If you want to relax, have fun learning and be fascinated alongside your kids, take advantage of the list below.
One of the most common questions that I get asked as a family guide is what museums I would recommend for kids. Well, it depends on the interest of the parents and how much research they want to put in to make the exhibit interesting for their young ones.
Some mums and dads are nuts about Art and can open up the world of Picasso for their offspring. Others are crazy about football, and Camp Nou is the first stop on the list.
In other words, adult exhibits can also suit children when presented in the right way. However, some museums just appeal to kids with very little help from us grown-ups.
If you want to relax, have fun learning and be fascinated alongside your kids, take advantage of the list below.
INDEX
My top 10 Museums for Kids in Barcelona
Cosmo Caixa (science museum)
Great Value and children love it. This massive building houses a planetarium and stages a tropical forest in the Amazon, recreating its environment.
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The museum is interactive, educational and has many floors to explore. Don’t worry about losing time, as there is a giant pendulum that ticks away in the centre, reaching from the ceiling to the bottom floor.
It is located in a suburb, so be prepared to take transport there. Under 16: free entrance.
OUR TIP: There are picnic tables located on the grounds, so bring a pre-packed lunch as it’s easy to spend at least half a day there!
- Address: Carrer d’Isaac Newton, 26
- BUY TICKETS for CosmoCaixa Barcelona
White Rabbit off- museum
White Rabbit is a fun, immersive “off-museum” in Barcelona. Its focus is on presenting Catalan culture and traditions in a fun, accessible manner.
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Parents beware, this is not a traditional museum. Your little ones are free to touch, move around, and explore installations.
There are 10 themed rooms full of lights, sounds, digital effects and fun visuals that keep children engaged. It took our family around one hour to wander around.
OUR TIP: Located just one block away from Casa BatllĂł, it’s a nice tag on after a snack to re-energise your kids! Use the promo-code RUNNERBEAN10, and you will get a 10% discount on the price of the tickets!
- Address: Passeig de GrĂ cia, 55
- BUY TICKETS for White-Rabbit Off-Museum
Paradox Museum Barcelona
Expect the unexpected in this museum. Nothing is as it seems.
While the focus is not on Barcelona or culture, it is great for us parents to spend some fun time with our young ones.
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This interactive museum is packed with playful illusions, upside-down rooms, mind-bending mirrors and clever optical tricks that kids and adults can explore together.
If your child loves taking photos, there are plenty of fun staged setups along the way. We had plenty of laughs along the way, and my son discovered how our brains can be fooled in surprising ways.
The visit takes around an hour, not too stressful for kids. It is centrally located and a great jumping-off point for more exploration
OUR TIP: Make sure your phone is charged, as there are plenty of fun set-ups for family photos. Get a 10% DISCOUNT if you are coming from Runner Bean. Just add the promo code RUNNERPARADOX when you book to start enjoying it.
- Address: Plaça d’Urquinaona, 3
- BUY TICKETS for Paradox Museum
Maritime Museum
Situated in a medieval ship-making yard, the immense building on its own is worth a look.
Telling the history of sea life and the development of boats, it has enough models (including a life-size galleon replica) and scenes to keep the younger ones occupied. For a little extra cash, you can include a tour of the Saint Eulalia schooner.
OUR TIP: Afterwards, grab a coffee at their beautiful outdoor terrace with plenty of run-around space for your offspring! Under 6: free entrance.
- Address: Av. de les Drassanes, s/n
- BUY TICKETS for Museu MarĂtim de Barcelona
Museu Blau (Natural History Museum)
Located by the beach in the newly developed Forum area, cycling to get there might be a great family activity.
Permanent and visiting exhibitions are housed in this fabulous new modern building of over 500m2. There are installations showing the development of our planet, sound effects and a special area dedicated to children under 7 years old.
If you biked it there, maybe a beach visit to Poble Nou on the way back to the centre would make a great half-day itinerary. Under 16: free entrance.
OUR TIP: Two great playgrounds are located on the seaside of the museum, where your kids can have a blast!
- Address: Plaza Leonardo da Vinci, 4-6
- BUY TICKETS for Museu de Cièncias Naturals de Barcelona
Wax Museum
A classic activity for kids, which includes models of famous historical figures and film stars. It went under a facelift not too long ago with some great modern additions.
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Be warned that some exhibits can be quite gory and not recommended for very young eyes.
OUR TIP: Round off the visit with a drink at the fairy cafe (Bosc de les Fades). You will be seated in a make-believe forest with a few fairies around as you sip your beverages.
- Address: La Rambla, 6
- BUY TICKETS for the Wax Museum
Chocolate Museum
They tell the story of chocolate, starting from the Americas right through to its European development.
Very clever chocolate sculptures, videos and memorabilia are on show. It is not very large to tour, so you should have time for a cup of Spanish thick hot chocolate in their adjoining cafe. Under 7: free entrance.
OUR TIP: Check out their websites for chocolate-related workshops that run for children
- Address: Carrer del Comerç, 36
- BUY TICKETS for Museu de la Xocolata
Museum of Automatons of Tibidabo
If planning a visit to Tibidabo Park with the kids, have a quick peek at this museum.
It is full of wonderful machinery, some of which dates to the 19th century. Although not state-of-the-art, some of these strange contraptions transport you into another dimension, almost like Alice in Wonderland.
OUR TIP: If you fancy some ridiculous family fun, the Hall of Mirrors is also inside the park.
- Address: Plaça del Tibidabo, 3-4
- BUY TICKETS for Tibidabo Amusement Park
Sagrada Familia
Not one that struck me as a place favoured by children, but my young clients have convinced me otherwise. Kids love the huge scale and design!
Children love the magical light reflecting off the tree-like columns inside the structure. Be ready to get into religious theology as the little ones quiz you about the many sculpted scenes on the exterior.
Important! You can only buy your tickets online, and in high season, as they can sell out a month beforehand.
Under 12: free entrance, but they need a ticket.
OUR TIP: Visit in the late afternoon to get the most spectacular light inside the church.
- Address: Carrer de la Marina, s/n
- BUY TICKETS for Sagrada Familia
And lastly…
On my Kids and Family walking tour, we include a very special surprise museum that will make you feel a little smaller than usual 🙂
A little planning and research could save you money.
For example, most state-owned museums are free the first Sunday of every month (for the whole day) and every Sunday afternoon after 3 pm (some shut in the afternoon, so check the timetables).
Museums can offer family tickets or combined tickets with other attractions.
Sometimes discounts are given for online bookings.
If you are thinking of visiting Barcelona with your children, don’t miss our special post on Barcelona with Kids, the best way of making the most of Barcelona while having fun all the way. Also, if you are here for a few days, don’t forget to check our complete article with things to do in Barcelona.Â
Photograph by Sarah_Ackerman
Wow great site, I am visiting with 2 grandchildren 2 & 6 months.
Feedback – sadly Mammoth museum & Ideas & Inventions museum are both permantly closed.
We also vote for CosmoCaixa certainly worth a visit with T-Rex Trix there get up close to this huge dinasaur.
CaixaForum exhibitions Greece and art at the minute. Roof top garden with wobbly waving floor.
Poble Espanyol worth a visit for children there is a explorers backpack to hire €5.70 this acts a guide to the museum and fun for the children.
Off to explore Gothic and Roman excavation today.
Thanks for the update Derek. This is an old post and, unfortunately, those two museums have closed down since I wrote it. Also, Sagrada Familia is not offering the kids audio guide anymore :-(.
I have just updated that information and fix some links that had changed. In the next few days I will update the whole post and maybe add some more options too. Thank you for the suggestion about Poble Espanyol backpack :-).
Hope you are having a blast in Barcelona!