The Fantastic Playgrounds of Spain: Plaza Cristino Martos

 This playground, located in Plaza Cristino Martos, right off C/ Princesa, is quite unique. It's a tree-house-like platform with a system of pulleys and tubes for kids to haul up sand and dump it down the tubes. This is a slightly challenging playground for preschoolers who might need help climbing up/down the ladders to the top of the platform.

Logistics: Right across from that plaza where there's a 100 Montaditos, McDonalds, and Taco Bell, for all your guiri food needs.  Ventura Rodriguez metro is on the bottom. 

Pro tip: you don't have to go up the steps from the fountain at the bottom of the steps (Fuente de los Afligidos--also an attraction for preschoolers) with your stroller. On Calle Princesa, at the traffic light where the Emilia Pardo Bazán statue is located, hang a slight left and walk up C/ Duque de Liria. It's uphill but at least it's not tons of steps.

Notes: Nice granite bench all the way around for sitting, next to a Carrefour Express and a terrace cafe. Great location! 

Treehouse at Plaza Cristino Martos