Rio de Janeiro for Kids

When planning your trip to Rio de Janeiro, don't be afraid to bring your kids along. The city may be best known for its festivals and beaches, but there are also plenty of great things in Rio de Janeiro for kids, and these attractions are a good starting place as you plan your vacation.

Kid Friendly Locals

On the whole, Rio's locals are remarkably kid friendly. They love to interact with visiting children, and will go out of their way to make kids feel welcome. As a result, almost every place is accessible to children. Busy streets, especially along the waterfront, are home to a variety of street performers, who entertain kids with juggling, magic, and fire-eating skills.

You can also rent small, kid-powered cars for your young ones to enjoy while you take in the sights, which will keep them occupied and help them make lasting memories of the trip.

Beaches

Rio de Janeiro's beaches are some of the best in the world, and kids will love playing in the sand and eating sweet snacks. For kids, Rio beach forays can feel just like home, which can put them at ease and offer a little familiarity on a trip that can feel daunting for unseasoned young travelers. The beach at Leblon offers the Baixo Baby, which is an area for younger kids to play with toys and games. As a parent, you'll love that it's free, and it offers a diversion aimed directly at toddlers.

Any of the beaches an Ipenema and Barra are also great places in Rio de Janeiro for kids, but do keep in mind that these beaches tend to get quite crowded, especially on sunny weekend days. If you do take your kids to a crowded beach, be sure to keep close tabs on them to avoid losing them in the mix of other beach goers.

Pedra Bonita

Pedra Bonita can also be a great stop in Rio de Janeiro for kids. This is the launching point for many of the cities tandem flyers (hang gliding), and children love to watch them take off and fly across a wonderful view of the coast.

The City Zoo

For older kids in Rio de Janeiro, we recommend a trip to the City Zoo, which features over 2,000 species of animals. The zoo has strived to feature animals that are predominantly native to Brazil, making an excursion here an educational experience unique to the country. The aviary and reptile habitats are particularly interesting, thanks to Brazil's incredible wildlife.

Museums

There are also a number of museums in Rio de Janeiro for kids. Perhaps the most popular of these is the Indian Museum in Botafogo. Kids can use washable paint and stamps to decorate themselves like native warriors, and then reenact ancient life in mock villages. The National Museum is another great museum destination, and it is home to mummies, historical artifacts collected from Brazil's ancient civilizations, and a five ton meteor. Finally, the Museu da Marinha offers an excellent (and free) opportunity for kids to visit battleship and submarine.

While Rio is traditionally thought of as an adult's city, there are plenty of things for kids to do here as well. With a little planning, you'll have no problem arranging your trip to Rio de Janeiro for kids as well as for the adults in your party. With these attractions, you're off to a good start.

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