Ciao! If your kids are like mine, your trip to Venice will need to include playground visits. After all, we can only expect our kids to sit on the vaporetto or walk patiently through the crowded lanes of La Serenissima for so long!
I’m a mamma of three energetic boys and we’re based in central Italy. We love exploring Venice as a family and we always make time for Venice’s playgrounds and green spaces.
While Venice’s playgrounds are a perfect place to ‘get your wiggles out,’ they’re also nice spots to rest in the shade on a hot summer day or have a picnic lunch with treats picked up at a market or grocery store.
If you’re in Venice and desperate for a playground, take a look at the map below and see what you’re closest to.
Divertitevi – have fun!
You may also want to check out
Venice with Kids
Burano with Kids
Taking Kids on a Gondola in Venice
Where to Eat with Kids in Venice
Map of Venice Playgrounds & Parks
Parco delle Rimembranze Playground
We often end up here because it’s far enough from the craziness of the center of Venice and there’s plenty of space to run around. On hot, summer days you’ll appreciate the shade from the umbrella pines.
There are actually two play areas here – the smaller one is easily seen from the walkway along the water. Just past it is a larger play area that has more toys for bigger kids too. All three of my kids are happy here (3-10 years old).
Unfortunately, it’s not fenced, but it’s around 50 meters from water. There’s a new structure, swings, spring toys, and more. There’s grass and a soccer pitch – bring a ball!
Heads Up: This playground tends to have a lot of mosquitoes, so bring some mosquito repellent.
Giardini della Marinaressa
Marinaressa Gardens doesn’t have a playground, but it has gravel paths to run around on (or push your stroller in the shade) and kids enjoy checking out the sculptures. This is another place that satisfies all three of my kids. There are also benches so you can take a rest in the shade. It’s fenced but the main gate is open to the water walkway.
Parco Savorgnan Playground
This is our favorite playground near the Santa Lucia train station. It’s enclosed and surprisingly quiet even though it’s really close to the station. It’s got two main play areas, so there’s something for all ages. The play areas have padded ground surrounded by bricks, but there’s also dirt (which my kids are attracted to). For parents, there are benches, and large trees provide shade. It’s away from water.
Burano Playground
Burano has one of Venice’s most scenic playgrounds, right at the edge of the Venetian lagoon and looking out at Mazzorbo Island. Of course, that means you need to be extra cautious about kids entering the water. Still, it’s a nice place for a quick break on Burano and the play structures are new (and colorful, just like the island’s buildings). The toys include swings (baby and regular), slides, tunnels, and spring toys.
Mazzorbo Playground
You’re probably thinking, why would I go to a playground on Mazzorbo? Well, first off, Mazzorbo is lovely and has an excellent walkway (perfect if you need to walk your baby to sleep in the stroller). And, it’s just a small wooden bridge from Burano, so it’s easy to visit.
I like Mazzorbo’s playground because it’s enclosed (unlike Burano’s), it’s padded, there are plenty of benches, and there’s a water fountain (may or may not be working). The play structures are similar to Burano’s (just slightly older).
In a Campo
Venice’s former fields (campi) are now either paved over or set with cobblestones, and they’re often full of Venetian children running around and playing soccer or other games.
As a mom, I feel more relaxed in campi that aren’t bordered by water, like Campo San Polo and Campo San Giacomo da l’Orio.
If your kids decide to play in a campo, take a seat at a café and enjoy a coffee or aperitivo.
Giardini Napoleonici Playground
This is another good place to run around – you’ll see local children on bicycles and scooters on the paths in this park. There are two playgrounds (one for older kids, one for smaller kids) with shade. Toys include swings, climbing structures, a see-saw, and more. There are plenty of places to sit in the shade and away from the water. Look for fish or go for a walk with a stroller.
This playground works well if some of your group is going to the Biennale and the rest wants to stay outside and play.
Other Playgrounds & Places to Play in Venice
- Murano’s Playground – Murano’s Parco Navagero is tiny and more for little kids. It’s enclosed, has padded ground, green space, and the best part… a little picnic area with picnic tables. It’s a great place to take a break with toddlers and small children on Murano because it’s not right on the water. There’s another small playground with grass on the other side of the island, but it’s not enclosed and right on the water.
- Giardini Papadopoli – Small playground close to the Santa Lucia train station. We haven’t visited lately because it wasn’t in good shape on our past visits. Better option near the station is the Parco Savorgnan playground.
- Venice Lido – There are a few playgrounds (Parco Ca’ Bianca playground, Quattro Fontane playground, Lido beach playground), swim and play at the beach, look for shells, ride bikes
- Guidecca’s Sacca Fisola playground – It’s shaded, with benches, and it’s away from the water. Swings, play structure.
Good To Know: Do your kids enjoy labyrinths? Isola San Giorgio’s Borges Labyrinth is open, but you need to reserve and purchase a guided tour (not very kid-friendly). A better labyrinth choice for children is Mason’s Labyrinth in Emilia-Romagna or even the small labyrinth at Parco Giardino Sigurtà in the Veneto. The small labyrinth in Trauttmansdorff Gardens in Merano isn’t worth going out of your way for, but the gardens are certainly worth a visit with kids!
Tips for Visiting Venice’s Playgrounds
- Remember to keep an eye on where the water is. Some of the playgrounds aren’t fenced, and even if you can’t see it… there’s always water nearby.
- Carry mosquito spray in the summer.
- Have baby wipes handy if it’s rained as some of the playgrounds get muddy.
- Bring a ball. Surprisingly, Venice has a lot of open spaces for playing with a ball. Just don’t kick it into the water!
- Don’t choose Piazza San Marco as a play area. It’s crowded and full of people taking photos, which doesn’t mesh well with kids who want to run around and play.
Enjoy Venice with your kids!
