“Museum for Kids”
This is a cultural association where boys and girls and their parents can enjoy themselves. The association is housed in the Palazzo Vecchio and offers not only a fascinating insight into the history and art of the city, but also a chance to enter the secret corridors of the palace, follow the path of Dan Brown’s Inferno, talk to Cosimo I de’ Medici and Giorgio Vasari, dress up in court costumes and be presented to the Queen, and try their hand at al fresco painting. In addition, there are often interesting quests and events, such as overnight camping in the Palazzo Vecchio.
The Museum for Kids Association was founded in 2000 and is a non-profit cultural foundation that promotes the art of Florence to the youngest visitors to the city’s museums. The museum organises informative and entertaining lectures and interactive tours at several museum sites in Florence – Palazzo Vecchio, Museum of the 20th Century, Brancacci Chapel, Santa Maria Novella, Stefano Bardini and Leonardiano da Vinci Museums, as well as outdoor entertainment in the historic city centre. The “Museum for Kids” programmes are for ages 3 to 15 and are available in Italian, English, French and Spanish. Numerous programmes cater to a wide range of interests of the younger generation and are usually enjoyed by adults as well.
In Palazzo Vecchio, the youngest visitors are invited to learn the mysterious story of the Turtle and the Sail, immerse themselves in the world of natural smells, try on 16th-century costumes and masks, visit Cosimo de Medici and Eleanor of Toledo and even play with the toys of the 13 sons of the royal couple. Older visitors will be shown the secret passages of the palazzo, the hidden treasury of the Medici dukes and interesting elements of its revolutionary 16th century design. Fans of Dan Brown will be able to follow the plot of the novel directly at the scene of its action. The girls will be introduced to the Medici court by Eleanor’s favourite maid of honour, Donna Isabella, who will teach them how to wear tourniquet dresses and lace a corset. And young art lovers will be introduced to the extraordinary world of painting by Giorgio Vasari himself.
The 20th Century Museum offers a time machine journey through the decades and styles of modern art, and even try to put together your own installation. At the Church of Santa Maria Novella, little tourists will learn all about the technique of painting frescoes and the history of the works on display. At the Leonardo da Vinci Museum, the boys will see the famous car drawings and will be able to build and run them themselves.
Programmes are constantly changing, please check with our managers for programme availability and children’s ages.
The museum is open all days except 24 and 25 December
