Navigating a historical site with a young child can be an adventure in itself, but when you add the vibrant energy of a six-year-old with ADHD, “sightseeing” takes on a whole new meaning. My family recently visited Pompeii, and what could have been an overwhelming experience became one of our most memorable family trips, all thanks to a little creative planning.
I’ve been to Pompeii twice before—once alone, then again with my mum—and this time was completely different. We chose a specific entrance at the amphitheater, near where we knew we would park, which saved a lot of hassle and tired feet. Right away, we found a fascinating temporary exhibit on women in ancient Rome. It was a highlight for me, covering the lives of wealthy upper-class women and showcasing their beautiful jewellery, intricate makeup tools, and various household items. It was a perfect way to start our day, seeing a more intimate side of the city’s history before we even entered the main ruins.
Unlike my past, pre-kid trips where I’d attempt to see every last detail, this time the mission was to make the experience fun and engaging for everyone. My husband and I knew we couldn’t see everything, and we were okay with that. The goal was quality over quantity, and our first secret weapon was a bespoke scavenger hunt. I created a laminated list of specific sights to find—including the famous mosaic of the dog, a personal highlight—and my daughter wore it around her neck with a dry-erase marker. This turned a passive walk into an interactive quest and kept her attention from start to finish.
Our second secret weapon was technology. We downloaded the official Pompeii app, which turned out to be a game-changer. The app features an audio guide tailored for both adults and children, which meant my husband and I could get the rich historical context while our daughter listened to captivating, child-friendly explanations.
You can download Pompeii apps from app stores; the official app, MyPompeii, is available on the Google Play and the Apple App Store.
We ventured out into the vast, sun-drenched city. The heat was intense, and the mission was to find and “tick off” the items on my daughter’s list. She was fascinated by the plaster casts of the victims, though it was a bittersweet moment. She understood the apparent cause and was sad for them.
Another highlight for her was the thermopolium, the ancient equivalent of an open-air bar. We found a few of these, and she spent time “serving” sand and dirt from the clay pots sunk into the bar, her imagination bringing the ancient ruins to life.
Pompeii’s open spaces offer little shade, so we planned our route with frequent breaks in the few shaded patches we could find, sitting on a low wall or under a small awning to eat and rehydrate from the backpack full of snacks and a packed lunch. These moments of rest were just as important as the moments of discovery.
In the lead-up to our trip, this video was on a loop in our house. It’s very catchy, and it helped my daughter understand what happened to the city. We have burst into song once or twice as we walked around the site…
Ultimately, our journey culminated with a visit to the official on-site museum. It was a perfect, air-conditioned buffer after the heat and a great way to wind down. My daughter, armed with her treasure hunt list, took on the role of photographer, snapping countless photos of the artifacts. We didn’t see every villa or temple, and that’s perfectly fine. We experienced Pompeii in a way that was meaningful for our family. We left with tired feet, full bellies, and the shared joy of a historical site explored on our own terms. My daughter will remember the thrill of her treasure hunt, and we’ll all remember the laughter and the incredible stories that made those ancient stones come alive. It was a perfect blend of history, family, and a little bit of creative problem-solving. For more from our trip, be sure to check out my other post on our visit to Herculaneum!
Have you been to Pompeii? Or would you like to? What was your favourite part? I think we will definitely return and see the parts we missed this time, maybe in a year or ten!
