Whether facing Christmas holidays, in summer or at any other time of the year, the capital of Spain has indisputable incentives to plan a visit. If you plan a family trip to Madrid, We want to propose a series of free plans to do with children, which we have ordered alphabetically.
most of these plans are available throughout the year, although the schedule of activities may vary and therefore we recommend checking schedules and availability. In addition, you will find a proposal from Christmas activities to enjoy with the kids during these holidays. Ready to have a great time?
To enjoy art and culture
Who said that museums and cultural spaces are boring for children? With this selection that we propose, the children of the house will have a great time while learning about art, history, science or technology. Join them on this amazing journey through the best museums in the capital!
In Babies and more Going with the children of museums: a fun plan for everyoneOld Slaughterhouse of Madrid
The old Slaughterhouse and Municipal Cattle Market of Madrid, is now a cultural space integrated in the Madrid Rio Park, on the banks of the Manzanares River between the French Bridge and the South Knot.
This space dedicates its facilities to temporary exhibitions, design and theatrical activity. Admission is free, and often also the various workshops and activities that take place on their ships. A great place for kids to crawl and contemplate the unique buildings.
Further, at Christmas you can find an international market, in which more than 56 countries from all regions of the planet come together to surprise all audiences. Do not forget to check the agenda of activities to sign up for the one you like the most!
National Library
Book lovers can approach the National Library, on the Paseo de Recoletos, and make one of their guided tours (prior registration), or visit the National Library Museum (former Book Museum).
During the Christmas dates the National Library organizes a series of storytelling, family yinkanas, shows and other activities Especially designed for the little ones. Do not miss the opportunity to enjoy in this magical environment!
Caixa Forum
CaixaFórum is a space dedicated to education and culture, where temporary exhibitions, projections, numerous activities (some especially aimed at children), workshops, concerts, shows, and educational games to enjoy with the family are presented.
The schedule changes frequently, and many of the activities offered are free but require registration. It is recommended to check the agenda before visiting this wonderful space, where Boredom has no place.
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Via Facebook-Fundación Telefónica Located in the emblematic skyscraper of Ignacio de Cárdenas (1930), - considered one of the jewels of the architecture of the early twentieth century - is the Fundación Telefónica Space, where art and culture have a place for the whole family.
In this space you can enjoy guided cultural visits, admire its many exhibitions, or point the children to the multiple educational workshops offered, prior registration.
Science and Technology Museum
This museum, located in Alcobendas, offers the opportunity to make a complete journey through the history of science and technology, completing it with a multitude of workshops, conferences and educational activities for children that will not leave them indifferent.
The entrance to the museum and its permanent and temporary exhibitions is free, and the complementary educational activities have a cost of three euros. In addition, the museum also offers the opportunity to make a "camping" one night in its facilities, an activity with greater cost but with great success among children, where they will learn while having fun with other colleagues.
Madrid History Museum
The Museum of History of Madrid has a program of "animated family visits" that they explain to the little ones how the people of Madrid lived, worked and had fun In other times. The success of this activity, which takes place on Sundays, is resounding, and the Museum has already announced that in 2019 the agenda for registration will open again.
The Museum is located in the downtown district of the capital, on Fuencarral Street, and occupies the unique building of the Royal Hospice of San Fernando.
Prado Museum
The Prado Museum is one of the must-see stops when visiting the capital, and even the little ones will be captivated for the beauty of his paintings, sculptures, drawings and prints.
Through its website, the Museum also offers the possibility of making a children's itinerary with audio guides and videos focused on children, which They will help you discover art in a very fun and curious way. Admission to the Museum for children is free.
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In the Geominero Museum, visitors will not only learn about the mining history of Spain and the elements that are part of the mining heritage, but also can admire the large exhibition of fossil specimens, both imported and original from our country.
But in addition to the exhibitions, The museum conducts other scientific dissemination workshops specially designed for children. It is recommended to consult the agenda of activities, but we anticipate that this Christmas will offer a free workshop on dinosaurs.
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Via Facebook-ICO Museum The ICO museum invites us to know the world of architecture and urbanism in a pleasant way. It has a complete program of children's activities and different workshops according to ages, all free but with prior reservation.
The main objective of these workshops is for children to learn through play, how architects work, and become familiar with architecture and the urban environment as an artistic discipline.
Naval Museum
Via Facebook-Naval Museum The Naval Museum, located in Montalbán street, It is a perfect place to visit with children, although it is advisable not to cover everything in one day, because there is much to see and enjoy there.
In addition to the collections, models and a tour of the history of navigation in Spain, the museum periodically offers (and prior registration) activities aimed at the family audience, mainly educational workshops for children and storytelling for all ages.
ONCE Typhlological Museum
Via -Youtube Typhlological Museum The Typhlological Museum is a very interesting place for children, where there is no "no touch" and where they will understand how blind people live.
Designed so that visitors can touch the exhibits, their collection includes models of national and international monuments made by blind people, a collection of books dedicated to music and special education, a tour of the different types of coupons and a section dedicated to the tools with which historically the collective of blind people has accessed culture and work.
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He Changing of the Guard at the Royal Palace It is one of the most impressive in the world, and a show that will delight the little ones of the house, since it moves them to a world of palaces, kings and princesses. In short, a Solemn and curious moment in front of which they will remain with their mouths open.
The solemn relay of the Royal Guard can be seen from the Armory Square every first Wednesday of each month at 12:00 noon (except January, August and September and those days in which an official event is held or weather conditions prevent it).
Also on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 11:00 hours, we can enjoy a simpler changing of the guard at the Prince's Gate, starring two palace sentries on foot and two more on horseback.
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The Planetarium of Madrid is the perfect place to learn about astronomy and science, thanks to its innumerable exhibitions, workshops and projections, many of them focused on children. Admission is free for exhibitions and audiovisual, and for projections the children's rate is 1.65 euros.
The workshops for children that the Planetarium offers right now are: "Little astronomers 2.0" (aimed at children between six and eight years old), "Planetary generation" (aimed at children between nine to 12 years old) and a special Christmas workshop . All these workshops must be held prior registration. We can also enjoy projections aimed at children, such as "The sky of Cloe".
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There are also many outdoors interesting plans to do in Madrid with children, regardless of the time of year we are in. Here we show you, in alphabetical order, the most beautiful parks and gardens in the city, where you can have a good time with your family:
Cottage
With more than 1700 hectares and many possibilities for various family activities, we have the Casa de Campo, the largest public park in the city.
Inside there are several facilities, such as the Amusement Park, the Zoo, the Cable Car (which connects the Country House with the Parque del Oeste, on the other side of the Manzanares River), fairgrounds, the Madrid Arena multipurpose pavilion or the Sale of the Batán. Further, recently its famous Lake has been reopened (after a year of repairs), so again we can enjoy a delicious boat ride.
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Another one of the parks in which enjoy a good outdoor walk surrounded by nature It is the Dehesa de la Villa Park, northwest of Madrid, next to the University City. It is an authentic forest within the city, with landscaped spaces in the areas adjacent to urban spaces.
In addition, the Dehesa de la Villa has an important variety of birds, more than 70 different species.
The Whim of the Alameda de Osuna
Via www.flickr.com/photos/ilmarel The Whim of the Alameda de Osuna is one of the most beautiful and unknown parks in Madrid, created in 1784 by the Dukes of Osuna. This paradise is home to an important botanical, sculptural and artistic heritage: the perfect setting for unforgettable photographs!
We will be captivated by its shrines, hermitages, fountains, squares and the palace of the dukes. In the park we also find a Civil War bunker, an underground shelter that can be known on a free guided tour upon reservation.
Retirement
In the center of Madrid we cannot miss the Retiro Park, a ideal place to explore, discover its ponds (In the large pond, you can take a boat ride upon payment), the rose gardens, the fountains, the Crystal Palace ...
The building of crystal Palace It is spectacular, one of the best examples of the so-called iron architecture in Madrid. Planned as a giant greenhouse to house tropical plants, it is currently an exhibition hall with samples and facilities of the Reina Sofía Museum (free admission).
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Since we have gone to see the Royal Palace and the change of Guard, we can not miss the Sabatini gardens, and maybe return at sunset, it is one of the best places in Madrid To wait for the arrival of the night.
Located in front of the north facade of the Royal Palace, they were completed after the Civil War. In it were placed several of the sculptures that were intended to decorate the cornice of the Palace. Enjoying a family outing at this time of year is a real treat!
Madrid Rio
The tour of the gardens of Madrid Río They are the perfect complement to our walk through Matadero Madrid, which we have discussed above. It is a pedestrian and recreational area built between 2006 and 2011 on the two banks of the Manzanares River.
Has 17 playgrounds that we can find throughout the Pine Hall, all of them with swings made of sustainable and natural materials. In addition, each area has different characteristics according to ages, so that both the smallest of the house and the elderly have a great time.
Juan Carlos I Park
In the urban park, Juan Carlos I, we can make a sculpture route and enter the Cold Stove, a botanical garden in a concrete and glass greenhouse.
With 4,000 square meters and a height of 12 meters, it contains a botanical collection of exotic plants with 220 species and varieties. From the Japanese garden we go to the maples, papyrus, bamboo, palm trees, camellias, rhododendrons, azaleas, hydrangeas, conifers, aquatic plants ... and very warm in winter!
Quinta de la Fuente del Berro
Quinta de la Fuente del Berro Park is a public park with a 17th-century historical garden that occupies about 13 hectares. A perfect place to have fun among ponds, mansions and sculptures, in the Salamanca district.
Fifth of the Mills
La Quinta de los Molinos is a garden for public use whose origin is a rustic urban recreation farm with agricultural exploitation areas and a marked Mediterranean character, which has buildings and architectures declared of high interest.
The park is divided into two clearly differentiated areas: the northern area with a romantic landscape style and the southern agricultural zone.
Royal Botanic Garden
In the center of Madrid there is a collected place where still it is possible to enjoy nature and calm: The Royal Botanic Garden, a magical place, located very close to the Prado Museum, full of beautiful corners with more than two centuries of history.
The entrance to the Royal Botanical Garden is free for those under 18, and it is certainly a highly recommended place to enjoy the vegetation and tranquility after a tourist day in the capital.
Puppet Theater
And we return to the Retreat to enjoy its classic Puppet Theater, a wonderful free show for the whole family that masterfully combines plastic arts, interpretation, music and literature. It is recommended to consult the agenda, as programming varies frequently.
Debod Temple
The Debod temple, located in the Parque del Oeste, near the Plaza de España, is about 2200 years old and was a gift from Egypt to Spain. It's about a historical place of worship and probably one of the most photogenic in the city, especially at sunset. You can freely explore the platforms, the exterior of the temple in the park and visit its interior for free.
In addition, it is advisable to consult the agenda of activities because sometimes family workshops with recreational and educational activities are planned.
The mythical mandatory stops in the capital
Of course, in our Family trip to Madrid we cannot miss a walk through the Plaza Mayor, the Gran Vía, the Almudena Cathedral, pose in front of the lions of the Congress, the Puerta de Alcalá, step on kilometer 0 at the Puerta del Sol ... We will have time to see everything !
Christmas plans
And if you visit the city at Christmas in the company of your children, we propose these free plans that you can not miss:
Visit Cortylandia: This mythical show will dazzle children of all ages, to the sound of its catchy music and its huge animated dolls. You can see it every day on the facade of the English Court of Precious, from 12:00 to 21:00 hours.
Enjoy of the Christmas lighting of the streets of Madrid With Naviluz, a tourist bus that will take you through the main streets of the city to admire its lights. For children under seven years old it is free, and you can find the itinerary in this link.
Visit the Christmas markets: There are several Christmas markets that we can find at this time in various parts of the city, although without a doubt the largest and most mythical is the Plaza Mayor. Enjoy the color of their stalls, festive ornaments, joke items, typical food ...
A tour of the largest nativity scenes in the capital: Another perfect plan for these dates is to visit the Nativity scenes of Madrid, which we can find in the Royal Post Office, Plaza Cibeles, in the Almudena Cathedral, or in the Convent of San José and Santa Ana. But there are many plus! Check schedules on this link.
The Christmas House: CocaCola launches this initiative at the Royal Post Office. Enjoy a unique visit to the Santa Claus factory and know all the secrets that hide their elves. You can see the schedules of this activity in this link.
Sun Gate: The Puerta del Sol in Madrid is the scene of the New Year's bells, and a must-stop at Christmas. Admire the impressive clock, the large Christmas tree lit and the festive and shopping atmosphere of the adjoining streets.
Photos | iStock, Pixabay
