Tuscany’s glorious countryside and history-rich cities brimming with magnificent sights make for a region-sized kid’s playground. From outdoor activities and Italian-themed cooking lessons to catching glimpses of dinosaurs in prehistoric parks and visiting quirky architecture, Tuscany’s year-round mild and sunny climate makes it all very kid-friendly and enjoyable.

Sean Caulfield has been renting out villas in Tuscany since 1998 through his company To Tuscany and has been living there with his family for 12 years. With two eight-year-old twin girls and a five-year-old son to entertain, he lists some of his favourite child-friendly activities in Tuscany and shows why a Tuscan holiday could be the perfect way to pry the kids away from their computers, into the outdoors and learning about food, art, nature and history. Something that may just stick when you get back home...

Foodylicious fun

Cheese-making in Pienza
The countryside area around Pienza is famous for its Pecorino cheese. Its vast open landscapes are perfect for the grazing sheep and mean the area offers some of the best Pecorino you’ll find in Tuscany. It is possible to visit the cheese-making process at the Cugusi Dairy and taste the different varieties. On my visit here, I stocked up on some of Italy’s finest cheese, while the children learnt how sheep’s cheese is made and met the animals – they loved it! www.caseificiocugusi.it

Ice cream-making in Castellina
The best ice cream I have tasted is at the Antica Delizia Ice Cream Parlour in Castellina in Chianti. Simone is the ice cream chef there and we have been loyal customers since he opened in 1997. I asked him one day if he could show my children how he makes the ice cream - the kids had a great time and my youngest wants to be an ice cream taster when he grows up! Simone welcomes children to explore with him the mysteries of ice cream making in his store in Castellina. Bookings are required. www.anticadelizia.it

Cooking classes in Chianti
We have known Simmonetta since we arrived in Tuscany and I think her Tosca Mia cooking school is the best place in the Chianti for a family cooking course. There are low tables for the children to prepare food so they can learn how to make pasta and it is great watching the kids eat their own food at the end of the day – smiles all round! www.welcometuscany.com

Outdoor fun and frolics

Thermal pools in Saturnia
We visited the Spa and Golf resort in Saturnia where my children swam in the hot thermal pools while my wife I and enjoyed a massage, hot baths, rub downs and mud packs in the Spa. If you can get hold of a babysitter for a couple of hours, this is a great way to entertain the children while taking some time off. As an alternative, the nearby hot springs and waterfall are free to enjoy as a whole family and there is a small beach where you can have a pic-nic. The waters and mineral-filled mud of Saturnia are said to have healing properties, so people scoop and smear the mud all over their body. The hot springs get busy in the peak summer months, but they make a nice alternative to regular outdoor pools or water-parks. Spa: www.termedisaturnia.it/en/, Hot springs: www.to-tuscany.com 

Walking in Tuscany and Umbria
'Walking and Eating in Tuscany and Umbria’ is a great walking guide, with walks varying in lengths that are suitable for most family groups – that is if you take enough time, food and water of course. Our children love to explore the forest and while the girls are looking for signs of wildlife and collecting precious stones, my son Leonardo heads the party with a large stick fighting off imaginary monsters. The guide always mentions restaurants along the way and it was in these restaurants that my kids became experts in twirling pasta on their forks. www.walkingandeating.com

Playgrounds in Tuscany
In almost every town and village in Tuscany there is a children’s play area right in the middle with climbing frames swings and slides. They are normally shaded areas and most are equipped with all-important drinking fountains.  I’ve found countless times they are a great place to use up that access energy, for the kids of course...

Super duper sights

The Leaning Tower of Pisa
My children stood in amazement as they imagined the tower to come crashing down any moment. We took some great pictures here with the girls posing for the must do photo holding up the tower and Leonardo doing the exact opposite of pushing the tower down! The lean is becoming more pronounced and therefore climbing up the tower was stopped for a while but now the tower has been reopened. www.torredipisa.com

Pinocchio Park in Collodi
My children went here with their schools and they loved the trip. Pinocchio Park is made up of a beautiful garden containing bronze statues depicting the famous story of Pinocchio and an amusement park filled with games and rides from the ‘40s. At certain times in the summer children can take part in puppet-making workshops and watch puppet shows as well. Although these are all in Italian, it makes for a great opportunity for the little ones to pick up some words of Italian and mix with local children. www.pinocchio.it

Prehistoric Park in Peccioli
The Prehistoric Park was another successful school trip after which the children came back with smiles on their faces. Its owners found fossils on their land so they created this park with lifelike models of over 18 different dinosaurs, a volcano and cavemen. One of their dinosaurs is the largest reconstructed in Europe, which I would imagine will get some imaginations running wild! There is also a picnic area with play area and a small café. www.parcopreistorico.it

Art attack!

The Leonardo di Vinci museum in Vinci
The children loved this - a glimpse into the amazing discoveries and art works by Leonardo di Vinci. The museum houses one of the largest collections of his machines and models, which include anything from guns and war machines to clocks and bicycles. A great one for any budding engineers or scientists! www.museoleonardiano.it

Ceramics painting in Radda
In an art studio in Radda, Chianti lives a kind and gentle ceramics artist, called Lies. Originally from the Netherlands, she speaks Dutch, English, German and Italian and has some beautiful creative designs and irresistible ceramics on display.  It was there in her studio that my three children donned some painting aprons and learned about art, ceramics and colours. At the end of it all, they had their own ceramics to take home. Lies also teaches drawing, painting and clay modeling classes to all levels and ages. She doesn’t have a website, but you can get in touch via email or phone - radianza_radda@tele2.it, Studio: (+39)577 739006, Mobile: (+39)335 1741573