Not quite ready to get into the December “puente” mood just yet and looking for alternative options to travelling on the Christmas lights bus tour or craning your neck to see the Cortylandia display? Look no further! Here is our pick of the best Madrid has to offer for families from 6th to 9th of December.
Juvenalia
Number one on our list is Juvenalia, an annual fun fair run at the out-of-town IFEMA exhibition centre. Kids in Madrid have been going to Juvenalia since its inception eight years ago and have nothing but praise for this family event which never ceases to amaze. It is worthwhile taking a look at the dossier [INSERT LINK TO DOSSIER ATTACHED TO THIS EMAIL] of activities in advance and planning what you and your family would like to do. This 157 page document can be searched by age range and type of activity so that you find the best combination of sports (including golf and fencing!); robotics; circus skills; magic; First Aid; science experiments; karting; crafts and board games (regular and life size chess sets are there to be played with); not to mention bouncy castles, fire brigade rescue simulation role plays and police academy training for kids.
Where: Exhibition Halls number 12 and 14, IFEMA, (Metro Feria de Madrid, line 8) – about 15 minutes from Nuevos Ministerios with a very regular service. Click here for more options about how to get there.
Time: 11:00 to 20:00
Dates: 5th to 9th of December 2018
Price: 9.50 euros each or family pack for 32 euros (2 adults + 2 children)
Extra info: For those whose children don’t get tired out from a whole day of stimulating experiences in Juvenalia, there is a traditional circus next door with shows at 12pm, 16:30h and 19:30h.
Robot Museum
With so many other museums in Madrid, this inconspicuous museum quietly enthrals those lucky enough to stumble across it, by providing a truly wonderful kiddies experience without any fuss or fanfares. As space is limited, it is wise to purchase a ticket on line beforehand. All visits are with a tour guide, included in the price. During the December break, tours are available in English solely on Friday 7th of December at 4pm.
Where: The Robot Museum, calle Alberto Aguilera 7, 28015 Madrid (metro San Bernardo, lines 2 & 4)
Opening times during the December break (2018): 11:00 to 2pm; 4pm to 9pm;
Dates: open all year around from Tuesday to Saturday
Price: 4 euros adults, 2 euros children, 6 euros for a family pack available on weekdays except Bank Holidays. Under 5s enter for free.
Extra info: Download Juguetronica’s brochure in English here to find out more about their Robot Museum.
Pinta en Copas
Why not try your hand at decorating ceramics whilst hanging out in a chilled atmosphere, drinking a cup of coffee and enjoying the laid-back company? The idea is simple. Choose a piece of pottery to paint: a teapot, a cup, a bowl, a plate; pay in cash for the piece(s) you have chosen, sit down with your kids and have fun decorating it with all the materials available in this lovely workshop-cum-cafeteria. Families with children aged under 8 years old can only go in the mornings (from 11am to 2pm). You don’t need to book and can spend anything between 9 euros for a small bowl to 30 euros for a big teapot. The choice is yours! The finished piece will be glazed and ready for you to collect within 48h.
Where: Pinta en Copas, Calle Velarde 3 (corner of Calle Fuencarral) – Metro Tribunal (lines 1 and 10)
Opening times during the December break (2018): 11:00 to 2pm (young families); 5pm to 10pm (children aged 9+ and parents with teens).
Booking: Reservations are only required for families with five or more members. Groups of four people and under do not need to book but must come early to ensure that they have enough time to do the activity before the session closes (either at 2pm or at 10pm).
Contact: ring 91 4453343 or send an e-mail to: pec28004@gmail.com
Price: all-inclusive price is per ceramic piece chosen and ranges from 9 euros to 30 euros each.
Extra info: Watch this 5 minute video with clients decorating different pieces of pottery whilst speaking in Spanish and English to get a taste of what to expect.
Parque de Europa
For those of you who prefer some fresh air and fun, we recommend you take a trip to Parque de Europa in the satellite town of Torrejón de Ardoz (25 minutes drive from Avenida de America). This park includes replica monuments of major landmarks in Europe set in landscaped gardens and interspersed with amusement areas that include laser quest, mini karts, archery, trampolining, zipwires, climbing and mini golf. There are climbing frames galore, a large picnic area with amenities, as well as several restaurants and cafeterias. You can easily spend the whole day in this park and not run out of things to do.
Where: Paseo de los Cipreses s/n, 28850 Torrejon de Ardoz. By car: exit 18 of the A2 road, follow signs to the park; the carpark costs 3 euros but there is also ample street parking. By train: Cercanias to Torrejon de Ardoz and then catch a direct bus (line L1 or L2) from the train station to the park; by bus from Madrid: Line 224A from Avenida de America.
Price: free to enter, activities such as boating and amusements are charged individually
Opening time: 9am to 8pm (winter)
Extra info: Take a look at their website to see the wide range of attractions on offer. No matter how dubious it may sound to have 17 replicas of European statues like the Eiffel Tower and the Brandenburg Gate in one place, we invite you to suspend your doubts and take a look yourself. You won’t regret it and your kids will love you for it!
Any other ideas? We’d love to hear them! Visit our blog to keep you update about activities to do with kids in Madrid!