Know Before You Go: Tips to Prepare Kids for the Forum and Colosseum in Rome
Updated: Sep 5
You can't take the family to Rome without including a visit to the Colosseum—and the Forum is an easy addition. These are essential parts of world history, and to immerse yourself in them can feel magical and humbling at once. It's not like stepping into history. It is stepping into history.
That doesn't mean theses are slam-dunk family experiences. The destinations are big, require a good amount of walking, and the history can be, let's say, graphic.
This guide is designed parents with kiddos roughly 5 to 10 years old: kids who are big enough to trek along but may also need some specific accommodations and may not be quite ready for the complete history of the Romans.
What they do need? A few good stories, comfortable shoes, snacks, shade breaks, and a grown-up who knows which details to save for later.
1. Tell them just enough history to spark curiosity
Before the visit, keep the story simple and visual. Kids this age understand people, places, jobs, food, games, and big buildings much better than dates and politics.
Consider framing the Forum and Colosseum as two different parts of ancient Roman life.
The Forum was like the city’s main meeting place. People went there to shop, talk, pray, vote, celebrate, and hear news. The center wasn’t quiet or empty like it looks today. It was full of voices, sandals, carts, animals, smoke from cooking fires, and people making deals.
The Colosseum was a huge arena. It still is. What opened in A.D. 80 could hold tens of thousands of spectators. That’s a fact kids can picture, and it brings the still-bustling-but-ancient space alive. If you've taken your children to a football game or concert, you can compare the Colosseum to a giant sports stadium—this one made of stone and built almost 2,000 years ago.
That kind of thinking helps kids see ruins as real places where real people lived.
2. Give them a mini mission for the visit
A mission gives kids something to look for, which helps them stay engaged when adults slow down to read signs or take photos.
As we've shared before, we're fan of the Mission Rome book for just that reason.
For younger kids, keep it concrete. For older kids, add a little challenge.
Try these simple missions:
Find three arches.
Spot an animal carving.
Count how many columns are still standing in one area.
Look for ancient roads with stone blocks.
Find a place where a statue might have stood.
Pick the best “Roman selfie face.”
You can also make a tiny scavenger hunt on paper before you go—or rely on the the book we shared above. Nothing fancy. Draw a column, arch, stone road, bird, staircase, and doorway. Let your child check things off as they find them.
3. Dress for comfort, sun, and uneven ground
When you're in Rome, you're going to walk... a lot. And tours of the Forum and Colosseum involve a lot of walking, standing, stairs, and stone surfaces. Some areas have little shade, especially in warmer months.
Pack and dress with comfort in mind.
Shoes matter most. Choose sneakers or sturdy walking shoes with good grip. Skip flip-flops and slippery sandals. Ancient stones can be uneven, and tired feet can end a visit quickly.
Tip: Don't wait till Day 1 of your vacation to start breaking in a new pair of sneakers. Pack comfy shoes that have already been broken in.
Dress in layers if you’re visiting in spring or fall. Rome can feel cool in the morning and warm by midday. In summer, choose light, breathable clothing, hats, and sunglasses. In winter, bring a warm layer, especially if you’ll be standing outside for a while.
The Colosseum and Forum are historic sites, so plan for walking. Strollers weren't a think back when these structures were designed. If your child still needs a stroller sometimes, check current visitor guidance before you go and be ready to carry it in certain spots.
4. Plan breaks before everyone needs one
The Forum and Colosseum are exciting, but they can also wear people out. Heat, crowds, noise, and walking add up. Don’t wait for a meltdown to stop.
Kids often remember the tiny moments more than the big facts. Sitting in the shade and imagining a Roman lunch can be just as valuable as reading every sign.
If you’re visiting both sites on the same day, think about energy levels. Some families do better with the Colosseum first because it has a clear wow factor. Others prefer the Forum first, then use the Colosseum as the grand finish. Either can work. The best choice is the one that fits your child’s stamina. If you're planning for a tour, look closely at the tour descriptions and reviews.
5. Keep the difficult topics age appropriate at the Colosseum
The Colosseum has a serious history. Gladiator fights, wild animal hunts, public punishments, slavery, and death were part of Roman entertainment. These topics are real, but young children don’t need graphic details to learn something meaningful.
For ages 5 to 10, you can say:
“People came here to watch shows and contests. Some were exciting, and some were very harsh. Today, we can learn from this place and think about how people’s ideas of entertainment and fairness have changed.”
That tells the truth without overwhelming them.
Splurging on a private tour? Let the guide know what's in and out of bounds for the family conversations. The goal isn’t to pretend ancient Rome was gentle. It’s to choose the right doorway into the past.
Make the day feel like an adventure, not a test
A visit to the Forum and Colosseum doesn’t have to be packed with facts to be meaningful. Kids are more likely to enjoy it when they have a story to follow, a few things to search for, and clothes that let them move comfortably.
Before you go, give them a simple picture of ancient Roman life. During the visit, let them notice, guess, draw, and rest. Save the heavier history for later years, when they can handle more detail.
If they leave remembering that Romans built giant arches, walked on stone roads, gathered in the Forum, and filled a huge arena almost 2,000 years ago, that’s a win. The deeper lessons can grow from there.
