Children’s Day 2025: 10 ways to feel like a kid again in Buenos Aires

The lights, the sound of tickets spilling out of the machine, and the thrill of going round and round on the samba ride—it’s all still the same. At the Neverland location inside Abasto Shopping, the ritual of roaming the games, loading up your card, and getting lost in simulators, races, or the legendary pirate ship remains intact, as if no time had passed.

Founded in Córdoba in 1980, Neverland was a pioneer in the indoor amusement park concept in Argentina. Today it has over 30 locations nationwide, all preserving that magical 90s birthday party vibe.

Tip: You can also load your card online from their website and go straight to playing, skipping the line.

Where: The most iconic branch is in Abasto Shopping (Av. Corrientes 3247). You can see all locations here.

Tito’s Carousel, in Plaza Arenales in Villa Devoto—a neighborhood turned gastronomic hub—is the oldest in Buenos Aires and is part of a unique play tradition that has stood the test of time. Since 1938 it’s been spinning its wooden horses and cars, keeping the classic ritual alive: organ music, token rides, and the legendary sortija—an Argentine invention inspired by gaucho ring races—that wins you a free ride.

Hailing from Lanús, carousel operator Adelino Luis “Tito” Da Costa, who has been at the helm for over four decades, and his wife Liliana greet children and adults by name, making sure the tradition lives on and creating a small world of neighborhood joy.

Tip: As always, grabbing the sortija gets you a free ride. Bring cash—it’s still a simple, no-electronics kind of outing.

Where: Nueva York 4051, Villa Devoto.

In Villa Sarmiento, Morón (west of Greater Buenos Aires), the house where María Elena Walsh lived until she was 13 was turned into a museum in 2023. After two years of work by national, provincial, and municipal authorities, the large home her parents bought in 1913 was restored, complete with its original garden, spacious patios, and trees from her childhood.

The museography was designed by Maribel García—museologist and storyteller, as she calls herself—along with a team that envisioned the space as an interactive experience.

The visit invites you to touch, explore, and discover. There are drawers to open, sound archives, personal objects, and word games—all under the shade of the original jacaranda tree, the same one that inspired her iconic song.

Tip: Open Wednesday to Friday from 11 am to 6 pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 11 am to 7 pm. Admission is free.

Where: 3 de Febrero 547, Villa Sarmiento.

In a Renaissance-style mansion from 1902 in the heart of La Boca, the Buenos Aires Historical Wax Museum has been operating since 1980—the only one in the country dedicated to this sculptural technique. The visit takes you through key scenes in Argentine history, from life at the port and the halls of the Cabildo to national heroes, writers, and tango legends, all in life-size detail.

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The figures were created by sculptor and taxidermist Domingo Tellechea, who worked for more than two years to capture their form and expression. The building retains its original marble staircase and high ceilings, making the visit all the more unique.

Tip: The museum is steps from Caminito, perfect for extending your outing without leaving the neighborhood.

Where: Dr. del Valle Iberlucea 1261, La Boca.

In Caballito and Núñez, Laser Games offers an experience far beyond classic laser tag. This time, it’s about completing missions inside a space station, dodging light beams in a security tunnel, and facing an alien that bursts into the middle of battle. The setting is futuristic, adrenaline-filled, competitive, and full of interactive fiction.

Games are designed for large groups: teams that must board, escape, or tackle physical and mental challenges inside a ship with its own name. There are referees, rankings, prizes, and even trivia to earn points after the game.

Tip: You can book online through their website. They also offer special birthday and large-group packages.

Where: Dr. Nicolás Repetto 1186, Caballito. Av. Comodoro Martín Rivadavia 1420, Núñez.

Since 2016, Conexión Berlín has been the country’s largest board game library and a space to explore the tabletop gaming universe in all its forms. Its name pays homage to the German capital, cradle of the modern board game boom. Open to ages 12 and up, it’s perfect for both newcomers and seasoned players.

The collection includes hundreds of titles—from classics to the latest releases—and a specialized team assists in every game, explaining rules, recommending titles, and ensuring a smooth, dynamic, and fun experience. You can go alone or with a group (with prior reservation), and there’s also the option to play in English.

Tip: There are nearly 1,500 games available, with new titles added all the time.

Where: Ayacucho 1571, Recoleta.

In the heart of Palermo, Bar El Destello blends food, drinks, and retro video games in a space that feels frozen in time. There are original arcade machines—like Mortal Kombat, Street Fighter, and Daytona USA—neon lights, vintage music, and a bar where you can grab a beer between matches. It’s all designed to relive the thrill of 80s and 90s arcade nights, Buenos Aires style.

The venue offers different game types: fighting, racing, pinball, Tetris, and shooters. With the purchase of a drink, you get two tokens to start playing.

Tip: El Destello is open daily and is for ages 18+. Table reservations via WhatsApp at +54 9 1171744904 are recommended.

Where: Gascón 1460, Palermo.

In Villa Crespo, Añe Slot recreates the Scalextric—or “slot” racing world, as fans call it—with a model setup straight out of a movie. There are five competition tracks, a speedway over 55 meters long, and four rally circuits with bridges, tunnels, and mountains, all at 1:32 scale. It’s a space for both those who want to race miniature cars again and those who enjoy the building and mechanics behind the game.

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You can take part in category-based competitions, try out cars from different brands, and find spare parts to keep each model in top shape.

Tip: Races are held on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Check their Instagram stories for the schedule.

Where: Av. Raúl Scalabrini Ortiz 818, Villa Crespo.

Tucked away in a San Telmo mansion, the Argentine Puppet Museum houses over 600 puppets from around the world—rod, glove, shadow, and finger puppets—and maintains a library and archive that preserves the history of Argentine and international puppetry. Founded in 1983 by Mane Bernardo and Sarah Bianchi, it operated itinerantly until 1996, when it settled in the birthplace of one of its founders.

The museum—unique in Latin America—also features the Federico García Lorca Auditorium, hosting puppet shows and workshops for children and adults almost every weekend. There’s a clear encouragement to explore and play: in one display, you might find puppets from Africa, China, or Latin America.

Tip: The museum has a theater schedule where you can check which plays will be staged in its auditorium.

Where: Estados Unidos 802, San Telmo.

In 1897, the ARA Presidente Sarmiento became the Argentine Navy’s first modern training ship. Between 1889 and 1938, it completed 39 voyages around the world—over 1.1 million nautical miles—and after being decommissioned, it was declared a National Historic Monument in 1962 and turned into a museum ship in 1964.

Now moored in Dock 3 of Puerto Madero, the Sarmiento preserves its steel hull lined with wood and copper plates, its three masts, and its impressive figurehead. Inside, you’ll find cabins, an engine room, kitchen, rescue boats, and historical objects: an original stone from the Great Wall of China, the taxidermied body of Lampazo—the Newfoundland dog that served as the ship’s mascot—and an Argentine flag made in Shanghai with a sun embroidered with slanted eyes.

Tip: Open Thursday to Sunday from 11 am to 7 pm. Tickets can be purchased on-site.

Where: Dock 3, Av. Alicia Moreau de Justo 900, Puerto Madero.