Last updated: . This update corrects selected gladiator-school and Colosseum details; the family’s Rome visit remains historical, and provider dates and eligibility can change. Date information added October 28, 2026.
Our family’s Gladiator School experience, first published November 21, 2024. The account below describes our visit during a month in Rome, including the children’s eligibility and the activities we tried then. Check the school’s current age, participation, ticket and transport arrangements before booking. The original promotional images are retained as part of the visit’s history; their “kids 7+” wording is not confirmation of today’s age policy.
When in Rome, do as the Romans, right? Nothing could be better than embracing the fascinating, torrid history of Rome and its Gladiators. Roman architecture and history continue to fascinate us, from elaborate buildings to the history of the empire. Even in our current home in Portugal, we constantly encounter Roman ruins. All roads lead to Rome!
As you explore the magnificent Colosseum, it is easy to imagine the gladiators who fought there. Our family was drawn to its history; read about our visit when you tour the Colosseum. The official archaeological park says naval battles were held in celebration of the monument’s inauguration and that water shows stopped after the wooden arena was replaced with masonry.
The Colosseum fascinates the entire family, but did you know that you can take it a step further and become a gladiator for the day? During our month-long stay in Rome amid our world tour, we went to see the Colosseum and followed it up with Gladiator School!
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Rome also has seasonal reenactment shows, including the linked Gladiator Show of Ancient Rome. Show dates and booking details change by season, so verify the organizer’s current schedule before planning.
However, if you’re looking for a hands-on activity, you can visit Gladiator School! The Scuola Gladiatori Roma school offers a training experience and museum visit. Session length, included activities, and booking terms depend on the current offering, so review the provider’s details before you book.
We went with our five kids, but only the oldest two were eligible to participate at the time. However, we all had fun! Watching is nearly as entertaining as participating in the battles
Original 7Wayfinders family film: We Became Gladiators in Rome!
At the time of our visit, only the oldest two of our five children were eligible to participate in the physical training. For current age, participation, and museum-access rules, confirm details with the school before booking.
Our guide interacted playfully with the kids while maintaining authority and respect. Overall, it was a wonderful experience for the whole family!
Original portrait family training clip (11.75 seconds)
Some listings combine the school visit with other services. Before booking a tour, check exactly what is included, where it meets, and whether transportation is part of the reservation.
Our children were especially engaged by the chance to imagine and play as gladiators during our visit. For our family, the hands-on activity brought the history to life.
Our kids love the stories of the gladiators, and this drove most of their interest in the Colosseum. The architecture amazes most adults, but kids are in it for the fighting! Being able to dive right into this history in a hands-on way was so fun during our time in Rome.
During our visit, we first stopped at the small museum for about 30 minutes. We enjoyed the instruction on the daily lives of gladiators, the training, the weapons, and more.
We were then given gladiator clothing and weapons and participated in group training. Our group had about eight people. We practiced for about 10 minutes before taking turns in the ring in a closely guided activity with prop-style weapons; no one was injured. The group size and session details may differ on another day.
I stayed with the two younger kids and helped with the filming while the others participated. Ask the school about current arrangements for accompanying adults and observers. It was warm during our visit, so consider the weather and the provider’s current directions when deciding what to bring.
Enjoy your trip!
Leslie
Plan your trip to Rome and get some budget-friendly tickets from Booking.com, Skyscanner, Kiwi.com, or Expedia
Find a family-friendly hotel in Rome from Booking.com, Expedia, or Vrbo, (we also love Tripadvisor and Hotels.com)
Discover more of Rome through exciting activities from GetYourGuide, Airbnb Experiences, or Viator
Need to rent a car? Visit Rentalcars.com / EuropCar
Get insured while traveling with World Nomads / SafetyWing
Want to have a photo shoot while traveling? Check out flytographer!
Capture your best travel memories in Rome as we do with a GoPro, Sony camera, or our favorite drones: DJI FPV, Air, and Mini
Check out your travel necessities from a comprehensive list of all the 7Wayfinders Travel Must-Haves. Click Here!
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