OU_Chot

I was thinking about taking the wife and two kids (ages 2 and 6) to Madrid for about 5 days. What kind of kid friendly things can we do in and around Madrid? Our kids are very good travelers. We are open to taking subways and/or trains to outlying areas.

Just wonder what there is to do in Madrid to keep the kids interested.

BigRuss

Hard to keep the monsters interested in Madrid, which is known for top end art museums and the Royal Palace. The Zoo is expensive and far from the nearest Metro station, so it's not worthwhile. The Retiro park is large, has play areas and is good for wandering, but that's not necessarily a daily thing.

Our hobbits were sub-2 and just 4 when we were there. Best option is to set aside time for the kids to run around in play areas, then tour as you would. As you can see from this website, it's not necessarily the best travel destination with young kids: http://www.gomadrid.com/activity/children/

cruiseluv

May I ask why you would want to do that? I wouldn't call Madrid a particularly kid friendly city (I don't mean they're anti-children!). The 6 yr old might enjoy the armory at the Royal Palace. The only other thing I can think of is Retiro park. Sorry, never brought my kids to Europe until the youngest was almost 10, so its difficult to put myself in your shoes.

ekscrunchy

The Madrid Rio project sounds as if it would be good for kids, and adults. I believe they have some kind of urban beach area.

http://www.esmadrid.com/en/madridrio

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/27/ar...ways.html?_r=1

cheapboxofwine

My kids enjoyed Retiro Park as we walked through en route to somewhere else. There were some fun sculptures there that we enjoyed looking at.. We took a hop on/off bus tour too. Many poo-poo those but my kids like to sit at the top and it gave all of us a lay of the land. We stayed at the Petite Palace in the quiet and upscale Salamanca neighborhood. The room had bunkbeds for the kids but ask for a guardrail for the top bunk!

auntiemimi

The park at Templo de Debod is quite nice, especially at sunset, and you can stroll from there to the Royal Palace or the other direction along a nice boulevard with outdoor cafes on Pintor Rosales. It's not the most kid-friendly place, I lived there for 5 years. Retiro also has little boats you can rent in the small manmade lake. I would go to a smaller town with them, take the train to Escorial or Segovia.

cova

My four year old nephew likes a lot going to the train museum (small, but plenty of trains for him to go up and down)
http://www.museodelferrocarril.org/
You could also go on the strawberry train to Aranjuez, and I know there is another steam train that runs during spring and summer on sundays.
He also likes going to the Mercado de San Anton and climb to the top, and if we are lucky and find a place at the bar in the Victor Montes, he is quite happy with a Fanta and some pintxos.
There is a decent playground in the Plaza de Oriente, near to the Cafe de Oriente.

But, as a whole ... I don´t find Madrid a very kid friendly place. There are very good activities in museums, but for kids older than 6 years.

Going up to the terrace of the town council building, in Cibeles, it is also a favourite (he loved the photos taken of the rebuilding, and loved hearing her mum talking about how it was done), and it is free.

Bye, Cova

kimhe

Check out the Kids in Madrid website. Daily program of kids shows, events, theaters etc: http://www.kidsinmadrid.com/en/whatson.html

Perhaps take the Teleférico cable car over the city and into the great Casa del Campo park. Fabulous views: http://www.english.teleferico.com/

Out here is the Pumba Children's Park:
http://www.english.teleferico.com/pumba

The Madrid Fun Fair is also out here in Casa del Campo: http://www.neoturismo.com/en/entrada...ones-de-madrid

You also find the Madrid zoo in Casa del Campo: http://www.zoomadrid.com/

A boat ride in the wonderful Retiro park is a must:
http://www.travelaroundeurope.co.uk/...etiro-park.htm
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...ro-Madrid.html