Rome: Colosseum Arena Family Tour & Kids Activities

Summary

Colosseum arena floor for families, games and Roman Forum stories

You’ll start with special arena floor access at Rome’s Colosseum, where your family steps right onto gladiator ground with a friendly local guide. Kids get interactive booklets packed with games and puzzles as you wander through ancient arches and climb into stories of emperors and wild beasts. Then it’s on to the Roman Forum—fountains, ruins, laughter—and you’ll leave carrying more than just facts.

What’s the experience like?

We met our guide just outside the Colosseum—she waved at us with a bright red folder and handed the kids these little explorer bags. Inside were booklets, pencils, some stickers (which my youngest immediately stuck on her shirt), and what looked like a magnifying glass but turned out to be a decoder for the booklet’s puzzles. The Colosseum felt even bigger up close than I’d pictured, with the morning sun bouncing off all that old stone. Our guide, Francesca, didn’t just rattle off facts—she asked the kids questions, pointed at scratch marks in the marble (“That’s where wild animals waited,” she said), and even got my son to pretend he was a gladiator stepping through the same gate we did. I could smell popcorn from a street vendor drifting in, which felt oddly modern against all that history.

The arena floor was open and echoey—you could almost hear crowds if you closed your eyes. Francesca had us all look up at where emperors used to sit; she joked that if we cheered loud enough maybe Caesar would give us a thumbs-up. My daughter tried to fill in one of her quiz answers while walking (not recommended) and nearly tripped over an ancient step—she laughed so hard she snorted, which made everyone else start giggling too. I didn’t expect to feel so connected to something this old just by watching my kids get into it.

Afterwards we followed Francesca out into the Roman Forum—there were wildflowers growing between broken columns and you could hear birds over the city noise. The booklet had them searching for statues and fountains; at one point we all drank from a little stone spout that she promised was safe (“Romans have been doing it for centuries,” she said). We ended near what’s left of Julius Caesar’s temple. I caught myself looking back at the Colosseum as we left—I still think about that view sometimes when things are noisy at home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Colosseum and Roman Forum

• Receive interactive booklet and gadgets
• Begin tour at Colosseum with arena floor access
• Learn about gladiator games and animal hunts
• Climb to second tier of Colosseum
• Explore Roman Forum with interactive booklet
• Climb ruins and drink from Roman fountain
• Visit remains of Julius Caesar's temple

Top questions

Is this Colosseum family tour suitable for young children?

Yes, it’s designed for families with children ages 5–10, but suitable for all ages including infants in strollers.

Does this tour include access to the Colosseum arena floor?

Yes, you enter via special arena floor access included in your ticket.

Are interactive booklets provided in languages other than English?

No, activity booklets are only available in English.

How long does the tour last?

The exact duration isn’t specified but covers both Colosseum (including arena) and Roman Forum visits.

Is lunch or snacks included?

No meals are included; only interactive materials are provided for children.

Do we need ID for entry?

Yes, every traveler must bring valid photo ID matching their booking name for entry to both sites.

What happens if we forget our voucher or names aren’t correct?

You may be denied entry if voucher details or names don’t match IDs at check-in.

Can strollers be used during the tour?

Yes, infants and small children can ride in prams or strollers throughout the experience.

What’s included

Your day includes reserved entrance tickets with special access to the Colosseum arena floor, an expert family guide who brings history alive for kids and adults alike, interactive activity booklets designed especially for children ages 5–10 (in English), plus time exploring both the Colosseum and Roman Forum together before heading out into Rome again.