So It’s Not Blue Outside Today… Here’s Your Survival Guide

The weather in Valencia is (boringly) stable — the kind of stability that makes you suspicious. Blue sky every day… except when suddenly, it’s not. Winter has finally arrived, hot days are giving us a break (thank God!), and for those of us who come from the real-deal cold, it is STILL pretty nice outside. You can stroll through the city, parade the puffier jackets we dragged from other worlds, and pretend it’s winter. Heck! You can even go ice skating in Plaza del Ayuntamiento; the sky is the limit for winter pretense here.

And honestly, we appreciate it — it’s one of the reasons we love living here. I remember having to suit up my son as if he were going to orbit the moon just to step outside in December. God knows I treasure the simplicity of “just a jacket” and the occasional scarf for the sake of the outfit.

BUT…

Sometimes, Valencia decides to cosplay as Northern Europe. It gets grey, a bit windy, with a dash of collective melancholy in the air, and suddenly the beach walk or historic-centre ramble sounds like… “I’d rather not.” Do not despair! I have a few tricks up my sleeve for (not too) lame days with kids.

1. Good old museums — but make them fun.

Yes, museums are an easy go-to idea. But this is not just about going; it’s about getting the kids doing something so you can read a wall label in peace (or at least pretend to).

Let’s be honest: kids do not care about the 250-word description in tiny letters next to a statue. Remember yourself at that age — that was torture.

So here are some missions you can give them while you speed-read:

• Find (for example) 10 things: blue, round, big, tiny, shiny…
• Find 2 artworks made in the same year
• Find something with an animal, a plant, or something unexpectedly weird
• Find an artwork made in one of your group’s birth years
• Sketch one of the artworks (Bonus: winner gets a small souvenir or an extra scoop of ice cream)
• Find something that could belong in our house
• Find a character who reminds you of your sibling

Believe me, it works. Kids are naturally curious, competitive, and blessed with stamina for these mini-missions.

2. A special café — with minimal parental exertion.

And by special, I mean something unique — not the everyday croissant and café con leche. These are the places you save for the “We need to get out but I cannot plan a whole adventure right now” moments. Occasional treats, but magical for kids.

Here are my go-to spots:

• The cat café. Yes, Valencia has one! You enjoy your merienda while the kids play with the cats. There are toys, cozy corners, and if your feline aura is on point, a little kitty may curl up on you and reset your soul with its purring frequencies. Every cat is up for adoption if you feel spontaneous. La Fábrica de Huellas — C/ del Túria, 60
• Mochisan (C/ Martín el Humano, 4) — best mochis in the entire city, made fresh on-site.
• Greek yogurt bars. Everyone gets to choose their toppings, and if you’re lucky, they might even share. My recent favourite: Kefi (C/ de Ribera, 10).
• La Fresería (C/ Ruzafa, 37) — strawberries with warm chocolate fondue. Nothing else needs to be said.

These aren’t everyday stops — but they’re perfect when you need 45 minutes of peace disguised as quality family time.

3. Action time — but actual fun for everyone.

No ballparks — those are basically rat mazes. I mean something family-friendly, where adults and kids can actually enjoy themselves.

Here are my top choices:

• Bowling. Everyone likes it: friendly competition, music, the little victory dances — unbeatable.
• The Floor is Lava (C/ de la Dama d’Elx, 16). If you haven’t gone yet, please do. You play as a team, compete against others, and go home feeling like the parent of the year. But commit — half-hearted lava avoidance doesn’t count.

So, keep your eyes on the sky. And if the weather or the winter blues tries to trap you at home, scrolling from one screen to another, simply say:

“Nay, not today — we’ve got a tiny adventure to make.”