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Madrid zoo is currently rated one of the best in Europe – within its confines you’ll find more than 2,000 animals representing 500 species, including endangered ones such as the white tiger. Young children, in particular, will enjoy the koalas. Free-flying birds of prey are the main draw of the aviary while sharks and other creatures of the deep lurk in the Aquarium. The Dolphinarium shows are another popular attraction.

This huge fun park boasts more than 40 stomach-churning rides as well as a host of other diversions, such as puppet and magic shows and a virtual reality zone. The rides – definitely not for the faint-hearted – include Los Rápidos (a chance to try white-water rafting) and Top Spin, which needs no explanation. For the very young there are merry-go-rounds and train and boat rides.

This new science park claims to be the only one of its kind in Europe. Each of the 10 pavilions has been designed to recreate a different ecosystem with authentic sights, sounds and smells. Visitors can “experience” a tropical storm, journey to the polar regions and observe nocturnal creatures in their natural habitat.

This vast site is divided into themed areas: Superheroes is devoted to the fantasy worlds of Gotham City and Metropolis, while The Wild West recalls Hollywood westerns of the John Wayne era. You can also tour the replicated film sets of the Warner Brothers Studios in California.

This snow park combines a skiing area and ski school with a vast shopping centre. Other amenities include cinemas, restaurants, bowling and go-karting.

This state-of-the-art science museum has been an enormous success since it opened in 2000. It aims to stimulate, surprise and provoke with plenty of interactive displays and hands-on gadgetry. Younger children (4 to 11 years) are especially catered for in the Toca Toca zone where they learn all about plants and animals and get to stroke giant tortoises, iguanas and snakes. The highlight for older children is the planetarium, which has a virtual tour of the planets.

A welcome distraction, especially in the searing heat of summer, Madrid’s water park (close to the airport) opened in 1987. The kids can look forward to the usual range of giant water slides, toboggans, cascades and spirals. There’s a lake, wave pool and toddlers’ paddling pool, as well as cafés and restaurants.

Great fun for the kids and a nostalgic journey into the past for the grown-ups, the “Strawberry Train”, pulled by an old steam locomotive, follows the original route from Madrid to Aranjuez which first opened in 1850. Hostesses wearing period costume give out helpings of the strawberries for which Aranjuez is famous. The price of the ticket includes the bus ride from the station, as well as entry to the palace, gardens and other attractions.

The cable car ride between Parque del Oueste and Casa de Campo is enjoyable for both kids and parents. There are fabulous views of the city skyline – the leaflet will help locate landmarks such as the Telefónica building, Torre Picasso, Torre Madrid and the Palacio Real.

The Retiro’s central location makes it an obvious place to visit if the children are in the mood to run wild. On Sunday afternoons (1pm), take them to the puppet show in the open-air theatre near the lake. They won’t need to know Spanish as the sense of fun is infectious (see Parque del Retiro).