Bogotá with Kids: 8 Family-Friendly Experiences to Enjoy in 2026

Traveling to Bogotá with children has one major advantage: you don't need theme parks every day to keep them interested.

One morning you can ride a cable car up a mountain, spend the afternoon searching for tiny golden animals and finish the day running across one of the city's huge parks.

Whenever I plan a family-friendly day in Bogotá, I follow one rule: no more than two major activities per day.

Bogotá is enormous, and traffic can turn an apparently short journey into a surprisingly long drive.

Instead of collecting attractions, group nearby experiences and leave room for food, breaks and spontaneous discoveries.

Here are eight of the best things to do in Bogotá with kids in 2026.

1. Ride the cable car or funicular up Monserrate

If I had to choose one experience to introduce Bogotá to a child, I would probably start with Monserrate.

Getting there is already part of the adventure.

Children usually enjoy the cable car or funicular before they even realize how spectacular the view from the top will be.

Monserrate reaches 3,152 meters above sea level, so take things slowly once you arrive.

Practical information

Usual operating hours are:

• Monday to Saturday: 6:30 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
• Sunday: 5:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Public holidays: 6:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Schedules can change because of maintenance, operational conditions or special dates, so I recommend checking the official information before visiting.

With younger children, I prefer using the cable car or funicular instead of hiking.

The altitude makes the climb considerably more demanding, particularly if your family has just arrived in Bogotá.

Families who prefer to simplify logistics can also book Hansa Tours' private Monserrate experience.

2. Turn the Gold Museum into a treasure hunt

A museum full of archaeological objects may not sound like an obvious children's activity.

The secret is not visiting it like an adult.

Instead, create challenges:

• Find an animal made of gold.
• Spot the smallest object.
• Choose the strangest mask.
• Look for birds, frogs or jaguars.
• Invent a story about one mysterious artifact.

Suddenly the museum becomes a treasure hunt.

Opening hours and recommendations

The Gold Museum usually opens:

• Tuesday to Saturday: 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
• Sundays and public holidays: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Monday: closed.

Admission conditions vary according to visitor type and age, so check the museum's official website before your visit.

For families with young children, the museum also offers facilities that can make the visit more comfortable.

3. Explore La Candelaria without turning it into a history lesson

Bogotá's historic center is full of colonial architecture, street art and small details children can discover while walking.

Instead of giving them dates and names, ask them to look for colorful doors, unusual murals or funny figures painted on walls.

A family route might include:

• Plaza de Bolívar.
• Chorro de Quevedo.
• Callejón del Embudo.
• Gabriel García Márquez Cultural Center.
• Botero Museum.

Don't underestimate snack stops either.

Hot chocolate, Colombian pastries, empanadas and obleas can be as memorable as another monument.

Hansa Tours offers private La Candelaria tours that can be adapted to the pace and interests of each family.

4. Spend a rainy morning at Maloka

Bogotá weather can change quickly, which makes indoor alternatives valuable.

Maloka is one of my favorites.

Instead of telling children not to touch anything, this interactive science center encourages them to experiment.

Its exploratory experiences cover science, technology, nature, society and emotions and normally require around two to three hours.

There are also activities designed for different age groups, plus audiovisual experiences inside its dome theater.

I recommend checking the program before visiting, particularly on weekends, school holidays and other busy periods.

Some experiences have specific schedules or limited availability.

Best for: curious children and families looking for a good rainy-day activity.

5. Explore Colombian ecosystems at the Botanical Garden

After several museums and busy streets, greenery can completely reset a family day.

Bogotá's Botanical Garden gives children space to wander without following a strict itinerary.

Its Tropicario greenhouse complex is particularly interesting because it introduces visitors to different Colombian ecosystems.

Turn the walk into another game:

• “Find the largest leaf.”
• “Which plant looks like it belongs on another planet?”
• “Can you spot five different shades of green?”

Planning your visit

The Botanical Garden usually opens from Tuesday through Sunday and public holidays, with slightly different hours on weekdays and weekends.

Regular Mondays are generally reserved for maintenance.

The Botanical Garden and Tropicario may have different admission conditions, so check the official information before arriving.

Allow approximately two hours to explore without rushing.

6. Discover a local gem: Parque de los Niños y las Niñas

This is one of the places international visitors often miss.

The Park for Boys and Girls was created specifically for younger visitors, with play areas designed around movement, learning and psychomotor development.

It is particularly useful when you want to include a less structured activity focused entirely on children.

Its usual schedule runs from Tuesday through Sunday and public holidays, from 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Check the latest schedule before visiting, as special activities or maintenance can occasionally affect access.

It is perfect for the moment when children have had enough museums and simply need to run.

7. Slow down at Simón Bolívar Park

Not every memorable travel experience requires a scheduled attraction.

Simón Bolívar Park has enormous lawns, children's areas, a lake and plenty of space for a relaxed afternoon.

The park opens from early morning and includes several recreational areas for families.

Buy lunch, bring something to sit on and stop sightseeing for a couple of hours.

Children often need these unstructured moments more than another attraction.

Its location also makes it easy to combine with the Botanical Garden and other attractions around the Salitre area.

8. Travel through space at Bogotá Planetarium

Children fascinated by rockets, planets and astronauts have another excellent indoor option.

Bogotá Planetarium offers dome shows, astronomy experiences, scientific workshops and programs created for different age groups.

Throughout the year, its program includes both early-childhood experiences and content for older children.

Check the official schedule before visiting because shows, recommended ages and times vary depending on the date.

That variety also means a second visit can feel completely different from the first.

A three-day Bogotá family itinerary

For a first family trip, I recommend three full days.

Day 1: Classic Bogotá

Morning: Monserrate.
Lunch: Historic center.
Afternoon: Gold Museum and a short La Candelaria walk.

Day 2: Science and discovery

Morning: Maloka.
Afternoon: Planetarium or hotel break.

Day 3: Green Bogotá

Morning: Botanical Garden and Tropicario.
Afternoon: Children's Park or Simón Bolívar Park.

Trying to combine Monserrate, La Candelaria, several museums and the Botanical Garden in one day may look efficient on paper.

With children, it usually isn't.

Practical tips for visiting Bogotá with children

Pack layers

Bogotá can be sunny, cool and rainy within the same day.

Carry:

• Lightweight waterproof jacket.
• Sunscreen.
• Water.
• Hat.
• Snacks.
• Spare clothes for younger children.

Respect the altitude

Bogotá sits roughly 2,600 meters above sea level, while Monserrate rises above 3,100 meters.

Keep your first day relatively gentle and stay hydrated.

Allow extra travel time

A short distance on the map does not necessarily mean a short drive.

Grouping nearby attractions makes a huge difference.

For example, the Gold Museum and La Candelaria work well together, while the Botanical Garden, Simón Bolívar Park and Salitre area can form another family-friendly cluster.

Check official information before visiting

Opening hours, exhibitions, admission conditions and special activities can change.

I recommend checking official websites shortly before your visit, particularly around Colombian public holidays and school vacation periods.

Keep an eye on belongings

As in any large city, keep phones, documents and bags under control in busy areas.

Keep younger children within sight and use formal transportation and tourism providers.

Is a private tour worth it for families?

Independent travelers can certainly explore Bogotá on their own.

Families, however, often benefit more from private transportation and flexible schedules.

You can store jackets, avoid unnecessary transfers, adjust the itinerary when children get tired and ask a guide to adapt explanations to their ages.

That flexibility can be especially valuable in La Candelaria, where history can easily be transformed into stories, observation games and treasure hunts for younger travelers.

Hansa Tours offers private and flexible Bogotá experiences, including Monserrate, La Candelaria, museums, food and other city attractions.

Frequently asked questions

Is Bogotá good for families?

Yes. The city combines interactive museums, large parks, cultural attractions, nature and plenty of rainy-day options.

What are the best things to do in Bogotá with toddlers?

The Botanical Garden, Children's Park, Simón Bolívar Park and the Monserrate cable car or funicular are among my first choices.

What can families do when it rains?

Maloka, the Gold Museum and Bogotá Planetarium are excellent options.

How many days do you need?

Three days are enough for the main attractions at a comfortable pace.

Four or five days give you more flexibility and allow you to add an excursion outside Bogotá.

When is the best time to visit Monserrate with children?

I prefer mornings.

Everyone has more energy, and it leaves plenty of flexibility for the rest of the day.

See Bogotá through a child's eyes

The biggest mistake when planning a family holiday is creating an adult itinerary and expecting children to adapt to it.

Bogotá gives you another option.

A mountain becomes an aerial adventure.

An archaeological museum becomes a treasure hunt.

A botanical garden becomes an expedition.

And an apparently empty afternoon in a park may become the family's favorite memory.

My final recommendation is simple:

Plan one cultural experience and one playful experience each day.

The result will be a slower, happier and far more memorable Bogotá.

Samuel Rojas
Travel blogger and content creator for Hansa Tours