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1. No Gaudí – not because Gaudí's creations aren't brilliant for kids, they are, but because there’s already sufficient information to wallpaper the Sagrada Família.

2. Nothing that can be found in any other city – so out went the zoo and the aquarium.

3. Only places that spark interaction, imagination and a strong sense of the city's magic…

A crow's nest worthy of Columbus

A great way to combine sweeping views of the port and La Rambla while introducing your kids to the Golden Age of Spanish history. The Mirador de Colón was built in 1888 to commemorate the return of Christopher Columbus to Barcelona from his first New World voyage. The monument is 60 metres high and a small lift inside the column takes visitors to a lookout (enclosed) with signs pointing to Barcelona's main attractions.

Passeig de Colom
Entry: €2.30

Underground

The Gothic Quarter of Barcelona is already a living history museum, but beneath its medieval streets is a destination 2000 years in the past. The Museu d'Història de la Ciutat de Barcelona takes us on a journey along Roman roads, through a 3rd century fish factory and into an ancient launderette. Best day to visit is Sunday when families can follow a woman with strange hair on a timetravel quest to remember her identity.

Plaça del Rei
Dramatic tour: Sundays – 12h-13.30
Entry: adults €4 – children €3 – under 6s FREE

Ready, set, go-cars!

What is the best way to see a lot of Barcelona in a short amount of time with 2.4 kids in tow – open-top bus, horse & cart or a bright yellow talking convertible with a 49cc engine? Yes, Go-Cars talk, chat actually, about the sights, about the city, about the next turning coming up on your left... If you’re not convinced you want to tour an elegant city in a cartoon car, your kids certainly will be.

Price: From 35€ for one hour to 99€ for one day

The Labyrinth

After some serious city action, it's worth knowing a few places that are quieter, out of the centre, somewhere children can still run around while parents can relax… El Parc del Laberint is the oldest garden in Barcelona and by far the best place to take a picnic: its garden-museum status means there is a limit on numbers so it's never overrun, and, of course, the maze it's named after is perfect for losing the kids.

Passeig dels Castanyers
Entry: adults €2.17 – children €1.38 – under 5s free. Wednesdays and Sundays: FREE

King of the Castle

OK, the castle is great – it's on top of a hill, there are fantastic views of the port, it includes the Museum of Comics & Illustrations and a display of archaic weapons – but ask any child what the best thing about Montjuïc Castle is and they'll all answer 'getting there'! It's hard to beat a funicular railway and a cable car ride. There is also a great new play area just below the castle entrance (with a café for los padres).

Carretera de Montjuïc 66
Closed Mondays
Entry: FREE. Museum of Comics and Illustration: €2.50 – under 7’s FREE

X is for chocolate

Only in Barcelona could the easter tradition of chocolate eggs be elevated to an architectural art form. Every year patisseries prepare months in advance to create the biggest, most intricate, most popular chocolate sculpture (anyone for an 87kg chocolate Ronaldo?) See a selection of the best at the Museu del Xocolata as well as students from Barcelona's Confectionary School in chocolate training.

Commerç 36
Closed Tuesdays
Entry: €4.30 – under 7s FREE

¡Toca toca!

Ever dreamed of being in a place full of natural wonders and not having to shout 'don't touch that!' to your children? Well, Barcelona's CosmoCaixa is a dream come true. Considered the finest science museum in Europe, its interactive displays allow you to wander through an Amazon rainforest with trees 30m high, stick your hand in the eye of a tornado and stroke some unlikely pets.

Isaac Newton 26
Closed Mondays
Entry: adults €3 – children €2 – under 7s FREE

I will give you…

It seems apt that this funfair (and the mountain on which it stands) is named after an offer of temptation: Tibidabo is for sensation-seekers. The Sky Walk features original and revolutionary-at-the-time rides from the early 1900s while the newer Amusement Park has rides like Russa Mountain and Pirate Ship. I would recommend only the former but most children can't be held back from the temptations of the latter.

Pl. Tibidabo
Entry: Sky Walk – FREE (pay per ride).
Amusement Park – adults €25 – under 1.2m €9 – under 0.9m FREE (Irregular opening times in winter)

Sweet dreams

Stepping into Papabubble is like entering a mad scientist's sweet laboratory – huge vats of coloured liquid bubble and steam, solidifying sugar is stretched and folded with mathematical precision, curious instruments twist and cut the caramels before willing assistants measure a selection into pristine jars. And the window displays are like candy versions of fairytale illustrations.

Ample 28
Closed Mondays
Entry: FREE

Pura magica

There is no better way to end a visit to Barcelona than an evening at the Magic Fountain. I have never known anyone not to be dazzled by this display. With its leaping fountains set to dramatic music, it is the grand finale to rival Disneyland, and there is little doubt where I'd place my bet - looking out from the sweeping steps of the grand National Palace, here the backdrop is a real live glittering city.

Pl. de Les Cascades
Summer: Thurs-Sun, 21h-23h30
Winter: Fri-Sat, 19h-21h (Closes for a period annually)
Entry: FREE
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About the writer:

Jessica is a freelance writer, translator and editor from the UK. She has lived abroad for nine years – in a small fishing village in France and in Barcelona for the past four years – and has travelled widely, including throughout Thailand, Morocco, Australia and the US.