14 fantastic activities for kids in Lima

With its equatorial climate, Lima never gets cold and rarely sees rain, making it an ideal location for kids to enjoy outdoor play in parks and on the beach.

As international travelers often make Lima their first stop, it’s worthwhile to spend a few days here, particularly if you need to adjust to the altitude before heading to higher destinations. Use this guide to create the perfect family itinerary with the best activities for kids in Lima.

Is Lima a great destination for kids?

Lima boasts numerous parks, plazas, and a stunning double coastline, creating wonderful outdoor spaces for children to enjoy. Perched on the city’s bluffs, the malecón (boardwalk) links parks, playgrounds, art installations, and gardens, all offering breathtaking views of the beaches below. These spots are favorites among local families, ensuring your kids will find plenty of local friends to play with.

Ivy-covered cliffs separate the malecón from the beach, with limited access points for cars and even fewer for pedestrians. One of the top activities for kids in Lima is spending a day at the beach. The vast coastline extends for 20 km (12 miles) from La Punta in Callao to Playa Agua Dulce in Chorrillos.

It’s advisable to take a taxi from your hotel, but ensure you know which beach you want to visit beforehand, as the one-way coastal roads can make it challenging to retrace your route.

Navigating transportation in Lima can be tricky, with notorious traffic jams and often chaotic public transit. Expect to rely on taxis for most journeys, especially if you’re traveling with car seats or strollers.

Eliminate traffic concerns by choosing a neighborhood that offers plenty of activities for your kids and securing accommodations within walking distance of the attractions you want to visit most.

Keep in mind that pedestrians do not have the right of way in Peru. Don’t assume that vehicles will stop for you or your family, even when you’re on a designated crosswalk.

While renting apartments through services like Airbnb is popular, consider the benefits of staying at a hotel with a concierge. They can assist with transportation and provide recommendations for nearby attractions, saving you the need to take a taxi every time you head out.

Top Lima neighborhoods for families

Outdoor activities flourish along the coast, both in the series of parks atop the bluffs and at the beaches below. Many museums feature exhibits tailored for children and outdoor spaces for them to play freely.

Miraflores, San Isidro, and Barranco are the most secure neighborhoods, offering the best accommodations and easily walkable attractions. Although taxis are needed to reach the beach and central Lima, the traffic is worth it for the experiences awaiting you.

The vibrant Miraflores section of the malecón spans 5km (3 miles), linking San Isidro to the north and Barranco to the south. Each neighborhood boasts its own unique vibe, complete with playful sculptures, murals, and art that children can interact with.

Top activities in Lima for infants and toddlers

Spend a day at the malecón

The paved and gravel pathways in this area are perfect for strollers and toddlers who are just finding their feet. Begin your adventure at Parque de Amor, where children can enjoy the winding benches that echo the style of Park Güell in Barcelona. Meanwhile, adults can appreciate the beautiful mosaic art and multilingual quotes celebrating love.

Stroll north through the gardens to reach Parque Chino, which honors the cultural contributions of Lima’s Chinese community. Little ones will delight in the whimsical ponds, bridge, and pagoda, while adults can take in the stunning coastal views, serene fountains, and statues.

Relish the serenity of San Isidro's Bosque El Olivar

The expansive Bosque El Olivar park stretches over five city blocks from north to south, featuring a central pond and wide paths that accommodate strollers, all shaded by ancient olive trees. For indoor fun, visit San Isidro’s municipal children’s library, open weekdays from 8am to 5pm.

Play in the fountains at Circuito Mágico de las Aguas

If your toddler enjoys being outdoors and socializing with other kids, Circuito Mágico de las Aguas is the perfect spot for them to make new friends. The park features a dozen different fountains, several of which are designed for play. Among these, the Fuente de los Niños is ideal for toddlers since it has no tripping hazards.

The evening light displays are what draw locals to this park. With sunset occurring just after 6pm for most of the year, your children won’t have to stay up late to experience the vibrantly illuminated fountains.

Treat yourself to a sweet delight at Blu Gelateria in Barranco

A beloved spot for all ages, this gelato shop is renowned for its inventive flavors and generous samples. Blu is particularly suitable for little ones who are yet to try cow's milk and other potential allergens commonly found in typical ice cream shops.

For a delightful tour of Barranco’s top ice cream spots, continue your adventure at nearby Crem dela Crem and Heladería Speciale. All three are just a few blocks from Parque Federico Villarreal, with spacious sidewalks ideal for strollers.

Top activities in Lima for school-age kids

Meet the resident cats at Parque Kennedy

Parque Kennedy is renowned in Lima as the prime spot for watching cats lounging in the flowers, scaling trees, and striking poses for photos. Locals often bring cat food for the park's furry residents, adding another layer of charm. Nearby, Parque 7 Junio features an antiques market, a sunken amphitheater where locals dance, and a lively area for rappers and open-mic performances.

Relax at Lima's top beaches

Waikiki – named after the famous Hawaiian beach, although it bears no resemblance to the Pacific paradise – and Makaha are Lima’s most beloved beaches, offering surf lessons for all ages and a lively pier at Waikiki.

Both beaches have pebbly shores at the water's edge, but the city brings in sand for the section above, where you can rent chairs and umbrellas.

Ensure kids wear shoes or sandals in the water to shield their feet from the rocks, and be cautious as the water is quite chilly. The Humboldt current flows up from the south here, which is why you might occasionally spot penguins in Peru.

Embark on a scavenger hunt at Parque Federico Villarreal

Parque Federico Villarreal features whimsical murals and sculptures perfect for kids to explore. Keep them entertained by searching for the giant ant peeking out from flower beds, three metal vulture heads nestled in a sea of stones, a mural of a tropical bird framed in a heart, and many more artworks along the charming cobblestone Calle La Ermita.

The street is lined with trees and is closed to vehicles, creating a safe space for children to play freely. The historic wooden bridge, Puente de los Suspiros, gracefully arches over Calle La Ermita.

Explore the Museo de Arte de Lima (MALI)

The Museo de Arte de Lima (MALI) is set amidst parks featuring ponds, fountains, and sculptures. If you're in Lima for an extended stay, look into the museum's workshops, which offer engaging, hands-on activities for children aged five to eight or nine to twelve.

New classes commence in the first week of each month, structured as a series of four sessions, although you can enroll in just one.

Visit Plaza de Armas to unwind with the locals

As the oldest and most historic square in the city, Plaza de Armas is a favorite spot for families in Lima. Every day, the plaza buzzes with a festive atmosphere, featuring vendors selling balloons, toys, cotton candy, and various treats. Your kids can enjoy playing with the local children who gather here in the afternoons.

Located in the heart of Lima, this plaza is a convenient addition to your itinerary if you’re nearby, but it may not warrant a long taxi ride from Miraflores or Barranco.

Top activities in Lima for tweens and teens

Bike along the coast to Salto del Fraile

Several tour companies, including Intrepid and Green Bike Peru, offer guided cycling tours that typically begin in Miraflores and head south along the coastline to the stunning natural stone bridge at Salto del Fraile.

Here, local performers often dive into the turbulent waves below. According to legend, a young monk named Francisco leaped from here in 1860, but sadly did not survive.

Modern-day re-enactors always ascend the cliffs to the applause and tips of spectators. Ensure you book through a licensed tour company, which will provide trained guides, well-maintained bikes, and helmets.

Enjoy cultural performances at Plaza San Martín

This historic square honors José de San Martín, who played a key role in Argentina’s fight for independence from Spain, as well as aiding Peru and Chile in their liberation.

Every weekend, the plaza comes alive with dance troupes and live bands showcasing various cultures and festivities from across Peru. You can expect to see everything from marching bands in uniforms to groups dressed as Amazonian tribes performing with flutes and traditional drums. Celebrations also occur on weekday holidays, so be sure to check the calendar during your stay in Lima.

Savor Peruvian Chinese cuisine

Lima's Chinatown may be just a single block, but it serves as a great place to explore the history of Peru's Chinese immigrants, especially after visiting Parque Chino by the coast.

Visitors who have been to China or other Chinatowns will find some uniquely Peruvian twists in the dishes. Look out for quinoa chaufa, which is a local take on Chinese fried rice. You might also encounter places offering guinea pig, a significant link between contemporary Peru and ancient Incan gastronomy.

Trek through the trails of Lomas de Mangomarca

This unexpectedly lush park captures the coastal fog that famously blankets Lima in gray. Teens seeking an adventure will appreciate the intriguing rock formations and paths that pass by ancient petroglyphs and pictographs.

On clear days, this spot offers stunning views of Lima and the Pacific Ocean. Some paths are suitable for mountain biking, so check with licensed tour companies for bike rentals or guided biking experiences.

Discover ancient ceramics and gold artifacts at Museo Larco

Tweens and teens who might not usually enjoy museums will likely be captivated by the extensive collection of Moche ceramics at Museo Larco, with some pieces dating back 2000 years. Explore the displays featuring pottery and statues of potatoes, corn, cats, and llamas, and admire the gold exhibit showcasing the wealth that was taken during colonization.

The erotic gallery, featuring ceramics that illustrate sexuality in Moche culture, is located apart from the main exhibits and can be easily avoided if your tweens aren’t ready for such themes. This museum is a considerable taxi ride away from most areas in Lima, situated between the city center and the airport.

Essential travel tips for families visiting Lima

• To navigate Lima’s traffic more easily, try to plan most of your activities in your local neighborhood. Limit yourself to one taxi trip every few days to reduce time spent on the road with the city’s unpredictable drivers.

• If you're pregnant or traveling with young children, look for priority lines at grocery stores and official places like airport security and immigration. Many locations in Peru support families with young ones by allowing them to use the same lines as those for people with disabilities.

• Don’t forget hats and sunscreen to shield against the equatorial sun. Kids can easily burn from Peru’s intense UV rays, even on overcast days.

• Bring filtered water bottles to avoid purchasing bottled water. Peru lacks effective recycling systems, and tap water is unsafe to drink without proper filtration.

• For safety, opt for licensed taxis or Ubers. Consult your hotel for trustworthy taxi driver recommendations for added security.

• Keep an eye out for pickpockets, even in the generally safer neighborhoods like Miraflores, Barranco, and San Isidro. Ensure your kids don’t wander off with your phone, as it can attract theft.

• Stay informed about potential protests if you plan to visit the central areas of Lima, such as Plaza de Armas, Plaza San Martín, or Chinatown. Police often restrict access during protests, which can create significant traffic disruptions.