Are you going to visit Rio de Janeiro with your family and kids? No problem! The city is full of attractions for adults and for little ones. Want some suggestions? So check out our list of 5 tours to enjoy Rio de Janeiro with children.
1. Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon
A beautiful landscape, restaurants with live music, an extensive bike path, and a park for children justify the fact that Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas is number 1 on our list. It’s a place where neither adults nor children suffer from boredom.
In Parque dos Patins, the children’s area has ergonomic toys and a structure for skating, bungee jumping, trampoline, bicycle, and skateboard. Throughout its outline, there are rental options for different types of bikes, including for the whole family to cycle at the same time. In Parque do Cantagalo, there are several sports courts, designed for volleyball, basketball, tennis, baseball and, of course, football.
To complete your tour, have a picnic on the grass or on one of the piers of the Lagoon. But if you prefer a typical Brazilian food, choose one of the many kiosks that are around you. And be sure to try the Brazilian version of churros in the street vendors stalls.
Parque Catacumbas
Very close to the Lagoon is also the Catacumbas Park which currently has an adventure park designed for all ages. The various activities can be paid or free and include hiking, viewpoints, low and high tree climbing, climbing wall for children and adults, zip line, and rappel. If your children are adventurous, this space is worth visiting!
Lagoa Aventuras at Parque das Catacumbas: Avenida Epitácio Pessoa, 3000.
Carioca Tip:
Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon is also the stage for one of the most famous Carnival blocks in the city, including a version for children: Spantinha. See more on the post 10 traditional Carnival Block Parties in Rio de Janeiro.
2. Jardim Botânico and Parque Lage
The Jardim Botânico (Botanical Gardens) and Parque Lage (Lage Park) are two parks close to each other, full of green areas and places to run and play. In the first, you will have the opportunity to see one of the most beautiful and well preserved green regions of the city and the diversity of Brazilian and foreign flora. There are about 6 500 species (some threatened with extinction), spread over an area of 54 hectares, outdoors and in greenhouses. Parque Lage, on the other hand, is located at the foot of Corcovado Hill and has an area of more than 52 hectares full of caves and streams that delight children.
The Botanical Garden has an entrance fee, Parque Lage, however, is free. Both have cafes inside with options for breakfast, brunch, or a light lunch. The two parks also always promote events for the little ones. Follow the schedule here and here.
Jardim Botânico: Rua Jardim Botânico, 1008.
Parque Lage: Rua Jardim Botânico, 414.
3. Praça Mauá and Boulevard Olímpico
For the 2016 Olympics, a wide area of the City Center, on the edge of Guanabara Bay, has been revitalized. A huge boardwalk with a bike path, museums, and warehouses created to hold events throughout the year. Among the attractions of the region, children especially like the Museum of Tomorrow, which is full of interactive content about the future of our planet. However, the Museum of Art of Rio (MAR) often presents exhibitions that also please the little ones. (Read more on 8 must-visit museums in Rio de Janeiro).
AquaRio
Also located on Boulevard Olímpico is AquaRio, the largest marine aquarium in South America, which has enchanted the children since its first day of operation. In total there are 5 floors and 28 tanks with 8 thousand animals of 350 different species. Buy your ticket here.
RioStar
And, since 2019, right next to AquaRio, the Rio Star Ferris wheel has been built, the largest of its kind in Latin America, with 54 cabins that make a complete turn in 20 minutes. The movement is very smooth, it doesn’t cause nausea, and the passengers are seated. The cabins are cooled and covered with a blue film that protects them from the sun. During the entire route, there is ambient music, and children usually enjoy the ride! Buy your ticket in advance on the official website. By buying online, you get a discount and avoid having to queue at the box office. Tickets are valid for 30 days from the day of purchase. There are no ticket sales by appointment.
Centro Cultural do Banco do Brasil
Nearby, there is also the Banco do Brasil Cultural Center (CCBB), one of our suggestions for enjoying Rio de Janeiro on rainy days. This Cultural Center is the favorite of Cariocas and always has events for adults and children in its program. See the schedule here.
Tomorrow Museum: Praça Mauá, 1 – Centro.
Museu de Arte do Rio: Praça Mauá, 5, Centro.
AquaRio: Praça Muhammad Ali, Gambôa.
RioStar: Av. Rodrigues Alves, 455. Porto Maravilha.
4. Floresta da Tijuca
What other cities in the world has an entire forest within it? And what else could so delight children? I still remember the walks I took with my parents and grandparents through the Tijuca Forest in my childhood. Among the curves, caves, and waterfalls of the forest, goblins, fairies, witches, princes, and princesses came to life in my imagination.
For this tour, the ideal is to have a car. Otherwise, your children may get tired before the visit even starts. Start the journey through the main entrance of the Tijuca National Park, in Afonso Viseu square in Alto da Boa Vista. Make stops at Cascatinha Taunay, Lago das Fadas, Gruta Paulo e Virgínia, and Açude da Solidão. Finish the tour at Vista Chinesa (Chinese view lookout), with one of the most beautiful views of Rio (Read more on 6 free and easy to access lookouts in Rio de Janeiro).
Carioca Tip:
At Praça Afonso Viseu, there is a restaurant called Bar da Pracinha that serves a delicious feijoada on Saturdays and holidays. And eating Feijoada is one of the 10 unmissable things to do in Rio de Janeiro.
→ If you want a private guide and driver for this tour, contact us.
→ Also check-out: Tijuca Forest Jeep Tour & Pedra Bonita Hike.
5. Beaches
Children also love to play on the beach. However, extra care is needed in the summer, on weekends and holidays, when the beaches are usually crowded. It’s also mandatory to be careful with the sun and wear sunscreen! That done, a day at the beach is sure to be fun for the kids (and also the guarantee that they’ll sleep very well at night!).
To enjoy the beach in a very Carioca way, rent chairs and umbrellas from one of the street vendors. For children, bring sand toys and floats or a small inflatable pool. For adults, ask for coconut water, beer or caipirinha, and that’s it, the party is done.
Carioca Tip:
In Rio de Janeiro, the most suitable beaches for children are: Praia Vermelha, Barra da Tijuca (from post 6) and Grumari. Find out more about our beaches in this post here and choose the one that best suits your family.
6. BioParque do Rio
In 2020, the former zoo in Rio de Janeiro was officially transformed into BioParque do Rio. Located at Quinta da Boa Vista, in the neighborhood of São Cristóvão, the traditional zoo was transformed into an institution based on Environmental Education, Scientific Research, and Biodiversity Conservation.
The population of BioParque has 1300 animals of 350 species, many of them rare or in extinction, such as the hyacinth macaw, a harpy eagle, the alligator, the maned wolf, the golden-headed lion tamarin, the giant anteater, and the king vulture. In addition to species native to the Amazon region, the Pantanal and the Brazilian Cerrado, animals from other countries stand out, such as the rhinoceros and the American brown bear.
100% of the animals in BioParque do Rio are involved in some research or conservation project carried out in conjunction with renowned institutions and universities in the country. BioParque do Rio leaves behind that exhibition model, with cages and small spaces, and builds a new zoo concept with the best animal welfare protocols in the world. And the children from Rio de Janeiro have enjoyed it a lot!
BioParque do Rio:
Parque da Quinta da Boa Vista S/N – São Cristóvão.
Ticket sales online only, by appointment.
Bonus: Shopping Mall + Animasom
So far, our list has shown tour options for adults and children to enjoy together. If, however, the goal is to have a few hours of rest and go for a walk without children, the best option is to enter one of the many shopping centers in the city and let your children have fun for a few hours in a park dedicated to them. There are several options in town with monitors specialized in children’s entertainment. We recommend “Cidade Animasom” inside Shopping Rio Sul (Botafogo), Shopping Leblon (Leblon), Fashion Mall (São Conrado), Shopping Via Parque and Rio Design Barra (Barra da Tijuca).
With over 30 years of experience in the city, Animasom is a company that prioritizes children’s safety and fun. They have the best infrastructure and a team formed by competent monitors. It is guaranteed fun for children, and rest for you.
(P.S. Rio by Cariocas is not being commissioned to nominate this company. We only recognize the quality of the company’s services).
What did you think of these tips? Are you excited to visit Rio de Janeiro with children? We hope they help you to program a very fun vacation in the Marvelous City!
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