Among my traveling group of friends, we’ve all been taking advantage of awesome prices for Barcelona. We all have trips booked with our families. The inevitable question pops up, what can we do with our kids? And my inevitable answer answers – give them some books and let them tell you what they want to do. But what books? What about these – the best children’s books for a trip to Barcelona.
Best language book for kids traveling to Spain
Teach Me Everyday Spanish
by Judy Mahoney (Author), Linda Nelson (Editor), Patrick Girouard (Illustrator)
The “Teach Me Everyday…” series will always be my goto for helping kids learn a language for a trip. The point isn’t proficiency, the point is fun. They aren’t as easy to find for purchase, but your local library may have a copy.
They may be available on Amazon and Volume 2 is also on Amazon.
Children’s picture books about traveling to Barcelona
I’ve selected a series of three picture books that show travel to Barcelona. These are the books to read with your kids to help them decide what they want to see, and to recognize the things they do see once you’re on your trip.
Teddy Bears go to Barcelona
by Tom Mizerka (Author), Agnieszka Filipowska (Illustrator), Evon Huber (Translator)
The teddy bears visit Barcelona and solve a mystery while there.
This book is available on Kindle Unlimited.
Let’s Visit Barcelona!: Adventures of Bella & Harry
by Lisa Manzione (Author), Kristine Lucco (Illustrator)
The famous traveling chihuahuas, Bella and Harry, are taking in all of Barcelona’s famous sites.
Molly Goes to Barcelona
by Chris Oler (Author), Amy Houston Oler (Illustrator)
If you’ve been around here for a while, you know that we’re huge Molly and the Magic Suitcase fans. Molly and her brother, along with their local guide, see the city’s sites and learn a lot about the culture and history along the way. This is also, by the way, the book I’ll be reading to my kids to get them excited about the trip. I love the insight and illustrations.
Travel Guides for Families Visiting Barcelona
Make your trip even better with a good travel guide. Here are a few I’ve selected.
Mission Barcelona
by Catherine Aragon (Author)
The Mission series is a favorite in the family travel communities I’m a part of. It’s a spy/scavenger hunt adventure that’s a great way to get kids excited to explore. I haven’t been able to travel to a destination with a schedule that allows me to try it, but I’m hoping to give it a whirl in Barcelona.
Barcelona: City Trails
I love Lonely Planet and I love Lonely Planet Kids. So it only makes sense that I include the Barcelona: City Trails book in this post. It’s a fun way to discover a city, and it’s in our stack of books to prepare for the trip.
50 Fun Things To Do in Barcelona: Kids City Guide and Travel Activity Book
by Sarah Berry (Author)
Sometimes I prepared list of things is the way to go. This book makes that happen. Readers love that their kids were able to use the book to become a trip tour guide, and I think that’s fantastic.
Children’s books to enhance the Barcelona experience
Spend a minute looking up things to do in Barcelona and there are two things that rise to the top. Gaudi’s architecture and FC Barcelona. So, here are two books that geared towards those particular activities to participate in during your Barcelona trip.
A Stroll with Mr. Gaudi
by Pau Estrada (Author), Juventud (Editor)
Gaudi’s architecture is so fun that OF COURSE there’s going to be a lot of children’s books about it. One day I’ll write a post dedicated to just his story, but for now, I like this book for families visiting Barcelona. Illustrated Gaudi takes kids on a tour of Barcelona to show them his art. Yes, please!
Sean Goes to Barcelona: A Children’s Book about Soccer and Goals
by Tanya Preminger (Author), Elettra Cudignotto (Illustrator)
Even though I’m more of a BVB Dortmund and Man City fan, I can definitely understand and appreciate FC Barcelona and, especially Lionel Messi, fans. Sean loves Messi and goes to Barcelona to catch a game at Europe’s largest stadium, Camp Nou. While he’s there he also sees Barcelona’s other, less famous, sites.
Trip tips
If you’re planning a trip to Barcelona, I thought it would be nice to include links to some of the items I mentioned above for more research. Though I went to Barcelona when I was a child, I haven’t yet gone with my own kids. Once I do, I’ll update with personal trip tips.
In the meantime:
What books would you add? Let me know in the comments!
Don’t forget to check out children’s books set in Spain and other books in our Best Children’s Books for a Trip to series.
