Best Things To Do In Lima With Kids (Family-Friendly Guide + What’s Actually Worth It)
Lima is usually the first stop on a trip to Peru, but for most families, it’s not where you’ll spend the bulk of your time. If you’re looking for the best things to do in Lima with kids, the key is to keep this part of your trip simple and flexible.
When we visited Lima with our two kids (ages 2 and 4), we focused on easy, low-effort activities that worked well for a family. That ended up being the best approach.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through:
the best things to do in Lima with kids
what’s actually worth your limited time
and how to plan this part of your trip so that it feels easy, not overwhelming
If you’re still planning your full trip, start here:
👉 Peru Itinerary with Kids (7–10 Day Family Travel Plan)
👉 How to Book Peru with Points and Miles for a Family
Best Things to Do in Lima with Kids
If you’re planning a short stay, these are the best things to do in Lima with kids that are actually worth your time.
Lima is not the highlight of most Peru trips, but it plays an important role.
Lima is where you:
recover from travel
adjust before heading to altitude
ease into the trip
Compared to Cusco, Lima is:
at sea level
physically easier
more flexible
👉 I explain how this fits into the full trip here:
Peru Itinerary with Kids (7–10 Day Family Travel Plan)
✈️ Want to Travel Like This Without Spending $25,000?
If you’re new to points and miles, this is exactly how we were able to take this trip as a family without paying cash prices.
I put together a simple, beginner-friendly guide that walks you through how it all works.
The Miraflores coastline is one of the easiest places to explore with kids
Best Things to Do in Lima with Kids
Visit Parque Kennedy (The Cat Park)
Parque Kennedy is one of the easiest things to do in Lima with kids, especially if you’re traveling with younger children.
At first glance, it’s just a central park. But what makes it unique is the large number of cats that live there. They’re cared for by local volunteers and have become part of the identity of the area.
For younger kids, this ends up being one of the most engaging “activities” in Lima.
You don’t need tickets. You don’t need a plan. You just show up.
Your kids can:
walk around and spot the cats
climb on the playground
enjoy the open space after travel days
And for you, it’s easy.
Around the park, there’s a constant flow of activity:
small food stands
local vendors
casual restaurants and cafes
So it naturally turns into a place where you can:
grab a snack
sit for a bit
and ease into the rhythm of the city
This is a great first-day activity, especially if you’re coming off a long flight and don’t want anything structured.
👉 If you’re deciding where to stay nearby, read:
Where to Stay in Peru with Kids
Parque Kennedy, Lima
🌊 Walk the Miraflores Malecón
The Malecón is one of those places that doesn’t sound like a “must-do” when you’re planning, but ends up being one of your favorite parts of the trip.
It’s a long stretch of parks and walking paths that run along the cliffs above the Pacific Ocean, and it’s designed in a way that makes it extremely easy to explore with kids. Walking the Malecón is one of the most relaxed and flexible things to do in Lima with kids.
Instead of one destination, it’s a series of connected spaces.
As you walk, you’ll find:
playgrounds
open grassy areas
scenic viewpoints
locals jogging, biking, and paragliding
This is what makes it work so well with kids.
You’re not asking them to focus on one thing. You’re giving them space to move.
With younger kids, this becomes a low-effort way to:
burn energy
get fresh air
recover from travel
With older kids, you can extend it:
rent bikes
walk longer stretches
explore multiple parks along the coast
And because it’s all outdoors and flexible, it’s something you can do:
first thing in the morning
in the afternoon
or even just for 30–60 minutes between other plans
This is one of the best examples of Lima working because it’s simple, not because it’s packed with attractions.
Miraflores Malecón
⛲ Visit the Magic Water Circuit (Parque de la Reserva)
If you’re looking for something that feels like a true “activity” for kids, this is one of the best options in Lima. This is one of the most popular kid-friendly things to do in Lima, especially in the evening.
The Magic Water Circuit is a large park filled with interactive fountains, and at night it transforms into a light and music show.
There are multiple sections, each with different types of fountains:
tunnels of water you can walk through
large illuminated displays
interactive areas where kids can run and play
For younger kids, this works incredibly well because:
it’s visual
it’s interactive
it doesn’t require a long attention span
They can move freely instead of standing still or listening to a guide. There are even bounce houses and rides. It’s almost like going to a carnival!
For parents, it’s also easy:
everything is contained in one space
you don’t need to navigate the city
you can go at your own pace
The best time to go is in the evening when the lights are on.
That’s when it feels the most impressive, and it gives you something structured to do after a more relaxed day.
The Magic Water Circuit was a highlight of our trip to Lima!
Browse Water Circuit Tours Here
🏛 Visit Huaca Pucllana (Ancient Ruins in the City)
Huaca Pucllana is one of the most interesting places in Lima! It’s an ancient adobe pyramid, built around 500 AD by the Lima culture, sitting right in the middle of a modern city. If you want to add a bit of history to your trip, this is one of the more unique things to do in Lima with kids
With kids, this works well because:
it’s relatively compact
you don’t need a full day
you can explore without feeling overwhelmed
If you want to understand what you’re looking at, a guided tour is helpful.
Otherwise, it can feel like you’re walking through an interesting site without fully grasping the significance.
Historically, this was a ceremonial and administrative center, and the construction style, stacked adobe bricks placed vertically, was designed to withstand earthquakes.
It’s a quick stop, but it adds an important layer of history to your time in Lima.
Huaca Pucllana ruins
👉 View Huaca Pucllana tours here
🎨 Explore Barranco (Colorful + Creative Area)
Barranco feels completely different from Miraflores.
Where Miraflores is polished and structured, Barranco is:
more artistic
more relaxed
and more visually interesting
It’s known for its street art, colorful buildings, and a slightly more local, creative vibe.
One of the most popular spots is the Bridge of Sighs (Puente de los Suspiros), which has a small legend attached to it. If you cross it while holding your breath, your wish comes true.
It’s simple, but it adds a fun element, especially with kids.
Walking around Barranco, you’ll find:
murals and art on buildings
small cafes and restaurants
open spaces to explore
Exploring Barranco is one of the more laid-back things to do in Lima with kids, especially for a short visit.
For families, it’s a nice way to see a different side of Lima without committing to a full-day activity.
Barranco
🚶 Take a Walking Tour of Lima
If you want more structure or context, a walking tour can be a really good addition, especially if it’s your first time in Lima.
There’s a lot of history here, and without some explanation, it’s easy to miss it.
Walking tours often cover:
historic areas
architecture
local culture
food or markets
For families, I would specifically look for:
shorter tours
small group or private options
That way you can:
move at your own pace
take breaks
adjust based on how your kids are doing
This is less about “checking off sights” and more about understanding the city.
Virgen Milagrosa Church in Miraflores: One of the most recognizable landmarks near Kennedy Park, especially beautiful when lit up at night.
👉 Browse Lima walking tours here
🦭 Tours for Older Kids and Teens
Palomino Islands (Sea Lions)
This is one of the most unique experiences you can do near Lima, but it’s definitely better suited for older kids.
The Palomino Islands are located off the coast, and getting there involves a boat ride from the port area.
Once you’re out there, you’ll see:
large colonies of sea lions
birds and marine life
open ocean views
Some tours even allow you to get in the water near the sea lions, which can be an unforgettable experience.
But this is a bigger commitment.
You’re looking at:
a half-day trip
boat time
more logistics
So I would not recommend this with toddlers or very young kids.
For older kids, though, this can easily become one of the most memorable parts of the trip.
Sea lions at the Palomino Islands: One of the most unique wildlife experiences you can do near Lima.
👉 View Palomino Islands sea lion tours here
Huacachina Desert Oasis
Huacachina is the desert oasis you’ve probably seen in photos. It’s a small village built around a natural lagoon, surrounded by massive sand dunes.
It’s one of the most unique landscapes in Peru.
From Lima, it’s about a 4–5 hour drive each way, which means this is not something I would recommend for families with very young kids.
But for older kids or teens, this can be an incredible experience.
The main draw here is dune buggy rides and sandboarding.
You’ll ride in a buggy up and down the dunes, similar to a roller coaster, and then stop to sandboard down them.
It’s fast, a little intense, and very fun for kids who are old enough to enjoy it.
There are also:
sunset views over the dunes
opportunities to walk around the oasis
places to eat and relax
That said, this is a full-day commitment at minimum, and honestly, it’s better as an overnight trip if you want to enjoy it without rushing.
If your itinerary is already tight, I would skip this.
But if you have extra time and older kids, this can easily be one of the most memorable experiences of the trip.
Huacachina is one of the most unique landscapes in Peru, best for older kids
👉 View Huacachina and desert tours from Lima here
Should You Book a Tour in Lima?
For many families, you probably don’t need a tour in Lima. It’s easy to explore on your own.
But if you:
have limited time
want structure
prefer guided experiences
Then a short tour can be helpful.
Where to Stay in Lima with Kids
This is one of the most important decisions for this part of your trip.
For most families, I recommend staying in:
👉 Miraflores
It’s:
safe
walkable
close to everything
👉 Full breakdown here:
Where to Stay in Peru with Kids
Family-friendly hotels in Lima make a big difference - Hyatt Centric San Isidro Lima
How Much Time You Need in Lima
For most families:
👉 1–2 nights is enough
This is not where you want to spend most of your trip.
It’s a transition point.
👉 I talk more about this here:
We Took Our Kids to Peru… Here’s What I’d Do Differently
If you’re only spending a day or two here, focusing on a few easy things to do in Lima with kids will make your trip feel much more manageable.
What This Part of the Trip Costs
Lima itself is relatively affordable.
Food, Ubers, and activities are much cheaper than flights or Machu Picchu.
👉 For a full breakdown:
How Much Does a Peru Trip Cost for a Family? (Points vs. Cash Breakdown)
If you’re booking hotels and trips like this, this is where the right credit card strategy can make a huge difference, especially with things like travel credits and hotel perks.
👉 I break down the best options here:
Amex Platinum Review
Chase Sapphire Preferred Review
Chase Sapphire Reserve Review
Final Thoughts
Lima is not the highlight of your Peru trip.
But it’s an important part of making the rest of your trip work. If you keep your plans simple and focus on the right things to do in Lima with kids, this part of your trip becomes much easier to enjoy.
👉 Next, read:
Sacred Valley, Peru with Kids: What to Do + Family Travel Tips
👉 And for Machu Picchu planning:
How to Book Machu Picchu with Kids
Peru Itinerary with Kids: 7–10 Day Family Travel Plan
How to Book Peru with Points and Miles for a Family
Where to Stay in Peru with Kids: Lima, Sacred Valley & Cusco (Best Areas + Hotels)
We Took Our Kids to Peru… Here’s What I’d Do Differently
How Much Does a Peru Trip Cost for a Family? (Points vs. Cash Breakdown)
If you’re planning a trip like this and want to learn how to use points and miles to make it more affordable:
