Visiting Barcelona with kids? Any parent (including myself) must plan a holiday very differently from those kids and carefree visitors.
On a city visit, you want to balance culture, museums and highlights with a good peppering of fun and interest for the little ones.
Nothing could be worse than spending all that money and having your children moaning about how boring everything is!
As an experienced family guide and parent living in Barcelona, I am here to make your life a little easier.
Is Barcelona child-friendly? The answer is YES! And here is the most complete list of things to do with kids in Barcelona that you will find.
One big word of advice: don’t try to cram too much in as your offspring will get grumpy, tired and rebel. Balance a museum morning with a fun afternoon activity like beach and ice cream (great bribes for good morning behaviour).
Scroll down, see what activities might suit your family’s interest and have a great holiday. At the end of the article, you can also find some info on the useful Barcelona Family Card.
This post was updated in January 2024
INDEX
- 1- Park Güell
- 2- Cosmocaixa (Science Museum)
- 3- Montjuïc Magic Fountain
- 4- Tibidabo Amusement Park
- 5- Barcelona Aquarium
- 6- Casa Batlló
- 7- Kids & Family Gothic Quarter Walking Tour
- 8- Chocolate Museum
- 9- Chocolate with churros
- 10- Barcelona Zoo
- 11- Labyrinth Park
- 12- Museu Blau (Natural History Museum)
- 13- Barcelona Beaches
- 14- Barcelona Bosc Urbà
- 15- Montjuïc Cable Cars
- 16- Hill of Montjuïc & Castle
- 17- Gaudí Experiència 4D
- 18- Mosaiccos
- 19- Barcelona Festivals
- 20- Giants Museum (La Casa dels Entremesos)
- 21- Hop on Hop off bus
- 22- Maritime Museum
- 23- Ciutadella Park
- 24- Museum of Illusions
- 25- Big Fun Museum
- 26- Wax Museum
- 27- El Bosc de Les Fades
- 28- El Rei de la Màgia
- 29- Las Golondrinas boat trip
- 30- Illa Fantasia
- 31- Columbus Monument
- 32- IceBarcelona
- 33- Camp Nou Stadium & Barça Museum
- 34- Soccer/Football match
- 35- Lock-Clock escape room
- 36- Excursions in a kayak
1- Park Güell
Designed by Antoni Gaudí, the architect really let his imagination run away with him on this one.
It has gingerbread-like houses at the main entrance, colourful broken tile mosaics decorating walls and seats, playful curvy lines and cool walkways to go under and over.
Its high location makes for great views looking down into Barcelona.
This park is a great way to fit in a cultural visit that will not bore the kids. They can run skip jump around this architectural marvel.
The park’s most spectacular part is the Monumental Zone and panoramic areas, which require an entrance ticket.
I strongly advise booking your tickets at least a few days in advance as they do sell out in high season.
OUR TIP: It is super-hot in the summer and I always advise families to go first thing in the morning before the heat builds up. There are also children’s playgrounds and a picnic area within the monumental zone. The nearest entrance would be the side entrance on Olot Street.
- Address: Carrer d’Olot, 1
- BUY TICKETS for Park Güell
2- Cosmocaixa (Science Museum)
I always love visiting science museums and you just can’t go wrong with kids in tow in this one.
The building itself is vast with many floors closed off or not exhibiting.
From experience, my advice is to go down 5 floors via the beautiful spiral ramp (kids love it), and you will find the main exhibits. Here there are lots of fun things to engage all.
You can explore the Amazon rainforest, well a fraction of it anyway. Start by looking through the glass windows at the fish, turtles and waterlogged underneath the forest.
Go through the dark educational tunnel underneath the trees (kids love this part, it is a little scary) and come up into the humid habitat itself.
There are even some native birds flying around for that touch of authenticity.
Then there is the typical “touch the buttons and learn” section. Scientific experiments show you the theory behind everyday patterns of the world.
From wave simulations to sandstorm dune makers, it is an interactive way for kids to learn.
A section on geology helps them understand volcanoes and different types of rock.
There is even a reconstructed research hut from the Spanish base of Juan Carlos I in Antarctica.
That area is fleshed out with photos, explanations of the fragile ecosystem and cute model penguins which my son loves!
Check out what temporary shows are there, I have never been let down by one yet. There are also workshops, activities and a planetarium. These all cost extra but are worth researching to see which might appeal to your family.
OUR TIP: The museum is free for kids under 16. If you are going to buy The Barcelona Card you can also enter free of charge to this attraction.
- Address: Carrer d’Isaac Newton, 26
- BUY TICKETS for CosmoCaixa Barcelona
3- Montjuïc Magic Fountain
The Magic Fountain is currently not running due to the drought in Barcelona.
Seriously, a big must while here for the whole clan!
It’s got dancing water, lights, an amazing setting and is mesmerizing for any age group.
The show runs every 15 minutes and in between, you can climb stairs to get a great view of the city at night.
It is well connected by metro, train and bus and is a great free activity for the family.
The only downside is the large crowds and the late hour for sleep-starved kids.
Be sure to check out the timetable as it varies a lot throughout the year and sometimes it is closed for maintenance.
OUR TIP: If you don’t mind the later schedule, make sure you arrive when there is no daylight left as you will not get the full-colour impact from the fountain.
- Address: Plaça de Carles Buïgas, 1
4- Tibidabo Amusement Park
This is the classic family funfair of Barcelona with the oldest ride dating back to 1928.
Perched on top of Tibidabo Hill, the views of Barcelona alone are spectacular. The Art Nouveau church beside the funfair is worth a peek before entering the main attraction.
While it is no Disneyland, the park is a fun day out for all and only a 30-minute bus ride from the centre.
Your entrance ticket allows free access to all the rides which are colour-coded for age-appropriate.
As the park is built on a slope there are quite a few levels to go up and down but lifts are available for those who still have kids in buggies.
As well as stomach-turning rides, you can find 3-D movies, a magic mirror maze and the beautiful Automat Museum (not to be missed).
There are basic eateries there (a little overpriced) or you can bring, as most locals do, a packed lunch.
OUR TIP: The park is quite exposed and can be extremely hot in the middle of the day in the summer months. Bring lots of water, suntan lotion and sun hats for the family. The queue for the 1928 aeroplane ride moves very slowly and is not very spectacular. I found it was not worth the wait with a bored child, but it’s a classic with locals so they will do it, more for tradition’s sake.
- Address: Plaça del Tibidabo, 3-4
- BUY TICKETS for Tibidabo Amusement Park
5- Barcelona Aquarium
We all know that fish reside in aquariums and this is no different in Barcelona’s one.
As well as exotic fish, turtles, frogs and fossils on display there are also penguins, sharks and stingrays with timed feedings so visitors can catch all the action.
I went here for my son’s birthday and was impressed by how much there was for kids to see and do.
There were lots of interactive exhibits where children could press buttons, climb through tubes, go down slides and let off steam in an educational way.
A nice touch is a playground outside on the second floor where you can sip your coffee and eat your sandwich while keeping an eye on your hyperactive little charges.
One of the highlights is the Oceanarium with its automatic walkway through a large glass tube 80 metres long.
As you look through the glass it truly feels like you are in the deep depths viewing all the fish action. This includes being eyed up by a few impressive-looking sharks.
OUR TIP: Sharks are only fed by divers on Tuesdays and Fridays so this is a good day to visit and catch a lot of the feedings for the various residents. Arrive inside before 11.30 as this is the first meal of the day starting with the penguins.
- Address: Moll d’Espanya del Port Vell, s/n
- BUY TICKETS for Barcelona Aquarium
6- Casa Batlló
Who doesn’t like that great legend of Saint George and the dragon?
If it appeals to your bunch, then definitely visit this magical building. Casa Batlló is an architectural highlight that kids and adults alike can enjoy.
It is an apartment block designed by Gaudí and I have never met one kid who didn’t want to set up home here!
The basement has been recently recycled into two immersive rooms the Gaudí dome and Gaudí cube. Full of high-tech screens and gadgetry you enter an entirely different dimension. Kids LOVE IT!
The original Gaudí house itself displays colourful tiles, curved walls, a mushroom fireplace, turtle-inspired windows, a rib cage attic spiral staircase… the list goes on.
The kids will be given a pretty cool interactive screen where animations appear and old photos show you how the rooms used to look.
You will wander up to the attic and roof to meet guardian chimneys and a dragon roof!
For an extra charge, you can cram into the top balcony for a unique family portrait.
The visit ends, of course, in the souvenir shop of the building.
OUR TIP: This house can get very cramped during busy periods so light permitting I recommend going early evening as the crowds drop drastically. Buy tickets online as not only you will skip the lines, but they are a lot cheaper than at the door.
- Address: Passeig de Gràcia, 43
- BUY TICKETS for Casa Batlló
7- Kids & Family Gothic Quarter Walking Tour
This was a tour I created a few years back and it is geared towards the whole family with a focus on children.
In this 2.5-hour fun-filled walk you visit a candy shop, hear Catalan stories, meet the giants, sing songs, do role play and laugh a lot.
I have personally trained a handful of child-friendly guides who come carrying props and give out little workbooks with crayons for the children to complete during the walk.
My idea is an educational tour where children learn about Catalan history and traditions through play.
The walk is through the heart of the medieval city and takes in the Gothic Quarter highlights such as the King’s Square, government buildings, Roman ruins and Barcelona’s Cathedral.
So, parents, the pressure is off you to entertain the younger ones. Follow the guides and learn alongside your engaged children.
The scheduled tour is offered at 10 am every Saturday from April to October. In the Summer months, there is an extra tour on Wednesdays.
If there is no tour scheduled during your time in the city, or if you prefer a more personalized experience, it is also offered as a private kids’ tour all year round.
OUR TIP: This tour is a great introduction to Barcelona and families usually regret doing it at the end of their visit. If you can time this action-packed activity for the beginning of your stay all the better.
- Address: Plaça de l’Angel, 12
- BUY TICKETS for Kids & Family Gothic Quarter Walking Tour
- BUY TICKETS for Kids & Family Gothic Quarter Private Walking Tour
8- Chocolate Museum
If your family has a sweet tooth you might be interested in this visit.
This is a nice little filler in a museum that provides insight into the world of chocolate.
It is not too big and 45 minutes to an hour is ample time to go through the building.
In that time, you will see cool chocolate sculptures (some a little old!) and learn the origin of chocolate and how Europe received and modified this new taste from the Americas.
You can round off the visit by trying some hot chocolate which is super yummy in their cafe.
There is also a gift shop so some tasty souvenirs for the folks back home are also an option.
Check out their workshops and family activities on their page and for an extra charge, your family could be elbow-deep in chocolate making!
OUR TIP: The museum visit is not an expensive venture, but you can do it for free if you have purchased The Barcelona Card or the Barcelona Family Card.
- Address: Carrer del Comerç, 36
- BUY TICKETS for Museu de la Xocolata
9- Chocolate with churros
A classic in Spain and I have never met a child who did not enjoy this calorie-ridden treat.
Classic churros are sweet fried dough topped with sugar and served with a thick dipping chocolate sauce.
If you find thick custard or caramel or chocolate-filled churros, these are called porras.
Located a turn away from La Rambla, inside you will be greeted by waiters with dicky bows, café style marble tables and a little deli counter if you feel the need to buy ham or cheese. It has remained in the same family since it opened in 1910.
If your kids prefer something lighter they can try Cacaolat, a chocolate milkshake-like drink that was created here and now you can find in all bars and supermarkets in the country.
OUR TIP: If planning a churros and chocolate stop with the kids, be aware that it is not a lunchtime custom. Most of these establishments will close for lunch. It is a morning or evening treat for the locals.
- Address: Carrer d’en Xuclà, 4
- Website for Granja Viader
10- Barcelona Zoo
Fancy a bit of Animal adventure while in Barcelona? Our zoo is located bang in the centre, on the outer edges of the old quarter.
Its handy position makes it an easy bribe for the kids after a morning of historical sightseeing.
The easy layout of the zoo provides a pleasant walk around the enclosures. The explanations of each animal are nicely worded for the kids and focus on issues like extinction and conservation.
As well as the enclosures, children love the more interactive spaces such as the farm, pony rides, elephant training area and large playgrounds.
You might also be lucky enough to fit in feeding time with the very cute penguins.
For a few extra euros, an electric train ride can take you through most of the grounds! My son loved it (it was a super hot day that day!).
And for kids that speak Spanish, check out their website for educational activities you can book online.
OUR TIP: While there are restaurants inside the zoo complex, I would opt to bring the kids’ favourite: a picnic! There are wooden benches and tables set up for this purpose. Santa Caterina market is not so far away so a quick shop before your visit can provide you with a delightful feast for lunch. Entrance to the zoo is free with the Barcelona Family Card!
- Address: Parc de la Ciutadella s/n
- BUY TICKETS for Barcelona Zoo
11- Labyrinth Park
Step back in time to the 18th century and visit the very splendid landscaped garden of a marquis.
A bit off the beaten track but definitely an escape from the crowds, it is a great place to get in that tranquil family time.
Donated to the city council by the Davalls, it has been open to the public since 1971 for a nominal entrance fee.
The highlight for kids is a nearly 2-metre-high maze where many fun games of hide-and-seek can be played.
There are small temples and pavilions and statues of Roman gods and mythological figures dotted throughout the park.
And what is a magnificent garden without swans? You will find them paddling along the private canal linking water sources to pools and a waterfall.
The fantastic sprawling gardens that include a lot of trees will give you a sense of walking through a romantic forest.
OUR TIP: Sundays and Wednesdays are free entry so it might save you a little to visit. They have started limiting the number of people on the free days so I would recommend coming on a Wednesday. Don’t plan this as a picnic destination as they do not allow you to bring food inside.
- Address: Passeig dels Castanyers, 1
- Website for Parc del Laberint d’Horta
12- Museu Blau (Natural History Museum)
Firstly, the building that holds this Natural History Museum is just cool, with its triangular corners and pitch-black interior walls (eerily lit up).
Inside, there are many intriguing animations projected on the walls and floors helping to illustrate the evolution of Earth.
There are fossils, stones, skeletons, photos, and texture grids on display in glass cases but the most captivating for the young ones would be the real stuffed animals.
This old collection was re-housed here a few years back and also includes a wide array of exotic creepy crawlies for an added element of fun.
The museum descriptions can be a little dry so, as a parent, you may have to spice that up a little for your offspring.
For the toddlers, there is a special room where they can touch and examine all objects on show from pine cones to animal fur to test tubes to rocks.
My son had the best time ever here (tantrums leaving, of course) but please be aware it is only a 30-minute time allowance inside. You need to check out the timetable for this space as it is not accessible all the time.
This museum is not an expensive one but, if you don’t mind the local family crowds (kids might even make new friends), Sunday after 3 pm is a free entrance as well as all day on the first Sunday of the month.
OUR TIP: There are a few excellent playgrounds behind the museum for the kids to let off steam after their visit. The first one to the side is for older kids, across from that is quite a high climbing frame with an impressive slide to get down. A 30-second extra walk brings you to the playground for toddlers.
- Address: Plaza Leonardo da Vinci, 4-6
- BUY TICKETS for Museu de Cièncias Naturals de Barcelona
13- Barcelona Beaches
What kid doesn’t like the beach? One advantage of Barcelona as a family destination is that it is located bang on the Mediterranean coastline.
It’s the perfect bribe for a morning of good behaviour from your little ones.
In high season you can rent loungers with umbrellas and don’t be surprised to find a lot of touts selling cold beverages as well as ladies offering messages.
There are xiringuitos (outdoor bars located on the sand) where you can sit in comfort sipping a cold beverage while your children play. Be aware that prices are high here!
You can bring ping-pong gear or volleyballs and take advantage of the free playing facilities.
Renting bikes to cycle from one end to the other can also be a nice thing to do.
Barcelona city beaches can get pretty crowded in the summer with tourists and locals alike. Skip the weekend to avoid crowds.
The two quieter city beaches I recommend are Nova Icaria and Bogatell. Beaches near the Barceloneta neighbourhood just get too crazy busy.
If this sounds like too much hustle and bustle for your taste, you can find quieter more picturesque beaches outside Barcelona.
OUR TIP: Don’t bring too many valuables with you and always keep an eye on your belongings. The beaches are a favourite hangout for the pickpockets of the city.
14- Barcelona Bosc Urbà
Get rid of all that pent-up energy and let the kids loose to climb to their heart’s content in an urban forest adventure course.
Located close to the Natural History Museum, it could be a nice balance between a museum visit and physical activity.
Made out of concrete, metal and wire ropes, from the outside it looks like an unfinished petrol station.
Who would guess it is an assault course with different levels to suit kids and adults from the age of 8 and up?
They have also recently added a jumping zone with giant balls and net slides for kids of 5 and up.
While not strictly a cultural activity the advantage is that all children and teenagers will enjoy it.
Expect to be equipped with hard helmets and harnesses, and don’t think about how far down the ground is on the higher levels. The staff will be on hand to help you out.
OUR TIP: It usually closes for periods during winter for renovations so check their website closely to make sure it will be open. Arrive early to allow the time it will take to get around the circuits.
- Address: Parc del Forum
- BUY TICKETS for Barcelona Bosc Urbà
15- Montjuïc Cable Cars
Kids usually love heights and what better activity for the whole family to enjoy than a nice cable car ride to view the city from above?
Here in Barcelona, we have 2 different cable car experiences, both located on Montjuïc mountain.
Port Cable car (Telefèric del Port)
This is an 8-minute trip one way that leaves from the port to bring you to Mirador del Mar, a viewpoint located halfway up the mountain of Montjuïc.
It is a spectacularly high ride (70-90 metres) with great views over the port.
The cable towers date from the 1930s and give that sense of early 20th-century sightseeing.
The drawback is long queues and cramped cable cars (standing only) so you might not get a window view.
You can grab a cold drink at the spectacular terrace of the restaurant where the cable car ends. The views are great but the food is average so I would just stick to beverages here.
Montjuïc Cable Car (Telefèric de Montjuïc)
More modern and cheaper is the Telèferic de Montjuïc.
Its cable towers are not as high but it brings you to the fort at the top of the mountain so the views are just as spectacular.
There are 4 seats inside so you get to sit and enjoy the experience while not feeling crammed in. If there are less than 4 in your group, they will not make you share the ride with a stranger either.
Lines move quickly so you will not be waiting long, although the trip is a little shorter (around 5 minutes one way).
You can catch the funicular from Paral·lel metro station that will take you to the start of the ride.
Finish off with a wander around the defensive castle at the top, again, affording great vistas of Barcelona.
OUR TIP: Check out buying tickets online as at various times they offer a 10% discount for purchases over the web.
- BUY TICKETS for Telefèric de Montuïc
- BUY TICKETS for Telefèric del Port
16- Hill of Montjuïc & Castle
Montjuïc mountain looms over the city of Barcelona providing a welcome break from the hustle and bustle of city life.
It has many parks and Botanical Gardens, our 1992 Olympic Stadium, Art galleries and, at the very top, a defensive castle.
What a great way to fire up any child’s imagination.
Its roots are a 17th-century fort but it has been expanded over the years which means lots of nooks and crannies for the kids to explore.
It has great panoramic views of the city and kids can’t get enough of peering down from the defensive walls.
The visitors centre gives great insight into the interesting castle’s past and temporary exhibitions come and go.
Fees are reasonable and guided tours don’t cost that much (offered twice a day in English).
OUR TIP: After the visit, walk towards the cable cars and follow the steps down. Within five minutes you’ll arrive at some really high slides that provide great thrills for the kids. It is free too! We often sit at a bar terrace just beside the slides and have a hard-earned beer while the kids go berserk on the slides!
- Address: Ctra. de Montjuïc, 66
- BUY TICKETS for Montjuïc Castle
17- Gaudí Experiència 4D
Haven’t had time to prep the kids about Gaudí before leaving home? This place might be a fun solution for everyone!
A stone’s throw away from Park Güell, it is an easy site to combine with the park visit.
It is not a place you will spend a long time in, so kids won’t be dragging their heels.
The exhibition space has interactive touch screens, models and, of course, a 4D film experience.
These are all interesting ways to get into the mindset and inspirations of this great man.
OUR TIP: It is a handy attraction to combine with Park Güell. However, they open later than the park and close earlier so check the timetables carefully.
- Address: Carrer de Larrard, 41
- BUY TICKETS for Gaudí Experiència 4D
18- Mosaiccos
This is a really fun way to learn the trencadís mosaic method that Gaudí used in his architecture.
The whole experience is set in a small workshop that runs classes plus you get to bring the pieces you made home.
It is a nice downtime for the kids and a great bonding time for the whole family.
I always recommend combining this on the same day as a Gaudí site so you can experience firsthand the skill and scale of the craftwork used in his buildings.
Located in the heart of the city you will not be plodding to the outskirts for this Art class.
OUR TIP: If you are interested in this class, then definitely bring the kids to see the outside of Casa Batlló or Park Güell. These are the finest examples of mosaics being optimised in Gaudí’s work.
- Address: Carrer dels Assaonadors, 10
- Website for Mosaiccos
19- Barcelona Festivals
Here we love holidays, and local neighbourhoods always have a few festivities a year.
These festivals are a great fun time for local families and, as a visitor, you should take advantage of all the fun free activities available.
It is a fantastic way to experience Catalan culture and traditions.
Local giant dolls will be paraded, sardanes danced, human castles built, concerts, parades… the list goes on.
Barcelona’s main festival is La Mercè, on September 24th, where you will find the most spectacular events. However, these neighbourhood parties can be found throughout the summer with little research.
OUR TIP: Not sure where to find info on local festivals? Our blog posts about what to do in various months of the year include festivals that are around that month.
20- Giants Museum (La Casa dels Entremesos)
This local cultural centre is a big hit for adults and kids alike on our family tours.
In Barcelona we have the tradition of parading giants during festivals… and what an amazing sight it is.
Walking mannequins stretch up to 5 metres high with eye-catching costumes each with an individual dance to perform.
Some of these mammoth figurines live in this building alongside models of beasts and giant heads (on our tours we even allow the little ones to try them on).
Videos run continually from screens on the walls illustrating all these figures in action during the festivals and make a fun wander around for young and old.
Partly funded by donations, please don’t forget to leave a little something in the wooden coin box at reception as there is no entrance fee for this kids’ attraction.
OUR TIP: At Christmas, there is a wonderful exhibition of hand-made mini-scenes, some showing the birth and others illustrating stories from Jesus’s childhood. It is an enchanting show but often missed by visitors as you have to head up the easily missed stairs to the second floor to catch it.
- Address: Plaça de les Beates, 2
- Website for La Casa dels Entremesos
21- Hop on Hop off bus
First day in Barcelona and the kids are tired? Don’t want to walk anywhere? The hop-on hop-off bus is a great way to make the first-day fun while still seeing quite a bit of the city.
Children love the open-top bus with the wind in their hair and it also gives us parents an idea of the urban layout of the city.
You will get an overview of the main monuments and decide as a family what buildings you would like to go back to explore.
Make sure you wear sunhats, and sunshades, and smear on that suntan lotion so there are no red faces by the end of the day.
Barcelona has two companies: Barcelona Bus Turístic and Barcelona City Tour which provide the same concept and, more or less, the same routes.
The buses are clean and frequent, and the staff is friendly.
You can buy discounted family tickets and for a few euros can extend the daily ticket to last for 2 days.
There are combination tickets available that include major sites in Barcelona so compare all the offers against your plans before buying anything.
There is even an app to help organise the day, something kids will love to get involved with!
OUR TIP: The only disadvantage of the tourist bus is the long queues to get on the ride at the main monuments. Not all stops are in the shade. My advice is to stay on the bus as much as possible and use it as an overview of the city, not as a form of transport.
- BUY TICKETS for Barcelona Bus Turístic
22- Maritime Museum
This is a favourite for Catalan families and makes for a great museum visit.
The building itself is an old medieval shipbuilding yard (14th century) and it’s just beautiful and huge.
There are cool scale models of ships throughout the centuries, ancient maps that show peculiar versions of landmasses, morbid descriptions of life at sea and an interactive area with screens to help keep those little fingers occupied while learning.
The crowning glory is a life-size reconstruction of a 16th-century Spanish Armada flagship that is located at the heart of the museum. Children love it and you can even go up and wander around its deck.
OUR TIP: This is one of those museums that are free on Sunday afternoon (that’s when I visit). They have a coffee shop there too with a big outdoor patio where the kids vent off a little steam.
- Address: Av. de les Drassanes, s/n
- BUY TICKETS for Museu Marítim de Barcelona
23- Ciutadella Park
I absolutely love this park and have spent many happy picnics here with my family.
It was built to house the Universal Exhibition of 1888 and still retains that spectacular splendour of the 19th century.
The centrepiece is the amazing fountain topped by a gold Aurora in her chariot announcing the sun’s arrival and, underneath in stone, the Birth of Venus.
You can climb to the top of the fountain (kids love this) and get great views down below.
I always bring a few seeds along for my son to feed the ducks and geese that reside in the artificial lake at the front.
A stone’s throw away from the fountain is a life-size woolly mammoth sculpture that children adore climbing on his trunk to get a Kodak moment.
There were supposed to be more life-size pre-historic animal figurines around the park but this is the only one constructed from this failed project. Be gentle with him as he is over 100 years old!
You can rent boats to paddle around another artificial lake in the centre although it is not a terribly big or deep lake!
Rickshaw-like bikes can be hired where a family of four can have fun pedalling around the park.
There always seems to be someone earning an extra buck by making gigantic bubbles out of 2 sticks, string and soapy water.
Apart from all this, there is just a great vibe in the park with plenty of shaded green areas to picnic in or play games.
It also houses the Catalan parliament, various botanic greenhouses (not open to the public) and, more exciting for kids, the zoo of Barcelona.
OUR TIP: If you are a fan of ping-pong, bring some rackets with balls and take advantage of the free playing tables.
- Address: Parc de la Ciutadella
24- Museum of Illusions
Located in the heart of El Raval, this museum will be a sure hit with the kids.
On a visit with my sister and her little ones, we could not stop laughing and even my one-year-old son got involved in posing.
How does it work? Well, scenes are painted realistically on floors and walls and you simply insert yourself into the mural and get a member of your crew to take a photo with their camera.
Some of the paintings relate to Barcelona (we helped build Sagrada Familia in one composition) and others are just a good laugh.
We got about 45-50 minutes of fun out of the visit as it is quite a small space and it might feel a bit squashy if there are a lot of visitors.
OUR TIP: It is now under the umbrella of the Big Fun Museum (see below) and with a combined ticket to both attractions you can get a nice discount. Please remember that it is not in the same location as the Big Fun Museum (only a 5-minute walk away). This is not very clear on their website.
- Address: Carrer del Pintor Fortuny, 17
- BUY TICKETS for Museum of Illusions
25- Big Fun Museum
Think that the Museum of Illusions is a great option for your family? Why not combine it with the Big Fun museum off Las Ramblas?
They are run by the same company and they offer good combo deals for the family.
It is more of the fun illusions but, in this museum, they use more 3-D props rather than 2-D paintings.
There is an upside-down house, giant’s home, world of sweets and so on.
It is definitely a place to hang out with the kids and just horse around having fun!
OUR TIP: This museum is just across from the Boqueria Food Market so you could combine it with a fun visit for lunch. The bustling market has lots of cool food stands as well as tiny restaurants with seating. Kids love it!
- Address: La Rambla, 88
- BUY TICKETS for Big Fun Museum
26- Wax Museum
This beautiful old building in La Rambla houses some great adventures for your family to explore! It has undergone a facelift during the pandemic and you can really tell the difference.
Up until recent times, it was focused on reproductions of famous historical Spanish people. However, after the renovation, you can find anyone there, from Picasso to The Beatles or even a full Star Wars dedicated room.
Wonder from theme room to theme room learning about famous Catalans, facing death with the pirates, getting lost in space and much more!
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Like most wax museums it’s geared towards older kids who would recognise more of the famous people and film sets on show.
Some of the highlights for kids are the horror and fantasy section and the submarine cabin. They can feel like Captain Nemo for a few minutes.
For a small additional fee, you can visit the museum workshop! I definitely recommend it for a behind-the-scenes look at the artistry and craftwork of the wax mannequins on display.
OUR TIP: After your visit, have a refreshment at El Bosc de Les Fades, the bar next door that is part of the museum. The young ones will love exploring all the different corners while you sip on a glass of wine.
- Address: La Rambla, 6
- BUY TICKETS for the Wax Museum
27- El Bosc de Les Fades
If any of you read the Enchanted Wood series as a child, then this is the place for you.
Head off Las Ramblas in the direction of the Wax Museum and you’ll discover the Forest of the Fairies.
Now, this is actually a cafe and bar, a fun family-friendly bar with a difference.
The moment you walk in you realise you are no longer in the city but rather in a forest complete with gnarled trees, mischievous gnomes, stars and rivers.
The kids will love exploring the space from corner to corner and be so surprised when suddenly all the lights flash and it starts to rain!
This is definitely a treat for the young and the young at heart.
OUR TIP: Go in the late afternoon as you’ll have a better chance of getting a table. It can get very busy.
- Address: Passatge de la Banca, 7
- Website for El Bosc de les Fades
28- El Rei de la Màgia
Imagine rich red velvet curtains against black painted walls, old wooden glass counters and a shopkeeper with a sense of the dramatic.
All these you will find in El Rei de la Màgia and more.
Boasting to be the oldest magician’s shop in Europe, your children will not be disappointed.
When I visited with my niece and sister, we explained our budget and the age of my little charge and the owner did the rest.
She performed a variety of suitable tricks which were highly entertaining.
Our little budding magician picked her favourite and was quickly whisked behind the curtain and shown the mechanics of the magic item.
It was a lovely experience with a small family company and worth a visit while here in Barcelona
OUR TIP: If you haven’t had time to catch a glance at the Giants in the city, this establishment has its own sitting in the shop, which they bring out for the parades. They also have a display of Giant heads for sale.
- Address: Carrer de la Princesa, 11
- Website for El Rei de la Màgia
29- Las Golondrinas boat trip
What kid doesn’t like a boat ride? Take in Barcelona harbour and shoreline on these very reasonably priced small ferries!
There are 2 tours available: one of the harbour (45 min) and the other with harbour and shoreline (1 hour). I recommend the second tour as you would certainly get more bang for your buck.
After a stroll down Las Ramblas toward the harbour, you can buy tickets and set off on your adventure sea voyage. The great thing about this excursion is there is something in it for everyone.
Why not grab a drink or ice cream from the bar as you take in the sights?
Don’t forget to bring your camera with you and if you are super lucky you could spot the occasional friendly dolphin!
OUR TIP: The evening tours are a little more special as they cast a golden light on the ocean views. This is one of the free activities included in the Barcelona Family Card.
- Address: Moll de les Drassanes, 2
- BUY TICKETS for Las Golondrinas
30- Illa Fantasia
Summer temperatures can get quite high in Barcelona making children quite sluggish and grumpy.
One way to cool down is to head to Barcelona’s biggest water park.
Boasting over 22 water slides, toboggans, wave machines, swimming pools and more, it makes for a fun day trip for the kids.
It is outside the city centre and connected by train, not by metro (you can still use a transport pass in this zone).
There is a free shuttle bus that collects you from the station to the park so you need to spend at least half a day here to make the trip worthwhile.
It opens from June through to September when the temperatures are quite high so don’t plan this for a family Easter or a Christmas visit.
OUR TIP: July and August get super busy with local families, so, if you are visiting then, be aware there will be queues for the more popular attractions. Try to go on a weekday as weekends will always be busier.
- Address: Finca Mas Brassó
- BUY TICKETS for Illa Fantasia
31- Columbus Monument
If high vantage points thrill you and small spaces don’t bother you or the kids, then the Columbus Monument is a must.
It was constructed for the Universal Exhibition of 1888 and took 6 years to build.
There is much discussion as to which way Columbus is pointing. Some say the New World, others his home city of Genoa. Interestingly, he is actually pointing north, in the direction of Algeria.
The monument stands within a curious little roundabout surrounded by many lanes of traffic. At the base, you’ll find a gift shop and some information.
The real treat, however, is in the form of the lift that will take you to the top of the monument.
It is 63 meters up and the lift opens its doors onto a small observational platform that only fits a handful of people at a time. Here the views are incredible and kids will adore this experience.
OUR TIP: Barcelona Tourist Office sometimes offers discounted tickets online so it is worth checking their page to save a few pennies! Find the link below.
- Address: Plaça Portal de la pau, s/n
- BUY TICKETS for Columbus Monument
32- IceBarcelona
If the heat is getting to the whole family, a cooling drink in Barcelona’s ice bar might be a fun idea.
The temperatures are at a cool 12 degrees and warm coats are provided for everyone as part of the entrance fee.
You will also be given a free drink in an ice glass while you view the cool 80’s sculptures on show within the bar.
If the temperatures get too cold for you they do have a lovely sit-down terrace in the sun also!
It is located in Port Olympic so swimming and the beach can go hand in hand with this site.
The downside is that it works out quite pricey just for 1 drink and the bar is not actually that big.
OUR TIP: While the bar provides coats, it does not provide shoes. Make sure you bring more than summer flip-flops if you don’t want frostbite on the little toes.
- Address: Carrer de Ramon Trias Fargas, 2
- BUY TICKETS for IceBarcelona
33- Camp Nou Stadium & Barça Museum
The stadium is currently closed for renovations but you can still visit the FC Barcelona Museum and the construction viewpoint.
A must for those football-crazy kids.
The World-famous stadium was constructed in the 1950s and today seats nearly 100,000 spectators.
Barça’s football team is one of the best in the world and seeing a match here is always an experience.
Alas, sometimes schedule, availability of tickets and price might not be feasible. Don’t despair, you can still visit the grounds and museum all year round.
They offer many different tours and packages and they are not cheap.
The basic ticket is the entrance to the stadium and exhibition space.
You can get more expensive packets that give you more access to private areas like the changing rooms etc.
OUR TIP: Always check their website for timings as it is a functioning stadium so they close their doors for different events such as a match!
- Address: Carrer d’Arístides Maillol, 12
- BUY TICKETS for Barça Stadium Tour & Museum
34- Soccer/Football match
For soccer fans, watching the likes of Messi doing their thing live on a football field is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
If your children follow football, this will probably be the highlight of their trip.
Camp Nou holds 100,000 people so, as you can imagine, the type of seats (and prices) vary enormously.
If you are planning to see a big game (against Real Madrid or a Champions match, for example), try to buy the tickets as soon as you can. Even that could prove quite difficult.
You can always try to get some with illegal re-sellers around the stadium but I strongly advise against this. Not only the price will be astronomical but you might end up with a fake ticket.
OUR TIP: Barcelona not only has one football team. Try to catch an R.C.D. Espanyol match. Don’t think that this is a third-division unknown team though. It plays in the National league together with the big teams like F.C. Barcelona or Athletic of Bilbao. Tickets will be cheaper and the atmosphere great!
- BUY TICKETS for F.C. Barcelona matches
- BUY TICKETS for R.C.D. Espanyol matches
35- Lock-Clock escape room
What a great invention for family fun!
Escape rooms follow various themes (like being in prison or a jungle) and by solving different clues you must get out.
Depending on the place, you could get costumes, actors could be participating… It all depends on the venue.
It has become the rage here in Barcelona with countless game rooms springing up everywhere.
It is definitely worth researching which themes suit your family and which are child-appropriate.
The experience I like is Clock-Lock, as it was the only one I could find that had a Gaudí mystery, which is a great learning experience.
They also have an adventure that is geared towards young children which is not so easy to find in most game rooms.
OUR TIP: Another option if you have teenagers is to check out our online mystery game: Gaudí’s Best-Kept Secret. This would be an activity to do before you visit the city. As a family, you can learn a lot about the architect in a fun and exciting way.
- Address: Passatge del Patriarca, 4-10, Local D
- BUY TICKETS for Lock-Clock Escape Room
36- Excursions in a kayak
Always a hit with the kids is the beach and swimming.
Why not take it a step further and add a kayak or a snorkel combined with the breathtaking beauty of Costa Brava?
This beautifully craggy coastline with clear blue water starts about half an hour’s drive north of Barcelona and can provide a great break from city sightseeing.
You could do it yourself by renting a car and hiring kayaks in your chosen town along the coast.
However, if it is just a day trip, lots of tour companies take the hassle out of planning.
I personally recommend the local company Excursions Barcelona. Stevie, the owner, is very personable and cares a great deal about his client’s satisfaction.
They are well-established and have been up and running for a few years now. Highly recommended.
OUR TIP: My advice is to plan it for the middle of your stay. It will give variety to the holiday so you don’t overload the kids with too much city in one go.
- Address: Plaça d’Antonio López
- BUY TICKETS for Kayaking with Excursions Barcelona
Barcelona for kids with the Barcelona Family Card
If you are planning to stay between 3 to 5 days and fit in a lot of kid’s attractions, then it might make sense to purchase the Barcelona Family Card.
This pass has just been launched by the tourist board and gets you free entry into the following family favourites:
- Barcelona Aquarium
- Poble Espanyol
- Barcelona Zoo
- Las Golondrinas boat trip
- Sant Pau Recinte Modernista
- Science Museum (Cosmocaixa)
- Chocolate Museum
- Wax Museum
- Columbus Monument
As well as that, it offers a 20% discount for other kid-friendly activities:
- Tibidabo Amusement Park
- Mosaiccos workshop
- Catalunya en miniatura
- Port Aventura World
- Marineland
Unlimited free public transport is also included in the ticket which can be quite handy in Barcelona.
These are the prices depending on the duration you choose (children’s price applies to 4 to 12 years old):
- 72 hours (adult/child): €70/€55
- 96 hours (adult/child): €80/€60
- 120 hours (adult/child): €90/€65
It is a very good deal if you fit in the pricey attractions like the Zoo or the Aquarium.
Just check your schedule and see what economically works for you.
The Barcelona Family Card is available online and activates once you enter your first attraction.
Each family member gets their own smart card which means you are not overpaying if you are a single parent or small family.
OUR TIP: this is a brand-new project so keep checking what new family-friendly activities are being included as the popularity of this ticket grows.
I hope this post has helped you a little bit in planning your family holiday in Barcelona. Have a fantastic time with the kids!
If looking for other activities for adults, you can check our complete guide to things to do in Barcelona. If you are travelling as a family to other parts of Europe, you can check out some recommendations for things to do with kids in Malaga or hiking with kids in Malta.
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Main photograph by Pere prlpz.
Frequently Asked Questions if You Visit Barcelona with Kids
What are the most popular Gaudí attractions for kids in Barcelona?
These are the most popular Gaudí attractions for kids in Barcelona:
What are the best family-friendly private tours to do in Barcelona with kids?
These are the recommended family-friendly private tours in Barcelona with kids:
- Gothic Quarter Private Tour
- Gaudí Private Tour
- F.C. Barcelona & Camp Nou Private Tour
- Montserrat Private Tour
What museums are good in Barcelona for kids?
These are the best museums for kids in Barcelona:
What are the best outdoor things to do in Barcelona with kids?
These are our favourite outdoor things to do in Barcelona for kids:
