What to do in Turin with children

Planning a weekend trip to Turin with kids? Great choice!
Turin is one of those cities that manage to surprise families, often more than you expect. Elegant and easy to get around, yet rich in experiences, it is perfect for a weekend with children.

Here you can alternate between engaging museums, parks where you can run and play, and strolls through the historic center, always with the feeling that everything is at your fingertips. And then there is that unique mix of stories, curiosities and small discoveries that make every day different.

If you're wondering what to really do in Turin with kids, here is a selection of simple but effective ideas and "must sees" to enjoy a weekend in Turin with the whole family

The historic center of Turin

Turin's historic center is one of the most beautiful places to explore with children: elegant, all flat and easy to get around even with a stroller. Large squares such as Piazza Castello and Piazza San Carlo become open spaces where you can move around freely, while the arcades, among the longest in Europe, allow you to stroll even in rainy weather .

Here are some ideas for visiting Turin with children(list).

Smart Treasure Hunt for Turin

To make the visit even more engaging, you can turn it into a game: a treasure-hunt in the historic center is an original way to discover the city without boring children. Between clues, puzzles and small quests, the little ones become real explorers and follow a path that takes them among historical buildings, curiosities and hidden details.
It is a perfect activity to combine fun and discovery, giving rhythm to the visit and turning a simple walk into an experience to remember for the whole family.

Here to book the Treasure Hunt in Turin

The Mole Antonelliana and the Cinema Museum

A symbol of the city, the Mole Antonelliana is a very special monument, built by architect Antonelli, who loved peculiar and somewhat bizarre constructions.
Not far from the mole, there is another work by Antonelli, called by the Torinese "slice of polenta," because it is yellow and triangular, just like a slice of polenta!
Inside the mole in addition to the stupendous Museum of Cinema, a real "must see" for lovers of the big screen, there is the panoramic elevator, with transparent crystal walls, which makes its ride in a single open-air span with no intermediate floors from the start, 10 meters high, up to the 85 meters of the "little temple."
From up there you can admire the splendid view of the city and the Alps. On the clearest days it will seem like touching the top of the mountains!

The Ticket to the panoramic elevator costs €8 for adults, €6 for holders of the Torino+Piemonte Card and children under 26 (free for children 0- 5 years old).

The museums of Turin

In the historic center in particular there's the Museo Egizio not to be missed, while for kids who are passionate about knights the Armeria Reale inside Palazzo Reale is a must-see address!

The parks of Turin

Turin is a city rich in parks, some of which are very close to the historic city center.
In the center, behind Palazzo Reale are the gardens of Palazzo Reale, which are perfect for a picnic stop while sightseeing.
Also beautiful is the promenade along the Po, starting from Piazza Vittorio you can walk along the Po to the north, if you prefer a more natural view, or to the south, where you can stop for a gourmet break at one of the little riverside cafes.

The Valentino Park

But of all the parks, the one that will make children fall in love is the splendid Valentino Park, within which lies a small "medieval" village, all to be discovered.
Valentino, is located along the bank of the Po, equipped with playgrounds, bicycle paths, vast areas in which to play or simply lie in the sun, during the warmer season, and refreshment points. Inside it can be visited the Botanical Garden.
In the Valentino Park, it is a must with children who are fans of fantasy, castles and knights to visit the Medieval Village: the village is a faithful reproduction, erected in the late 19th century, of an ancient feudal castle.
After crossing a real elevated bridge, you can wander through the quaint alleys of the medieval village and browse the stores selling reproductions of shields and swords, knights and toy soldiers, fantasy characters from books including the "Lord of the Rings" and "Harry Potter." It will be hard to leave there without buying something!

Valentino Park

The Pellerina Park

Among the most beloved parks for Turin families is Pellerina Park, the largest in the city with over 80 hectares of greenery. Located in the western area, it is a true green lung crossed by the Dora Riparia, with wide lawns where you can run and play freely, also perfect for a break during a day in the city.

Here you'll find everything you need for a day outdoors with the kids: play areas, picnic spaces, bike paths and easy trails, also ideal with a bike or scooter. The ponds with ducks and swans are always a stop for the little ones, while adults can relax in the shade of the trees or take a walk along the river.

Venaria Reale and La Mandria

Venaria Reale was the holiday residence of the Savoy family. Today the Reggia, one of the main Savoy residences in Piedmont and link="https://www.patrimoniomondiale.it/"> UNESCO World Heritage Site, is often referred to as the "Versailles of Turin" because of its grandeur and beautiful spaces.

To better organize your visit, interactive maps are provided to help you find your way around the palace, gardens and paths.
Dedicated itineraries, sensory tours, simplified explanations and playful activities are provided for children, making discovery engaging and never boring.
The visit can be experienced in different ways: on foot, by small train, by carriage or even by gondola in the canals of the gardens. The park is at its best in spring and summer, when the green spaces are perfect for stopping and relaxing.
Consider at least half a day to enjoy everything at leisure.

The Fantacasino carousel

With children at the Reggia di Venaria a stop not to be missed is the "Fantacasino", inside the Boschetto dei giochi.
It is a very special place, where time seems to stand still: here you will find rides that work without electricity, wooden games, constructions and activities inspired by the past.
It's a simple but fascinating experience where children have fun...and adults become a little bit of a child again.

The Mandria Park

Next to the Reggia lies the Mandria Natural Park, one of the largest enclosed parks in Europe. A completely different place from the tidy gardens of the Venaria: here you enter a more wild and natural dimension, made up of woods, glades and long avenues surrounded by greenery.

It is perfect for families who like to be outdoors: you can explore it on foot, by bike or on horseback rides. Children love the chance to spot animals such as deer, fallow deer and horses in a semi-wild state, making for a much more "adventurous" experience.
There are also farmsteads, picnic areas and easy trails within the park, ideal for a slow day away from traffic. If you have time, it is a beautiful extension of the Venaria visit, especially on sunny days.

The Reggia can also be reached via the GTT Venaria Express shuttle that connects downtown Turin and Porta Susa station with the Reggia di Venaria and La Mandria Park.
Here you can conveniently purchase the jump-on ticket to Venaria + the Hop on Hop Off bus

The hill of Turin and the Basilica of Superga

On the hill of Turin, one of the highest in the city, is the basilica of Superga which offers a truly spectacular view of the city and a beautiful natural park.
To climb the hill, you can take the historic and impressive little Dentiera train from Borgo Rosa-Sassi to Superga in just 15 minutes .
A tramway with old wooden carriages that runs through the green woods of the hill of Turin. The natural spectacle is really beautiful, one has the feeling of having gone back in time!
For all soccer fans, you can't miss the church tour and visit the memorial to the Grande Torino, at the site of the plane crash in which the entire team lost their lives.

The Zoom

Biopark.
Just outside the city, in Cumiana, is the ZOOM Biopark.
ZOOM is the first immersive biopark in Italy: a huge, entirely pedestrian-friendly green area where about 300 animals live, including lemurs, giraffes, hippos, gibbons, porcupines and tigers. The animals live without nets, cages or barriers.
Zoom Bioparco is within walking distance of Turin and is a must-visit destination! The animals live without cages and aims to educate children about love and respect for animals.

Here to purchase the tickets for Zoom

Practical info for visiting Turin

To visit museums I recommend the Torino+Piemonte Card that gives access to many museums in Turin and Piedmont. It is also free for children, under the age of 12, with the purchase of an adult card.