Blogs we like

You’re visiting Europe.

You want to see the sites, eat good food, soak up the culture and experience all that is there to experience. After all, it’s why you traveled across the pond to begin with.  And what don’t you want?  To find out you owe the Louvre $10,000 because your kid somehow single-handedly wrecked the Mona Lisa’s security network after consuming 10 pain au chocolats and 4 Cokes at breakfast.

It seems to be a common fear.

I’ve had many parents tell me that they are afraid to take their kids to Europe.  They worry that Europe’s museum culture is not family-friendly enough.  But more to the point, they have concerns that their kids just may be too active to appreciate what Europe has to offer.

But I say pish-posh to all that!  (See how European I’ve become?  Or maybe it’s all those times I’ve seen Mary Poppins).

Kids adore Europe—even the museums.  And my trick to getting good behavior out of my very active 4-year-old?  Finding spots to let him run amok before museum or restaurant entry.  I ease off the reins long enough for him to work up a sweat, and there’s never an issue about jumping in the stroller, wandering around an art museum or sitting down for a coffee or meal.

But you have to find the right spot.  Security guards can get so tetchy when your child opts to turn a nice bench into a parachuting platform.  Here are some of the best spots in Europe to let kids happily (and somewhat safely) run their ya-ya’s out.

1. Schoenbrunn Garden: Vienna, Austria

Not only does Schoenbrunn boast its own very cool zoo but the acres and acres of private gardens just invite the kiddos to get the lead out.  You may feel a little weird about it until you see all the local runners doing the same thing.  There are meandering paths into a maze of hedges, lots of gravel to shuffle around in and steps aplenty to jump from.  Your kid won’t have the energy to protest checking out the exhibits inside the palace afterward.

2. Djurgarden: Stockholm, Sweden

Djurgarden is known as Stockholm’s Pleasure Island.  And the great restaurants and attractions definitely lend credence to the name.  But it’s also full of some great green space.  Throw a frisbee or a ball into your knapsack to treat your kids after (or, okay, before) checking out some of the attractions.  And yes, I know one of the main attractions is an amusement park.  But if you love amusement parks as I do and have a short kid, you’ll appreciate them being exercised into a stupor so they don’t whine when you try to sneak in a second ride on the roller coaster.

3.  The Louvre Courtyard: Paris, France

Let’s face it - you’re going to stand in line to go into the Louvre.  Let me repeat that.  You are going to stand in line to go into the Louvre.  So good thing the inner courtyard is such a great spot for kids to run around.  I recommend getting there half an hour before the museum opens to queue up.  Then, without worry of crowds, you can let your kid run wild around the fountains and pyramids until they are past the point of protest.  Fair warning:  your child will find that one moment when you are looking away to somehow get his pants all wet.   But I think it’s a small price to pay to the museum Gods for a couple of whine-free hours in the Louvre.

4.  Palatine Hill: Rome, Italy

This lovely park-like setting is home to the Imperial palaces and influential residences of ancient Rome.  And it is also an awesome place to let your kid roam free.  There are broken pillars to jump off of, paths to run down and lots and lots of hills.  Frankly, I thank Palatine Hill for many quiet dinners - by the end of the day, Chet was usually so knackered he fell asleep in the stroller and allowed me to sit back and enjoy a lovely Roman meal on a lovely Roman evening.

5.  Mnajdra and Hagar Qim Temples: Malta

These incredible prehistoric temples on the island of Malta include some breathtaking scenery.  They also have great paths both in and out of the giant stone structures for your kid to go nuts on.  Chet enjoyed climbing on some of the wayward rocks, ducking into nooks and crannies and generally enjoying just being outside.  I enjoyed watching him turn a thousand-year-old temple into his personal playground.  And once again, exhaustion proved a boon for Mommy when I wanted to grab a nice seafood dinner after the excursion.

Did I leave out any great spots for your kids to run amok?  We’re not done traveling in Europe and I’d love to hear about them!

Pain au chocolat photo courtesy of beautifulcataya.