Kids in Barcelona - Family and parents guide to activities, shopping, holiday apartments, events, health, schools and nurseries, babysitting and childcare, and playgroups in Barcelona.

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

Teodor Roviralta 47-51 Tel. 93 212 60 50 

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 throughout the year see Events List . 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 (Call for advanced booking):
Planetari Bombolla

Planetarium visit especially designed for 3-7 year olds. Price: €2.00  

Toca Toca

Explore through touch 3 different habitats and the creatures that live in them. Suitable for young children. Price:€2.50

Clik

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   

Treasurehunt (Joc de Pistes)

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.

Family card (Targeta Amiga Familiar de Cosmocaixa) offers unlimited yearly entry and reductions on activities €15 

Young person’s card offering unlimited yearly entrance for only €6.00 (Targeta Amiga Jove de Cosmocaixa)

Natural History and Science Museum

Museu de Ciencies Naturales de la Ciutadella and Museu de Zoologia

Parc de La Ciutadella (entrance Pujades or Avgda. Picasso) Tel. 93 319 6912

Natural History and Science Museum Website

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+) 

Open: 10am – 6.30pm Tues – Sat; 10am – 2.30pm Sun
Price: General Entry Adults €3.90 , Children under 16 yrs FREE

CaixaForum Barcelona

Av. Marquès de Comillas, 6-8 Tel. 93 476 8600

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. 

Price: FREE (some paid activities)

Maritime Museum (Museu Maritim)

Museu Maritim

Av. De las Drassanes s/n (Nr bottom of Rambla) Tel. 93 342 9929

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:

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)

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)

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

MNAC

C. Mirador, 6 Palau Nacional

http://www.mnac.es

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.

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

Plaça Sant Iu, 5 Tel.
93 310 5800

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.

Open: Daily (except Mondays) from 10am – 5pm
Sundays and Public Holidays from 9am- 2pm


Obra Social Caja Madrid

Espai Cultural Barcelona, Pl. Catalunya, 9

Tel. 93 301 4494

http://www.obrasocialcajamadrid.es

Cultural Centre open Monday to Saturday 9am-9pm. Sundays and Holidays 10am-2pm. Monthly programme of music, theatre, exhibitions and cinema including activities for children.  

Magic Museum (El Rey de la Magia)

C/ de L’Oli, 6  Tel. 93 319 7393

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.

Price: €7 with magic show

Casa Amatller

Pg. de Gracia, 41 Tel. 93 487 7217

www.amatller.org

The Fundacio Institut Amatller d'Art Hispanic was established in 1941 by  Teresa Amatller, daughter of Antoni Amatller, a chocolate manufacturer, traveller and art collector.  The foundation promotes research into the history of Hispanic Art and runs workshops and other activities for children.  Every Saturday at 11am, children can take part in workshops whilst parents visit the Manzana de la Discordia (The adjoining buildings known as the "Block of Discord"), made up of the Casa Amatller, Casa Lleo Morera and Gaudis most famous, Casa Batllo. Kids can then enjoy a chocolate tasting at the end of the session. 

Open: Mon - Sun 10am - 8.30pm

Price: Workshop: €6; Visit to the Manzana de la Discordia €5.  

Holographical Museum

Jaume I, 1 Tel. 93 310 2172

Dedicated to holograms and holographic techniques.

Open: 10:30am-1:30pm and 5:30pm-8:30pm Mon to Sat

Chocolate Museum (Museu de la xocolata)

Comerc, 32 Tel. 93 268 7878
www.museudelaxocolata.com

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.

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

Museu de Olimpics i Esports
Av. De L’Estadi, 60  Tel. 93 426 4346

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.

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 

Metro: Pl. Espanya L1, L3 (then walk); Montjuic Tourist Bus stop 5; Bus no. 55 or Funicular de Montjuic

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)

Pl. Eduard Maristany, sn, Vilanova I la Geltru Tel. 93 815 8491
http://www.museodelferrocarril.org/vilanova/el_museo.htm

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.

10.30am to 2.30pm and 4pm to 6.30pm Sun
Price: Adult €4.50; Child 4-11yrs €3.50

Accessible by train from Barcelona.

Barcelona History Museum

Museu d’Historia de la Ciutat

Pl. pau vila 3
http:// www.mhcat.net

"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.

Centre d’Interpretació de Parc Güell

Clot, 7 Tel. 93 256 2122

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.

Open: (8yrs plus) 11am to 3pm Tues –Sun
Price: €3.00

Picasso Museum Barcelona (Museu Picasso)

Montcada, 15-23 Tel. 93 256 30 00
www.museupicasso.bcn.es

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.

Open: 10am – 8pm Tues-Sun (open Mondays on public holidays)
Price: Adults €6.00, Children under 16yrs FREE