Planning a trip to Madrid, Spain and are thinking about what to do with your kids? Keep scrolling for my list of the best things to do in Madrid with kids worth adding to your Spain itinerary!
This list of things to do in Madrid with kids was written by family travel expert Marcie Cheung and contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.
Want to visit Spain with your family but wondering if there are enough things to do in Madrid with kids?
Madrid is not only the Spanish capital but it is also the largest city and one of the most-visited.
You can rest assured that there are tons of museums, plazas, gardens, activities, and attractions in Madrid, Spain that appeal to kids of all ages! Not to mention the delicious local dishes you can eat in Madrid that your kids will love.
Plus, there are lots of indoor and outdoor activities in Madrid, so you’re covered for all seasons.
This guide includes an extensive list of all the top Madrid things to do with kids from toddlers to teenagers so you have a fun and memorable Madrid vacation.
Don’t have time to read a bunch of Madrid blog posts and reviews? Here are some of our top picks for visiting Madrid with kids.
Popular Madrid Tours/Activities
- Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour (great way to see the sights while resting)
- Prado Museum (this is a skip-the-line ticket and tour)
- Sweet Space Museum Entry Ticket (fun for Instagram photos)
- Toledo Half-Day Tour from Madrid (perfect length for families)
- Flytographer photo shoot (they are easy to book are really affordable)
Kid-Friendly Madrid Hotels
- Líbere Madrid Palacio Real (family rooms with kitchens and A/C)
- ICON Embassy (family rooms with bunk beds and A/C)
- H10 Puerta de Alcalá (family rooms with A/C and a pool)
- INNSiDE by Meliá Madrid Gran Vía (family rooms in a great location with A/C)
- The Madrid EDITION (lots of family rooms with A/C and a pool)
20 Things To Do in Madrid With Kids
Paddleboat in El Retiro Park
Giving Central Park a run for its money in regards to scale and abundance of activities, El Retiro Park measures over 125 hectares and is even a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
It’s one of the best places to visit in Madrid, with or without kids, because there are just so many things to do here.
You can paddleboat in the pond, follow the trails and look at the dozens of statues, palaces, and monuments, and even bring a picnic and eat lunch here.
There are cafes and bathrooms so you really could spend an entire afternoon here.
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Royal Palace of Madrid Changing of the Guards
The Spanish royal family lives in Madrid’s Royal Palace and this is where you’ll be able to see the Changing of the Guards ceremony.
It occurs every Wednesday and Saturday from 11 am to 2 pm. There’s an extra special ceremony on the first Wednesday of every month a 12 pm too (except in January, August, and September).
Catedral de la Almudena, Madrid’s baroque cathedral, is right next to the Royal Palace so you can easily visit both at the same time.
Prado Museum Kids’ Tour
Madrid has tons of museums and two of the most important art museums in the world: the Museo Nacional del Prado and the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía.
The Prado is perhaps one of the better things to do in Madrid for kids because you can book a private kids’ museum tour. The guide is patient and will select works that kids might be more interested in viewing.
Even if you don’t book a private tour, definitely buy tickets in advance so you can skip the super long line!
You might avoid lines in the off-season but a little extra organization in the peak summer season will be worth it to avoid waking outside in the heat.
Eat Churros and Hot Chocolate
Now we’re talking! When it comes to providing delicious baked goods and other similar things to do with kids, Madrid delivers.
Churros are choux pastries deep-fried in oil, sprinkled with sugar, and dipped in a melted hot chocolate sauce. There are lots of places you can find churros, but Chocolatería San Ginés is a favorite with both locals and tourists alike.
It was founded in 1894 and is open 24 hours a day. Don’t be put off by the long lines, these guys are pros and it moves quickly.
Some other places to find great churros in Madrid are Churrería Chocolateria 1902 and Churrería Santa Ana.
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.
La Escalera de Jacob Children’s Theater
One of the most unique things to do in Madrid with kids, La Escalera de Jacob is a performing arts center that programs magic shows and plays specifically for kids.
Check out their schedule to see if they have anything in English that looks interesting during your trip.
Mercado de San Miguel
Madrid has lots of street food markets that you have to visit during your vacation.
Whilst they can get a little busy, these markets are wonderful for a relaxed, casual lunch where you can attempt to get your kids to try a range of new and different foods.
The Mercado de San Miguel has lots of vendors and is very stroller-friendly. Some other options are Mercado de la Paz, Antón Martín Market, and Mercado de la Cebada.
El Rastro is a great Sunday market that sells souvenirs and antiques rather than food but the vibrancy and the sheer amount of things to see means it’s one of the best things to do for kids in Madrid.
Madrid Río Park Playgrounds
Madrid has lots of wonderful parks and gardens. But if you’re looking for the best playgrounds and things to do in Madrid with toddlers and young kids, you should head to Madrid Río Park.
Aside from the playgrounds, there are also lots of bridges, fountains, and flower beds in this riverside park.
Some of the best water activities in Madrid are just running through fountains! Just make sure you don’t leave your hotel without towels and spare changes of clothes.
Confitería Riojano Bakery
Right next to Puerta del Sol, one of Madrid’s main plazas, is the 19th-century Confitería Riojano bakery. They sell extravagant cream cakes as well as animal-shaped cookies in a stunning and ornately-decorated spot.
Parque de Atracciones in Casa de Campo
Parque de Atracciones is a small yet fully equipped theme park in Casa de Campo in western Madrid. There are fairground and water rides for kids of all ages as well as fun entertainment shows.
It’s definitely one of the top things to do in Madrid, Spain with kids! Check the latest admission rates.
National Museum of Natural Sciences
Do you have older kids that love science and wildlife? One of the best things to do in Madrid, Spain for them is to visit the Spanish National Museum of Natural Sciences.
It is full of interactive exhibits on animals, fossils, dinosaurs, and more.
Bear Statue in Puerta del Sol
One of the most unusual things to see in Madrid is the El Oso y el Madroño statue in Puerta del Sol. This is literally a bronze statue of a bear and a strawberry tree and it’s adorable.
Read the placard to your kids to discover why the statue exists and why it’s beloved by locals.
Plaza Mayor and Plaza de España are also great historic plazas to visit during your trip.
The Robot Museum
One of the top things to do in Madrid, Spain for tech-loving kids is to visit The Robot Museum in the Salamanca neighborhood. There are lots of robot exhibits from different eras including toys and robots from famous movies too.
Garden At Atocha Train Station
Visiting a train station might not sound like one of the most fun things to do in Madrid, Spain for kids, but it is.
If you are arriving by train in Madrid or taking a day trip and you pass through Atocha, swing by the huge botanical garden that they have indoors.
Sure, it probably won’t kill more than 10 minutes but hopefully your kids will find it pretty cool.
Santiago Bernabéu Stadium Tour
Do your kids love sports? The Santiago Bernabéu stadium is the soccer team Real Madrid’s home field. You can join a tour of the 81,000-seat stadium and even see the trophy room and museum.
Better yet, if you’re traveling with older kids and the team is playing a game at home during your vacation, book tickets to see it. Don’t forget that they call soccer ‘football’ in Spain.
Madrid Planetarium
There are lots of things to do in Parque Enrique Tierno Galván, but one of the best is to check out the planetarium there. They host lots of space exhibitions and have telescopes you and your kids can try out too.
Zoo Aquarium de Madrid in Casa de Campo
Casa de Campo is such a huge park that it’s not only where you’ll find Parque de Atracciones but it’s also the home of the Madrid Zoo.
It has both land and sea animals (in an awesome aquarium) plus a petting zoo. Check the latest admission rates.
Labyrinth at Capricho Park
Getting lost down historic labyrinthine streets is a great way to get to know a new European city, but getting lost in an actual labyrinth is a fun way to spend an afternoon with your kids.
Check out the garden maze in Capricho Park which is between the city and the airport. There are lots of perfectly manicured lawns you can stroll through if you have time too.
Day Trip to Parque Warner
Just a 30-minute drive or 60-minute bus ride south of Madrid is Parque Warner, an amusement park with rollercoasters and other themed attractions from Warner Bros. movies and games.
Younger kids will enjoy cartoon village and your older kids will love the thrills of DC comics-inspired rides. Check the latest admission rates.
Micropolix Amusement Center
Didn’t luck out with the weather and need to know what to do on a rainy day in Madrid? Head to the Micropolix Amusement Center.
There are endless fun attractions and things to do in this model city including fake supermarkets, playing vets, driving small cars, and even pretending to be on TV.
Ratón Pérez Children’s Museum
In the US, when a kid loses their tooth, the Tooth Fairy appears to retrieve it from under their pillow. Not in Spain! In Spain, they have a Tooth Mouse.
Ratón Pérez is the being who deals with baby teeth in Spain and you can even visit his house in Madrid with your kids. This museum is set up to show you where Ratón Pérez lives with his family and his depictions in the media.
Things To Do in Madrid With Kids FAQs
Is Madrid good for kids?
Yes! Madrid is great for kids and a great place to visit with your young family.
There are lots of fantastic parks like Retiro Park, the Royal Botanical Gardens, Casa de Campo, and Parque del Oeste. There are lots of kid-friendly museums and Madrid activities within the city and also on the outskirts for sightseeing in Madrid, Spain with kids.
Madrid’s underground metro system is efficient, cheap, and covers the entire city so you’ll find it really easy to get around Madrid with kids. Children under four don’t need a ticket.
You’ll find it super easy to find everything you need for your kids in supermarkets and there are many child-friendly restaurants like La Excéntrica and Mama Campó.
Is 3 days enough to see Madrid with kids?
Absolutely! Three days in Madrid can provide a rich, enjoyable experience for you and your kids. The city is full of child-friendly attractions and activities that can be covered in this timeframe.
Are there any amusement parks in Madrid?
Yes, Madrid is home to several amusement parks that are great for family outings. Parque Warner Madrid (movie world studios) and Parque de Atracciones (located in the Casa de Campo park) are popular with families. Parque de Atracciones is also home to Nickelodeon Land.
Which area of Madrid is best for families?
Salamanca and Chamberí are two northern neighborhoods in Madrid just next to the historic center. They’re both very safe, quiet, and great places to find short-term rental apartments which are ideal when visiting Madrid with kids.
If you find these neighborhoods a little too far away and would prefer to stay in the heart of the city, the Retiro neighborhood (where you’ll also find the Museo del Prado) is perfect.
It’s a quieter and safer area than the Madrid city center and only a couple of metro stops away from all the main landmarks.
Is there an Egyptian temple in Madrid?
Yes, there is. The Egyptian Temple de Debod is an ancient Egyptian temple that was dismantled and rebuilt in Madrid. It’s located in the Parque del Oeste, near the Royal Palace.
What is a fun fact about Madrid for kids?
Just one?! Here are a few fun facts about Madrid that kids will enjoy!
- Dating back to 1725, Sobrino de Botin is the world’s oldest restaurant and it’s in Madrid.
- People from Madrid are called Madrileños but they’re sometimes called Gatos which means cats.
- Believe it or not, Madrid is Europe’s highest capital city at 2,100 feet/635 meters above sea level.
- Madrid’s name has Arabic origins meaning, ‘place of abundant water’.
- Madrid only became Spain’s capital city in the 16th century because, before that, it was Toledo.
- There are, on average, over 300 days of sunshine in Madrid every year which makes it one of Europe’s sunniest cities.
Things To Do in Madrid For Kids Wrap Up
You don’t need to wonder about what to do in Madrid with kids any longer.
This extensive list of cool Madrid, Spain activities has you covered whether you’re staying in Madrid for one day or one week.
There are tons of things to do in Madrid with kids from museum trips to water parks, seeing cool statues, and eating delicious baked treats.
Along with the delicious child-friendly local cuisine and vibrant locals, you’ll have a fantastic vacation in Madrid that the whole family will enjoy!
Looking for more Spain travel resources? Check out my Madrid travel tips, where to stay in Madrid with kids, best day trips from Madrid, things to do in Barcelona with kids, Barcelona travel tips, tips for Mallorca, Barcelona day trips, best day trips from Benidorm, how to plan a trip to Spain, Europe travel tips, and hidden gems in Spain!
