Museums and Culture for Kids
These are Barcelona museums recommended for children and families. Remember that on the first Sunday of every month many Barcelona museums are free.
Science Museum and Planetarium at CosmoCaixa
Considered the most beautiful science museum in Europe the museum houses a reproduction of the Amazon rain forest (complete with alligators, snakes and birds) as well as a planetarium and geological wall made of 90 tons of rock. Regular activities for children and families
Tickets available from ServiCaixa (La Caixa) cash point machines or from http://www.servicaixa.com. There is a 50% discount on your purchase If you use a Caixa bank card to pay.
Permanent activities at CosmoCaixa:
Planetario- El Ciego de los Ojos de Las Estrellas
The earth has been conquered by and extra-terrestrial. A wiseman manages to show him how that he is not as powerful as he thinks and that neither the earth nor the universe can ever be controlled. Cinema showing in the Planetarium - Weekends at 1pm until September 14th 2008. Price: €2.00
Toca Toca
Explore through touch 3 different habitats and the creatures that live in them. Suitable for young children. Price:€2.00
Clic
Little ones aged 3-6 years get their very own special space to explore science through various activities. See how the wind behaves or how Kaleidoscopes can alter image. A monitor leads children through the session and asks them thought-provoking questions. Weekends 12pm and 6pm (August daily). 1st-10th September 2008 also sessions at 4pm Monday to Friday. Price: €2.00
Flash
7-9 year olds can take part in this workshop that looks at what shapes our landscapes and produces the very different spieces in the world that we live in. They will learn how certain energies including our own have an impact on how our planet develops with a variety of activities to stir their curiosity. Weekends 12pm and 6pm (August daily). 1st-10th September 2008 also sessions at 4pm Monday to Friday. Price: €2.00
Summer activities at CosmoCaixa:
Maths Play
A chance to explore maths in an often surprising and entertaining way through 3 separate
workshops for 6-12 year olds (accompanied by an adult).
Family+numbers= emotions - Surprising games with number,
learn how to use an abacus and send coded messages.
Mon-Fri 5pm during August. September 1st- 14th weekends at 5pm.
The Magic of Numbers - Find out how maths is often at work behind
magic tricks 6-12 years accompanied. 1pm daily.
Number Games - Could be the boost kids need before the return to school. Learn how numbers can be fun and the strange things that they can do. 1st-10th Sept, Mon to Fri 5pm
and 7pm.
Amazon de Sol a Sol Exhibition - until 30th September
In depth photographs and recordings made in the Amazon over a 7 month period. The exhibits are divided into the different times of day that the images were captured showing a 24 hour period of life in the jungle. Visit included in museum entry.
CosmoCaixa
Teodor Roviralta 47-51 Tel. 93 212 60 50
CosmoCaixa Website
Open: Tues-Sun 10am – 8pm
Price: €3.00 Adults, €1.50 8-16 yrs, Under 8’s FREE. Discounts for La Caixa bank account holders.
Young person’s card offering unlimited yearly entrance for only €6.00 (Targeta Amiga Jove de Cosmocaixa)
Natural History and Science Museum
In the year 2000, the museums of Zoology and Geology merged to form the current Museum. As well as the permanent exhibition there are small temporary exhibitions and regular family activities. Until January 2008 “Origins”, an exhibition drawing together the latest scientific theory from the fields of cosmology, physics, astronomy, biology and archaeology to explain the origin of the universe and our place in it.
Make sure that you request the free educational kit "Drago Dragonet" when you go in. The kit for families with children under 12 provides you with more detailed information on the permanent exhibit and has lots of resources to make the visit more fun for children. The kit has a guide for parents and a variety of materials for kids such as photographs, plastic animals and crayons. The games include "camouflage and warning" and "similarities and differences" as well as guessing games. Parents can decide which games are appropriate for their children's ages. The kit even includes a drawing pad to be used during the visit!
Workshops on Sundays at 12pm (from 75 mins. to 2 hrs)
Honey Bee - Watch a beehive up close and find out what goes on.
Birds of the Ciutadella - Guided birdwatching walk in the park (6 yrs+)
Museu de Ciencies Naturales de la Ciutadella and Museu de Zoologia
Parc de La Ciutadella (entrance Pujades or Avgda. Picasso) Tel. 93 319 6912
See Website
Open: 10am – 6.30pm Tues – Sat
10am – 2.30pm Sun
Price: General Entry Adults €3.90 , Children under 16 yrs FREE
CaixaForum Barcelona
Housed in an old textile factory this cultural centre has an incredible
offering of art exhibitions, musical concerts, cinema and shows
throughout the year. The CaixaForum is located just up the hill of
Montjuic from the Magic Fountains and houses temporary exhibitions with
a lot of interesting spaces for children to walk around. You can go up
and take in the view from the the rooftop and stop for a meal or drink
in the centre's restaurant that has a small outdoor patio.
As well as
the many free exhibitions, most of the family activities are free or
cost between €1-€3 and include children's cinema, theatre and
interactive vists. The best thing about a visit to the CaixaForum for
kids is that each exhibit has a "Mini Labo" where children can take
part in a workshop related to the artist. The workshops are suitable
for children ages 6 years and over and encourage children explore their
creativity. There are also many family outdoor events held during the
summer months.
Pintar La Llum - Until 30th September 2008
Summer workshop for (recommended) ages 4 years and over.
An activitiy devoted to exploring the effects of moonlight. Kids can
observe how
light and shadow changes the colours of what we see. In the transition
from day to night, contrary to our basic assumptions, the sky does not
always appear blue, nor the grass or trees green. Everything depends on
light and shadow. The
workshop begins with children looking at 3 identical photographs taken
at different times of evening as gradually dusk and then night falls.
They are then given different groups of coloured crayons depending on
the time of day in order to recreate these images. They can also see
how artists reproduce the effects of light in some famous paintings.
Finally they can make their own nightime stencils which they can place
on a lit background in order to see the nighttime landscape they have
created. see the effect that they have created of a nightime landscape.
Wednesdays at 5pm in August. 1st-12th September Mon-Fri at 5pm and 8pm.
11th-30th September, Sat. at 4pm and 8pm; Sun. and holidays at 11am and
2pm. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Maternitats - Until 12th October 2008
Photographic exhibtion from Bru Roviar, award-winning journalist and editor of the Vanguardia newspaper.
A portrayal of the bond between mother
and child that triumphs even in the most traumatic of circumstances. The
exhibit appeals to both parents and children, explainations of each photograph is available at the entrance in English. An additional space with art materials where children can to produce drawings, poetry, thoughts etc. in response to the exhibits. Free entry, daily.
CaixaForum Barcelona
Av. Marquès de Comillas, 6-8 Tel. 93 476 8600
CaixaForum Barcelona Website
Open: 10am – 8pm Tues-Sun (open Mondays on public holidays)
Price: FREE (some paid activities)
Maritime Museum (Museu Maritim)From its beaches, pleasure and commerical ports it is hard to miss the fact that Barcelona is very much a maritime city. At the museum you can see a full size model of a galleon and combine your ticket to include a look around the Santa Eulalia Schooner berthed along Moll de La fusta.
A cafeteria with garden seating offers a pleasant escape from city traffic.The garden stays open until late with a bar and music during the summer.
Other Combi ticket options are available for a boat trip on the Golondrinas see Barcelona Sightseeing Tours, on a trimar catamaran, or entry to the colombus monument.
Activities for children:
"Galiots!" - Life in the galleys
3rd Saturday of month at 7pm. Experience life as it was in the galleys in the 16th Century. (Call to reserve Children €7 /Adults €10)
Museu Maritim
Av. De las Drassanes s/n (Nr bottom of Rambla) Tel. 93 342 9929
http://www.museumaritimbarcelona.com
Open: 10am – 8pm daily (ticket sales until 7pm)
Price: Standard entrance €6.50; Under 6's FREE.
50% discount with Library Card
Wax Museum (Museu de Cera)19th century stately home locals Dali and Picasso to Luke Skywalker to Yasser Arafat Appearance Charles and Camilla. You can take the kids for a refreshment after to the Fairy café (Bosc de les Fades) next door – as the name suggests an indoor fairly land with trees and running water.
Museu de Cera
Passatge de la banca, 7
Tel. 93 317 2649
http://www.museocerabcn.com
Open: 10am – 1pm and 4pm – 7.30pm Mon – Fri
11am – 2pm and 4.30 am – 8.30pm weekends and public holidays
Summer 10am – 10pm
Price: Adults €7.50 , Children 5-11 yrs €4.50
National Museum of Art of Catalunya MNAC
 National Art museum with permanent art, drawings and photographic exhibitions as well as temporary exhibtions. Ongoing workshops for kids.
Activities for Children
Creative Workshops run throughout the year. This Summer, groups can take part in a selection of these including, Fotoperque, a look at the world of photography and the Joc de Pistes, quiz style game based on the collection of medieval art. Visit website for details.
MNAC
C. Mirador, 6 Palau Nacional
http://www.mnac.es
Price for workshops: €4 (under 7's free)
Open: Tues-Sat 10am to 7pm and Sunday 10am to 2.30pm
Price: €8.50 (2 day validity in a month; Under 15's FREE
Frederic Mares Museum - Antique Toys and Collections
Museum dedicated to the weird and wonderful artefacts of Frederic Mares I Deulovol (1893-1991) world traveller and collector. As part of the Royal Palace the building itself has been occupied by a succession of bishops, nuns and aristocracy throughout the last 7 centuries. Mares opened a museum in a small apartment which he lived in in 1948. As well as fine collection of Romanesque and Gothic religious art, there is everything from a collection of clocks, costumes and crucifixes antique cameras, pipes and postcards. Most fun of all there is a room filled with antique children's toys. There is a pleasant courtyard outside where you can have a drink in the shade.
Frederic Mares Museum
Plaça Sant Iu, 5 Tel.
93 310 5800
Open: Daily (except Mondays) from 10am – 5pm
Sundays and Public Holidays from 9am- 2pm
Magic Museum (El Rey de la Magia)
Museum opens at show times and a combined ticket gives you entrance to the children’s magic show and a visit to the museum. The El Rey de La Magia shop is located at Princesa, 11.
Magic Museum and Show
C/ de L’Oli, 6
Tel. 93 319 7393
Open: Saturdays at 6pm and Sundays at 12pm (Closed August)
Price: €7 with magic show
Holographical Museum
Dedicated to holograms and holographic techniques.
Jaume I, 1 Tel. 93 310 2172
Open: 10:30am-1:30pm and 5:30pm-8:30pm Mon to Sat
Chocolate Museum (Museu de la xocolata)
Chocolate wonderland of life-size statues and monument replicas. Workshops and parties for kids.
Children 3 – 8 yrs can take part in a treasure trail hunt discovering the history of the Mayan God Xocoatl and the origins of cocoa.
Museu de la Xocolata
Comerc, 32 Tel. 93 268 7878
www.museudelaxocolata.com
Open: 10am – 7pm Mon – Fri. 10am – 3pm Sun & public holidays
Price: €3.90 under 7’s free ; First Monday of month FREE
Metro: Arc de Triomf
Barcelona Olympic and Sports Museum
Barcelona is the first European city to have a dedicated Olympic museum. The Museu Olimpic i de L'Esport which opened in 2007, is situated next to the Olympic stadium and has some great interactive exhibtions for parents and kids alike. You can use simulators to run against Carl Lewi, compare the actual weights lifted by world champions, visit the Hall of Fame and see sports legends, enjoy live sport and take part in a variety of activities. Bar, cafe and Shop.
Museu de Olimpics i Esports
Av. De L’Estadi, 60
Tel. 93 426 4346
Bus: 55
Metro: Pl. Espanya L1, L3 (then walk). Montjuic Tourist Bus stop 5
or Funicular de Montjuic
Open: Wednesday to Monday 10am-8pm April to September; 10am-6pm October to March
Price: Adult €8 / Child €5 (5-15yrs); Under 5's FREE
Military and Comic & Illustrations museum
Castillo de Montjuïc
Tel. 93 329 86 13
Open: 10am to 7pm (closed Mondays except public holidays)
Price: €2.50 (under 7’s FREE)
Railroad Museum Vilanova (Museu del Ferrocarril)
An impressive collection of locomotives as well as an enormous
photographic archive, temporary exhibitions, a miniature steam train
ride, antique clocks, a children’s theatre and a collectors market on
the first Sunday of the month.
Museu del Ferrocarril
Pl. Eduard Maristany, sn, Vilanova I la Geltru Tel. 93 815 8491
Accessible by train from Barcelona.
http://www.museodelferrocarril.org/vilanova/el_museo.htm
Open: 10.30am to 2.30pm Tues – Sat
10.30am to 2.30pm and 4pm to 6.30pm Sun
Price: Adult €4.50; Child 4-11yrs €3.50
Barcelona History Museum
"Farcells, Maletes i Baguls" - Interactive, dramatised visit for families (children ages 6-12yrs) which looks at Catalunya history via the story of different families through the ages. Sundays 12pm - 1.30pm. Museum Mornings at the weekends gives children 3yrs and over an adventurous, guided visit around the exhibits with games, discovery workshops, tales and legends.
Museu d’Historia de la Ciutat
Pl. pau vila 3
http:// www.mhcat.net
Centre d’Interpretació de Parc Güell
The centre located at the entrance of the park, gives kids guided visits of Parc Güell organised daily at the Centre d’Interpretacio. The tour includes maps and games that help reveal the motives behind Gaudi’s dream park.
Parc Güell Interpretation Centre
Clot, 7 Tel. 93 256 2122
Open: (8yrs plus) 11am to 3pm Tues –Sun
Price: €3.00
Picasso Museum (Museu Picasso)
An artist whose colourful and unusual work often appeals to younger children.
There is a large permanent exhibition including childhood sketches, paintings, drawings, photographs and a biography of the artist. There is also an opportunity to stock up on postcards and picture books of his most famous paintings from the gallery’s shop.
Museu Picasso Barcelona
Montcada, 15-23 Tel. 93 256 30 00
www.museupicasso.bcn.es
Open: 10am – 8pm Tues-Sun (open Mondays on public holidays)
Price: Adults €6.00, Children under 16yrs FREE
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