and just going to look at them.

Gondola ride and Murano are on my list...

I was reading about scavenger-hunt type tours, that sound great and very much up my DC's alley, but can't actually find any. But maybe I'll do my own for them.

Pizza and gelato - yes. Lots!

Any other tips very welcome!

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Fivemoreminutes1 · 10/08/2023 19:53

The Leonardo Museum has a large collection of machines you can operate. It was one of the highlights for my DS.
On Murano we went to Ferro Toso. The hands-on activity only takes about 20 minutes + the time for it to come out of the oven.
Giardini Pubblici is a lovely place to have a picnic as you watch boats come and go. If it’s hot you’ll appreciate the numerous shady spots to sit and relax.
If you have time, squeeze in a mask making workshop https://www.camacana.com/en-UK/find-your-course.php

Flockameanie · 10/08/2023 23:08

Thanks a lot @Fivemoreminutes1 !

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minipie · 10/08/2023 23:24

Just been with DC those ages. We did Ferro Toso on Murano and the mask making mentioned above at Ca’Macana, and those were definitely the highlights for our two. We also took them to an evening classical concert in the church just by the Accademia bridge (forgot name) which rather surprisingly they enjoyed although were quite tired by the end. They also loved all the food!

Must admit we didn’t take them to any galleries as I know they wouldn’t be that interested. But depends on the child. Slightly regret missing the Leonardo museum!

Kittyhasababy · 11/08/2023 08:56
  • San Zaccaria has a flooded crypt which mine liked
  • Doges palace tour that includes the prison (must book in advance)
Flockameanie · 11/08/2023 10:52

Thanks all - that mask-making workshop and the glass-making activity in Murano look great. And we'll definitely go to the LdV museum. I just realised we only have a day and a half, so those three things along with some wandering around and plenty of pizza/gelato will probably be enough...

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MrsKeats · 11/08/2023 13:30

There's a very interesting (and mostly empty of tourists!) natural history museum.

MrsKeats · 11/08/2023 13:31

msn.visitmuve.it/

minipie · 11/08/2023 14:04

We had a similar amount of time and it was perfect tbh. You do need to book the mask making in advance - you don’t pay until arrival though, so it’s no obligation, just to reserve a spot. We did it at the end of our first full day, after a lot of wandering around, when the dc were tired and that worked really well. Then did Murano the next morning.

enjoy!

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