Things to do in Madrid with Kids (August 8 – August 16, 2026)

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Hey, parents!

In this edition, we’ve got a bunch of family nature workshops, an immersive digital art experience, plenty of summer movie magic (from Billy Elliot to The Minions), scavenger hunts, an enchanted forest to explore, a puppet adventure through the Mexican jungle, and several neighborhood fiestas you won’t want to miss.

I’m pressing pause for the next two weeks to recharge my fun-finding batteries. In the meantime, if your kids start declaring there’s “nothing to do,” don’t panic. Head to the Facebook group and we’ll prove them wrong together.

I’ll be back on August 27th, ready to resume my regularly scheduled obsession with finding family plans. Until then, remember: a splash park totally counts as a bath.

• El cielo de Cloe, a fulldome film session in which Cloe teaches a fun-filled class where kids learn amazing things about astronomy, Planetario Madrid (0 a 6)
• Espacio de lectura y juego: Soy Asurbanipal, a family-friendly space with books, games, and materials for experimenting, exploring, playing, and learning about archaeology, CaixaForum (3+, free)
• Piedra, papel o tijera, a show that transforms the classic game into a theatrical and magical experience traveling through three symbolic worlds, La Escalera de Jacob (3+)
• Las Fiestas de San Cayetano, parades, lemonade, storytelling, DJs, puppets, concerts, magic, and more, Lavapiés (3+, free)
• Actividades familiares en TresAguas, activities and music at the shopping center, Centro Comercial TresAguas (3+, free)
  

• El cielo de Cloe, a fulldome film session in which Cloe teaches a fun-filled class where kids learn amazing things about astronomy, Planetario Madrid (0 a 6)
• ¿A qué sabe la luna? A play for babies where animals want to find out what the moon tastes like, Teagtros Luchana (1+)
• Espacio de lectura y juego: Soy Asurbanipal, a family-friendly space with books, games, and materials for experimenting, exploring, playing, and learning about archaeology, CaixaForum (3+, free)
• A la rica roca, family workshop in nature, reservations at [email protected], Punto de Información Parque Juan Carlos I (3+, free)
• Actividades familiares en TresAguas, activities and music at the mall, Centro Comercial TresAguas (3+, free)
• Alguien dijo ¿Superpoderes? Magic show, Escalera de Jacob (3+)

• El cielo de Cloe, a fulldome film session in which Cloe teaches a fun-filled class where kids learn amazing things about astronomy, Planetario Madrid (0 to 6)
• Espacio de lectura y juego: Soy Asurbanipal, a family-friendly space with books, games, and materials for experimenting, exploring, playing, and learning about archaeology, CaixaForum (3+, free)
• Actividades familiares en TresAguas, activities and music at the shopping center, Centro Comercial TresAguas (3+, free)
• Fiestas de la Virgen de la Paloma, workshops for kids, competitions, music, hot chocolate, sack races, parades, and more, La Latina (3+, free)
• Piedra, papel o tijera, a show that transforms the classic game into a theatrical and magical experience traveling through three symbolic worlds, La Escalera de Jacob (3+)
  

• El cielo de Cloe, a fulldome film session in which Cloe teaches a fun-filled class where kids learn amazing things about astronomy, Planetario Madrid (0 to 6)
• ¿A qué sabe la luna? Play for babies about animals looking to understand what the moon tastes like, Teatros Luchana (1+)
• Espacio de lectura y juego: Soy Asurbanipal, a family-friendly space with books, games, and materials for experimenting, exploring, playing, and learning about archaeology, CaixaForum (3+, free)
• Dragones, sapos y salamandras, family nature workshop, reservations at [email protected], Punto de Información Parque Juan Carlos I (3+, free)
• Actividades familiares en TresAguas, activities and music at the shopping center, Centro Comercial TresAguas (3+, free)
• Fiestas de la Virgen de la Paloma, workshops for kids, competitions, music, hot chocolate, sack races, parades, and more, La Latina (3+, free)
• Alucina pepinillos, a magic show that combines magic tricks with physical comedy and lots of energy, La Escalera de Jacob (3+)

• El cielo de Cloe, a fulldome film session in which Cloe teaches a fun-filled class where kids learn amazing things about astronomy, Planetario Madrid (0 to 6)
• Espacio de lectura y juego: Soy Asurbanipal, a family-friendly space with books, games, and materials for experimenting, exploring, playing, and learning about archaeology, CaixaForum (3+, free)
• Piedra, papel o tijera, a show that transforms the classic game into a theatrical and magical experience traveling through three symbolic worlds, La Escalera de Jacob (3+)
• Las Fiestas de San Cayetano, parades, lemonade, brass band, storytelling, DJs, puppets, concerts, magic, and more, Lavapiés (3+, free)
• Actividades familiares en TresAguas, activities and music at the shopping center, Centro Comercial TresAguas (3+, free)
• Sonidos teledirigidos, a workshop where participants will explore how sound travels through space and through different media, CaixaForum (4+)
• Somos Naturaleza, an immersive audiovisual experience featuring images from National Geographic and generative digital art that invites you to reconnect with the planet’s ecosystems, CaixaForum (4+)
• Mitos griegos para niños, a fun theatrical journey through the most fascinating stories of Greek mythology adapted for the whole family, Teatros Luchana (4+)
• Refugio climático, an air-conditioned space to play board games, read, and relax, Círculo de Bellas Artes (4+, free)
• Luces, cámara y magia, a show that takes you on a journey through the world of cinema, demonstrating how magical it is, La Escalera de Jacob (5+)
• Trío de eclipses, a 30-minute film to prepare for observing the solar eclipse, followed by a session with an astronomy instructor, Planetario (5+)
• Nube negra, a striking art installation featuring 30,000 butterflies and moths of different species made from cut-out black paper, Casa de México (5+, free)
• El Mago Invisible, a magic show for the whole family, Teatro Alcazar (5+)
• The Bell, a wordless visual symphony where handmade puppets come to life, Teatro de Títeres de El Retiro (5+)
• Water fight, in Arturo Barea plaza, as part of the Fiestas de San Lorenzo, from 18 to 19:30, Lavapies (5+, free)
• Valle de los Neandertales, a guided tour of one of Europe’s most important Neanderthal sites, Pinilla del Valle (6+)
• Tras la pista del grabado, a visit to an exhibition featuring a scavenger hunt followed by a craft workshop, Galería de las Colecciones Reales (6 to 12)
• Atlético San Pancho, film screening as part of the “Un Verano en Juego” program, Casa de México (7+)
• Campeones, film screening as part of the “Veranos de la Villa” program, Centro de Cultura Contemporánea CondeDuque (7+)
• Tres de Más, movie screening as part of Fescinal, Parque de la Bombilla (7+)
• Cluedo de árboles, family activity at Parque Fuente del Berro; reservations at [email protected] (7+, free)
• Jumanji, movie screening as part of Cibeles de Cine, CentroCentro (7+)
• Polaris, a film screening about James, a tourist penguin from the South Pole, and Vladimir, a funny bear from the North Pole, Planetario Madrid (7+)
• Senda Botánica, family activity, reservations at [email protected], CIEA Casa de Campo (7+, free)
  

• El cielo de Cloe, a fulldome film session in which Cloe teaches a fun-filled class where kids learn amazing things about astronomy, Planetario Madrid (0 to 6)
• ¿A qué sabe la luna? A play for babies where animals want to find out what the moon tastes like, Teagtros Luchana (1+)
• Espacio de lectura y juego: Soy Asurbanipal, a family-friendly space with books, games, and materials for experimenting, exploring, playing, and learning about archaeology, CaixaForum (3+, free)
• A la rica roca, family workshop in nature, reservations at [email protected], Punto de Información Parque Juan Carlos I (3+, free)
• Actividades familiares en TresAguas, activities and music at the mall, Centro Comercial TresAguas (3+, free)
• Alguien dijo ¿Superpoderes? Magic show, Escalera de Jacob (3+)
• Refugio climático, an air-conditioned space to play board games, read, and relax, Círculo de Bellas Artes (4+, free)
• Sonidos teledirigidos, a workshop where participants will explore how sound travels through space and through different media, CaixaForum (4+)
• Somos Naturaleza, an immersive audiovisual experience featuring images from National Geographic and generative digital art that invites you to reconnect with the planet’s ecosystems, CaixaForum (4+)
• Yincana de Viverismo, family nature-themed gymkhana, La Cabaña del Retiro (4 to 7, free)
• Luces, cámara y magia, a show that takes you on a journey through the world of cinema, demonstrating how magical it is, La Escalera de Jacob (5+)
• Vaiana, screening of the film as part of Fescinal, Parque de la Bombilla (5+)
• The Bell, a wordless visual symphony where handmade puppets come to life, Teatro de Títeres de El Retiro (5+)
• El Mago Invisible, magic show for the whole family, Teatro Alcazar (5+)
• Nube negra, a striking art installation featuring 30,000 butterflies and moths of different species made from cut-out black paper, Casa de México (5+, free)
• Mitos nórdicos para niños, a theatrical journey through the legends of Odin, Thor, and Loki, full of adventure, humor, and audience participation, Teatros Luchana (5+)
• Valle de los Neandertales, a guided tour of one of Europe’s most important Neanderthal sites, Pinilla del Valle (6+)
• Fauna del huerto, family workshop in the garden, reservations at [email protected], CEA El Retiro (6 to 12, free)
• Laboratorio de texturas, a workshop to discover surprising objects from the daily lives of kings and queens, followed by a craft activity, Galería de las Colecciones Reales (6 to 12)
• Polaris, a film screening about James, a tourist penguin from the South Pole, and Vladimir, a funny bear from the North Pole, Planetario Madrid (7+)
• Las aves en verano, birdwatching route in Parque Juan Carlos, reservations at [email protected] (7+, free)
  

• El cielo de Cloe, a fulldome film session in which Cloe teaches a fun-filled class where kids learn amazing things about astronomy, Planetario Madrid (0 to 6)
• Espacio de lectura y juego: Soy Asurbanipal, a family-friendly space with books, games, and materials for experimenting, exploring, playing, and learning about archaeology, CaixaForum (3+, free)
• Actividades familiares en TresAguas, activities and music at the shopping center, Centro Comercial TresAguas (3+, free)
• Fiestas de la Virgen de la Paloma, workshops for kids, competitions, music, hot chocolate, sack races, parades, and more, La Latina (3+, free)
• Piedra, papel o tijera, a show that transforms the classic game into a theatrical and magical experience traveling through three symbolic worlds, La Escalera de Jacob (3+)
• Sonidos teledirigidos, a workshop where participants will explore how sound travels through space and through different media, CaixaForum (4+)
• Somos Naturaleza, an immersive audiovisual experience featuring images from National Geographic and generative digital art that invites you to reconnect with the planet’s ecosystems, CaixaForum (4+)
• Mitos griegos para niños, a fun theatrical journey through the most fascinating stories of Greek mythology adapted for the whole family, Teatros Luchana (4+)
• Refugio climático, an air-conditioned space to play board games, read, and relax, Círculo de Bellas Artes (4+, free)
• Riofaunado, a puppet show about the adventures of the animals in a Mexican jungle, Teatro de Títeres de El Retiro (4+, free)
• Nube negra, a striking art installation featuring 30,000 butterflies and moths of different species made from cut-out black paper, Casa de México (5+, free)
• Tras la pista del grabado, a visit to an exhibition featuring a scavenger hunt followed by a craft workshop, Galería de las Colecciones Reales (6 to 12)
• Luces, cámara y magia, a show that takes you on a journey through the world of cinema, demonstrating how magical it is, La Escalera de Jacob (5+)
• Polaris, a film screening about James, a tourist penguin from the South Pole, and Vladimir, a funny bear from the North Pole, Planetario Madrid (7+)
• Corpse Bride, screening of the Tim Burton film as part of Cibeles de Cine, CentroCentro (7+)
• Minions & Monsters, film screening as part of Fescinal, Parque de la Bombilla (7+)
• Olivia y el terremoto invisible, outdoor film screening as part of the Ciudad Lineal Outdoor Film Festival, Parque del Calero (7+, free)
  

• El cielo de Cloe, a fulldome film session in which Cloe teaches a fun-filled class where kids learn amazing things about astronomy, Planetario Madrid (0 a 6)
• ¿A qué sabe la luna? Play for babies about animals looking to understand what the moon tastes like, Teatros Luchana (1+)
• Espacio de lectura y juego: Soy Asurbanipal, a family-friendly space with books, games, and materials for experimenting, exploring, playing, and learning about archaeology, CaixaForum (3+, free)
• Dragones, sapos y salamandras, family nature workshop, reservations at [email protected], Punto de Información Parque Juan Carlos I (3+, free)
• Fiestas de la Virgen de la Paloma, workshops for kids, competitions, music, hot chocolate, sack races, parades, and more, La Latina (3+, free)
• Alucina pepinillos, a magic show that combines magic tricks with physical comedy and lots of energy, La Escalera de Jacob (3+)
• Actividades familiares en TresAguas, activities and music at the shopping center, Centro Comercial TresAguas (3+, free)
• Refugio climático, an air-conditioned space to play board games, read, and relax, Círculo de Bellas Artes (4+, free)
• Sonidos teledirigidos, a workshop where participants will explore how sound travels through space and through different media, CaixaForum (4+)
• Riofaunado, a puppet show about the adventures of the animals in a Mexican jungle, Teatro de Títeres de El Retiro (4+, free)
• Luces, cámara y magia, a show that takes you on a journey through the world of cinema, demonstrating how magical it is, La Escalera de Jacob (5+)
• Nube negra, a striking art installation featuring 30,000 butterflies and moths of different species made from cut-out black paper, Casa de México (5+, free)
• Laboratorio de texturas, a workshop to discover surprising objects from the daily lives of kings and queens, followed by a craft activity, Galería de las Colecciones Reales (6 to 12)
• Polaris, a film screening about James, a tourist penguin from the South Pole, and Vladimir, a funny bear from the North Pole, Planetario Madrid (7+)
  

• Espacio de lectura y juego: Soy Asurbanipal, a family-friendly space with books, games, and materials for experimenting, exploring, playing, and learning about archaeology, CaixaForum (3+, free)
• Piedra, papel o tijera, a show that transforms the classic game into a theatrical and magical experience traveling through three symbolic worlds, La Escalera de Jacob (3+)
• Las Fiestas de San Cayetano, parades, lemonade, brass band, storytelling, DJs, puppets, concerts, magic, and more, Lavapiés (3+, free)
• Actividades familiares en TresAguas, activities and music at the shopping center, Centro Comercial TresAguas (3+, free)
• Sonidos teledirigidos, a workshop where participants will explore how sound travels through space and through different media, CaixaForum (4+)
• Somos Naturaleza, an immersive audiovisual experience featuring images from National Geographic and generative digital art that invites you to reconnect with the planet’s ecosystems, CaixaForum (4+)
• Mitos griegos para niños, a fun theatrical journey through the most fascinating stories of Greek mythology adapted for the whole family, Teatros Luchana (4+)
• Refugio climático, an air-conditioned space to play board games, read, and relax, Círculo de Bellas Artes (4+, free)
• Luces, cámara y magia, a show that takes you on a journey through the world of cinema, demonstrating how magical it is, La Escalera de Jacob (5+)
• Water fight, in Arturo Barea plaza, as part of the Fiestas de San Lorenzo, from 18 to 19:30, Lavapies (5+, free)
• Trío de eclipses, a 30-minute film to prepare for observing the solar eclipse, followed by a session with an astronomy instructor, Planetario (5+)
• Nube negra, a striking art installation featuring 30,000 butterflies and moths of different species made from cut-out black paper, Casa de México (5+, free)
• El Mago Invisible, a magic show for the whole family, Teatro Alcazar (5+)
• The Bell, a wordless visual symphony where handmade puppets come to life, Teatro de Títeres de El Retiro (5+)
• Valle de los Neandertales, a guided tour of one of Europe’s most important Neanderthal sites, Pinilla del Valle (6+)
• Tras la pista del grabado, a visit to an exhibition featuring a scavenger hunt followed by a craft workshop, Galería de las Colecciones Reales (6 a 12)
• Atlético San Pancho, film screening as part of the “Un Verano en Juego” program, Casa de México (7+)
• Campeones, film screening as part of the “Veranos de la Villa” program, Centro de Cultura Contemporánea CondeDuque (7+)
• Tres de Más, movie screening as part of Fescinal, Parque de la Bombilla (7+)
• Cluedo de árboles, family nature activity at Parque Fuente del Berro; reservations at [email protected] (7+, free)
• Jumanji, movie screening as part of Cibeles de Cine, CentroCentro (7+)
• Polaris, a film screening about James, a tourist penguin from the South Pole, and Vladimir, a funny bear from the North Pole, Planetario Madrid (7+)
• Senda Botánica, family nature activity, reservations at [email protected], CIEA Casa de Campo (7+, free)
• Jornada de huerto, family activity in the garden, La Cabaña de Retiro (8+, free)
• Retos de ciencia, kids will explore, experiment, and test ideas until they solve the questions posed from different fields of science, CaixaForum (8+)
• Pon a punto tu bici, basic bike maintenance workshop; reservations at [email protected], CIEA Casa de Campo (10+, free)
  

• Espacio de lectura y juego: Soy Asurbanipal, a family-friendly space with books, games, and materials for experimenting, exploring, playing, and learning about archaeology, CaixaForum (3+, free)
• A la rica roca, family workshop in nature, reservations at [email protected], Punto de Información Parque Juan Carlos I (3+, free)
• Actividades familiares en TresAguas, activities and music at the mall, Centro Comercial TresAguas (3+, free)
• Alguien dijo ¿Superpoderes? Magic show, Escalera de Jacob (3+)
• Refugio climático, an air-conditioned space to play board games, read, and relax, Círculo de Bellas Artes (4+, free)
• Sonidos teledirigidos, a workshop where participants will explore how sound travels through space and through different media, CaixaForum (4+)
• Somos Naturaleza, an immersive audiovisual experience featuring images from National Geographic and generative digital art that invites you to reconnect with the planet’s ecosystems, CaixaForum (4+)
• Yincana de Viverismo, family nature-themed gymkhana, La Cabaña del Retiro (4 to 7, free)
• Luces, cámara y magia, a show that takes you on a journey through the world of cinema, demonstrating how magical it is, La Escalera de Jacob (5+)
• Vaiana, screening of the film as part of Fescinal, Parque de la Bombilla (5+)
• The Bell, a wordless visual symphony where handmade puppets come to life, Teatro de Títeres de El Retiro (5+)
• El Mago Invisible, magic show for the whole family, Teatro Alcazar (5+)
• Nube negra, a striking art installation featuring 30,000 butterflies and moths of different species made from cut-out black paper, Casa de México (5+, free)
• Mitos nórdicos para niños, a theatrical journey through the legends of Odin, Thor, and Loki, full of adventure, humor, and audience participation, Teatros Luchana (5+)
• Valle de los Neandertales, a guided tour of one of Europe’s most important Neanderthal sites, Pinilla del Valle (6+)
• Fauna del huerto, family workshop in the garden, reservations at [email protected], CEA El Retiro (6 to 12, free)
• Laboratorio de texturas, a workshop to discover surprising objects from the daily lives of kings and queens, followed by a craft activity, Galería de las Colecciones Reales (6 to 12)
• Polaris, a film screening about James, a tourist penguin from the South Pole, and Vladimir, a funny bear from the North Pole, Planetario Madrid (7+)
• Las aves en verano, birdwatching route in Parque Juan Carlos, reservations at [email protected] (7+, free)
• Retos de ciencia, kids will explore, experiment, and test ideas until they solve the questions posed from different fields of science, CaixaForum (8+)
• Secretos del Lago, circular trail around the lake to explore its biodiversity; reservations at [email protected], Centro de Información y Educación Ambiental de Casa de Campo (9+, free)
  

• Espacio de lectura y juego: Soy Asurbanipal, a family-friendly space with books, games, and materials for experimenting, exploring, playing, and learning about archaeology, CaixaForum (3+, free)
• Actividades familiares en TresAguas, activities and music at the shopping center, Centro Comercial TresAguas (3+, free)
• Fiestas de la Virgen de la Paloma, workshops for kids, competitions, music, hot chocolate, sack races, parades, and more, La Latina (3+, free)
• Piedra, papel o tijera, a show that transforms the classic game into a theatrical and magical experience traveling through three symbolic worlds, La Escalera de Jacob (3+)
• Sonidos teledirigidos, a workshop where participants will explore how sound travels through space and through different media, CaixaForum (4+)
• Somos Naturaleza, an immersive audiovisual experience featuring images from National Geographic and generative digital art that invites you to reconnect with the planet’s ecosystems, CaixaForum (4+)
• Mitos griegos para niños, a fun theatrical journey through the most fascinating stories of Greek mythology adapted for the whole family, Teatros Luchana (4+)
• Refugio climático, an air-conditioned space to play board games, read, and relax, Círculo de Bellas Artes (4+, free)
• Nube negra, a striking art installation featuring 30,000 butterflies and moths of different species made from cut-out black paper, Casa de México (5+, free)
• Tras la pista del grabado, a visit to an exhibition featuring a scavenger hunt followed by a craft workshop, Galería de las Colecciones Reales (6 to 12)
• Luces, cámara y magia, a show that takes you on a journey through the world of cinema, demonstrating how magical it is, La Escalera de Jacob (5+)
• Polaris, a film screening about James, a tourist penguin from the South Pole, and Vladimir, a funny bear from the North Pole, Planetario Madrid (7+)
• Corpse Bride, screening of the Tim Burton film as part of Cibeles de Cine, CentroCentro (7+)
• Minions & Monsters, film screening as part of Fescinal, Parque de la Bombilla (7+)
• Olivia y el terremoto invisible, outdoor film screening as part of the Ciudad Lineal Outdoor Film Festival, Parque del Calero (7+, free)
• Billy Elliot, screening of the film as part of Veranos de la Villa, Centro Contemporáneo CondeDuque (13+, free)
  

• Actividades familiares en TresAguas, activities and music at the shopping center, Centro Comercial TresAguas (3+, free)
• Espacio de lectura y juego: Soy Asurbanipal, a family-friendly space with books, games, and materials for experimenting, exploring, playing, and learning about archaeology, CaixaForum (3+, free)
• Dragones, sapos y salamandras, family nature workshop, reservations at [email protected], Punto de Información Parque Juan Carlos I (3+, free)
• Fiestas de la Virgen de la Paloma, workshops for kids, competitions, music, hot chocolate, sack races, parades, and more, La Latina (3+, free)
• Refugio climático, an air-conditioned space to play board games, read, and relax, Círculo de Bellas Artes (4+, free)
• Sonidos teledirigidos, a workshop where participants will explore how sound travels through space and through different media, CaixaForum (4+)
• Luces, cámara y magia, a show that takes you on a journey through the world of cinema, demonstrating how magical it is, La Escalera de Jacob (5+)
• Nube negra, a striking art installation featuring 30,000 butterflies and moths of different species made from cut-out black paper, Casa de México (5+, free)
• Laboratorio de texturas, a workshop to discover surprising objects from the daily lives of kings and queens, followed by a craft activity, Galería de las Colecciones Reales (6 to 12)
• Polaris, a film screening about James, a tourist penguin from the South Pole, and Vladimir, a funny bear from the North Pole, Planetario Madrid (7+)
• Paseo ornitológico, birdwatching activity, reservations at [email protected], CIEA Casa de Campo (9+, free)
• Yincana: Explorando con Brújula, activity for families to learn how to use a compass, La Cabaña de Retiro (8+, free)
• Spiderman, movie screening under the stars as part of Fescinal, Parque de la Bombilla (11+)
• Interstellar, movie screening under the stars with music and gastronomy, Autocine (12+)
• Cuenta conmigo, movie screening under the stars as part of Cibeles de Cine, CentroCentro (12+)
• Un funeral de locos, movie screening under the stars as part of the Festival de Cine al Aire Libre de Ciudad Lineal, Parque del Calero (12+, free)
  

If this newsletter made your family calendar look slightly less chaotic, my work here is done.

Pass it on to another mom, dad or grandparent and help me keep more parents out of the “I have no idea what we’re doing” zone.