{"id":5794,"date":"2012-10-10T07:10:44","date_gmt":"2012-10-10T05:10:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.arttrav.com\/?p=5794"},"modified":"2014-02-09T10:37:01","modified_gmt":"2014-02-09T09:37:01","slug":"florence-museums-activities-kids","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.arttrav.com\/florence\/florence-museums-activities-kids\/","title":{"rendered":"Florence museums and activities for kids"},"content":{"rendered":"

I don’t have kids (actually, I try to avoid them as much as possible), so I may not be the number one authority on tips on what to do with children in Italy<\/strong> (or anywhere else for that matter), or what museums in Florence <\/strong>are kid-friendly<\/strong>. Luckily, I have a regular columnist – Laura de Benedetto – who, as a very active mom, does have a good idea of what to do with her now-4-year-old Francesco.<\/p>\n

For the Italy Roundtable<\/strong> this month we’ve given ourselves the theme of “children” and I have opted to hold my tongue about why I have chosen not to have any in favour of simply culling my and Laura’s common knowledge, previously published on this blog, on activities for kids around Florence and beyond. I will update this post when other information or articles become available and hope that this is a useful and complete resource on the topic.<\/p>\n

\"\"
The beginning of didactic activities in the Uffizi – photo from official website polomuseale.firenze.it<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Museums for kids in Florence<\/h2>\n

Start with these tips for approaching museums with kids<\/a> based on art education theories and some personal observation.<\/p>\n

Palazzo Vecchio Museo dei Ragazzi<\/strong><\/a>: this is not actually a separate museum but a live interpretation of a historical space for children and their parents. It’s for kids 8 and up.<\/p>\n

Palazzo Davanzati<\/strong><\/a>: this is an early Renaissance palazzo that is furnished and decorated in a recreation of what real life would have been like in the past. At one point there was a special guide for kids<\/a> (in Italian) that you might try to ask for at the front desk. This museum is really appealing to children if there’s someone to tell them stories and point out the interesting things, like the (basic) indoor toilet, the well, a crib, etc.<\/p>\n

Palazzo Strozzi:<\/strong> While not specifically for children, Palazzo Strozzi is probably the most kid-friendly museum in the city. It has childrens’ labels in each exhibit, along with special cards (with pretty much the label text on them) to help you go through and ask good questions in the show. You can also ask for the family kit, which changes with each exhibit, and contains interactive prompts to involve kids with art. There are childrens’ tours (including a “stroller tour” for the littlest ones and their parents), as well as workshops for kids of various ages.<\/p>\n

Museo Galileo:<\/strong><\/a> This science museum has recently been revamped with a new display, labeling and an interactive video-guide. The latter or a knowledgeable adult help to animate objects that have very interesting stories behind them, and that will appeal to kids perhaps 8 and up (especially those already with a penchant for science and math). There are weekend activities for children just about every weekend during the school year, including occasional English language things. These cost only 2 euros plus the entry ticket.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Laura’s Francesco at the Oblate Library, eating the free toys.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Childrens’ libraries and play areas<\/h2>\n