Madrid's Christmas markets sell nativity figures, joke-shop wigs and toys, and the wigs are where kids stop first. Some sit inside bigger Christmas parks with ice rinks, so one stop can fill an afternoon. Here's what we checked, from the red stalls of Plaza Mayor to a toy market that moves between malls.
Madrid's main square fills with red wooden stalls every Christmas, a market that has run for more than a century. Families come for nativity figures, moss and tiny accessories for their home belén, plus ornaments and toys. Kids head straight for the joke-shop stalls, piled with wigs, masks and gag gifts. Just off the square, a vintage carousel turns in Plaza de Santa Cruz.
Plaza de España turns into a Christmas village each winter: a 600 m² rink of natural ice under the Edificio España, about 40 wooden stalls of handmade gifts, and a food corner with chocolate con churros and German mulled wine. Families often browse and snack first, then decide on a skating turn. Double-blade skates strap onto small kids' shoes, so even preschoolers can try the ice.
A Christmas theme park set up in the Real Jardín Botánico Alfonso XIII, the Complutense university's garden. It has three shows: Hontana, El Gran Libro Mágico; the Three Kings' Royal Camp; and Santa's Village. Between them, kids find an ice rink, street parades, a fairy path and a Christmas market. Most of it is outdoors on sand and gravel, so dress warm and bring a sturdy stroller.
More than 40 stalls of toys old and new: Playmobil, LEGO, Star Wars figures, Scalextric, model trains, Nancy dolls and the Madelman and Geyperman figures Spanish parents grew up with.
Most buyers are collectors, so it suits a kid with a favorite set or saga in mind, or a parent hunting a childhood toy. Kids who are not into toys will tire fast.
Madrid's Christmas markets sell nativity figures, joke-shop wigs and toys, and the wigs are where kids stop first. Some sit inside bigger Christmas parks with ice rinks, so one stop can fill an afternoon. Here's what we checked, from the red stalls of Plaza Mayor to a toy market that moves between malls.
Madrid's main square fills with red wooden stalls every Christmas, a market that has run for more than a century. Families come for nativity figures, moss and tiny accessories for their home belén, plus ornaments and toys. Kids head straight for the joke-shop stalls, piled with wigs, masks and gag gifts. Just off the square, a vintage carousel turns in Plaza de Santa Cruz.
Plaza de España turns into a Christmas village each winter: a 600 m² rink of natural ice under the Edificio España, about 40 wooden stalls of handmade gifts, and a food corner with chocolate con churros and German mulled wine. Families often browse and snack first, then decide on a skating turn. Double-blade skates strap onto small kids' shoes, so even preschoolers can try the ice.
A Christmas theme park set up in the Real Jardín Botánico Alfonso XIII, the Complutense university's garden. It has three shows: Hontana, El Gran Libro Mágico; the Three Kings' Royal Camp; and Santa's Village. Between them, kids find an ice rink, street parades, a fairy path and a Christmas market. Most of it is outdoors on sand and gravel, so dress warm and bring a sturdy stroller.
More than 40 stalls of toys old and new: Playmobil, LEGO, Star Wars figures, Scalextric, model trains, Nancy dolls and the Madelman and Geyperman figures Spanish parents grew up with.
Most buyers are collectors, so it suits a kid with a favorite set or saga in mind, or a parent hunting a childhood toy. Kids who are not into toys will tire fast.