Things to do in Madrid with kids: 12 plans that work

Madrid is a great city to visit with kids: huge parks, museums that grab their attention and plenty of outdoor (and free) plans. Here are 12 plans that really work, grouped by type, with an age-by-age recommendation at the end.

Theme and amusement parks

• Warner Park Madrid — superheroes, roller coasters and shows. The favourite of older kids and teens. See Warner Park tickets → · book on Civitatis →
• Madrid Amusement Park (Casa de Campo): rides for all ages, including a toddler zone.
• Zoo Aquarium and Faunia: animals, dolphins and biozones. Perfect for the little ones.

Outdoors (and free)

• El Retiro park: rowing boat on the lake, the Crystal Palace and puppeteers at weekends. Free and always a hit.
• Madrid cable car: views over Casa de Campo; kids love it.
• Madrid Río: playgrounds, zip lines and an urban "beach" in summer.

Museums kids actually enjoy

• Railway Museum: real trains to climb aboard. A little-known gem.
• CaixaForum and the Planetarium: hands-on workshops and shows.

A different plan

A tuk tuk tour of the centre is fun and rests tired legs: you see the essentials without the kids complaining. See the tuk tuk tour of Madrid →

Tips for Madrid with kids

• Distances: the centre is walkable, but the metro is fast and mostly stroller-friendly.
• Meal times: eat early (kids can't manage Spanish hours); many restaurants have a kids' menu.
• Water and breaks: in summer, morning plans and a siesta; the Retiro fountains save the afternoon.

Which plan by age?

• 0-5: El Retiro, cable car, Faunia.
• 6-11: Zoo, Railway Museum, Amusement Park.
• Teens: Warner Park and, for football fans, the Bernabéu Tour.

See family tickets and plans →

Frequently asked questions

What to do in Madrid with small children?

For the youngest (0-5), what works best is El Retiro (boat and puppeteers), the cable car and Faunia. Calm, outdoor plans.

Which is the best theme park in Madrid for kids?

Warner Park is the favourite of older kids and teens for its roller coasters and shows; the Amusement Park has a good zone for the youngest.

Are there free plans in Madrid with kids?

Yes: El Retiro, Madrid Río, parks and puppeteers at weekends. Many museums also have free time slots.

Is Madrid easy with a stroller?

Yes, the metro and buses are fairly accessible and the centre is walkable; it's best to avoid rush hour.