Where to Go with Children in Sicily

Sicily is an unforgettable place to visit. Its lush landscapes, rich history, archeology, art, fine food and warm people make it a fascinating place to explore. There are countless things to do and see. When traveling with children there are times you may find that what might be interesting to you, isn't always interesting to them. However, with a little planning, their experience will be as memorable and as your own.

Older children are fascinated by volcanoes. Sicily has several to visit, namely Etna, Stromboli and Lipari. There are numerous ways to see the volcanoes. You can look at them informally from afar, or you may opt for a walking tour which takes you up the volcanoes. There are also helicopter tours that offer spectacular views of the ever changing landscapes of lava, snow topped mountains, rock, pine forests and the Mediterranean sea.

Parco Etnaland is a water park, located in region of Catania. It has the largest wave pool in Europe, and has numerous slides and water activities. Its cable ride is worth the visit alone. As you move along a cable, suspended in mid air, you will have amazing views of Mt. Etna. You will see the Sicilian countryside with its landscape of hills and valleys, the coast, the aqua park, botanical gardens, and the park's pre-historic area with model dinosaurs. There are gift shops, play and picnic areas, as well as a photography service that provides high quality pictures of visitors enjoying themselves at the park. Etnaland is located at S.S. 121 Catania Paternò exit Valcorrente, Tel. (0039) 095 7913333. There are other water parks throughout Sicily, including Acquapark Paradise City near Syracuse, Parco Acquatico Conte in Sommatino (CL), Europark Roccella San Cataldo (CL), Acquapark near Monreale (PA), Acquasplash in Tre Fontane, (TP), and Castellana Park in Marsala (TP).

The Piraino Toy Museum of Palermo (Museo dei giocattoli Piaino), has a collection of over 600 antique toys and games. It is located a couple of miles outside of Palermo, in an 18th century, noble palace. Via Bandiera 99, Palermo, Tel. 091580008

The Raffaello Pirano Costume Museum (Museo del costume Raffaello Piraino) displays clothing and military uniforms dating back to 1700. Call for a reservation: Tel. 091.329.335, Via Dell'Università 54, Palermo

The Aquarium of Syracuse has a well housed collection of Mediterranean and tropical marine life. Your children will enjoy watching the colorful fish, eels and piranhas. Tel. 333 1674461

The International Museum of Puppets (Museo Internazionale delle Marionette) exhibits puppets from Italy, Europe, and Asia. Puppet shows are presented at that museum. Ask for an English translation of the story. Piazzetta Niscemi, 5, Palermo Tel. 091/328060

Parco Giochi Kids & Families is an amusement park with inflatable slides, moon jumps, soccer fields, ping pong tables, trampolines, an archery range, playgrounds and picnic areas. There are also characters that come around to greet children. Catania, Viale Kennedy 93, Tel. 349.5829084

If you are traveling in December, nativity scenes will be found throughout Sicily. Children will enjoy these beautifully rendered settings. They range from small handmade pieces found in shops and homes, to life sized sculptures and scenes that are portrayed by people in costumes. Most towns will have a "presepe," in their main piazza. Traditionally, the replica of the baby is not presented until Christmas Eve.

Throughout the year, there are festivals taking place all around Sicily. Children enjoy these colorful, folkloric celebrations. For example, each Febraury in Sciacca there is the carnival celebration. The highlight is the parade, with its procession of floats that depict colorful characters with dramatic expressions. Another important festival is La Festa di Sant'Agata, which takes place at the beginning of February in Catania. At this religious festival, many visitors carry oversized candles as they walk through the evening streets. There is also a fireworks show, and a procession of decorative statues and floats. Every May the Inflorata takes place in Noto. Here, artists create amazing pieces of art using arrangements of colorful flowers.

Marzipan is a confection that is generally sold in during the Christmas period. It is especially popular in the area of Palermo. Take your children to one of the many bakeries where you will find the windows decorated with these colorful sweets. Artisan bakers create marzipan reproductions of fruit called frutta martorana. These edibles are delightful collectibles that fascinate children. If your kids can resist their sweet, almond taste, they make for beautiful keepsakes to display on a table or carry home to friends.

Whether you are at a restuarant, cafe, local playground, or on a city bus. You will find that Sicilians are warm and friendly people, who love children. Even if there is a language barrier, encourage your child to socialize, especially with other children. Buy him or her a soccer ball and invite him to kick it around with other kids of the same age at a piazza, or let him or her enjoy a gelato with some children in front of an ice cream stand.

To make your trip a little easier, there are a few things to keep in mind, especially when you are traveling outside of the major urban centers. Be sure to have a lot of essentials on hand, as many stores are closed for long periods in the middle of the day, on Sundays, and for much of August. Finding a changing table in a bathroom may be next to impossible, so bring a changing pad if you are traveling with a small child. If you plan to be out in the countryside using a stroller may prove difficult. A baby carrier or back pack is essential for anyone with young children. No matter what time of the year you plan to travel, always have plenty of sunscreen.

Interactive Learning at the Art Museum

Next time you take your young child to the museum, make it a fun experience of learning with these ideas:

Museum Animals

This is a unique way for children to learn the names of animals and discover fine art.  Take a tour through the galleries of a museum, singing songs like "Old MacDonald," and visiting your child’s favorite animals along the way.

Alphabet at the Museum

A is for an apple by Cezanne, B is for a boat by an African tribal artist, C is for a cat created in ancient Egypt.  Tour paintings and sculptures with your child that feature objects representing letters of the alphabet.  

Colors and Counting at the Museum 

Count one through ten and identify a palette of colors, while visiting a series of paintings from various periods in art history. 

From Circles to Seurat

View pieces of art delineating basic shapes that your child will recognize.  Together, identify Impressionist circles, Cubist squares, rectangles from the Renaissance, and more.

Drume Negrita: A Traditional Cuban Lullaby

Here is a beautifully rendered Cuban song, written by Eliseo Ernesto.  It's lyrics tell of a little black child who cannot fall asleep.  Her feet stretch out from her small bed.  "If you sleep my little black baby, I will buy you a crib with a bell and a canape, and I will bring you a very colorful mamey fruit."

You and your child can listen to this lullaby sung by Bola de Nieve, and watch a series of touching images, by visiting this link, which was posted on Youtube by "fischkoph," from the Domenican Republic:

http://it.youtube.com/watch?v=DaHJznhBWmg

Mama la negrita

se le salen los pies de la cunita

y la negra Merce

ya no sabe que hacer



Tu drume, negrita

que yo va compra nueva cunita

que va tener capitel

que va tener cascabel


Si tu drume yo te traigo un mamey muy colorado

si tu drume yo te traigo un babalao

que da pao pao



Tu drume negrita

que yo va compra nueva cunita

que va tener capitel

que va tener cascabel

Ten Ways To Immerse your Child in World Culture

There are many ways to add some world culture to your child's life.  Here is a list of ideas that can familiarize your little one with global diversity.

1.  Visit a museum or gallery where the work of a foreign artist is on display.  Discuss the art with your child.  Ask a curator or guide to share more about the artist and their culture.  

2. Watch a foreign film that a child will enjoy, like "Le Ballon Rouge" ("The Red Balloon"), "Ladri di biciclette" ("Bicycle Thief"), or "Mon Uncle"("My Uncle"). 

3. Cook some ethnic meals and make an evening of it.  You can find cds at your local library of world music that will add flavor to the evening.

4.  Collect some brochures of appealing world destinations and talk about the places with your child.  You can also search Google-Images for pictures of unique places that you and your child may find interesting.

5.  Hire a babysitter who has lived in a foreign country.  Encourage her (or him) to share her experiences, and if possible have her speak to your child in the language of that country.

6.  Is there an ethnic neighborhood in your community?  If so, make a day of visiting stores, bookshops, restaurants and playgrounds in that area.  Talk to your child about that culture and bring home some souvenirs from your visit.

7.  Are there any annual ethnic parades or festivals in  your area?  For example, taking your child to a Chinese New Year parade can make for a memorable cultural experience.

8.  Learn a nursery rhyme in a foreign language.  Teach your child a simple song like the French,  Frere Jacques.  The lyrics of other rhymes from around the globe can be found on the internet and on Youtube.

9.  Read cultural stories.  Folklore, mythology and simple stories from other cultures are widely available at the library and bookstores.  There is something for children of all ages.  Tomie DiPaola has some great stories for toddlers.  "The Little Prince" is a marvelous chapter book for a fourth grader, and Greek mythology is fascinating for pre-teens to adults.

10.  Take a trip abroad.  If your resources allow, taking a child abroad is one of the most impressionable experiences you can offer.  Plan your trip in advance and learn and talk about the culture before you embark on your journey.  When you get back have a party for your friends and your child's friends.  Have a slide show, tell stories, play music and show things that you brought home from your trip.