Putting together a very last minute trip to Barcelona with my husband and son this week. We're flying from London so no jet lag. The purpose of the trip is to see a Barcelona FC match, tickets already purchased. Now I'm left to fill the remaining 2-3 days. Any suggestions? Christmas markets? Parks? I'd love to just wander the streets but that's difficult with a little boy. We're staying near the Plaza Catalua if that helps!

Thanks!

See my post, "A Catalan Christmas".

Close by Boquería food market is one of the finest in Europe.
http://www.boqueria.info/index.php?lang=en

You're also very close to the Barri Gotic and the El Born area. Perfect for just wandering about in the old and narrow streets. Cafés, tapas bars and all kinds of shops everywhere. Lots of them should be of interest for your boy (candy, icecream, toys etc).
About the Gothic quarter: http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.c...barcelona.html
About El Born: http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.c...s/el-born.html

You are also close to the great Ciutadella park: http://www.aviewoncities.com/barcelo...ciutadella.htm

My then 9 year old nephew was perfectly happy with our meal at traditional Catalan restaurant Can Culleretes from 1786 a couple of years ago. So was I. Close to Plaza Catalunya and popular with both locals and tourists alike. Necessary to book ahead: http://www.culleretes.com/

Can Culleretes is something special, great surroundings and honest, traditional Catalan food. Among many other things, delicious seafood dishes. Some photos: http://www.google.no/search?q=Can+Cu...w=1600&bih=719

Lunch from about 1.30 and dinner from about 8-9pm. For a great many people in Spain, the three course lunch is the main meal of the day.

If walks are too long for your boy, taxis are everywhere and very affordable.

For children :

Tibidabo attraction park ; http://www.tibidabo.es/eng/horari.asp
Barcelona zoo http://www.zoobarcelona.com/ZOO_Barc...sh/English.asp
Aquarium http://www.aquariumbcn.com/ing/index.htm
Poble espanol at Monjuic

And I can recommend the traditional Catalan sausage Butifarra on sale at Camp Nou, FC Barcelona's stadium. Guess your boy will love them. Locals often bring Butifarra or other bocadillos for the match as they are usually played late in the evening when people use to have dinner or another evening meal.