fun things to do with kids in pompeii  italy   Travel for Kids
Italy
  | Campania
     
   

Buried Cities

When Vesuvius popped its top in August, 79 AD, it spewed hot ashes, pumice and boiling mud in all directions, burying the city of Pompeii, resort towns of Herculaneum and Oplontis, and several others. For more than a thousand years, the buried cities were forgotten, until the 18th century, when Herculaneum was discovered, then Pompeii.
When you visit these ruins of ancient Roman buried cities with kids, don't forget that everything you see has been dug up, and most of Herculaneum is still buried under 20 meters of volcanic debris. Looking at a wall painting that survived this destruction, it is incredible.
Pompeii, Herculaneum and Oplontis are all accessible by the Circumvesuviana train from Naples. Buy a three day ticket to see all three ruins.
    Pompeii
    Herculaneum
    Oplontis - Villa Poppea
    Hike to the top of Vesuvius – From the Ercolano train station, take the Vesuvio Express bus, winding up the slopes of Mt. Vesuvius. From the end of the road, it's a 15 min. hike to the top. And what a panorama! Click here for info and schedule.
family hotels sorrento italy

Sorrento is our favorite place to stay while exploring ancient ruins of Pompeii, Herculaneum and Oplontis.

Here's our own Travel for Kids hand-picked list of family hotels and apartment rentals in Sorrento, different styles and price ranges, all centrally located and convenient to the Circumvesuviana train:

Sorrento family hotels
Sorrento family apartment rentals
family tours naples pompeii italy
 

Take a private family tour with a knowledgeable guide, to explore the ruins of Pompeii, then visit the National Archaeological Museum in Naples to see treasures – frescoes, mosaics and statues – from Pompeii.

Full Day Pompeii Tour for Kids
kids books pompeii ancient rome buried cities
     
what was pompeii
 
What Was Pompeii?
Jim O'Connor, John Hinderliter

Illustrated history of Pompeii from the eruption to buried city, rediscovered and excavated centuries later. Also, read about daily life in Pompeii – shopping, fashion, housing, theater, and gladiator games. (Illustrated chapter book)

 

     
Pompeii
Peter Connolly

Get the scoop on daily life in ancient Pompeii, and when you visit the ruins, kids can imagine furnished houses, dinner guests reclining on couches, busy shoppers in the streets, people relaxing in heated baths, masked plays in the theaters, games in the arena. Excellent reconstruction drawings. Good for older kids. (Chapter book, illustrations)

 

 
Pompeii history kids books
     
bodies from the ash  

Bodies From the Ash
James M. Deem

Discovery of victims of Mt. Vesuvius, and how the bodies are preserved in plaster. The plaster casts are on display in the Pompeii ruins. (Illustrated chapter book)

 

     
Life as a Gladiator
Michael Burgan

Choose your path as a novice gladiator in Pompeii. Are you willing to give up your freedom and become a slave to train as a gladiator? Will you fight with a net and trident or sword? If you win, you'll live to fight another day. (Illustrated chapter book)

 

 
life as a gladiator
     
kids books Ancient Rome history  
Ancient Rome (Eyewitness Books)
Simon James

Essential guide to ancient Rome – history, the emperors (complete timeline), legionaries, senators and slaves, family life, gladiators and the arena, food and dinner parties, music and theater, gods and religion. Fabulous artifacts, detailed photographs. (Picture book)

 

     
Ancient Rome and Pompeii
Mary Pope Osborne and Natalie Pope Boyce

Find out about daily life in ancient Rome and Pompeii - Roman water, roads, houses, meals, baths, religion, schools, entertainment. Packed with illustrations and photos, perfect to bring on your trip. (Easy reader)

 

 
travel for kids | italy | campania | buried cities
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