In Italy, children are welcomed almost everywhere, from public events to outdoor cafes; the norm is to involve kids in most aspects of daily life. (kostman | 123rf.com)
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Our 2026-2027 “Welcome to Naples” magazine is a guide for newcomers ready to venture off base and is a vital resource for understanding your new home in the Naples area.
It may seem challenging for some families to adjust to living in Naples. The urban environment can feel like just as much of a new experience as being immersed in Italian culture. Luckily, the Naples area has a lot to offer for families and can be a super kid-friendly place. Children are welcomed almost everywhere, from public events to long, late-night dinners at restaurants; the norm is to involve kids in most aspects of daily life. That is why you will find small playgrounds near outdoor cafes, in shopping centers and even at the racetrack. Of course, there are also some great places that are especially designed for families, here are the top spots for kids in Naples:
For a great day out, these two attractions offer a reasonable cost-to-fun ratio, even for large families.
Naples Zoo: This green space west of the city is full of animals in a botanical garden setting. It is compact, allowing your kids to see the 139 different species without getting too exhausted. The zoo has been voted as the Stripes Europe “Best for Kids” attraction in Naples. Bring a picnic, feed the giraffes and enjoy petting the farm animals.
Liberty City Fun: Roughly 30 min from the Support Site, this place has a lot going on. A local favorite, there are outdoor spaces and air-conditioned indoor areas full of small rides and arcade games. With reasonable rates, you can load up a card with credits and let the kids choose how to spend it. Great for birthday parties.
The Zoo of Naples, shown here on Oct. 14, 2025, features a network of wide pathways with plenty of shade and benches. A leisurely stroll through the 25-acre park can make the bustle of the Italian city feel like a world away. (Alison Bath/Stars and Stripes)
During the heat of the summer, an air-conditioned indoor play space is ideal for helping your kids burn off some energy. It’s also good to know that some shopping destinations like Medi have soft play areas where you can pay to drop-off your child while you shop.
Jump & Fly Trampoline park: Not far from the Support Site, this place is great for kids and adults alike. There are trampolines for tricks, an obstacle course and drop zones with foam blocks. Entry tickets are for 55 minutes and they offer party packages.
Crazy Dreams: Roughly 15 minutes form Support Site, this kid’s play cafe offers a safe space for toddlers and preschoolers to play supervised by employees while parents can have drinks or a meal.
Indoor, air-conditioned play spaces are ideal for helping your kids and teens burn energy during the hottest time of year. (tan4ikk - stock.adobe.com)
You are in Italy, which means there is a passionate beach culture. It’s good to know that there are two kinds of beach. First are free beaches, which don’t typically have infrastructure like rental lifeguards, rental loungers or toilets; they can get very crowded during summer holidays or may be empty on a random warm spring weekday. Next up are lidos, or beach clubs, which require you to hire loungers to offset the costs of lifeguards, showers, toilets and the proximity to a bar and restaurant. Note that some lidos have memberships, so if you are turned away because it’s full, but you see empty loungers, they are reserved for members all season. Many Naples lidos allow you to book ahead on websites, so you won’t be disappointed when you show up.
Seven Beach Sunset: This beach club is a favorite with NSA Naples families and won the Stripes Europe “Best Lido” title. Near the Allied Joint Force Command NATO installation and not far from Carney Park, the lido sits beside numerous others on a long stretch of sand in Lago Patria.
(paha_l | 123rf.com)
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A 96-acre MWR-managed facility, Carney Park is a green space located inside an extinct volcanic crater. For NSA Naples residents, there are multiple, new playgrounds and this is where many youth and team sporting events occur. It also has a 9-hole golf course and a pool with water slides. For visitors, or a fun staycation, there are campsites, yurts and cabins to rent.
