Bogotá, that city that sometimes seems so big and chaotic, hides among its mountains and steep streets a surprisingly friendly heart for families. It's not just the capital of Colombia; it's a canvas of stories, colors, and spaces that, when you look at them through a child's eyes, transform into adventures. Here, between the morning chill and the timidly emerging sun, families find corners where the city stops to play, learn, and share.
Safe Parks and Outdoor Spaces
Simón Bolívar Park is like Bogotá's giant backyard. With its 400 hectares, there's space for the little ones to run freely while parents breathe the fresh eucalyptus air. On weekends, the lake fills with swan-shaped pedal boats, and there's always some puppet show or live music.
- Address: Carrera 60 #57-60, Bogotá
- Hours: 6:00 am - 6:00 pm
- Google Maps: View location
- Website: IDRD - Simón Bolívar Park
For the more adventurous, the José Celestino Mutis Botanical Garden is an outdoor biology class: children can follow the frailejón trail and touch the textures of Andean plants.
- Address: Avenida Calle 63 #68-95, Bogotá
- Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Google Maps: View location
- Website: Bogotá Botanical Garden
And if you're looking for something more intimate, Parque de los Novios, in the 63rd with 13th street area, has modern playgrounds and green areas perfect for a family picnic.
- Address: Carrera 13 #63-27, Bogotá
- Hours: 6:00 am - 6:00 pm
- Google Maps: View location
Museums and Educational Activities
The Children's Museum, in the Hacienda Santa Bárbara shopping center, is not your typical museum. Here children can climb into a giant bubble, experiment with magnets, or understand how a heart beats. It's ideal for children under 12, especially between Tuesday and Friday mornings when there are fewer people.
- Address: Carrera 60 #7-80, Local 2-25, Hacienda Santa Bárbara Shopping Center
- Hours: Tuesday to Friday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm, Saturdays and Sundays 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
- Google Maps: View location
- Website: Children's Museum Bogotá
- Prices: Approximately $25,000 COP per person
To combine history and fun, the National Museum offers Sunday workshops where children paint like the Muisca people or assemble pre-Columbian art puzzles.
- Address: Carrera 7 #28-66, Bogotá
- Hours: Tuesday to Saturday 10:00 am - 6:00 pm, Sundays 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Google Maps: View location
- Website: National Museum of Colombia
- Prices: $4,000 COP adults, $2,000 COP children
And don't forget Maloka, that round building on the Autopista Norte that looks like a spaceship: its interactive science and technology rooms fascinate teenagers and parents alike.
- Address: Avenida de la Esperanza #51-47, Bogotá
- Hours: Tuesday to Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, Saturdays and Sundays 10:00 am - 7:00 pm
- Google Maps: View location
- Website: Maloka Interactive Center
- Prices: Approximately $30,000 COP per person
Family-Friendly Restaurants and Cafés
In Zona G, the Wok restaurant has a corner with toys and low tables where children can draw while waiting for their Thai noodles. Saturday at noon is the best time because they usually have special menus for the little ones.
- Address: Calle 70 #4-48, Bogotá
- Hours: Monday to Saturday 12:00 pm - 10:00 pm, Sundays 12:00 pm - 9:00 pm
- Google Maps: View location
- Website: Wok Restaurant
In Parque de la 93, Crepes & Waffles not only offers Nutella crepes; it has changing tables in the bathrooms and high chairs available.
- Address: Carrera 13 #93A-43, Bogotá
- Hours: Monday to Thursday 12:00 pm - 10:00 pm, Friday to Sunday 12:00 pm - 11:00 pm
- Google Maps: View location
- Website: Crepes & Waffles
For a different snack, Café Librería Wilborada, in La Candelaria, has low shelves with children's books and thick hot chocolate: a perfect plan for a rainy Bogotá afternoon.
- Address: Calle 9 #8-31, La Candelaria, Bogotá
- Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 10:00 am - 7:00 pm
- Google Maps: View location
- Website: Café Librería Wilborada
Transportation and Safety Tips with Children
Getting around Bogotá with children requires some planning. Transmilenio is efficient, but avoid peak hours (7-9 am and 5-7 pm); stations have elevators, though not all of them work. Taxis and apps like Uber are a safe option, especially at night. Always carry a light jacket because the weather changes quickly, and a basic first aid kit with band-aids and pain relievers. On Sundays and holidays, the ciclovía closes some main avenues: it's a magical time to explore the city by bike or skates with children, without the noise of cars.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bogotá with Children
What is the best park for young children in Bogotá?
Parque de los Novios is ideal for young children because of its modern playgrounds and safe areas. For more spacious areas, Simón Bolívar Park has specific zones for children.
Are there free museums for children in Bogotá?
The National Museum has free admission on Wednesdays from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm and all day on Sundays. The Museum of Modern Art also offers free admission on Wednesdays.
Which restaurants have play areas for children?
Wok in Zona G has a corner with toys, and several restaurants in shopping centers like Andino and Santa Fe have supervised play areas.
Is it safe to use public transportation with children?
Yes, especially outside peak hours. Transmilenio has exclusive lanes and is faster than regular traffic. Taxis and apps are safe options for short distances.
Bogotá isn't perfect, but it has that quality of cities that let themselves be loved little by little. On every corner, a square with swings; in every museum, a story to tell. Children, with their curious gaze, teach us to see it anew: not as a gray capital, but as a place where you can fly a kite on the hill, count the goldfish at El Virrey, and savor an ajiaco that tastes like home. Share your family experiences in Bogotá with other parents: every family writes their own guide, with laughter and small steps.
