With
the holidays approaching, perhaps you’re wondering what to do with your little
ones? I asked the people who know best: the Firenze Mums4Mums (www.firenzemoms4moms.net) network.
Here are their top 10 activities for kids in Florence at Christmas.
SEE SANTA.
Perhaps
put off by the ZTL (limited traffic zone) and lack of parking in the centre of
Florence, Father Christmas has ditched his sleigh and reindeer this year and is
arriving by boat! See him along the Arno only on December 22 and 24. (See www.comune.fi.it for details.) Otherwise, most days he can be found at the out-of-town shopping
centre, I Gigli (www.igigli.it).
HO, HO, HO.
If
you can’t make it to see Santa in Florence, go online. Make a personalised
message for your kids from Saint Nick himself! It is the best online gizmo I’ve
yet to come across during the holidays, and it’s free: www.portablenorthpole.com.
Or you can bring your kids to the Four Seasons Hotel (Borgo Pinti 99) on
Sunday, December 16, at 11:30am, where they will meet with volunteers from the
Angeli del Bello Foundation and write letters to Santa. The kids’ letters to
Santa will be sent by airmail: they will take flight with colored balloons
right from the park of the Four Seasons!
DASHING THROUGH THE TOWN.
It’s
as close as you’ll get to riding Santa’s sleigh: go on a horse and carriage
ride through Florence. The kids love it. And, you, the parents, can finally be
the ones to honk at people to get out of the way! Rides cost 50 euro for 30
minutes. See www.toscanaincarrozza.com for
details.
SOAK UP THE CITY AND FILL UP THOSE STOCKINGS.
Wander
around the centre and see the big tree on piazza Duomo and magical street
illuminations. Enjoy a hot chocolate in any of the historic bars, which is
always a true winter delight. Don’t forget the Christmas market in piazza Santa
Croce or the Fierucola market in piazza Santo Spirito for organic foods and
handmade items to fill up those stockings.
DECORATE THE TREE.
Looking
for candy canes, chocolate coins or lollipops the size of your children’s
heads? Frou Frou, on via dei Neri 60r, has them all, and lots of toys, too.
That or get your kids to make them: Although science and Christmas trees may
not seem a likely pair, the Fondazione Scienza e Tecnica (via Giusti 29) is
organising a children’s workshop in which kids make stellar tree decorations
from recycled materials and objects. Sounds fun! See www.fstfirenze.it for more.
A TIME FOR GIVING.
The
American International League of Florence and The Angels are organising a toy
collection for orphaned children ages 5 to18. Buy a toy and drop it off at the
Paperback Exchange (via delle Orche 4r) by December 15 (but they will accept
toys after this date). Details at www.angeliperungiorno.it
GET CREATIVE.
Stuck
inside? Stuck for ideas? See this website for everything on DIY fun. Christmas
play dough, hand print Christmas trees, handmade Christmas cards: it’s got it
all. It’s ace! Click www.theimaginationtree.com
GO TO THE THEATRE.
Florence
has something for every little theatre-goer: The Jungle Book, The Little Prince, Cinderella and The Wizard of Oz are just some of the
kid-friendly shows programmed this Christmas. Check these websites for
performances: www.teatrocestello.it, www.teatropuccini.it,
www.teatroverdionline.it,
www.obihall.it,
and www.firenzedeiteatri.it
LET’S PLAY.
Schools
and nurseries may be closed, but the ludoteche are not. These fantastic play centres have good supplies of books and toys,
giving parents a well earned break, especially at this time of year! Find one
near you: www.fiorentinisicresce.it
GRAB A PEW.
Let’s
not forget the real reason for Christmas. Whatever your denomination (or even
if you belong to none) there are services across the city. It’s a great chance
to belt out those classic Christmas carols. On December 16, at 6:30pm, the
Methodist Church (via de’ Benci; www.firenzeevangelica.org) is
holding a carol service. See also these websites for the other Anglo churches
in Florence: www.stmarksitaly.com and www.stjames.it
