Did you know that Rio de Janeiro is an amazing destination for children? The marvelous city offers numerous fun and leisure options for the little ones, ranging from free activities to paid attractions. We've selected some unmissable tips for you to enjoy the best of Rio with your kids. Check below for information about schedules, operating days, and ticket prices for the attractions, and get ready to create unforgettable family moments. Discover more ideas in the Rio de Janeiro Travel Guide by KAYAK.
Watch the video recorded by our partner Tesouros do Brasil, showcasing the experience of exploring Rio de Janeiro with children—you’ll be surprised.
List of Places in Rio de Janeiro for Children
- BioParque
- Marine Aquarium
- Lagoa Aventuras
- Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas
- Cycling
- Botanical Garden
- Parque Lage
- Tijuca National Park
- Sugarloaf Cable Car
- Christ the Redeemer
- Paquetá Island
- Theaters
- Pontal Museum
- Maracanã Stadium
- Copacabana Fort
- Surfing Lessons
- Stand Up Paddle Lessons
- Beaches
- Rio Art Museum
- Museum of Tomorrow
- Carnaval Experience
- Navy Cultural Space and Fiscal Island
- National Historical Museum
- Fire Brigade Museum
- Royal Portuguese Reading Office
- Santa Teresa Tram
- Rio Planetarium
- Oi Futuro Flamengo
- Helicopter Tour
- Aerospace Museum
BioParque
At @BioParqueDoRio, you can see over 1000 animals from 140 species and conservation efforts for some native wildlife.
Marine Aquarium
@AquarioMarinhoDoRio is the largest in South America, home to 5,000 animals from 350 species from Brazil and around the world, divided into 28 enclosures. The main attraction is the transparent tunnel through the main tank, where you can see sharks and rays.
Lagoa Aventuras
@LagoaAventuras offers zip-lining, tree climbing, a climbing wall, and a picnic area—all inside Parque Municipal da Catacumba, which also features a sculpture garden and a trail to Mirante do Urubu, offering fantastic views of the lagoon.
Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas
Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas is the heart of Rio’s South Zone. You can paddle boat at @PedalinhoDaLagoa and then relax on the lawn to have a picnic at sunset, or grab a table at @QuintalDoRio or @TerrazzaRioDeJaneiro. On the other side of the lagoon, take the kids to enjoy the playground at Parque dos Patins and rent a pedal quadricycle to ride on the bike path, before heading back for some Arab treats at @RestauranteArab’s kiosk.
Cycling
Cycling in Rio is great fun because much of the city is flat. You can rent Itaú bikes, available in several locations across Rio, by downloading the @tembici app. If you want a guided tour, @PatriciaTourGuideRio offers tours departing from Copacabana hotels. For bicycle rentals, @ZagaBikeCopa even provides child seats for children up to 25kg.
Botanical Garden
A must-visit in Rio, @JardimBotanicoRJ features various areas and plant collections to discover during a walk, where you might spot monkeys and other Atlantic Forest animals. The old gunpowder factory has a playground and café.
Parque Lage
The impressive mansion might be the main attraction of @ParqueLage, but don't miss exploring the trails behind it, leading to the waterfall, and the gardens featuring a cave and aquarium.
Tijuca National Park
As the largest urban forest in the world, @ParqueNacionalDaTijuca offers trails, waterfalls, viewpoints, and the delightful @OsEsquilos restaurant, all of which can be explored on a fun @JeepTourRJ excursion.
Sugarloaf Cable Car
Riding the cable cars up to Morro da Urca and Pão de Açúcar (Sugarloaf Mountain) at @BondinhoPaoDeAçucar is already a fun activity for kids, but check their profile for any special programming that might be on.
Christ the Redeemer
Whichever way you choose to visit the symbol of the city at @CristoRedentorOficial, it’ll be an exciting trip. Using @VansDoCorcovado, you stop at @PaineirasCorcovado, which features an interactive forest museum and a city model. Taking @TremDoCorcovado, you traverse the entire Tijuca Forest on a panoramic train.
Paquetá Island
Paquetá is an island in the back of Guanabara Bay, featuring historic houses and tree-lined charming streets without cars! Explore it via golf carts, the island’s taxis, rented bicycles, or on foot. Order bread from @SolarDosLimoeiros for a picnic in the park, and grab desserts at @ConfeitariaBodega.
Theaters
Rio offers numerous shows and children's plays in its theaters. Check the programming on @VejaRio’s website under the “Crianças” section for activity tips, and on @RioShowOGlobo’s site.
Pontal Museum
The @MuseuDoPontal has just moved to its new building in Barra, showcasing an incredible collection of folk art, including puppet shows. Check for children’s programming, which includes guided and musical visits.
Maracanã Stadium
Brazil's most famous stadium, @Maracana, offers tours of the locker rooms, backstage areas, and stands overlooking the pitch.
Copacabana Fort
Everyone knows that @MHEXFC_Exercito offers one of Rio’s most stunning views, but few visit inside to see the war machinery and an army museum. After visiting, enjoy a meal at @Cafe18DoForte.
Surfing Lessons
Take advantage of the sea to enroll the kids in surfing lessons. They might not leave Rio as surfers, but they’ll have fun learning. At Arpoador, you have @AlexandrePretao, featured in a video by Praya beer, as well as @Surfe_Arpoador and @EscolaDeSurfArpoador offering lessons for all ages. No need to have a board!
Stand Up Paddle Lessons
Experience Rio's beaches differently through stand-up paddle. In Copacabana, near the fort, you can rent boards and receive instructions at @SurfRio and @UniversoPaddle.
Beaches
There are quieter beach areas in Rio perfect for families. It's common to see families arriving early and leaving around 1 or 2 pm, just as teenagers and young adults start arriving. For the little ones, the @GenealNaPraia kiosk is known as Baixo Bebe Leblon, with toys on the sand. In Ipanema, head to Post 10. In Copacabana, go to the end of Post 6, near the fort, and at Leme, near Pedra do Leme, the sea is calmer. In Barra and Reserva, stay at the kiosks @BarracaDoPepe, @K08Club, and @CavaloMarinhoOficial, where you can also have lunch. For a more remote beach, try Grumari, but only between Monday and Friday.
Rio Art Museum
The @MuseuDeArteDoRio often has children's programs and exhibitions about the city. Walk through the Olympic Boulevard to see the Ethnicities mural painted by street artist Kobra.
Museum of Tomorrow
The interactive visit at @MuseuDoAmanha is sensational for all ages, and the building has become another symbol of Rio.
Carnaval Experience
At @carnaval_experience, visitors explore the Samba City and Grande Rio’s warehouse, learning how a carnival parade is created, with floats and accessories. End by trying on costumes from past parades!
Navy Cultural Space and Fiscal Island
At the Navy Cultural Space, you can enter a submarine, see a replica of a caravel, explore a combat helicopter, and it’s from here that boats or vans depart to the castle on Fiscal Island. More info at: www.marinha.mil.br
National Historical Museum
@MuseuHistoricoNacional is a fantastic destination mixing fun and learning. It holds an important collection of Brazilian historical artifacts, but children are particularly impressed by the imperial carriage room and cannon yard.
Fire Brigade Museum
The Rio Fire Brigade Headquarters looks like a castle, with a museum housing historic firefighting vehicles from the foundation in 1856 to today. www.cbmerj.rj.gov.br
Royal Portuguese Reading Office
@RealGabinetePortuguesDeLeitura is a short but impressive visit. This library looks like it came straight out of a magical movie.
Santa Teresa Tram
Riding the tram in Santa Teresa is delightful. Catch it at Carioca Station, ride over the Arcos da Lapa, and get off at Largo do Guimarães. Have lunch there, then take the tram back to the center. www.bondesdesantateresa.rj.gov.br
Rio Planetarium
@PlanetarioDoRio houses exhibitions about the universe and two projection rooms in a dome that gives the feeling of star-gazing.
Oi Futuro Flamengo
@Oi_Futuro is a cultural center featuring the Museum of Communications, helping children understand the world before tablets!
Helicopter Tour
Enjoy a breathtaking helicopter tour over Rio. Some tours depart from the lagoon and Sugarloaf Mountain, but these are the priciest. Cheaper options leave from Santos Dumont Airport and even Recreio, which you can combine with a trip around Barra da Tijuca. @Helitop.Rio @HeliRioTaxiAereo @RioCopter_heli_Tours @VoeRio2Fly @Helisight
Aerospace Museum
Few visit due to its distant location, but @MuseuAeroespacial features a collection of historical planes, including a replica of the 14-Bis.
