Barcelona Zoo in Ciutadella Park. Highlight of a visit is normally the dolphin show so time/pace yourselves for that (included in admission). Show times are posted at the entrance (normally 3 a day). Very good adventure playground; also petting zoo, and donkey rides (extra charge).
The Aquarium in Port Vell (near Maremagnum Centre). Pricey but very good (all under cover so perfect on a rainy day). Open until after 9pm. Concentrates on Mediterranean species, though not exclusively. Also ray-pool, and penguins (with real ice).
Funfair on Tibidabo. A bit of a trek to get to, but well worth it. Set off early and spend the whole day working your way down the side of the mountain towards the exit. Pay on gate, then ride all day if you want, as the entrance fee (although pricey) is all you pay (except for food/drinks etc). Dare you to go in the Kruger House (not recommended for those of a nervous disposition/small children)!
Whilst in Barcelona, why not go and see one Barcelona FC football match inCamp Nou Stadium (ne of the biggest stadiums in the world). You can buy your tickets in avance online (check out www.footballticketsbarcelona.com or http://www.spanishfootballtickets.com/) or at the stadium on the day of the match.
Poble Espanyol: Spanish Village on Montjuic which reproduces buildings from all over Spain. Being developed as Craft village, so guitar-maker, glass-blowers etc. Perfect for small children as they can run round the streets with no danger from cars, bikes etc. Various restaurants and interesting shops for gifts/souvenirs at reasonable prices. Poble Espanyol is the only BCN attraction to offer family tickets.
Parc Guell: Gaudi site and captivating. Popular with locals too, but very crowded near entrance/steps to lizard. Steps make it less suitable with pushchair (or you have long detours).
Other Gaudi sights: Casa Batllo and Casa Mila (La Pedrera). You can visit interiors of both. Casa Batllo is particularly magical (very good audio guide);however it is extremely pricey at 16€ for adults (13.80 for schoolkids) to visit apartment and roof. La Pedrera is more reasonably priced and has good display on Gaudi's works, plus period flat and visit to roof . This last is not recommended for small children: lots of steps, sometimes different levels, low railings etc.
Cathedral has geese in the cloister (always popular with children).
Port Vell/Maremagnum area: interesting to look at variety of boats and ships in the harbour. Golondrina boats (quay near Columbus statue) take you on tours of the harbour.
If it is wet: films in English include latest Hollywood blockbusters (and currently also Wallace and Gromit) at Yelmo Icaria cinema near Olympic Port. Shows start at 11.20am and continue through past midnight. IMAX cinema next to aquarium (but soundtrack will be Spanish or Catalan).
If you are really desperate: Some kids books in English can be bought at FNAC Triangle (top of Ramblas). Really near on Plaça Catalunya is Hardrock Cafe and Zara for clothes on Pelai, Portal del Angel etc.
Obviously depends on the child (age, interests and attention-span) but here are a few suggestions of some museums with child-appeal:
Maritime Museum at Drassanes (near Columbus Statue). Lots of boats (models and real); audio guide in English. Open every day.
Egyptian Museum (Valencia nr Passeig de Gracia). Small museum , but beautiful objects very well displayed. The museum's holdings are private collection of hotelier Jordi Clos, who is passionate about Egypt.
Football Museum as part of visit to Barça Stadium, Camp Nou.
Chocolate Museum (Museu de Xocolata) near El Born. Open Mon: closed Tues.
Cosmocaixa Science Museum, uptown near Av. Tibidabo. FGC train from Catalunya to Av. Tibidabo then walk up (steepish) hill. At weekends the old blue tram "tranvia blau" runs up Av. Tibidabo.
Picasso Museum is particularly interesting for its holdings of Picasso's works in his teens (kept by the family and donated to the museum).
For those interested in the Romans and Greeks: Museu d'Kistoria de la Ciutat (city history museum) which has remains of Roman Barcelona in it basement; and Museu Arqueologic de Catalunya on Montjuic which has lots of exhibits from Empuries and other Roman finds; also exhibits on prehistoric cave-dwellings.
This information was based on two forum threads:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-...
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