Also is it better to print at home or pick up at the ServiCaixa terminals of "la Caixa"?

Anyone have any info??

Common sense tells me to print them at home. If anyone begs to differ please let me know!

I'm surprised you're not getting an answer to this with all the people on this board who go to Barcelona.

It does make sense to buy and print at home and I would forego the audios for kids that age. Sometimes they even bore me!!

Magic Fountain could be fun for boys (you need to check the schedule to find the evening when there are shows):
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g187497-d501696-Reviews-Magic_Fountain-Barcelona_Catalonia.html

Boys might like to see the football stadium.
Check this site for kids friendly travel ideas:
http://travelforkids.com/Funtodo/Spain/barcelona.htm

Hi MiamiBeachMomma, I am certainly not a Barcelona expert but we were there last month and LOVED Sagrada Familia.
We booked online, reserved the first session available and then inserted the same credit card we had used to buy them into the Servicaixa terminal virtually across the road from the Sagrada (next to Maccas!)and printed tickets out along with the tickets I had also bought for the Alhambra later in trip.
I was a little paranoid about finding the right type of terminal and we visited the outside of the Sagrada Familia the day before our visit as part of the 'hop on hop off bus' and we happened upon the terminal then so printed tickets and were prepared for 9 am entry the next day. (Best time, less people inside.)
The audio guide was definitely worth it for us adulats and I would think maybe your 12 year old but there are lots of 'numbers' - I have to admit I was overwhelmed taking photos and skipped a few!
Your kids would probably appreciate the lift ride up into the tower though - when you go through the gate for people who already have tickets, just buy your lift tickets in the booth there before you go through turnstile.

Actually I have just checked the website again (I'm sure they didn't have the 'print at home' option when I booked??) and I see they do advertise audioguides for kids now as well so that may be more worthwhile.

I know some people are not advocates of the hop on hop off bus but if your legs are killing you and you want to see lots in a short time its a good option I think!

The route goes past the Magic Fountain (I think Thurs, Fri, Sat it operated - we enquired on the Sunday ) the Olympic Stadium which may interest the boys and the Football Stadium if they are into soccer.

Gaudi's Park Guell is free, we loved it and plenty of room to run around if you are energetic boys.

Have a great time, Sagrada Familia was one of THE highlights of our trip, don't miss it!

ozgirl - thanks so much for your reply!!! If you buy your tickets online can you get the audio once you are there without waiting on the crazy line?? Its weird the way the website is set up - we all have to get an audio guide or none of us, unless I break up the transaction in 2 parts, which is what I may do because I think for my 9 yo its a waste of money.

I think once you enter you can go get the audioguide - it is a separate line, and we did not have to wait long. We were there in May, so the crowds may have been lighter. We did not book anything in advance. I agree that the guide may be too much for the kids but definitely worth it for the adults. Sagrada Familia is a highlight of Barcelona for me. The children will love Park Guell.