Now that the days are longer and milder, it’s time to enjoy outdoor activities, go to the beach, or relax at an outdoor café in Lisbon. And anyone with kids knows full well that it’s not easy to keep children entertained at home—they never sit still for a moment.
So, these tips are for those who are running out of ideas on how to keep them occupied, and they’re also for those visiting Lisbon for the first time, so the whole family can make the most of the city… stress-free.
Dolphin watching in the Tagus estuary is an unforgettable experience for the whole family, where the little ones can discover the fascinating world of these cetaceans that visit our river, accompanied by an experienced marine biologist.
During this tour, the whole family can observe these incredible animals in their natural habitat, learn interesting facts about their behavior, and understand the importance of preserving the ocean.
In addition to being a fun and exciting activity for children, it’s also an educational opportunity to instill in them a respect for marine life.
Educational farms in Lisbon are places where children can enjoy outdoor experiences without leaving the city, offering direct contact with animals, vegetable gardens, and rural traditions.
At these locations, the little ones learn, in a playful way, about agriculture, sustainability, and biodiversity, participating in activities such as feeding and brushing animals, planting seeds and harvesting fruit, or making traditional bread.
Fun, imagination, and lots of laughter are what you’ll find at the Museum of Illusions, a place where children can step into a world of fantasy and become part of the most entertaining works of art.
Each room is an invitation to play with optical illusions, take creative photos, and explore the family’s imagination in a fun and educational experience that stimulates creativity— perfect for all ages.
Brunch at Terrace at Martinhal Lisbon Oriente
Not all of the city’s brunch spots can boast such a large space for children to play while parents enjoy an Asian- and Mediterranean-inspired menu.
When they get tired (does that ever happen?!) they can try classic dishes like spaghetti Bolognese and homemade nuggets, before heading back to the Kids Corner for supervised activities.
LU.CA Theater
If you’ve never taken them to the theater, there’s a venue that’s perfect for the little ones: the Luís de Camões Municipal Theater, better known as LU.CA.
Dedicated to younger audiences, it offers a year-round program, ranging from plays, parties, debates, exhibitions, and many more activities that the little ones will love.
Since we’re talking about Portuguese Navy facilities, we have to highlight the Vasco da Gama Aquarium, one of the oldest in the world, and we’re sure the little ones will love it.
The Vasco da Gama Aquarium is becoming increasingly modern. In addition to the tanks full of fish, the history exhibits, and the museum areas, it has added an interactive zone where the little ones always have a blast drawing their own versions of marine animals.
It’s one of our favorite lists of suggestions: museums in Lisbon that kids will love.
In these museums, children of all ages have a wealth of knowledge at their disposal. So , pick the first one now and then work your way through the entire list.
Kidzania
We’ve been hearing about this theme park ever since we met. It’s located at the UBBO Shopping Resort and is very popular with families with children up to 15 years old.
KidZania is a sort of “mini-city” designed for little ones, so they can “play at being adults,” where they can learn about more than 60 professions and have fun in various everyday settings, such as shops, a theater, a police station, a fire station, a stadium, and many others.
There is no doubt that São Jorge Castle is one of the city’s most important and ancient monuments, as its origins date back to the 11th century.
And don’t even think the little ones won’t love it! After all, you’ll be taking them inside a castle. Is there a better experience to entertain kids than this? And on top of that, with a breathtaking view of Lisbon.
When we don’t know what to do with the kids on the weekend, the Pavilion of Knowledge is usually the go-to spot. Just so you know, on Children’s Day, admission is usually free for children up to 11 years old.
There are always activities to entertain the kids, which we adults end up doing too, namely to help the “little ones” overcome some of the countless challenges found at this spot in Parque das Nações.
The last time we went there, we visited the “Circo de Experiências Tcharam,” a pavilion full of fun things and lots of activities for kids, where they not only have fun but also learn.
If you want to keep the kids entertained so they’re ready to fall asleep as soon as they get home at night, then the best option is to take the little ones to a trampoline park. And a new one has recently opened in Lisbon.
It’s called JumpYard Lisboa and offers a range of new trampolines and more extreme activities, which are sure to appeal to the older kids as well.
It opened this month in Alfragide, and there you can jump, climb, play, roll, and fly. Yes, you read that right—in this park you can even take flights, in complete safety, of course.
For the little ones, there’s the Mini JumpYard and the option to rent a space for their next birthday party.
After being restored, the frigate D. Fernando II e Glória was the last ship to sail the India Route and is now a genuine museum ship that offers a glimpse into life aboard a 19th-century frigate.
This is another great idea for taking the little ones on a trip that promises to keep them entertained for quite a while.
Riding the cable car
More than 20 years after it began operating, it is still known as the Expo Cable Car .
Offers a peaceful and scenic cruise, with the Tagus River as your constant companion, between the Oceanarium and the Vasco da Gama Tower.
The Lisbon Oceanarium is one of the best places to entertain the little ones when we start running out of ideas.
We’ve already talked here about 10 reasons to choose this magical place for visits with children, but the organization behind this large marine life tank is always launching new programs to entertain the little ones.
Here you’ll have the most fun in Lisbon, in a space full of activities for the little ones and, of course, plenty of attractions for the grown-ups too.
At Indoor MiniGolf Lisboa, you can have a blast on the 18-hole course, play foosball, air hockey, pool, or even plan your next birthday party.
Next to Campo dos Mártires da Pátria Square is Jardim do Torel, one of our favorites in Lisbon.
There’s plenty of space for those with energy to burn— the little ones, of course! So much so that, next to the water tank that delights summer visitors, a playground has been set up with plenty of challenges to entertain all the kids— and not just them, thanks to the ping-pong table nearby.
In addition to the entire area, there’s also a viewpoint with a beautiful view of the city. And since kids can get hungry at any moment, there’s a kiosk right next door ( it’s not always open), in case you need to buy some water, juice, or a snack.
For the little ones, stepping into the Estufa Fria feels like exploring a real forest.
The last time we were there, we saw a family with paper and pencils in hand, with both children and adults trying to draw the plants right in front of them. It’s a great idea, isn’t it?
By the way, do you know the difference between the different types of greenhouses: cold, warm, and sweet?
Marinha Planetarium
We still remember, when we were kids, that the planetarium in Lisbon was one of our favorite places. We were completely mesmerized by space and the stars.
Well, it’s time to do the same for your little ones! Take them to the Marinha Planetarium, located right next to the Marinha Museum, which also offers many other cultural attractions.
Inside, you’ll find a large projector that recreates more than 9,000 stars, the Milky Way, the constellations, and many interplanetary stories.
No matter who comes along, the movie theater is one of the favorite places to entertain kids! And parents are grateful, since they just have to stay there, close to them, until the movie ends.
Of course, we know there are parents who take the opportunity to relax, and then there are those who get excited alongside the little ones, no matter which animated movie they choose to watch.
If you don’t know what movie to watch, we suggest one of the theaters at Cinema City. They always have the best animated films and, of course, the most delicious popcorn in Lisbon.
Sailing on the Tagus, on Hippotrip
Hippo Hippo Hooray! Get the kids ready for this battle cry because there’s no shortage of excitement at HIPPOtrip parties.
It’ll be 60 minutes on land and almost 30 minutes out on the Tagus, aboard a cool amphibious vehicle that all the kids will love.
The Lisbon Zoo has always been one of the favorite places to entertain children. And, of course, parents will also appreciate the visit to one of the city’s most iconic spots, home to thousands of animals.
Address: Praça Marechal Humberto Delgado (Sete Rios)
Hours: daily , from March 21 to September 20, between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m.; from September 21 to March 20, between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.;
Tickets: starting at €16.15, on the website
Dino Parque Lourinhã is one of those special, magical places that the little ones will never forget.
Comprising five different trails that allow visitors to observe more than 180 life-size models of dinosaur species, this theme park is one of the best ways to entertain children while they learn what life on Earth was like 65 million years ago.
But if you’re looking for something different, the Candlelight Lisboa concerts are great for a unique family outing.
These candlelight concerts are proof that children aren’t too young to appreciate good music. At key locations in the capital, such as the Monastery of São Vicente de Fora, the Altis Grand Hotel, and the Church of Santa Catarina, there’s certainly a Candlelight concert perfect for the whole family.
