Best Family Attractions in Milan: 15+ Fun Things to Do With Kids (2025)

As a Florentine, I’ll admit I had my doubts about Milan being family-friendly. But after numerous trips north with family and friends who have children, Milan completely surprised me. The city offers interactive museums, excellent parks with modern playgrounds, and genuinely welcoming restaurants—all easier to navigate than Florence’s narrow tourist-packed streets.

Whether you’re visiting Milan with toddlers, energetic young kids, or teenagers, this guide covers the best family attractions in Milan based on what I’ve seen work. These are the things to do in Milan with kids that actually engage children, from museums where they touch things to parks where they can run wild. If you’re wondering about Milan with children, trust me—it’s more enjoyable than you’d expect.

Let’s explore the best kid-friendly Milan experiences!

Best Museums for Kids in Milan

If you’re visiting Milan with kids, you’ll be surprised by how family-friendly its museums are. From hands-on science labs to dinosaur skeletons and creative workshops, these places turn learning into pure fun. Most of them are easy to reach, stroller-accessible, and filled with activities that spark curiosity — even for adults. Whether your little ones love science, space, or art, these are the best museums for kids in Milan to explore together.

Leonardo da Vinci National Museum of Science and Technology

I’m genuinely jealous Florence doesn’t have something like this. The Leonardo da Vinci Science Museum is massive, interactive, and fascinating for all ages. My friend’s 8-year-old talked about the submarine for weeks after visiting.

The museum houses the world’s largest collection of Leonardo’s machine models—kids see his flying machines, military devices, and inventions brought to life. But it goes far beyond Leonardo. There are entire sections on trains, planes, submarines (you can go inside a real one!), space exploration, and hands-on science experiments.

What kids love: The submarine is always the hit. Walking through an actual military submarine feels like an adventure. The train pavilion features historic locomotives kids can explore. Interactive exhibits let them push buttons, turn cranks, and see physics in action.

Age recommendations: Perfect for ages 5 and up. Younger kids (3-4) enjoy some sections but might get overwhelmed. Teenagers genuinely engage with this—it’s not dumbed down.

Practical info: Located near Sant’Ambrogio metro (M2). Budget 2-3 hours minimum. The museum has a café and restrooms throughout.

My tip: Go weekday mornings (Tuesday-Friday) to avoid weekend crowds. I always buy tickets online to skip queues.

Natural History Museum (Museo di Storia Naturale)

Every kid I know who visits Milan wants to see this museum because: dinosaur skeletons. And it delivers impressively.

Beyond dinosaurs, the museum has extensive mineral collections, taxidermy animals, and evolutionary displays. For Florence families like mine who’ve exhausted our natural history offerings, Milan’s museum feels fresh and well-curated.

What kids love: Obviously the dinosaurs, but also the massive whale skeleton, colorful mineral room, and animal dioramas.

Age recommendations: Great for all ages. Even toddlers enjoy pointing at big bones, while older kids read informational panels and engage deeply.

Practical info: Located in Giardini Pubblici (Porta Venezia area). Open Tuesday-Sunday. The museum is compact—perfect for 1-1.5 hour visits that won’t exhaust young attention spans.

Bonus: The museum sits inside beautiful public gardens with excellent playgrounds. After visiting, kids can burn energy at the playground steps away. I’ve seen this combination work perfectly—museum then playground keeps everyone happy.

Get our FREE Italy
Travel Guide
E-Book

This printable guide is your ultimate companion for exploring Italy, with insider tips, detailed itineraries, transportation advice, must-see attractions, and more.

Name*

Email*

Sign up

MUBA – Milan Children’s Museum

Unlike traditional museums where kids must restrain themselves, MUBA is designed specifically for children to touch, play, and explore. It’s housed in the beautiful Rotonda della Besana with a lovely surrounding garden.

MUBA offers rotating interactive workshops and exhibitions for different age groups. Kids might explore themes like food, recycling, creativity, or storytelling through hands-on activities.

What kids love: Everything! It’s all touchable and interactive. Kids can paint, build, experiment, and play in structured but creative ways.

Age recommendations: Best for ages 2-10. Younger children (2-5) have dedicated spaces. Older elementary kids (6-10) enjoy more complex workshops.

Practical info: Located near Crocetta metro (M3). Entry requires advance booking online—they control capacity. Workshops run in 75-minute time slots.

Important: Check their website for current exhibitions and schedules. Everything is in Italian, but activities are visual and intuitive enough that non-Italian speakers manage fine.

Civic Planetarium (Planetario di Milano)

The Planetarium offers astronomy shows under a dome with reclining seats. Kids lie back and watch stars, planets, and space projections while learning about the universe.

Shows run on weekends in Italian, but the visual experience transcends language. Even without understanding every word, watching constellations appear overhead fascinates children.

What kids love: Lying back in special seats, seeing stars appear in the dark, learning about space immersively.

Age recommendations: Best for ages 6+. Younger children might get restless during hour-long shows, but space-obsessed kids often love it.

Practical info: Located in Giardini Pubblici near the Natural History Museum. Shows run Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Check schedules online and arrive early.

Combine it: I recommend visiting the Natural History Museum and Planetarium in one morning, then hitting the playground for lunch. That’s a perfect family day.

Parks & Playgrounds

Coming from Florence where green space is precious, Milan’s parks genuinely impressed me. The city has invested in family-friendly outdoor spaces with modern playgrounds that actually work.

Parco Sempione

Parco Sempione stretches from Castello Sforzesco to the Arco della Pace. At 47 hectares, it’s massive compared to anything in my Florence’s historic center.

The park has multiple playgrounds scattered throughout. The one near the castle is largest, with climbing structures, slides, and swings for various ages. I’ve watched friends’ kids spend an hour here while parents relax on benches nearby.

What families love: Wide paths perfect for strollers or kids on bikes/scooters. A small lake with ducks (bring bread—kids love feeding them). Plenty of open grass for running, ball games, or picnics. Flat terrain makes it easy for young children.

Location: Metro M1/M2 to Cadorna. The park is massive with multiple entry points. Castello Sforzesco side is most convenient for combining castle visits with park time.

Best for: All ages. Toddlers enjoy gentle paths and duck pond. Older kids appreciate space to run and climb at playgrounds.

My tip: Go Sunday mornings to see Milanese family life in action—kids on bikes, grandparents on benches, picnics everywhere. It’s lovely people-watching.

Giardini Pubblici Indro Montanelli

For pure playground quality, Giardini Pubblici wins. This park in Porta Venezia has the best playground equipment I’ve seen in Northern Italy—modern, well-maintained, designed for different age groups.

The playground has separate zones: one for toddlers (1-4) with small slides and safe climbing, another for older kids (5-10) with more challenging structures. This separation means everyone plays safely at their level.

What families love: The shade! Many areas sit under mature trees, crucial for summer visits. Multiple benches surround playgrounds so parents supervise comfortably. The park is compact, so it’s hard to lose sight of kids.

Location: Metro M1 to Porta Venezia or Palestro. The park connects to Villa Reale gardens and sits next to the Natural History Museum.

Best for: Families with kids under 10. This is where Milanese parents bring young children for dedicated playground time.

Perfect combination I’ve observed: Visit Natural History Museum (1 hour), play at playground (1 hour), picnic lunch in park (30 minutes). Complete morning that tires kids perfectly.

Biblioteca degli Alberi (BAM)

Milan’s newest major park, BAM, represents contemporary family-friendly design. Created in 2018, this park is beautiful, modern, and programmed with family activities year-round.

The park features circular pathways, distinct garden “rooms,” and over 500 trees. What makes it special for families are the water features where kids can play in summer—shallow pools and fountains designed for splashing.

What families love: Clean, modern, safe feeling. Water features are huge summer hits. Open spaces perfect for running or ball games. Weekend events often include kids’ activities, outdoor yoga, or educational workshops.

Location: Metro M2/M5 to Garibaldi. The park sits in Porta Nuova district surrounded by impressive modern architecture including Bosco Verticale.

Best for: All ages, especially active families wanting space for sports or games.

My observation: This park feels different from traditional Italian parks—more designed, more “new Milan.” Some families love this modern vibe, others prefer Sempione’s classic feel. Both have merits!

Parco Nord Milano

For families wanting serious outdoor space, Parco Nord Milano is enormous—640 hectares of forests, meadows, lakes, and paths. It’s not in the historic center (you need metro + bus), but if you have nature-loving kids, it’s worth the trek.

The park offers bike paths, walking trails, wildlife spotting, and even educational farm areas where kids learn about sustainable agriculture and see animals.

What families love: Real nature immersion. You can spend hours without seeing the same spot twice. Kids who need to run, climb, explore, and get properly dirty will be in heaven.

Location: Metro M5 to Bignami or Ponale, then bus. It’s a 30-40 minute journey from central Milan.

Best for: Active families with kids 5+. Great for bike rides, nature walks, outdoor adventures. Less suitable for toddlers or families wanting convenience.

My recommendation: Worth it if you’re spending several days in Milan and kids need a nature day. Skip it on short city breaks—closer parks will be ok.

Kid-Friendly Restaurants & Cafés in Milan

One thing I appreciate about Milan versus Florence: restaurants feel more relaxed with children. Florentines love kids, but our restaurants are often small and crowded. Milan’s family restaurants feel more spacious and genuinely welcoming.

Where Families Actually Eat

Pizza is your friend. Every neighborhood has excellent pizzerias where kids are welcomed, high chairs are available (usually), and food arrives quickly. I particularly like places offering pizza al taglio (by the slice) where kids can pick toppings and you’re not committed to full sit-down meals.

Restaurants near parks: After playground time, look for restaurants bordering parks. I’ve noticed Parco Sempione has several cafés along its edges where families gather. Navigli canal area has outdoor seating where kids can watch ducks while parents enjoy aperitivo.

Aperitivo with kids: Many Milanese families do aperitivo with children around 6-7 PM. Kids eat from buffets (usually including pasta, pizza, kid-friendly options) while parents have drinks. It’s casual enough that children’s noise doesn’t disturb other diners.

Gelato shops: Obviously essential! Milan has excellent gelaterias throughout. My favorites: Cioccolat Italiani (huge portions), Grom (reliable chain quality), or any small shop where I see locals queuing.

Practical Restaurant Tips

High chairs (seggiolone): Larger restaurants usually have them, small trattorias often don’t. Ask when booking: “Avete seggioloni?”

Kids menus: Less common than other countries, but most places adapt dishes—plain pasta with butter or tomato sauce, margherita pizza, simple grilled meat.

Timing: Italians eat late (lunch 1-2:30 PM, dinner 8-9:30 PM), but family-friendly restaurants open earlier. I recommend arriving 12:30 PM for lunch or 7 PM for dinner.

Outdoor seating: I always request it when possible. Kids have more freedom to move, parents feel less stressed about noise.

Get our FREE Italy
Travel Guide
E-Book

This printable guide is your ultimate companion for exploring Italy, with insider tips, detailed itineraries, transportation advice, must-see attractions, and more.

Name*

Email*

Sign up

Budget-Friendly Options

Supermarket picnics: Honestly, some of my best Milan family meals have been supermarket supplies eaten in parks. Buy fresh bread, cheese, salami, fruit, juice for €10-15 feeding a family. Kids love picnics.

Lunch specials: Many restaurants offer menù del giorno (menu of the day) at lunch with fixed prices (€10-15) including pasta, main course, drink. Much cheaper than dinner.

Pizza al taglio shops: €3-5 per person for generous slices. Kids can eat for under €3. I look for places with locals lining up—that’s my quality indicator.

Self-catering: If staying in apartments (smart with families), shop at Esselunga, Carrefour, or Pam. Cook simple dinners and save restaurant money for special meals.

Interactive & Fun Activities in Milan

Beyond museums and parks, Milan offers activities that engage kids through experience. These are the activities for children Milan that create actual memories.

Castello Sforzesco

Every kid loves castles, and Castello Sforzesco delivers with massive walls, towers, and courtyards perfect for exploration. The best part? The exterior courtyards are completely free.

Kids can run around expansive courtyards, pretend they’re knights defending the castle, peek into various corners. The fortress is genuinely impressive in scale—Florentine fortresses feel quaint in comparison!

Museums inside: If your kids are museum-tolerant, the castle houses several museums. The Ancient Art Museum includes Michelangelo’s final sculpture. But honestly? I see many families just enjoying the free courtyards.

Behind the castle: Parco Sempione stretches directly behind, meaning you combine castle exploration with park play seamlessly.

Age suitability: All ages enjoy the exterior. Courtyards have space for toddlers and older kids to run. Museum interiors suit ages 8+.

Duomo Rooftop

Taking kids up to the Duomo rooftop isn’t intuitive, but hear me out: children find it genuinely exciting. Walking on top of a cathedral among Gothic spires feels like an adventure.

I always recommend buying the stairs ticket rather than elevator. The climb isn’t too difficult (about 250 steps), and kids handle it fine. Once up there, you walk among 135 spires, see intricate carvings up close, and enjoy 360° views.

What kids love: Being up high, the unusual perspective, seeing gargoyles and statues close-up, earning the view through the climb.

Age recommendations: Best for ages 6+. Kids need to handle stairs and follow safety rules. Not suitable for very young children.

Practical: I always book online to skip queues. Go morning or late afternoon to avoid midday heat in summer. Allow 45 minutes.

Historic Tram Rides

This might sound odd, but I’ve noticed taking kids on Milan’s historic orange trams (especially routes 1, 2, or 4) works as cheap sightseeing. The vintage trams are charming, kids love riding trams, and you see the city differently.

Make it special by explaining these trams are historic (some date to the 1920s). Kids enjoy sitting in wooden seats, hearing the characteristic ding-ding, watching the city pass.

Cost: Just a regular transport ticket (€2.20 or use day pass).

Route suggestion: Tram 1 circles through historic center including Duomo, Scala, Castello. Tram 2 goes through Brera and interesting neighborhoods.

Age suitability: All ages. Toddlers are fascinated by trams. Older kids appreciate vintage charm when you frame it as special.

Navigli Canal Area

Walking along the Navigli canals makes a lovely family evening activity, especially weekends when street performers, artists, and musicians create festival atmosphere.

Kids enjoy walking along water (universal appeal), watching boats (occasional sightseeing boats pass), and the casual vibe. The canals are lined with restaurants offering outdoor seating—perfect for families where children can move around.

Best time: Saturday and Sunday evenings 6-9 PM for maximum activity. Weekday evenings are quieter but pleasant.

What to do: I recommend walking the canal from Porta Genova metro south along Naviglio Grande. Stop at playgrounds along the way, grab gelato, watch street performers, have dinner at canal-side restaurants.

Age suitability: All ages. Stroller-friendly on most paths. Older kids might enjoy vintage shops and street art.

Villa Necchi Campiglio

For something different, Villa Necchi Campiglio is a 1930s Art Deco villa with beautiful gardens and, in summer, a functioning swimming pool.

The pool is special—one of Milan’s first private pools, still beautiful with original turquoise tiles.

What kids love: Exploring an elegant historic home, seeing how wealthy people lived, and especially the swimming pool.

Age recommendations: Best for ages 8+ who can appreciate historical aspects. Younger kids might get bored during tours.

Rainy Day Activities

Milan weather, especially fall and winter, can bring rain. Here’s what I do when outdoor activities won’t work.

Museums mentioned earlier (Leonardo da Vinci, Natural History, MUBA) become perfect rainy day options. The Leonardo museum especially can consume 3-4 hours comfortably.

Shopping centers with play areas: Il Centro in Arese (large shopping center northwest of Milan) has kids’ play areas and entertainment. Reachable by metro + bus.

Libraries: Milan’s public libraries often have children’s sections with books, puzzles, reading areas. Biblioteca Sormani (central) has a kids’ floor.

Cinema: Some multiplexes show children’s movies, though dubbed in Italian. Can still be fun for kids who don’t mind language barrier—animation is very visual.

Indoor play centers: Several indoor soft play centers exist around Milan (search “ludoteca Milano”). Warehouse-style spaces with climbing structures, ball pits, activities. Popular with local families on rainy weekends.

Cooking classes: Some places offer kids’ cooking classes where children learn to make pizza or pasta. Book a Family Friendly cooking class here.

Museums with workshops: Many museums run weekend workshops for children (in Italian). Even without perfect language comprehension, art and craft activities are fun.

Day Trips for Families

Milan’s excellent train connections make family day trips easy. These destinations work well with children based on what I’ve observed.

Lake Como (1 Hour by Train)

Lake Como is magical for families. The train from Milano Centrale to Como San Giovanni takes 40-60 minutes.

What kids love: The funicular railway up to Brunate village—kids find it exciting riding the old cable car up the steep hillside (7 minutes, €3.20 each way). At the top, views are spectacular and there’s a playground.

Lakefront activities: Walking the Como waterfront promenade, watching swans and ducks, eating gelato, enjoying the lake atmosphere. Kids don’t need structured activities—the scenery itself entertains.

Boat rides: If budget allows, take a ferry to another lake town (Bellagio is famous). Kids enjoy boat rides, and seeing the lake from water adds excitement.

Practical: I always pack snacks and water. Lakefront restaurants are pricey. Bring bread to feed ducks (kids love this). The Como waterfront is stroller-friendly.

Gardaland (Lake Garda)

If your kids need pure theme park fun, Gardaland is Italy’s largest amusement park on Lake Garda (about 1.5 hours from Milan).

The park offers rides for all ages from gentle carousels for toddlers to serious roller coasters for teens. There’s also an aquarium (SEA LIFE) and themed areas.

Practical: Full-day commitment. Trains go to Peschiera del Garda (1 hour 15 minutes), then shuttle bus to park. Entry starts from €40. Expensive but Italian families love it. Children under 90 cm tall enter all Parks for free.

Alternative: Leolandia (45 minutes from Milan, near Bergamo) is a smaller theme park better for younger children (ages 2-10).

Bergamo (50 Minutes by Train)

Bergamo works beautifully for families. The funicular ride up to Città Alta alone excites kids—everyone loves cable cars!

Once in the upper city, the medieval atmosphere is like a fairy tale. Kids enjoy exploring old stone streets, walking ancient Venetian walls (amazing views), discovering the fortress.

What engages children: The castle-like atmosphere, climbing fortress walls, the funicular ride, and plenty of gelato shops. It’s walkable and compact, so kids don’t exhaust themselves.

Practical: Very stroller-friendly once you’re up in Città Alta (take the funicular—don’t attempt the steep walk with strollers). Restaurants are family-welcoming with reasonable prices.

Monza Park

For an easier day trip (just 20 minutes by train), Parco di Monza is one of Europe’s largest walled parks with 700+ hectares.

Families can rent bikes (kids’ bikes and baby seats available), have picnics, visit playgrounds, enjoy nature. The park also contains Monza’s Formula 1 race track—older kids interested in cars find this exciting.

Best for: Families wanting outdoor time without full-day commitment. Excellent for kids who need to burn serious energy.

Map of Family Attractions in Milan

Before planning your days, take a look at this map — it shows Milan’s best family-friendly attractions, grouped by type. From science museums and parks to fun rides and rainy-day escapes, everything is easy to reach by metro, tram, or even on foot.

🎨 Museums for Curious Kids

• Leonardo da Vinci National Museum of Science and Technology – Hands-on experiments and Leonardo’s inventions.
• Natural History Museum (Museo di Storia Naturale) – Dinosaur fossils and nature exhibits.
• MUBA – Milan Children’s Museum – Creative workshops.
• Civic Planetarium (Planetario di Milano) – Magical star shows for the whole family.

🌳 Parks & Playgrounds

• Parco Sempione – Central park with playgrounds and pedal boats.
• Giardini Pubblici Indro Montanelli – Family favorite with museums and shaded paths.
• Biblioteca degli Alberi (BAM) – Modern park with art and open-air games.
• Parco Nord Milano – Huge green escape for cycling, kite-flying, and picnics.

🎠 Interactive & Fun Activities

• Castello Sforzesco – Explore towers, courtyards, and hidden passages.
• Duomo Rooftop – Ride the elevator and count the spires!
• Historic Tram Rides (Routes 1, 2, 4) – Vintage Milan experience kids love.
• Navigli Canal Area – Family strolls, markets, and weekend street shows.
• Villa Necchi Campiglio – A beautiful house museum with gardens for calm breaks.

☔ Rainy Day Ideas

• Il Centro (Arese Shopping Center) – Huge indoor mall with family dining and play zones.
• Biblioteca Sormani – Large public library with children’s reading rooms.
• Indoor Play Centers (Ludoteche) – Creative spaces scattered around the city for playtime on rainy days.

💡 My Tip:
Save this map before you go — most family attractions are within 20–30 minutes of each other. You can easily combine a museum in the morning with a park or tram ride in the afternoon.

🗺️ Zoom, pan, or click each pin to explore Milan’s best family-friendly spots — from hands-on museums to sunny playgrounds and rainy-day retreats.

Practical Family Travel Tips

After watching Florentine friends navigate Milan with kids, here are practical tips that actually matter.

Getting Around Milan

Metro with strollers: Milan’s metro is stroller-accessible with elevators at most central stations. M1 (red line) and M3 (yellow line) are newest and best equipped.

Buses and trams: Buses kneel to make stroller boarding easier. Historic trams require lifting strollers up steps—manageable but awkward. Modern trams are low-floor and easy.

When to use taxis: For longer distances with tired kids, multiple luggage pieces, or late evening. Taxis aren’t cheap (€15+ minimum) but sometimes worth the sanity.

Walking distances: Historic center is compact. Duomo to Castello Sforzesco is 1.5km (20 minutes), perfectly walkable with children who can walk.

My transport tip: Buy a 24-hour ATM pass (€7) covering unlimited metro/bus/tram. Eliminates per-ride ticket stress and saves money if you take 3+ trips.

Best Time to Visit Milan

Spring (April-May): Ideal family weather. Temperatures 15-22°C, perfect for outdoor activities. Parks bloom beautifully. Not too crowded.

Fall (September-October): Also excellent. Warm but comfortable (15-23°C). September has Fashion Week (skip those dates—prices spike), but rest of fall is perfect.

Summer (June-August): Hot! 28-35°C makes midday uncomfortable. Many Milanese leave in August. Go early morning and late afternoon; siesta midday.

Winter (December-February): Cold (2-8°C) but manageable with proper clothing. Christmas markets are magical. January-February have rock-bottom hotel prices.

Where to Stay in Milan

Best neighborhoods:

• Near Centrale Station: Most convenient for arrivals/departures. Not prettiest but practical with better hotel prices.
• Porta Venezia: Residential with parks (Giardini Pubblici), good restaurants, local atmosphere. Great metro connections.
• City center (near Duomo): Most convenient for sightseeing but pricey.

What to book:

• Apartments work brilliantly for families. Having a kitchen saves money, washing machine helps with kids’ messes, and more space.
• Hotels with family rooms (one room with multiple beds) cost less than two separate rooms.

Money-Saving Tips

Free attractions: Castello courtyards, all parks, church exteriors, Navigli area, Brera wandering—these cost nothing.

Picnic strategy: Buy supermarket supplies for €10-15 and feed entire family. Parks provide pleasant eating environments. Kids often prefer casual picnics anyway.

Kids eat cheap: Pizzerias offer kids’ portions for €3-6. Plain pasta costs €6-8. Aperitivo buffets let kids eat unlimited for price of adult drinks.

Free museum days: First Sunday of each month, many museums are free.

Essential Packing For Milan With Kids

Stroller or baby carrier: Milan is walkable, but distances add up. Bring whatever your child tolerates longest.

Snacks always: Italian meal times run late. Having crackers, fruit, or granola bars prevents hangry meltdowns.

Change of clothes: Kids spill gelato, play in fountains, general chaos happens. Extra shirt and pants save the day.

Sunscreen and hats: Even spring sun is strong.

Reusable water bottles: Fill at fountains throughout the city. Saves money and plastic.

Small first aid kit: Band-aids, children’s pain reliever, any prescription meds.

FAQs on Family Attractions in Milan

Final Words

Milan surprised me. As a Florentine, I expected a cold business city. Instead, I found a genuinely family-friendly destination with excellent infrastructure, engaging attractions, and wonderful Italian warmth toward children.

The city offers perfect balance: cultural attractions that actually interest kids (Leonardo’s inventions, dinosaurs, cathedral roofs) combined with practical family needs (excellent playgrounds, stroller-friendly transport, welcoming restaurants). Milan treats families like valued visitors, which makes all the difference.

So yes, Milan with children absolutely works. Pack comfortable shoes, download the metro app, embrace Italian flexibility about meal times, and get ready for a genuinely enjoyable family adventure in Northern Italy.

Buon viaggio e divertitevi! (Safe travels and have fun!)

Get our FREE Italy
Travel Guide
E-Book

This printable guide is your ultimate companion for exploring Italy, with insider tips, detailed itineraries, transportation advice, must-see attractions, and more.

Name*

Email*

Sign up