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Children tired of art and architecture can release their energy at well-equipped playgrounds with slides, swings and frames at Parco Savorgnan near Ponte delle Guglie in Cannaregio and the fenced-in waterfront park at Giardini in Castello (see Via Garibaldi and Giardini). The vast shady green expanse of Sant’Elena even boasts a modest skating rink and an artificial climbing wall. Otherwise make friends with the city kids as they kick footballs or cycle around Campo San Polo (see Campo San Polo) of an afternoon.

Restful for adults, exciting for youngsters, the varied boat lines are an ideal way for families to appreciate the joys of the city. Get older children to plan trips on the route maps but avoid the outside seating on the vaporetto with toddlers. For an extended trip, take the majestic double-decker motonave over to Lido and Punta Sabbioni (see Island Boat Fares).

Children are thrilled by the spooky labyrinth of narrow passageways through the palace’s erstwhile prisons, and it’s fun deciphering the graffiti scratched on the walls by inmates over the centuries. In the armoury, hunt out the unusual child-sized suit from the 16th century, along with the protection for horses (see Doge’s Palace).

Easily the best city museum for children, this three-floor haven of shipbuilding includes Chinese junks and exhibits from World War II, such as the famed torpedoes guided by Italian Navy divers, responsible for sinking British warships (see Museo Storico Navale).

The star of the marvellous natural history museum is a 3.6-m (12-ft) tall and 7-m (23-ft) long skeleton of the dinosaur Ouranosauris nigeriensis , discovered in the Sahara Desert by the explorer Giancarlo Ligabue. Don’t miss the new acquarium.

Magic moments are guaranteed as children are transfixed by skilful craftsmen blowing blobs of molten glass into fine vases, or moulding coloured rods into myriad animal shapes. Small workshops are dotted all over Venice, while Murano has more large-scale furnaces – demonstrations are free, on the condition you stroll through the showroom afterwards (see Murano).

A new and welcome introduction to Venice for families, for its indoor children’s playground. This centrally located Italian-run hybrid hamburger, pizza and salad outlet has very reasonable prices and plentiful seating.

Scattering feed to the birds in Piazza San Marco (see Piazza San Marco) while Mum and Dad immortalize you on video is a must for young visitors. Bags of corn are hawked by sellers, but the birds eat anything.

Just off the main Cannaregio canal is this delightful bookshop dedicated to youngsters. One stand is packed with illustrated children’s books in English, audio cassettes and games. Kids love crawling into the cubby hole to enjoy their purchases.

Youngsters are greeted by Mickey Mouse on a bridge, while Donald Duck fishes an old boot out of a canal. Usual Disney fare is on sale.