Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and in our home, there is no better way to start the day than with pancakes. Pancakes are a staple food in our home, and my kids love them. They enjoy pretending to cook, and their favorite things to make are pannekoek (Dutch-style pancakes) or arepas (Colombian kind of corn cake).

As a parent, it’s always a joy to take your children to a playground where they can have fun and make memories that will last a lifetime. One of the playgrounds that my son always remembers, even from when he was smaller, is the “park with the slides” in Sant Cugat del Vallés. This beautiful village is located near Barcelona, about 20 minutes by car, and it’s a perfect destination for families.

Recently I went again to the Flea market at the German School where they open its doors twice a year to the public where one can find everything from second hand clothes for babies and toddlers (some adult clothes as well), books and all kinds of toys for children and few other things.

Usually the quality of the items offered is really good and prices are pretty reasonable.

Last time my son had a day off from school we went with a group of parents and their kids to “Baby Fun” for some quality playtime with friends and looked for a nice place to have lunch with the little ones afterwards. As we all know having lunch with small children can be tricky if they don‘t have enough space to run around or find some distraction so I was pleasantly surprised when I found the “Petit à Petit Café” within walking distance from where we were.

If you are looking for a nice and family-friendly plan with the kids on a Saturday or Sunday morning, I recommend joining the Pony Riding Class at “Poni Club Catalunya” in Sant Just Desvern (10-15 minutes drive from Barcelona).

Last Sunday we went back for the third time and my son attended a class where children from 3-6 years old get taught how to care for and ride a pony.

Some of this advice might seem a little obvious to anyone who has children. At this point we are all probably used to leaving the house with a bag full of snacks! I wanted to give a few pointers to those who are weary of braving a day outdoors with the kids. My husband and I met rock climbing and we strive to impart that love of nature and sports to our three children.

If you’re looking for an exciting and educational activity for your little ones on a Saturday, I highly recommend joining the “Patacutxi” cooking workshop. My son is currently participating and he loves it! The workshop takes place every Saturday at midday during the school year at Restaurant Semproniana and is the perfect opportunity for kids to learn about cooking while having fun.

Baby Fun is a great place to visit with your little ones in Barcelona. Co-owner and co-founder Annie is always a pleasure to be around, and the kids will have a blast too. My son has celebrated his birthday there twice and already wants to go back this year.

The centre offers a unique family concept with play spaces, organised workshops, and family and children’s events.

Being surrounded by water is natural for babies – after all they spent quite some time swimming before we even met them! Starting to learn these skills at an early age is very beneficial to them and is a very nice activity for mum or dad to enjoy with their little one.

So I was very happy to find this brand new place in town (it opened its doors last year in September) and I take my little daughter every week to this fabulous swimming class, which I thought would be nice to share on my blog.

I recently took my kids to El Cau, a new play centre in Barcelona’s L’Eixample district. Designed exclusively for children, it’s a play paradise, created for enjoyment, fun and creativity. It’s an ideal place to go on a rainy day, or when the kids need to burn off some excess energy.

Whether you live in Barcelona or are just visiting, El Cau is somewhere where the children are guaranteed to have fun and make friends, while parents can enjoy snacks, chats and spot of relaxation.

Hi,

I’m Ilonka Schafer, mother of two young children and founder of The Little Voyager.

I launched The Little Voyager in 2015, when I realised there was a gap in the market for a business that could offer parents in a similar situation a reliable choice of genuinely family-friendly holiday accommodations.

Drawing on my own family’s travels and experiences, I’ve created a carefully selected choice of rental villas, B&Bs and hotels that offer style and comfort for parents along with plenty of facilities and equipment for the younger members of the family.