Activities In Madrid for an adventurous and athletic 8 year old

October 18, 2024 8:22 AM

We're heading to Madrid next week - Oct. 21 to 28 - with our 8 year old, who is outgoing, sports-crazy and up for anything. Staying in central Madrid w/o a car. First time in Spain for all of us.

We already have REAL Madrid football tix for the 22nd, as after Messi, Luca Modric is his football idol. The adults want to do typical touristy things including the Prado, but kid-oriented stuff would be wonderful to know about. Adults will struggle a bit with high-school Spanish at best, kid no Spanish. Thank you for your suggestions but no bullfight, please!

posted by citygirl to Travel & Transportation (8 answers total)

the prado's neat & has a mona lisa [wiki]
posted by HearHere at 9:11 AM on October 18

The row boats for hire in Retiro Park might be something for you all to enjoy. Let him row!
posted by rongorongo at 10:05 AM on October 18

The Faro de Moncloa is fun. Elevator ride up a tall tower with views over the city at the top.
posted by terretu at 11:11 AM on October 18

As far as art is concerned maybe the Reina Sofia museum? The Prado's collection is amazing but it's the kind of place where you feel like you need to spend multiple days to appreciate it which may not be great for a kid, or even your own plans for seeing the city. With a more limited collection you'll be able to better see everything at the Reina Sofia, and it being more modern art it could be more exciting for your kid as well.
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 12:20 PM on October 18

One hour away from Madrid by train is Toledo, whose medieval past is still obvious as you approach the city.

Toledo has been famous for centuries for its swords and steelcraft, and I'm thinking that an eight-year-old would be delighted to visit this sword workshop. Their website has an English language version, so you could probably shoot them an email to make sure you can visit and maybe even see the craftspeople at work.
posted by rabia.elizabeth at 12:51 PM on October 18

There's also a newish Puy de Fou theme park in Toledo that my coworker was impressed by and honestly could be fun. But be warned that it's kind of whitewashed.
posted by vunder at 1:11 PM on October 18

The Museum of Illusions was a fun break for us when we went last year. It's not far from Plaza Mayor.
posted by perhapses at 8:13 PM on October 18

Thanks, all for your suggestions! A friend has a gallery opening in Madrid on Thursday, which was the impetus for choosing Madrid as our destination, so we are definitely up for art viewing. I appreciate all of the suggestions and am looking into several of them to round out our week.
posted by citygirl at 11:08 AM on October 19