Best things to do with children on lake Garda

Lake Garda has always been a super popular and awesome spot in Italy! It’s got something for everyone, including families with kids. There’s loads of fun stuff to do with children on Lake Garda, which is why it’s a top choice for family vacations.

Aside from the beautiful beaches, there are plenty of theme parks, nature trails, and museums to keep the little ones entertained. If you’re up for some thrilling adventures, hang out in places like Peschiera del Garda, Lazise, Bardolino, or Garda, where you’ll find awesome amusement parks. If sports and nature are more your thing, check out Malcesine, Torbole, Riva del Garda, and Limone.

Here are all the fun and interesting experiences to do together with your children

Boat trips

Boat trips on the lake are a must-do, giving you a whole new perspective of the place.

• Try the Sirmione Peninsula Tour which will take you around this thin strip of land that separates the Venetian shore from the Lombard one
• The Tour around the Fortress Walls of Peschiera del Garda, the Venetian pentagon built to defend the beautiful town, is also very beautiful with those cute little ducks swimming around.

Amusement Park

Gardaland is the ultimate amusement park that will make your kids’ dreams come true! They’ll be over the moon with all the rides and fairy tale vibes. Don’t miss out on Gardaland Sea Life, the rad interactive aquarium nearby. With large themed tanks and a surprising underwater tunnel, it is the only one of its kind in Italy. There you can try out special interactive experiences and games with your children.

For the adventurous ones, Jungle Adventure in San Zeno di Montagna is a blast. It’s all about ropes, ziplines, and Indiana Jones vibes! And if your kids are movie buffs, take them to Movieland for a peek behind the scenes and maybe even become stars for a day!

Fun in Summer

When it’s scorching hot, water parks like

• Caneva Aquapark, which offers breathtaking slides and winding paths between waterfalls in a Caribbean landscape. The fun for your children is not lacking and is easily accessible by public transport or their shuttle.
• Cavour Aquapark surrounded by greenery and with different settings. On holidays there is an entertainment that organizes games and tournaments and a nice mascot with which to take beautiful photos of your happy children.

Do you prefer doing something calm with your children on lake garda? Take note of the following places to visit.

Nature and animals

Nature lovers, don’t miss Parco Giardino Sigurtà in Valeggio sul Mincio. It’s a stunning botanical garden with tulip blooms that’ll leave you in awe. They come from all over to admire the blooms of the different species of flowers, in particular that of tulips, which has become a real event. The “Tulipanomania” awarded in 2020 as the best attraction in the world. Kids will love the cool labyrinth and the fun educational farm.

The park can be visited on foot in tranquility by dedicating half a day to it or the park offers several alternatives. Golf-carts and bicycles can be rented for independent tours or guided group tours. Otherwise preferred by the little ones is the little train. 

Parco Natura Viva

Now, how about some animal encounters? Parco Natura Viva hosts over 1500 animals, and your little ones will learn all about biodiversity. In addition, the Park offers families with children numerous recreational activities to study animal life. There is no shortage of play areas and picnics to spend a pleasant day outdoors.

For the little fairy tale lovers, there’s the Giocabosco Educational Park where gnomes and fairies come to life! The Giocabosco Educational Park in Gavardo (BS) is recommended for children aged 3 to 8. A forest inhabited by gnomes and fairies created to spread environmental education and play in nature through the imagination.

Thermal Parks

Need to chill? Head to the thermal parks like:

• Villa dei Cedri in Lazise, which is a natural spa surrounded by centuries-old trees which is divided into two lakes. In this little corner of paradise, children are also welcome and can swim and play without problems in the large surrounding green areas
• Aquardens near Verona, a large park of 5200 square meters with indoor and outdoor pools. The structure is perfectly organized for families with children with reserved entrances and changing rooms. In addition, it offers a miniclub service and a children’s area with a swimming pool and slides where they can play safely.

Among the things to do with the family there are not only parks and entertainment, but also sports, culture and much more. Read on and discover all the possibilities on activities and best places to visit on Lake Garda.

Sports and games

Into games and sports?

• Bardolino Minigolf with a fun 18-hole course and a play area equipped for the little ones is one of them. With the inflatable slide castle and the elastic trampolines to make very high jumps in complete safety, fun is guaranteed! 
• An intriguing alternative for the older ones is Lakescape. The escaperoom in which your complicity and teamwork will be tested. You will have to overcome puzzles and traps in a race against time, will you make it?
• As for sport, there are many cycle and pedestrian paths suitable for children to do along the shores of the lake.

Many things to do and see on Lake Garda, continue reading the next few lines to find out more about activities in the area.

Very impressive is the Limone cycle path which passes on a walkway suspended over the water. Another one that we recommend, pleasant and flat, is the one that follows the Mincio from Peschiera del Garda to Mantua, passing through Borghetto. A visit to this village, declared one of the most beautiful in Italy with its still working mills, is almost a must!

If you are passionate about water sports, on the other hand, in the upper part of the lake it is possible to take courses and sessions of various windsports on the water. There are also Sup and pedal boats that can be rented along the shores of the lower lake, you are spoiled for choice!

Waterfalls

Walking in the countryside and discovering the beauty and strength of nature is an experience suitable for the whole family. Among the various natural attractions, the one that strikes children the most are the waterfalls, where the power of water is shown in all its beauty. Here are the best places around Lake Garda to go with children.

Le Cascate del Varone

A few kilometers from Riva del Garda is the Varone waterfalls park. A walk between two spectacular caves where you can admire the slow and unstoppable erosion of water. Between stairs and bridges at the end of the path you will find yourself in front of a spectacular water jump that will leave you all in suspense.

Parco delle Cascate di Molina

The Molina waterfalls can be another beautiful stop. Valpolicella is not only a place of excellent wines, but also holds the ideal destination for a nature excursion suitable for everyone, adults and children. The beautiful park of the Molina waterfalls extends for 80,000 square meters and inside you can choose the route you prefer among the three indicated. It is important to know that the park cannot be accessed with strollers, which must be left at the entrance.

La Cascata del Ponale

In the Trentino area, one of the most beautiful is the Ponale waterfall which flows directly into the lake. The best way to admire it is from above along the path of the same name. The panoramic road, easy to travel and suitable for all, reserves a magnificent landscape that is different at every bend.

Museums to visit with children

For a different and educational afternoon to do with children on Lake Garda there are several museums where you can learn while having fun.

1. On the Brescia side, the Toscolano Maderno Paper Museum is interesting. Here you can visit the old paper mill and discover the various stages of paper manufacturing. Seeing all the steps needed to produce a sheet of paper also allows you to raise awareness among children to avoid waste. Very fascinating is the interactive station of the museum that allows you to relive everyday life in an ancient paper mill.

2. In Riva del Garda, on the other hand, it is possible to visit the hydroelectric plant for an experience that will guide young and old to the discovery of clean energy. The guided tour explains in an easy and comprehensive way even to the little ones and the different multimedia installations will capture their curiosity making the visit engaging and interesting. In addition, your children will be able to feel like real explorers wearing protective helmets during the journey through the galleries of the plant.

3. Children’s Museum in Verona, an interactive and highly experiential museum for children aged 0 to 12, themed around STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics). The museum is divided into multiple zones, each addressing a different topic (water, light, mechanics, sound, logic, human body), which are explored solely through experiments and hands-on experiences.

 Historical sites

In addition to the Middle Ages, many other places on the lake have been marked by important historical events or characters linked to the history of our country. Visiting them with your children will make them experience what until now they have only read on the pages of their school books. A great way to make them remember what they have studied but above all to make them feel part of what is the history of Italy, which is very often perceived as distant and detached from them.

Torre di San Martino della Battaglia

The Tower of San Martino della Battaglia is certainly one of these places. The visit will also appeal to the little ones who will run up the steps to get to the top as soon as possible and to the little girls who will feel a bit Rapunzel.

Il Vittoriale degli Italiani

Il Vittoriale degli Italiani is also an interesting place rich in history. The visit can be adapted to the different ages of your children. Perfect for middle school kids who studied the life and works of Gabriele d’Annunzio in those years. For the little ones we recommend avoiding the visit to the poet’s house and concentrate on the large gardens which with the particular fountains and the different models of warship will undoubtedly capture their curiosity.

I really hope that by reading this article you have found out more about the things you can do to enjoy your vacation on lake garda with you children!