Especially for Kids

The National Gardens off Syntagma Square have a small zoo, several duck ponds, a playground, and lots of room to run around. There's also a Children's Library with books in English and some toys and coloring materials. The library is usually open Tuesday through Saturday from 8:30am to 3pm, and is closed in August. The National Gardens are open from sunrise to well after sunset.

Among the many small parks and gardens scattered throughout Athens, the National Gardens are the best for children. That said, if you're staying in Kolonaki, try Dexamini Square, which has a small playground and several cafes. (It's below the St. George Lycabettus hotel off Kleomenous.)

The impressive, privately operated Attica Zoological Park (tel. 210/663-4724; www.atticapark.com) is home to more than 2,000 birds from some 320 species, a butterfly garden, and a small farm. The zoo, which plans to add more exhibits, is open daily from 10am to 7pm and charges 8€ admission for adults, 4€ for children. The zoo is not far from the new airport at Spata; given the state of most airports in the summer, the zoo might seem an oasis of tranquillity.

The ride up Mount Likavitos on the cable-car railway (teleferique) is often a hit with kids. It operates every 20 minutes in summer (6€ round-trip). A cafe at the top sells ice cream, and children can let off steam by running around on the paths.

The Museum of Greek Children's Art often hosts special activities and workshops (conducted in Greek). If your children might enjoy seeing what Greek kids like to draw, stop by 9 Kodrou, Plaka (tel. 210/331-2621; www.childrensartmuseum.gr; admission 2€; Tues-Sat 10am-2pm, Sun 11am-2pm; closed Aug). This small museum has changing displays of children's art from throughout Greece. The Children's Museum, around the corner at 14 Kidathineon (tel. 210/331-2995; www.hcm.gr; free admission), also runs workshops (the most popular one being the chocolate-making session) but has no exhibitions. In addition, sometimes Karaghiozis Puppet Shows (shadow theater) sets up a few doors away at the Greek Folk Art Museum, 17 Kidathineon. You don't have to understand Greek to appreciate the slapstick comedy of Karaghiozis. In leafy and aristocratic Kifissia you will find two excellent museums that the entire family will enjoy. At the Goulandris Museum of Natural History, 13 Levidou, Kifissia (tel. 210/801-5870; www.culture.gr; admission 5€ adults, 3€ children; Mon-Thurs and Sat 9am-2:30pm, Sun 10:30am-2:30pm; Metro line 1: Kifissia), you will find a flawlessly researched exhibit on Greece's wildlife, including mammals, birds, and reptiles. Down the street is the equally impressive Gaia Center (Earth Center), 100 Othonos (tel. 210/801-5870; admission 5€ adults, 3€ children; Mon-Thurs and Sat 9am-2:30pm, Sun 10:30am-2:30pm). The two museums are affiliated with one another, so if you wish to visit them both on the same day you can purchase a ticket (at either museum) for 7€ adults, 4€ children. The Gaia Center features three floors of interactive video, computer, and tactile displays of our planet, our systems, how we have slowly damaged our planet, and how to prevent further damage.

The multimedia center Hellenic Cosmos is an excellent, ultramodern living museum that offers interactive exhibits that focus on Greek history and culture through the ages. You can visit ancient Miletus via virtual reality, take a 3-D journey through the Agora in ancient Athens, visit ancient cities and civilizations, browse the Web in the Internet cafe, and in the more traditional way, view a collection of Greek costumes. The center was founded in 1998 by the Foundation for the Hellenic World, 254 Pireos, Tavros (tel. 210/342-2292 or 210/483-5300; www.fhw.gr; admission: 5€-10€ depending on exhibition; Mon-Tues and Thurs 9am-6pm, Wed and Fri 11am-9pm, Sat-Sun 11am-3pm; Metro: Kallithea). The "Dome" is 10€ for adults and 5€ for children, but is worth every penny. The nearest Metro station is a 10-minute walk away, so if you're bringing small children, you might want to take a taxi.

It might surprise some of you to know that Athens has the world's finest, most modern, and well-equipped planetarium. The New Eugenides Digital Planetarium, 387 Syngrou Ave. (tel. 210/946-9641; www.eugenfound.edu.gr; bus: B2, 550, E2 and E22 from Syntagma), is a 280-seat ultramodern auditorium with many shows daily and IMAX movies.

Allou Fun Park, Kifissou and Petrou Ralli, Rendi (tel. 210/425-6999; www.alloufunpark.gr; Mon-Fri 5pm-1am; Sat-Sun 10am-2am; tram 21 from Omonoia [Kan Kan stop]), is a large amusement park for all ages and a fun way to spend a family evening. Free-fall from a 40m (131-ft.) shock tower, ride roller coasters, and take in an amazing view of the city from the large Panorama Ferris wheel. Next door is yet another amusement park run by the same company especially for younger children (up to 13) called Kidom.

To spend a day on the beach or by the coast with the kids, many of the city's private beaches have children's play areas, watersports, and a plethora of options. If you want to linger by the coast with the kids, Flisvos Marina (tel. 201/987-1000; www.flisvosmarina.com; tram: Trocadero) is the perfect option for lunch/dinner/strolling by the sea and where children can check out the Averoff battleship -- now a museum (www.bsaverof.com). There's also a lovely open-air cinema aptly named Cine Flisvos. You can also choose to walk along the waterfront -- head south to the nearby Alimos seaside resort where you will find one of the biggest playgrounds in the Balkans right by the surf. Check the English-language daily Athens News (www.athensnews.gr) or the daily Kathimerini insert in the International Herald Tribune for listings of newly released American movies. A couple of hours in an air-conditioned theater is not a bad way to pass a hot afternoon.

The "Scope" section's "Kids' Corner" in the weekly Hellenic Times lists activities of interest to children in Athens, including Girl Scout meetings, hiking excursions, and day camps.