The brilliantly curated and conceived Acropolis Museum knows that the best way to hold a child’s attention is to make learning fun. Everyday life in ancient Greece is brought alive for children here in exciting ways. The freestanding statues of the Archaic Period are far more gripping for young minds than two-dimensional paintings. They can explore all sides of these marble gods and goddesses, lions and snakes. Grab hold of one of the family backpacks (available at the information desk on a first-come, first-served basis) and follow the educational activities geared at kids aged between six and 12 years old (even younger children will enjoy getting involved, with a little help from you). Families work together to solve challenges, aided by colourful children’s exhibit labels in the museum galleries. The backpacks have games with cards, stickers or magnets, puzzles, memory games and more. Smaller kids are better suited to do one of the less intensive Family Trails: theme-based activities based on specific exhibits. Hit the museum shop on your way out for a great selection of activity books, games and children’s titles, many of them inspired by ancient Greek mythology, archaeology, and culture.
 

Are your kids into dinosaurs? Underwater life? Insects? Fossils? You’ll find them all at this peaceful private museum in the suburb of Kifissia. There are lots of life-size animal replicas (including a triceratops and a giraffe), thousands of botanical specimens, and all kinds of shells, rocks, and minerals from all over Greece. The museum provides educational games for children aged between 4 and 8 related to the permanent and temporary exhibitions — from real live reptiles to storytelling events. The Gaia Centre for environmental research and education, housed in the same premises, educates young visitors about humanity’s impact on our planet, using interactive displays such a touchscreens and video walls. After exploring the exhibits, have an ice cream or juice in the garden café, where young kids can usually be found tearing around on their scooters or playing hide and seek among the trees. 

Luring your children to “yet another museum” will be a much easier sell when you tell them that this one is dedicated entirely to toys. Vintage toys from around the world to be exact. Give gadget-obsessed kids an illuminating glimpse into a bygone age of more innocent playtime pursuits at this museum that’s housed in a stately stone folly resembling a castle. The extensive collection of rare toys, dolls, puppets and games is among the most important in Europe, and belongs to Maria Argyriadi, who donated it to the Benaki Museum. Keep your eye out for the little horse that great Greek statesman Eleftherios Venizelos gifted to his grandson for his birthday in 1927. Other curiosities include early mechanised carousels; “modern” theatrical dolls; children’s literature; and popular boys and girls games throughout the ages (some several hundred years old). You’ll find the Benaki Toy Museum in Faliro, not far from the Flisvos marina and park, which works well if your kids want to hit the playground or seaside after your museum visit.