I remember visiting Florence as a kid and feeling overwhelmed by the energy of the city. Everything went so quickly; small cars and electric shooters swooshed through the streets while elegantly dressed ladies strutted from shoe store to shoe store. As Florence stayed busy, so did we; my mom dragged my dad, my sister, and me around the city for hours from museum to museum. My feet ached and even though I liked art, I was more taken back by Michelangelo's David's nudity than the sheer grandeur of the sculpture. On that trip I learned that Florence is a great city for kids and offers more than just museum visits, historic tours, and watching the nutria (beaver-rat creatures) swim in the Arno River. In fact, they have an entire carnival dedicated to children.

During February, Florence celebrates its annual children's carnival, Il Carnevale dei Bambini. Music, elaborate floats, fireworks and masks fill the city and Saschall, the Florence Theater, hosts theatrical shows for an entire afternoon. If your family needs a break from the more historic building tours, museums and castles like mine did, get out and have some fun. From magicians or musicians, the Florence children's carnival has something for everyone.

Your kids will love all of the great activities at the Florence children's carnival. Have them join in the corsa nei sacchi (potato-sack race) or in a fun game of tiro alla fume (tug-of-war). Cheer them on as they play ball-toss and jump in one of the carnival's bouncy castles. They'll play with other kids, soak up the playful atmosphere of the Florence children's carnival, and likely remember Florence as one of the best cities they've visited as youngsters.

For entertainment, be sure to watch the many street performers at the Florence children's carnival. Witness entertainers swallowing fire, audacious acrobats swinging from high wires, and brilliant ballerinas tiptoeing atop revolving pianos. Comical clowns strut through the streets preforming silly stunts and mesmerizing magicians miraculously make things disappear and reappear before your eyes. At the Florence children's carnival, you'll even see a 30-foot-tall puppeteer control a life-size human puppet. (The puppet, an actor, limply wiggles and moves as the puppeteer pulls on his arms and legs from above).

While we were in Italy, we often went to local street markets to pick up snacks for the day. Consider picking up some bread, cheeses and small snacks for a nice picnic. At the Florence children's carnival, you can enjoy your picnic while listening to wonderful live music. Hear a wide variety of street musicians and bands play everything from jazz to blues to rock 'n roll to Cuban to popular Italian music.

Another great part of the Florence children's carnival is the costumes. I remember that when we toured Italy I really wanted a gorgeous carnival mask. The Florence children's carnival is the perfect place for children and performers to dress—it's fun and magical. If you'd like to go to a costume event at the carnival but don't have a costume in your luggage, don't sweat it. Buy either a mask or some face paint. The children's costumes aren't too elaborate anyway.

For a more educational, but no less fun experience, see a show at the Saschall. On the 6th of February, Il Mistero delle Fiabe Rubate, a fun theater group for young children, will perform. On the 10th, L'Acra will perform dances, musical pieces and acrobatic tricks. If your family is like mine and doesn't speak Italian, consider seeing L'Acra or just sticking to the street music performances at the Florence children's carnival. Whatever you choose to do at the carnival, you'll find something for everyone. It's not only an authentic exposure to Italian life, but it will give everyone some downtime between museums and castles.