Are you wondering about things to do with kids in Sao Paulo? Then, you have come to the right place. This Brazilian city has everything you want for your little ones, from a zoo to amusement parks, aquariums, and museums. While these areas are your typical children’s zones, this city also offers unique experiences for your kids. We have compiled exciting and unique family-friendly activities in Sao Paulo in this blog. These will help make your trip a one-of-a-kind experience.
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- Have a Family Picnic at Ibirapuera Park
- Enjoy Street Food In Liberdade Neighborhood
- Find Kids' Attractions At Paulista Avenue (Avenida Paulista)
- Ride Rollercoasters At Hopi Hari
- See Lions And Tigers At Sao Paulo Zoo
- Enjoy Family Hiking At Cantareira State Park
- Get Brazlian Art Experience At Embu das Artes
- Stroll Through Municipal Market (Mercado Municipal de Sao Paulo)
- Catch Panoramic Views From Farol Santander
- Enjoy Fancy Dining At Jardins District
- Visit The Beautiful Martinelli Building
- Tour The Republic Square (Praça da República)
- Watch Live Matches At Allianz Parque
- Travel To Guaruja From Sao Paulo
Have a Family Picnic at Ibirapuera Park
- Address: Av. Pedro Álvares Cabral – Vila Mariana, São Paulo – SP, 04094-050, Brazil; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 5 AM – 11 PM
- Things To Do: Walking, Riding a bike, Jogging
We begin our list with one of the most photographed parks worldwide. Ibirapuera Park is Sao Paulo’s urban park spread over 158 hectares. It is a go-to park for locals and tourists who want to jog, do morning strolls, and bike. It also offers many famous events such as Sao Paulo Fashion Week, trade shows, sporting events, and congresses. Families can relax, hang out, play sports, or picnic. They can prepare food from home or buy snacks and cold drinks at the park.
Enjoy Street Food In Liberdade Neighborhood
- Address: São Paulo – State of São Paulo Brazil; Google Map
- Things To Do: Buying Japanese souvenirs, enjoying Japanese cuisine
Sao Paulo’s vibrant culinary scene tells the story of its diverse population. Hence, you will find influences from the Middle East, Lebanon, Japanese, and Syrian food culture. If you are a foodie, the best place to sample Sao Paulo’s delicacies is Liberdade. This Japanese neighborhood houses the world’s largest ethnic Japanese community outside Japan. Its street market is a famous tourist hub where visitors can sample foods such as sushi, gyoza, takoyaki, and yakisoba. You will also find these delicacies more affordable than other places.
Find Kids’ Attractions At Paulista Avenue (Avenida Paulista)
- Address: São Paulo – State of São Paulo, Brazil; Google Map
- Things To Do: Shopping, Dining, Sightseeing, Biking
Are you ready to explore Brazil‘s most famous street? Paulista Avenue is among the most important avenues in Sao Paulo. It has many financial, cultural, and business buildings/institutions. The avenue also saw numerous political protests in the 20th and 21st centuries. It is also a shopper’s paradise, featuring many shopping centers, stores, and markets. Visitors can go for a guided tour around Paulista Avenue and explore its attractions on foot or a bike. Afterward, they can hop into any available restaurant and enjoy Brazilian delicacies.
Ride Rollercoasters At Hopi Hari
- Address: Rod. dos Bandeirantes, km 72, Vinhedo – SP, 13288-390, Brazil; Google Map
- Opening Hours: Friday-Sunday: 11 AM – 7:30 PM
- Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official Instagram
Who doesn’t love amusement parks? Especially if it’s like Hopi Hari, which features five exciting themed areas. This amusement park, named after Hopi (God of joy) and Hari (Goddess of adventure), has family-friendly activities, thrilling rides, and entertainment shows. Its five themed areas, Kaminda Mundi, The Wild West, Infantasia, Mistieri, and Aribabiba, cater to different age groups. You can increase your adrenaline at scary rollercoasters, splash and play in the water, or watch entertaining performances with your family.
See Lions And Tigers At Sao Paulo Zoo
- Address: Av. Miguel Estefano, 4241 – Água Funda, São Paulo – SP, 04301-905, Brazil; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 9 AM – 5 PM
- Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official Instagram
You can never go wrong with the zoo. Zoológico de São Paulo opened in 1958 and works on four parameters: scientific research in various areas, conservation education, conservation of endangered species, and leisure as a way of connecting people with nature. Since the zoo’s central focus is protecting animals, it has offered sanctuary to over 3,200 animals: 216 bird species, 102 mammal species, 95 reptile species, and 15 amphibian species. You can see lions, tigers, jaguars, bears, parrots, elephants, and giraffes.
Enjoy Family Hiking At Cantareira State Park
- Address: Tres Cruzes, São Paulo – State of São Paulo, Brazil; Google Map
- Things To Do: Hiking, Birdwatching
Go on a family adventure to Cantareira State Park. This park protects an area of Atlantic Forest and is part of the Sao Paulo City Green Belt Biosphere Reserve. It offers excellent hiking and birdwatching opportunities. Some of the best hiking trails are Trilha da Pedra Grande (a 7.2 km hike that leads to a stunning viewpoint), Trilha do Silvado (a more challenging hike with rewarding views), Trilha da Cachoeira (a scenic trail that leads to a waterfall), and Trilha do Lago das Carpas (a 9.2 km moderately challenging route).
Get Brazlian Art Experience At Embu das Artes
- Address: Jardim Branca Flor Embu – State of São Paulo Brazil; Google Map
- Things To Do: Art tours, dining, sightseeing, temple visits
Embu das Artes, or Land of the Arts, is a Brazilian municipality in Sao Paulo. It is known for its rich art scene, notable in its colorful buildings, art galleries, artisan shops, and artistic ambiance. Art enthusiasts will love visiting Viela das Lavadeiras, a narrow alley full of vibrant murals. It is an ideal spot for taking Instagram-worthy snaps. Likewise, this municipality has museums, historical monuments, and cultural sites that attract visitors from all walks of life. You can also shop for souvenirs like paintings, porcelain, jewelry, woodwork, and sculptures.
Stroll Through Municipal Market (Mercado Municipal de Sao Paulo)
- Address: R. da Cantareira, 306 – Centro Histórico de São Paulo, São Paulo – SP, 01024-900, Brazil; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 6 AM – 6 PM
- Social Media: Official Website, Official Instagram, Official Facebook
Next, the Municipal Market is a must-visit tourist spot in Sao Paulo. It is open every day, including on holidays. This public market gives a glimpse of local life with its bustling atmosphere, busy vendors, and eager shoppers. It features stalls and vendors selling fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, spices, and cheeses. You should sample the market’s mortadella sandwiches and pastel de bacalhau. This place’s architectural charm and lively atmosphere attract hundreds of visitors daily.
Catch Panoramic Views From Farol Santander
- Address: R. João Brícola, 24 – Centro Histórico de São Paulo, São Paulo – SP, 01014-900, Brazil; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 9 AM – 8 PM
- Social Media: Official Website, Official Instagram, Official Facebook
Enjoy cityscape views from Farol Santander. The 161.22 m building was initially built between 1940 and 1947. It was renovated to its present state and inaugurated in January 2018. Now, the 35-story building features cultural, educational, or recreational institutions on all its floors. Visitors can enjoy panoramic views from the observation deck on the top floor. They can also check out temporary and permanent exhibitions, such as View of 4 by Vik Muniz and Memory Space.
Enjoy Fancy Dining At Jardins District
- Address: São Paulo – State of São Paulo, Brazil; Google Map
- Things To Do: Dining, Sightseeing
Would you like to enjoy upscale dining with your family? Then, head to the city’s fanciest neighborhood, Jardins. This district houses stylish sushi bars, French bistros, and Michelin-starred restaurants. Whether you want to enjoy a romantic dinner or sip coffee with elegance, there is something for everyone here. In addition to fancy dining outlets, Jardins features family-friendly attractions like the Museum of Image and Sound, the Museu da Casa Brasileira, the Gazeta Theatre, and Trianon Park.
Visit The Beautiful Martinelli Building
- Address: R. São Bento, 405 – Centro Histórico de São Paulo, São Paulo – SP, 01011-100, Brazil; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 7 AM – 8 PM
- Social Media: Official Website, Official Instagram, Official Facebook
Explore Brazil’s first skyscraper, the Martinelli Building, during your Sao Paulo trip. Giuseppe Martinelli, an Italian immigrant, started the construction of this historic building in 1924. It was initially designed to have 12 floors and reach a height of 100 meters. Eventually, the building got 30 floors and reached a height of 105 meters. It is known for its beaux-arts architecture featuring Swiss elevators, Belgian glass, Carrara marble staircases, and Riga pine doors. It also houses several offices, shops, and financial institutions.
Tour The Republic Square (Praça da República)
- Address: Praça da República – República, São Paulo – SP, 01045-000, Brazil; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 24 hours
- Things To Do: Walking, Riding a bike, Attending events
You might be surprised to see exploring Republic Square among our list of things to do with kids in Sao Paulo. While this square is not as exciting as amusement parks, it offers a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life. Visitors can explore the museums, old buildings, theaters, churches, and shops surrounding this urban park. It also hosts many events, including the Arts & Crafts Fair. This event always occurs on Saturdays and Sundays and features 600+ stalls and markets selling landscape paintings, intricate wood carvings, and charming household trinkets.
Watch Live Matches At Allianz Parque
- Address: Avenida Francisco Matarazzo, 1705, R. Palestra Itália, 200 – Água Branca, São Paulo – SP, 05001-200, Brazil; Google Map
- Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official Instagram
Do your kids love football? Then, they will enjoy visiting Allianz Parque, a football stadium in Água Branca, Sao Paulo. It is the home stadium of the Brazilian professional football club Palmeiras. The arena has hosted many home games and international sporting events, including the 2015 Copa America. It also hosts concerts and tours by world-renowned artists. Global phenomena BTS performed their Love Yourself: Speak Yourself Tour at the stadium on May 26 and 29, 2019.
Travel To Guaruja From Sao Paulo
- Address: State of São Paulo, Brazil; Google Map
- Distance From Sao Paulo: 1.5 hours
- Things To Do: Visiting beaches, hiking, sightseeing
Plan a day trip to Guarujá from Sao Paulo if you are on an extended vacation. This Brazilian municipality is located on the Santo Amaro island, within a 1.5-2 hour drive from Sao Paulo. It has 27 stunning beaches, including Pitangueiras, Astúrias, Guaiúba, Enseada, and Tombo. Visitors can sunbathe, play in the sand, and enjoy watersports on these beaches. In addition to these family-friendly beaches, this town has a football stadium, shopping centers, a golf club, and Acqua Mundo (the largest aquarium in South America).
There is no limit to the things to do with kids in Sao Paulo. This Brazilian city is a family-friendly destination catering to visitors of all ages. Visitors will have their schedules full of sightseeing, dining, exploring, and learning new things. They will also find many kid-friendly hotels (cheap and luxurious) in the city. Paulista Avenue, Jardins, Pinheiros, Itaim Bibi, and Vila Madalena are among the best areas to stay in Sao Paulo. Avoid places far from the city center like Lapa, Pari, and Perdizes.