There are a lot of Madrid family travel opportunities for children of any age.  There are many attractions and several half-day outings. Besides being great for children, you and anyone else in your family will enjoy seeing what the city has to offer.

Good Half-Day Excursions

If you are looking for a fantastic playground and park, then stop at the Paseo del Prado Playground.  This can easily be reached from the Banco de Espana metro stop. Let your children get rid of some energy before visiting the museum. Next, visit the Prado Museum as there is art from all different eras. The Goya paintings are not to be missed but these can frighten very small children.

Another great trip is a visit to the Royal Palace. This is a must specifically if your children love princes and princesses. This is an extremely beautiful palace and the interior is richly decorated. Visit the armory for all the swords, armor and weapons. There are also many modern sculptures found next to the palace at the Jardines de Cabo Noval.

Spend Some Time at the Park

If the weather is extremely hot, then spend some time at the Aquapolis and cool down. This water park is one of the largest in Europe and contains a serpentine tube slide called the Black Hole, several wave pools and huge water slides. While there are lockers at the park it is strongly recommended that you do not bring any valuables with you. The parks are open-air and not open in the winter.

The Parque de Ritoro has plenty to keep the family occupied as you can find street performers, fortune tellers, puppet shows, musicians and pavement artists. You can take a boat out onto the lake and feed the birds and ducks. If you should need a snack there is a café that offers drinks and sandwiches.

See and Ride the Trains

Another great museum for children is the Musei del Ferrocarril, otherwise known as the Train Museum.  The museum is open from 10 to 3 every day of the week but Monday.  Trains have run to this spot since the end of the 1800s until 1968. This station is the only one that still resembles stations from the 19th century. You can climb in the trains and see a movie about some of the first trains in Spain. You can also find and purchase model trains.