Are you planning a family trip to Spain and want to spend time in Barcelona? Check out these awesome things to do in Barcelona with kids!
This list of the best things to do in Barcelona with kids was written by family travel expert Marcie Cheung and may contain affiliate links, which means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own.
Booked a family vacation to the Catalan capital city and want to know all the cool things to do in Barcelona with kids?
This city might be a popular spot for a couples’ break, but it’s also popular with young families too.
There are lots of fun things in Barcelona that naturally appeal to families. We’re talking about lots of parks, quirky landmarks they can explore, and lots of water activities to cool off in the heat.
Spain’s second city is a great place to visit whether you are traveling to Barcelona with teenagers, toddlers, and every age in between.
This guide is all you need for ideas and inspiration on what to do in Barcelona with kids so you have a super fun European trip!
23 Things To Do in Barcelona With Kids
Tibidabo Amusement Park
Opening in 1868, Tibidabo Amusement Park has been one of the top things to do in Barcelona with kids for over 150 years.
Mount Tibidabo rests on the outskirts of the city and offers spectacular views across the sea. The amusement park is at the top of the mountain but you don’t have to worry about climbing it! There is a funicular or you can take the bus.
There are over 25 rides at the park for children of all ages. Picnic areas are scattered around so you can bring your own food or you can eat at one of the restaurants there.
This really is a can’t-miss Barcelona attraction when traveling with your kids!
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Tour or Watch a Game at Camp Nou
You probably already know that the Spanish love soccer (or football, as they call it!) more than any other sport. They love it so much that you’ll even find the biggest soccer stadium in Europe right here in Barcelona.
Camp Nou is the home ground for Barcelona’s team and watching a game here is one of the best family things to do in Barcelona if your kids love sports.
If they’re too young to watch a live game or there aren’t any scheduled during your trip, you can still tour the field, trophy room, and museum.
Big Fun Museum
Barcelona’s Big Fun Museum is exactly what it says it is: big and fun!
This museum is right on Las Ramblas so it’s right in the heart of the city. It offers optical illusions, fun artwork, and interactive activities that will occupy your kids’ attention for ages.
It’s definitely one of the top indoor things to do in Barcelona if you’ve gotten unlucky with the weather and need somewhere to hide out for a while. Check the latest rates and availability.
Book a Family Photo Shoot
Whenever we travel, we almost always book a family photo shoot with Flytographer. They are super easy and affordable AND guarantee that I’ll be in some photos. You can get $25 off if you book through this link or use the code HAWAIITRAVEL.
Day Trip to Costa Brava
Definitely, a top reason to book a family vacation in this city is because there are so many great day trip opportunities close by.
So, one of the best things to do in Barcelona, Spain with family is to head out of the city to Costa Brava for a day.
The Costa Brava is 37 miles/60 km of gorgeous, white sand coastlines and resort towns. Tossa de Mar and Cadaqués are two great towns to visit with family. Check out the latest Costa Brava day trip rates.
llafantasia Water Park
But if the sun is beaming down, one of the best Spain activities for kids is to hit up a water park. There are hundreds of them all over the country and the one closest to Barcelona is the Ilafantasia Water Park.
They welcome children of all ages to their huge complex with a wave pool, water games, slides, rapids, and other fun water activities.
Ride a Cable Car
Barcelona has lots of panoramic viewpoints and hills which means it has a couple of cable cars you can ride. These are some of the best things to do in Barcelona with family because you can ride them with kids of any age.
There is the cable car at Port Vell, known as the Teleferic del Puerto, or the Montjuïc cable car.
Museum of Illusions
The Museum of Illusions is unlike any of the other Barcelona attractions for kids.
It uses local landmarks, like La Sagrada Familia, Parc Guell, and Camp Nou, to make illusions so that it ties in with the culture of Barcelona. Check the latest rates and availability.
Magic Fountain at Montjuïc
Speaking of Montjuïc, one of the best free things to do in Barcelona whether you’re traveling with kids or not is to see the music and light display at Montjuïc fountain.
There is a huge, circular fountain at the top of Montjuïc where you’ll be able to watch a light and music display and it’s absolutely spectacular.
You can watch it every Thursday to Saturday starting from 8 pm at half-hour intervals during the summer months.
Park Güell
Antoni Gaudí is a famous Catalan architect who made his mark all over Barcelona. One of the best places to go in Barcelona is an estate he designed at the start of the 20th century.
Park Güell was supposed to be a private residence, but today it’s a wonderland of mosaic structures, paths, and buildings. It’s colorful and there are lots of little nooks for kids to explore.
It’s a little outside of the historic center but there are beautiful views across the city. Check the rates for skip-the-line tickets.
Aquàrium Barcelona
Located near Barceloneta Beach, Aquàrium Barcelona is one of the top things to do in Barcelona with toddlers and young kids.
It’s a huge complex with lots of tropical fish and sea life in themed habitats. So big in fact, that you can even scuba dive with the sharks in the tanks there! Probably not with your toddlers, however. Check the rates for skip-the-line tickets.
Poble Espanyol
This one-hundred-year-old open-air museum is a blast from the past and provides an insight into what a typical Catalan town looked like in years gone by.
This model village is one of the top things to do with kids in Barcelona, particularly younger ones.
There are no cars and it’s all gated up so you don’t have to worry about them following their curiosity around the streets. Check the rates for skip-the-line tickets.
Barcelona Zoo
One of the top Barcelona attractions for families has to be Barcelona Zoo. Located near Barcelona port, the zoo has lots of exotic animals including lions, red pandas, and Komodo dragons.
Just outside of the zoo is a sprawling park so you really could spend hours in this part of the city. Check the latest rates and availability.
Parc de la Ciutadella
The park where you’ll find Barcelona Zoo is Parc de la Ciutadella. It’s 77 acres of lush grass, museums, ponds, manicured gardens, walking trails, and more.
You’ll even find the Catalan parliament in this park!
It’s a wonderful place to visit in Barcelona with toddlers, babies, or younger kids so you can let them out of their strollers or carriers and let them wander at their own pace.
Skip-the-Line Basílica La Sagrada Familia
You just have to see La Sagrada Familia when you’re in the Catalan capital, right? It’s the top family attraction in Barcelona as family is literally in the name.
This famously unfinished church designed by Antoni Gaudí does attract long lines, though. Book a skip-the-line tour in advance so you can avoid your little ones getting cranky standing up in the baking sun.
CosmoCaixa Science Museum
Do your children love science and interactive museums? CosmoCaixa is a fantastic multi-disciplinary science museum in Barcelona for kids who are just fascinated by our planet and beyond.
There’s a planetarium at CosmoCaixa as well as a living Amazonian rainforest.
Museu de la Xocolata
Or, do you have kids that just can’t get enough of eating chocolate? Yes, that’s probably every kid!
Museu de la Xocolata displays exhibits of famous artworks recreated in chocolate. It’s one of the most fun things to do in Barcelona for children because they can even attend workshops on how to make chocolate artwork themselves.
Casa Batlló
Another of Antoni Gaudí’s architectural creations is Casa Batlló, a cool dragon-scaled house.
Inside is just as quirky and its wide open rooms make it one of the best family activities in Barcelona for curious kids that love color, shapes, and interesting textures. Check the latest rates and availability.
Barceloneta Beach
If you don’t have enough time on your vacation to take a day trip to Costa Brava, Barceloneta Beach is the next best thing!
With soft white sand, Wi-Fi, lounge chairs, and food vendors along the promenade of this beach in Barcelona, children won’t care that it’s entirely man-made. All they will care about is that the water is warm and the sand is perfect for making castles.
Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus Tour
Bus tours can be a little touristy, but they’re perfect if you’re traveling to Barcelona with a toddler, baby, pre-schooler, or all of the above.
You can easily get around Barcelona’s top landmarks without having to walk too far and get on and off as you want. They also come with an audio guide so can learn more about the sites you’re seeing on the way. Check the latest rates and availability.
Eat Tapas and Churros
Of course, some of the top Barcelona children’s activities is eating all the awesome food. Barcelona is a great foodie destination but the two types of cuisine that will appeal to your kids are tapas and churros.
Okay, so tapas is more authentic to the south of Spain and churros is more authentic to Madrid… Close enough! Eat as many patatas bravas, croquettes, and churros dipped in hot chocolate as you like.
Restaurante Cierzo is a great kid-friendly tapas place and La Granja Pallaresa is perfect for churros.
Boat or Kayak Trip
Traveling to Barcelona with older kids? Be active and book a boat or a sea kayaking trip from Barcelona harbor.
You’ll be able to explore the quieter coves on the coastline just north of the city and have a unique adventure.
Labyrinth Park
On the outskirts of the city is the Parc Natural de la Serra de Collserola Nature Reserve, which is where you’ll find Labyrinth Park. It’s a cool cypress tree maze that you can spend hours walking around getting lost in (literally).
It’s one of the best Barcelona kids’ activities if the crowds of the city are getting a little much and you want to be out in nature.
Gaudí-Style Mosaiccos Workshop
One of the most unique things to do in Barcelona with your kids is to book a mosaic art workshop! You’ll learn how to make Gaudí-style mosaics and you’ll even be able to take them home. Check the latest rates and availability.
Things To Do in Barcelona With Kids FAQs
Is Barcelona a good place to take children?
Yes! Barcelona is a fantastic place to take children. With lots of pedestrianized lanes, heaps of amenities and attractions for tourists, and beautiful and exciting things to see on every corner, visiting Barcelona with kids is a great idea.
Barcelona’s metro system is cheap and easy to navigate. With cable cars and an easy-to-follow grid street system, you won’t struggle to get around with your little ones.
There are also lots of cafes where you can take breaks throughout the day and restaurants always greet children warmly.
That’s not to say there aren’t some challenges with Barcelona family travel.
For example, while tap water is safe to drink, you might find the smell and taste a little different from what your kids are used to. Don’t be surprised if you have to spring for bottled water to keep them hydrated!
Which area is best for kids in Barcelona?
There’s really only one neighborhood you should consider staying in Barcelona with children, and that’s the Gothic Quarter.
The Gothic Quarter is close to Barcelona’s historic center and Las Ramblas, which is the main tourist street. From here, it’s easy to travel elsewhere in the city while being close to lots of restaurants, cafes, and top attractions like the Barcelona Cathedral.
How many days do you need in Barcelona with kids?
The capital of the Catalonia region is a huge, sprawling city and there are tons of places to visit in Barcelona with kids. You need to spend at least three days in Barcelona to do all the top family activities Barcelona has to offer.
Keep in mind that there are lots of things to do in Spain with kids elsewhere too. If you want to take a day trip, you may need to plan four days in Barcelona.
Things To Do in Barcelona Wrap Up
Those are all of the top things to do in Barcelona with kids that cater to a variety of ages and interests.
As you can see, traveling to Barcelona with family is a great idea! You’ll never get bored.
Along with the mild climate, the huge number of playgrounds, and the child-friendly cuisine, you can bet that your family trip to Barcelona will leave you with wonderful, unforgettable memories.
Looking for more Spain travel resources? Check out my top Barcelona hotels for families, Madrid travel tips, things to do in Madrid with kids, Barcelona travel tips, best Barcelona day trips, tips for Mallorca, day trips from Madrid, best day trips from Benidorm, how to plan a trip to Spain, Europe travel tips, and hidden gems in Spain!
