The best things to do with kids in Mexico City

With its lively buzz, fabulous food, vivid history and colorful festivals, Mexico City (CDMX) is a thrilling destination for visitors of all ages – and that very much includes kids. 

The phrase “it takes a village to raise a child” could have originated in family-oriented Mexico, and grandparents, aunts and uncles tend to be part of children’s everyday lives. On weekends, extended families enjoy brunch together and hanging out at parks in neighborhoods all over town.

The mild fall months are an excellent time for a Mexico City family vacation. The city’s legendary Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) parade takes place at the start of November; with its costumes, floats and skull-shaped candies, it’s a fun and culturally fascinating activity for the whole family to enjoy.

And that’s only the beginning. From canal jaunts to pyramid climbs to street-food tastings, here are the best things to do in Mexico City with kids.

Is Mexico City good for kids?

Kids are generally welcomed in adult spaces in Mexico City. And since local children are well versed in how to behave around the dining table, meals out as a family are the norm. Adventurous children can enjoy all sorts of Mexican treats, from tacos and quesadillas to the ever-popular churros (Mexican-style fried dough).

Some restaurants have children’s menus or kid-friendly areas; elsewhere, families dive in together, sharing the same food. Visiting local markets with children can also be a cultural adventure. The fresh produce, seasonal fruits and Mexican candies at vendors’ stalls are both widely available and affordable.

Families are welcomed almost everywhere; nonetheless, use your common sense and look to locals for cues on etiquette and polite behavior. Be aware that this is a sprawling yet densely packed city: locals often kit out small children with a harness and leash, and certain areas of the city can be challenging for families not used to big crowds. With younger kids, consider a backpack carrier over a stroller.

Mexico City has tons of cultural entertainment for families, with many museums offering free access to school-aged kids with a valid student ID. Turibus is a great way to explore central and tourist-oriented neighborhoods with the family, with hop-on, hop-off buses following themed routes around the city. Check the website for information on the different circuits, and what the daily pass includes.

Where should you stay in Mexico City with kids?

Mexico City has no shortage of things to do, most of which you can also do with little ones. Parks are dotted all around the city, and most neighborhoods have a public playground where kids and families can enjoy fresh air. Parque España in Condesa has a big playground that gets busy on weekends and early in the afternoon.

With kids in tow, staying somewhere central is a good idea. Areas such as Roma, Condesa and Polanco have ample restaurants, museums and parks, and are easily walkable. Most of the sidewalks in these neighborhoods are stroller-friendly, so moving around on foot should be pretty easy.

“Each neighborhood has a different vibe and energy for the kids,” explains Fernanda Castro, mom of a toddler and guide for the food tour company Club Tengo Hambre. “Stay in areas with child-friendly parks, like Polanco, Roma and Condesa. Centro Histórico can be a bit more challenging because of the crowds, but it’s still worth a visit.”

Things to do in Mexico City with younger kids

With younger kids, don’t be too ambitious. Mix up trips to the sights with chill-out time in parks, regular drink and snack stops. And don’t forget to limit your sun time during the hot spring and early summer season.

Take in the pleasures of Bosque de Chapultepec

A huge area of urban forest and parkland in the heart of the city, Bosque de Chapultepec is a great place to explore with kids. Little ones and parents will love its shady walkways; public zoo and botanical garden; lake with boats available to rent; children’s fair; and more. The artifact-stuffed Museo Nacional de Antropología is just west, with dazzling displays of Mayan, Olmec, Aztec and Teotihuacán art and artifacts. Many of the works on display depict mythical figures and animals at a huge scale and in three dimensions, making the collection especially engaging for younger museumgoers.

See contemporary art at Museo Tamayo

The contemporary art museum Museo Tamayo is small enough for toddlers and younger kids to navigate successfully, and its large galleries and exhibitions of large sculptures and abstract art won’t strain attention spans too heavily. There’s a rustic-chic restaurant overlooking the surrounding park that makes an ideal breakfast stop.

Explore the Teotihuacán pyramids

CDMX’s most popular day trip, a visit to the Teotihuacán pyramids will take a whole morning (or even much of a day) – and everyone will likely return tired but exhilarated after walking around this spectacular archeological site. While there are wonderful views after climbing the many steep steps to the top of the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon, it can get hot and there isn’t much shade. Pack sunscreen for everyone, make sure kids take care on the uneven steps, and bring plenty of drinking water for everyone.

Take a family cooking course to learn more about Mexican cuisine

Heading to a market to shop for fresh ingredients then heading to the kitchen to learn how to cook a Mexican meal is an excellent sensory activity for the entire family. Children will not only love the hands-on culinary participation: they’ll learn cultural awareness, too. Adults, meanwhile, might return home with a tasty new favorite recipe already vetted by their kids. Book a private class with Casa Jacaranda and explore a bit of the Juárez neighborhood and its local market.

Have a float on Xochimilco’s canals

Pretty canals filled with festively colored boats make a visiting to Xochimilco a can’t-miss with kids. It’s also a good opportunity to learn about the chinampas (floating gardens) – Mexico City's ancient agricultural system. Xochimilco is also simply fun, with hundreds of colorful trajineras (gondolas) plying the waters carrying groups of families, who enjoy takeaway tacos and serenades from floating mariachi bands.

Get interactive at the Papalote Children’s Museum

The kid-centered Papalote Museo del Niño is located in the western part of Bosque de Chapultepec. The museum offers experiences carefully crafted for toddlers and kids, with interactive exhibits that will teach them about the natural world and living organisms; city and family life; science and physical phenomena; and more. Papalote also has a huge IMAX theater that shows educational films for children of all ages.

Things to do in Mexico City with tweenagers and teenagers

With older kids in your party, you can be a bit more adventurous, particularly when it comes to food.

Join the Sunday cyclists on Paseo de la Reforma

Another popular family activity is exploring Paseo de la Reforma on Sundays. The road is closed to traffic from 8am to 2pm, and locals gather to promenade and ride bikes. The Ecobici bike-share scheme may be useful for older teens; for pre-teens, try bike-rental companies such as Poráy Bike, which has a branch on the avenue. 

Taste the best tacos in the city on a walk around Centro Histórico

Teens and tweenagers with adventurous palates will undoubtedly enjoy walking around Centro Histórico in search of some of the best tacos in the city. Club Tengo Hambre offers private 3.5-hour-long walking tours that focus on Mexico City’s best street food specialties, also providing some cultural context for the city’s rich culinary culture.

Explore Coyoacán by bike and visit the Frida Kahlo house

Quiet Coyoacán is the perfect neighborhood to explore by bike as a family, while learning more about the history and architecture of this interesting quarter, once its own village. Be sure to visit the famous Frida Kahlo house, where the legendary painter lived and worked, and pick up some Kahlo-inspired souvenirs. (And be sure to book your tickets to this wildly popular attraction many weeks in advance.)

Many tour companies can arrange cycle tours of Coyoacán; the best option is to book a private tour so you can ride at the pace of your teens.

Experience the thrills of Mexican wrestling

Mexican wrestling, or lucha libre, is a famously theatrical sport – and watching the action is a family affair in Mexico City. Watching a wrestling bout is lively family fun, an outside-the-box opportunity for intergenerational bonding – and a spectacle that’s sure to amuse even the surliest teenager.

Arena Mexico is the largest wrestling arena in the city, easily accessible from neighborhoods such as Roma, Juárez and Condesa. There are popular evening shows every Tuesday and Saturday night, but the Sunday afternoon shows are the most family-friendly option, with the action kicking off around 5pm. You can buy tickets online or at the on-site ticket booth; bring cash for souvenirs and snacks.

More planning tips for your Mexico City family trip

• “Take into account that Mexico City’s weather can change at any moment,” says Fernanda Castro. “Be prepared with a small umbrella and a light jacket for the children.” Other essentials to pack include protection for high-altitude sun, a compact stroller or baby carrier, refillable water bottles, and small toys or activities for longer journeys.

• If you visit in the hot spring and early summer, picking a hotel with a swimming pool is always a plus. Children of all ages will appreciate time in the water, while adults can enjoy some downtime after exploring the city streets. The Sofitel Mexico City pool is indoors and on the 38th floor, with big windows that offer a spectacular view of the city.

• CDMX lies more than 7000ft above sea level, and this altitude and the closer proximity to the sun may affect younger children. Pace yourself accordingly (especially on the first day), and hydrate more than you’d normally need to.