5 unmissable activities to do in Calabria with children

Are you wondering what are the most fun and educational activities for children in Calabria to offer your children? You are spoilt for choice!

From educational trips offering nature workshops to exploring the sky with the planetarium and hot air balloon rides, not to mention the adrenaline rush of adventure parks and Green Flag beaches, Calabria is a child-friendly region in all seasons.

Ready to discover lots of different activities to do with children in Calabria?

The first thing to do in Calabria with children is to take them to the "The World of Prehistory" Theme Park in Simbario, in the province of Vibo Valentia. In this place surrounded by greenery, the prehistoric world comes back to life, like a fairy tale that becomes reality: a park entirely dedicated to dinosaurs and the creatures that populated the Earth millions of years ago. Just like in the film Jurassic Park, you can walk through the vegetation imagining you are little explorers hunting for Tyrannosaurs and Velociraptors, which at a certain point... actually appear! Everything is realistic, including the powerful cries of the animals as they approach. Don't worry! The adventure is fun, educational and allows children to familiarise themselves with the different prehistoric eras (93 aquatic and 54 terrestrial species are reproduced) and learn to respect nature through play, including the opportunity to explore the park aboard special "Dino Cars", motorised toy cars, or riding an animated dinosaur.

Among the activities to do in Calabria with children, one of the most educational is undoubtedly stargazing. Where? In Calabria's planetariums, which offer guided tours and educational workshops for young and old alike! We start in Reggio Calabria, where the beautiful Pythagoras Planetarium, with its iconic steel dome, offers a unique experience: just lie back comfortably in your chair and watch the magic of the stars rising and setting above your head. The dome reproduces the main movements of the celestial bodies, while an expert guides everyone on an evocative journey through the galaxies.

The Sila National Park also offers an immersive experience of this kind. Located in Savelli, in the province of Crotone, it pays tribute to the great Calabrian astronomer and mathematician Luigi Lilio (Cirò 1510 - Rome 1574): we are talking about the planetarium and astronomical observatory Astrosavelli - Lilio Astronomical Park, an unmissable place for an unusual activity with children in Calabria. Awaiting us is a dome 5 metres in diameter, a powerful telescope, a planetarium that simulates observable phenomena and the opportunity to participate in 3D simulations and astronomical excursions in the woods.

What is the most authentic experience to enjoy in nature, doing activities with children in Calabria? The one offered by the many educational farms located throughout the region, from north to south. Fun is guaranteed for young and old alike, with first-hand knowledge of animals, the land and locally sourced vegetables. But that's not all! Educational farms are agricultural businesses which, in addition to their usual production activities and the sale of their own products, also offer workshops and educational meetings for children, teenagers and adults, often combined with tastings and agritourism. Children can try their hand at activities such as milking and shearing animals, picking fruit, flowers and vegetables, baking bread, harvesting grapes and many other practical experiences that are fun, environmentally friendly and promote a 'slow' lifestyle.

Among the most popular and frequented activities for children in Calabria are those offered by the numerous adventure parks. You can find them throughout the region, each with its own unique features and nature trails to suit all tastes: outdoor games, adrenaline-fuelled physical challenges, suspended trails and opportunities to train specific skills and abilities, from balance to physical endurance. What are adventure parks? The concept was born in 2008, with a type of park that includes acrobatic courses at height, i.e. aerial trails at various heights above the ground which, with the help of lianas, Tibetan bridges, cables, nets and walkways, allow you to move easily and safely from tree to tree (tarzaning, arboring, etc.). What are you waiting for? Discover the different activities offered by Calabrian adventure parks in an experience that is perfect for the whole family!

Is the adrenaline rush of a treetop adventure not enough for you? Then let us take you and your children flying in Calabria! The most wonderful experience you can give your little ones is a completely safe hot air balloon ride. You can take your first flight in the Sila National Park, Sibaritide and Aspromonte National Park, admiring the breathtaking view, suspended between the forest and the sea, which can be enjoyed from above in these three different locations. Any precautions? Don't suffer from vertigo and check the weather conditions. Treat yourself and your children to a hot air balloon ride in Calabria, it will be an experience you won't easily forget!