The best things to do with kids in Mexico City

With its lively buzz, fun food, vivid history and colorful festivals, Mexico City (CDMX) is a thrilling destination for families and children of all ages. Mexican culture is famously family-oriented, and you'll see whole extended families enjoying brunch together and hanging out at parks and museums at weekends.

The phrase "it takes a village to raise a child" is very much part of the culture in Mexico, and grandparents, aunts and uncles tend to be part of children's everyday lives. To keep kids entertained, the city provides all sorts of cultural and social activities for free in neighborhoods such as the Centro Histórico and Chapultepec.

The mild fall months are an excellent time to visit Mexico City with children. The city's legendary Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) parade takes place at the start of November; with its costumes, floats and skull-shaped candies, it's a fun and culturally fascinating activity for the whole family to enjoy.

But that's just the beginning. Here are the best things to do in Mexico City with kids.

Is Mexico City good for kids?

Kids are generally welcomed in adult spaces in Mexico City, and local children are well-versed in the polite way to behave around the dining table, so meals out as a family are the norm. Adventurous children can enjoy all sorts of Mexican treats, from tacos and quesadillas to the ever-popular churros (Mexican-style fried dough), and Mexico City has tons of cultural entertainment for families.

Some restaurants have children's menus or kid-friendly areas, but elsewhere, families dive in together, sharing the same food. Visiting local markets with children can also be a cultural adventure, as fresh produce, seasonal fruits and Mexican candies are widely available and affordable.

Families are welcomed almost everywhere, but use your common sense and look to locals for cues on etiquette and polite behavior. Be aware that this is a densely packed city – locals often kit out small children with a harness and leash, and certain areas of the city can be challenging for families not used to big crowds. With younger kids, consider a backpack carrier.

Note that many museums offer free access to school-aged kids with a valid student ID. Turibus is a great way to explore central and tourist-oriented neighborhoods with the family, with hop-on, hop-off buses following themed routes around the city. Check the website for information on the different circuits, and what the daily pass includes.

Where is best in Mexico City with kids?

Mexico City has no shortage of things to do with kids – parks are dotted all around the city, and most neighborhoods have a public playground where kids and families can enjoy fresh air. Parque España in Condesa has a big playground that gets busy at weekends and early in the afternoon.

"Each neighborhood has a different vibe and energy for the kids," explains Fernanda Castro, mom of a toddler and guide for the food tour company Club Tengo Hambre. "Stay in areas with child-friendly parks, like Polanco, Roma and Condesa. Centro Histórico can be a bit more challenging because of the crowds, but it's still worth the visit."

"Take into account that Mexico City's weather can change at any moment. Be prepared with a small umbrella and a light jacket for the children."

Best things to do in Mexico City with younger kids

With younger kids, don't be too ambitious. Mix up trips to the sights with chill-out time in parks, regular drink and snack stops and time out of the sun during the hot spring and early summer season.

See contemporary art at Museo Tamayo

The contemporary art museum Museo Tamayo, located in Polanco, is small enough for toddlers and younger kids to navigate successfully. There's a rustic-chic restaurant overlooking the surrounding park that makes an ideal breakfast stop before exploring Chapultepec's other sights.

Explore the shady walkways of Bosque de Chapultepec

A huge area of urban forest and parkland in the heart of the city, the Bosque de Chapultepec is a great place to explore with kids. There are shady walkways, a public zoo, a lake, a botanical garden and a children's fair to get you started. The artifact-stuffed Museo Nacional de Antropología is just west, with fascinating displays on Mayan, Olmec, Aztec and Teotihuacán history.

Be amazed by the scale of the Teotihuacán pyramids

Visiting the Teotihuacán pyramids will take a whole morning, and everyone will likely return tired but exhilarated after walking around this spectacular archeological site. There are wonderful views from the top of the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon, but it can get hot and there isn't much shade. Pack sunscreen for the entire family, make sure kids take care on the uneven steps, and bring plenty of drinking water for everyone.

Learn about Xochimilco's ancient farming system

Visiting the Xochimilco district is fun and engaging for children thanks to its pretty canals dotted with colorful boats. It's also a good opportunity to learn about the chinampas (floating gardens) – Mexico City's ancient agricultural system. Hundreds of colorful trajineras (gondolas) wait to paddle you along the waterways, or you can arrange a tour.

Take a family cooking course to learn more about Mexican cuisine

Experiencing a lively trip to a market to shop for ingredients then heading to the kitchen to learn how to cook Mexican food is an excellent sensory activity for the entire family. It's educational for the children and fun for adults, and you'll end up with a skill you can take home. Book a private class with Casa Jacaranda and explore a bit of the Juárez neighborhood and its local market.

Get interactive at Papalote Children's Museum

The kid-centered Papalote Museo del Niño is located in the western part of the Bosque de Chapultepec park. The museum offers experiences carefully crafted for toddlers and kids, with interactive exhibits that will teach them about the natural world and living organisms, city and family life, science and physical phenomena. Papalote also has a mega IMAX screen with educational films for children of all ages.

Best things to do in Mexico City with teenagers and tweenagers

With older kids in your party, you can be a bit more adventurous, particularly when it comes to food.

Explore Coyoacán by bike and visit the Frida Kahlo house

Quiet Coyoacán is the perfect neighborhood to explore by bike as a family, while learning more about the history and architecture of this interesting quarter. Be sure to visit the famous Frida Kahlo house, where the legendary painter lived and worked, and pick up some Kahlo-inspired souvenirs.

Many tour companies can arrange cycle tours of Coyoacán; the best option is to book a private tour so you can ride at the pace of your teens.

Taste the best tacos in the city on a walk around Centro Histórico

Teens and tweenagers with adventurous palates will undoubtedly enjoy walking around Centro Histórico in search of some of the best tacos in the city. Club Tengo Hambre offers private 3.5-hour-long walking tours that focus on Mexico City's best street food specialties, also providing some cultural context for the city's rich culinary culture.

Experience the thrills of Mexican wrestling

Mexican wrestling, or lucha libre, is a famously theatrical sport, and spectating is a family affair in Mexico City. Watching a wrestling bout is lively family fun – an outside-the-box opportunity for intergenerational bonding. Arena Mexico is the largest wrestling arena in the city, easily accessible from neighborhoods such as Roma, Juarez and Condesa.

There are popular evening shows every Tuesday and Saturday night, but the Sunday afternoon shows are the most family-friendly option, with the action kicking off around 5pm. You can buy tickets online or at the on-site ticket booth; bring cash for souvenirs and snacks.

Join the Sunday cyclists on Avenida Paseo de la Reforma

Another popular family activity is exploring Avenida Paseo de la Reforma on Sundays. The road is closed to traffic from 8am to 2pm and locals gather to promenade and ride bikes. The Ecobici bikeshare scheme may be useful for older teens; for pre-teens, try bike hire companies such as Poráy Bike, with a branch right on the avenue. 

Tips for planning your family trip to Mexico City

With kids in tow, try to stay somewhere central. Areas such as Roma, Condesa and Polanco have restaurants, museums and parks within walking distance. Most of the sidewalks in these neighborhoods are stroller-friendly, so moving around on foot should be pretty easy.

If you visit in the hot spring and early summer, picking a hotel with a swimming pool is always a plus. Children of all ages will appreciate time in the water, while adults can enjoy some downtime after exploring the city streets. The Sofitel Mexico City pool is indoors and on the 38th floor with big windows that offer a spectacular view of the city.