Last year I experienced Open House Athens a little differently than usual. I had a five-month-old baby — who naturally followed his own schedule — so spending the whole day visiting buildings from 10am to 5pm simply wasn’t an option. I also decided to bring my almost five-year-old along.
Instead of trying to do everything, we kept our plans simple. We joined an Open Walk in the neighborhood of Kypseli and visited two buildings during the main Open House Athens weekend. Open House Athens is part of the wider Open House Europe network of architecture events. During past Open House events I have visited many design hotels which I’ve showcased on this post.
The experience turned out to be limited but surprisingly successful. So based on that day, here are a few tips for visiting Open House Athens — or any Open House Europe event — with kids.
1. Lower Your Expectations
If you’re used to visiting many buildings during the weekend (my personal record is eight!), you’ll need to adjust your plans when you have kids with you.
A more realistic goal is one or two buildings per day. This keeps the experience enjoyable rather than exhausting for everyone.
2. Bring a Stroller
Strollers aren’t only for babies and toddlers. Older children who aren’t used to walking long distances will appreciate a break.
My daughter hadn’t used a stroller since she was two and a half, but she happily sat in one again at age five.
Strollers aren’t always ideal inside buildings due to accessibility issues, but they are perfect for Open Walks or moving between locations.
3. Pack Water and Snacks
When children get bored, they also tend to get hungry — and quickly “hangry”.
Having a few snacks and water with you can make a big difference while waiting between visits or walking to the next building.
4. Bring Small Activities
I always carry a few small activities for my daughter when we go to restaurants. For Open House events, sticker books or water-painting books work especially well because they are light and easy to use while sitting in a stroller or waiting in line.
Related: 6 Historic Buildings in Athens I visited during Open House
5. Aim for the First Group
If possible, try to join the first visiting group of the day.
Children usually aren’t very patient with long queues, so arriving early helps you avoid long waiting times.
6. Go with Friends
If you can, visit with friends. Having extra adults around makes things much easier.
During our Open Walk last year, I was with three friends who took turns pushing the stroller while I stopped to take photos.
7. Involve Kids in the Experience
Children love feeling included. One simple way to do that is by letting them take photos of the buildings.
This year my daughter will bring her own little camera along — and I’m curious to see the architecture through her eyes.
Visiting Open House Athens with kids may look different from your usual architectural exploration — but it can still be a rewarding experience. With a bit of planning and realistic expectations, the event becomes a great opportunity to explore the city together and introduce children to architecture. And if you find yourself traveling during similar events across Open House Europe, the same approach can help make those visits enjoyable for the whole family as well.
