Photo: Asineria Didattica Asini di Reggio Emilia
Photo: Asineria Didattica Asini di Reggio Emilia

A child-friendly city

With its interactive exhibitions, workshops and activities designed for young children, Reggio Emilia is a city that welcomes families, offering fun and educational experiences for everyone.

Reggio Emilia and Its Museums

Musei Civici network comprises several museum venues spread across the historic centre and the immediate outskirts.
Admission is free to all of them.
For opening times, we recommend visiting the dedicated page on the Museums’ website.

At the Palazzo dei Musei, near the Teatro Municipale Valli, you can admire Lazzaro Spallanzani’s natural history collections, Baron Raimondo Franchetti’s collection of African fauna, and the anatomy and ethnography sections.
Don’t miss the portico of Roman marbles with the Regium@Lepidi-Project 2200 augmented reality viewer and the famous Reggio Capodoglio, the symbol of the Civic Museums.

The Tricolour Flag Museum, created to tell the story of the Italian flag and founded in Reggio Emilia on 7 January 1797, is a must-see.
Children can prepare for their visit with the Fumetto Tricolore, an illustrated story about the history of the flag and the artefacts on display.

On the Via Emilia, next to the Chiostri di San Pietro, the Arma di Cavalleria Museum displays uniforms, banners and headgear spanning the history of the Lancers right up to the motorised units.
The museum is open on Sundays and public holidays from 09:30 to 12:00 and from 15:00 to 19:00, with a voluntary contribution of €1.00.

In Corte Tegge, Otello Sarzi’s Puppet House (Casa dei Burattini di Otello Sarzi)offers puppets, marionettes and theatrical productions inspired by fairy tales, the result of his boundless imagination. Visits are available by appointment: +39 0522 942738 / +39 393 8338522 /
segreteria@fondazionefamigliasarzi.it

Parks and Leisure

One of the most popular spots among the people of Reggio is the Crostolo Park, better known as the Parco delle Caprette, famous for its Tibetan goats that roam freely through the park.
The park is particularly popular with children thanks to the animals and the numerous play areas.
During spring and summer, it hosts events such as the renowned Picnic!Festival, dedicated to illustration and comics.

Not far away, in the stunning setting of the Rodano Park, lies the Asineria di Reggio Emilia educational donkey sanctuary, where you can meet the donkeys, go for walks and enjoy a relaxing moment in the shade of the copse.
To keep up to date with events and activities, please visit the Asini di Reggio Emilia website.

Oasi WWF Marmirolo

On the outskirts, in the hamlet of Marmirolo, the Oasi WWF covers around 10 hectares and is an important refuge for numerous species of birds. Open at weekends and on public holidays from March to June and from September to November (Saturdays 2:00–7:00 p.m., Sundays 9:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.), it offers a circular walk around the two ponds, with stops at the three birdwatching huts and the Visitor Centre to learn about the history of the reserve.
Telescopes and binoculars are available for visitors and school groups, while games and nature workshops bring the park behind the visitor centre to life.

Activities in the province

There are experiences for every taste in the province:

  • l’Ecoparco di Vezzano sul Crostolo,
  • Cerwood in Cervarezza (the largest adventure park in Italy)
  • the attractions of the Apennines, including Pietra di Bismantova, the Tuscan-Emilian Apennine National Park, and the Cerreto Laghi area
  • the Castelli Matildici
  • the Febbio chairlift

For information on events and services in the mountains, please visit IAT Tourist Information Office (IAT) website.

Find out more about:
Ecoparco di Vezzano sul Crostolo
Cerwood
Parco Nazionale Appennino Tosco-Emiliano
Castelli Matildici
Seggiovia di Febbio

Food and wine activities

Getting to know Reggio Emilia also means discovering its iconic product: Parmigiano Reggiano, the king of cheeses.
Visiting a cheese dairy or a farm stay is an unforgettable experience for young and old alike.
Bear in mind, however, that the cheesemakers start work early in the morning, so you’ll need to get up early to make sure you don’t miss a single stage of the production process.
It is also advisable to book in advance.

A great alternative to dairies are educational farms and the annual Fattorie Aperte event, which offer the chance to discover local specialities and traditional crafts.
The festivals and events held in the city and across the province are also an excellent opportunity to experience Reggio Emilia’s food and wine culture.

Events for everyone

Among the many activities on offer, the centre that has focused all its work specifically on children and their potential deserves a place of honour: we are, of course, referring to the Loris Malaguzzi International Centre and the teaching method known worldwide as the Reggio Emilia Approach®.
One Sunday a month, from September to May, the Centre is open to children and families, teachers, educators, students and anyone with a keen interest, offering a kaleidoscope of possibilities including guided tours, workshops, explorations, storytelling, play and fun.

For events dedicated to children and young people, we recommend:

Practical services for families

  • Breastfeeding and nappy-changing facilities: available at pharmacies in the historic centre (Farmacia Centrale, Farmacia Gabella, Farmacia Porta Castello, Farmacia del Parco) Openinh hours

  • Public toilets, accessible to all, Via della Croce Bianca, historic centre