Child's play
Take a break from the beach and explore this ambitious project, a cut above the average city park. Designed by husband and wife team Enric Miralles and Benedetta Tagliabue, and located on a disused factory site, this 14-hectare park puts Barcelona at the forefront of originality and sustainable architecture. Divided into seven wide open areas—each meant to target a different sense, but linked together by a tubular structure that spiders its way through the park—your kids will love the large play area, slides and expansive grounds for running and jumping. The park also has a raised walkway snaking across the water and a lake with sculptures that spray water.
2. CosmoCaixa
Along with being one of the biggest science museums in Europe, CosmoCaixa boasts a miniature Amazon rainforest, 3D planetarium and interactive activities, great for diehard science lovers or the merely curious. The foundation offers regular workshops for children, as well as family activities to raise awareness of the mysteries of science. The ‘Clik’ and ‘Flash’ exhibitions introduce children to science through games—Clik encourages play, observation and deduction through smell, touch and sight, while Flash uses technology to showcase exploration, construction and electricity. And in each session of ‘Touch, Touch!’ museum staff present animals and plants from three different environments to educate kids on which species are safe to touch and which to avoid.
3. El Cau
What kid doesn’t love clambering around secret passageways looking for adventure or just letting off steam? This bright space features a wooden den that children can crawl through, with openings that lead into a labyrinth of tunnels with slides, steps and games, as well as hanging cloths to climb up and different textures to touch. At the back, there’s a stage where small plays and puppet shows take place, for when everyone needs a break from running around. You’ll also find zones made entirely of soft materials, toys that stimulate psychomotor development and a cafe for parents to relax in.
See the most important places in Catalunya in miniature at this unique attraction, a 30-minute drive from Barcelona in Torrelles de Llobregat. Its Scale Model Exposition features models of famous Gothic, Romanesque and Modernista architecture found throughout the region. Your kids can stand as tall as the Columbus Monument and examine every surface of the Catedral Santa María de Girona. They will be able to stomp through Vall de Boí like King Kong and hop right across the Lake of Banyoles. With more than 48 of these wooden, 1:25 and 1:33 scale models to inspect, you’re in for a real treat. If you’re looking for a little more action, there’s also an adventure circuit at the theme park.
5. Dragon Hunt
Put on your detective guise and follow a scavenger hunt to uncover the secrets behind the dragons of Barcelona. With this fun and interactive Kids & Cat tour, your whole family can spend an afternoon exploring the city in search of mythical creatures and the legends that define them. As a private guide walks you from la Boqueria up Passeig de Gràcia, children can use one of the provided smart devices to discover and fight dragons hidden in monuments along the way. They will also receive a dragon hunter’s passport and playing cards with drawings and descriptions of the different creatures they encountered. By the end of the tour, you will all be dragon experts, able to distinguish between Asian, European, marine and forest dragons.