Visiting Madrid, Sevilla, Cordoba, Granada and Barcelona Aug 5th to Aug 15th

That's 10 nights, 5 places. Might be a bit tight to sleep in all of them. I'd suggest Cordoba as a day trip on the way from Madrid to Seville, or between Seville and Granada, again as a day trip. I'd go in this order:
Madrid ---Cordoba for a few hour day trip ---Seville---Granada---Barcelona.

Of these, my least favorite is Madrid. The art museums are wonderful, and you should go, but with kids you can't spend all day looking at art. Ditto for the palace. It's not a bad city by any means, but not quite as interesting as the others. So here's a rough idea.

FLy into Madrid on the 5, expect this day to be very low key (jet lag). Do a full day in Madrid on the 6, then on the 7 take a very early train to Cordoba, spend several hours at the mesquita/lunch/wandering, and take a PM train to Seville.
On the 8 and 9 explore Seville.
on the 10 go to Granada in the AM. Explore Granada on the 10, and do the Alhambra on the 11.
On the 12 go to Barcelona. 13 and 14 in Barcelona
Fly home.

FYI Granada to Barcelona is long. There are trains, including a night train which might make sense for you. I'd just fly, though. Flights should be cheap.

Both Seville and Granada could benefit from another night, but this is the best balance IMO.

Too much and too fast paced in the temperatures 'burdened' with family. You need to work with the maths. of the train schedules.
You have cities on your list where many believe they short change with staying four days.

Our guide said her family leaves Seville in August each year due to the heat, 96°F in early August.

Other cities may be less oppressive than Seville.

Your proposed itinerary is impractical due to distance, logistics, heat, impact of children and ability to gain enjoyment at each destination.
Lets create a journey which will max the opportunity to have some fun.
First, you are going at a time of high heat and need to respect the impact this will have upon your daily ventures. Hydration, sunscreen and hats/scarves are a must. Respect the tradition of a siesta. Don't fight a losing battle aganist mid day heat and huge crowds as it is not worth the pain and frustration.
El cortez ingles is a department store equal to macys. Bathrooms typically are in the corners starting on the third floor and sometimes the second. Often there is a full grocery in the basement offering a quick place to buy a snack and enjoy an air conditioned break. It is common to see families out walking in late evening when things are cooler. Do tempt your kids to try tapas.
Fly into Madrid and rent an apt for four nights. Apt provides opportunity for better value, more space, a kitchen and separate bedrooms. There are several websites which help make this an easy process.
Madrid has a great subway system. There is a royal palace to visit and a nice park just across from the palace which is great for an ice cream treat. There is retireo parc which has a lake where you can rent small boats and you can either purchase food or take a picnic. I recommend the picnic. A couple of wonderful museums which offer a break from the heat. You can take the train for a day trip to Toledo.
Take the AVE RENFE train to barcelona for the rest of your trip. Dont choke on this advise to only have two destinations, here is why:
From experience we know traveling with kids can be equal to moving a platoon of marines (actually the marines are easier to move). Reduce your travel stress by limiting your moves.
Barcelona is akin to visiting several cities from one destination. Lets examine the opportunities.
First, again rent an apt.
Second, the train ride should be a great memory for the kids, and you. Taking the train is a heck of a lot more easier and convenient then heading back out to the airport.
Third, barcelona has a great amusement park at the edge of the city. And also a terrific subway and train system for getting around.
Fourth, beaches! Barcelona has great convenient beaches and there can be a day trip to Stiges for a beach outing.
Fifth, Monsterrat. Can we say subway, train and GONDOLA ride all in one day? Plus a chance to gain some cool temos up in the mountains and an excellent hiking trip (doable for all ages)
Sixth, rambla, an avenue I stay away from, but an interactive treal for kids. Plus a great market full of treats for everyone.
Seventh, many great well known sites to visit in Barcelona.
Eigth, a well excavated underground trip back to 2000 years ago with a visit to a roman city right in the heart of old town Barcelona.
Nine, An old fort on a hill with grand views of barcelona and another gondola ride to get you there.
Most important, a journey offering ease of travel for the family and the opportunities to create wonderful memories for everyone with the least amount of travel stress.
The point is you do not have to travel to mutiple destinations in order to enjoy visiting Spain.

I would go a 60/40 split and limit yourself to the 2 big cities.

Madrid in August suffers dry heat by day but is pleasantly cool by night - spend 4 nights here Aug 5-9.
With the kids, Segovia with its castle and aqueduct, may be a better excursion than Toledo.
http://www.spain.info/en/que-quieres/ciudades-pueblos/otros-destinos/segovia.html
http://www.spain.info/en/que-quieres/ciudades-pueblos/otros-destinos/toledo.html

http://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals/europe/spain/madrid/madrid?bedrooms=2&sleeps=4-plus&from-date=2015-08-05&to-date=2015-08-09&minprice=125&maxprice=250&sort+by=Price%2fAscending

Barcelona is dripping with humidity day and night in August - spend 6 nights here Aug 9-15.
Enjoy Barceloneta beach or take the train to Sitges (and the family beach) for the day.
http://www.spain.info/en/que-quieres/ciudades-pueblos/otros-destinos/sitges.html

http://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals/europe/spain/catalunya/barcelona-province/barcelona?bedrooms=2&sleeps=4-plus&from-date=2015-08-09&to-date=2015-08-15&minprice=125&maxprice=250&sort+by=Price%2fAscending

Great info from the man down under!

Blushing Marbleskies. Thank you.

We just returned from Spain and these cities specifically. I add another vote for just doing the two big cities. In May, Seviila, Granada and Córdoba were already warm and crowded. These are not ideal conditions for trying to sightsee with children. I think you are better to base and do day trips. I think you'd all enjoy Montserrat as a day trip from Barcelona and Madrid's museum & palace are close to some lovely parks. I would also recommend making sure you pre-order tickets for any place you want to visit and either book early or late.

We didn't get to El Escorial, but I received unsolicited advice when I was doing a travel notification to my credit card company that it was the reps.favorite place. Maybe other can comment, but it is close to Madrid and in the mountains. Toledo was beautiful as well.

I agree with the travel advice to stick with 2 cities, especially with young children and in the August heat! Madrid alone would be great for just 10 days. Yes, keep Corte Ingles in mind for bathrooms! Retiro park has great playgrounds - many in the shade. Retiro has bathrooms in the Crystal palace, another great stop in the park. You can rent a boat and row on the lake there - our kids loved this! Museums are too much for young kids, unless yours' are the exception. The Prado is overwhelming, even for adults but worth a stop, keeping the endurance of kids in mind. Reina Sophia is easier to do, as is the Thyssen - Bornemisza, pick favorite artists and concentrate on seeing a few of your favorites. Museums have bathrooms and reasonably priced restaurants. Sevilla, Cordoba, and Granada will be extremely hot in August! I would not take my kids to these cities in the summer. Take the train to Barcelona, stay in Sitges and take the local train to Barcelona during the day. The beach was the highlight of our kids Barcelona trip and the Hard Rock Café was a fun lunch place for the kids. Keep siesta time in midday in mind, too. Also, many places close between 2:00 -5:00 in the afternoon. People eat their large, proper meal at 2:00 so you will see families lined up waiting for tables. Get to restaurants at 1:45 so your family won't have to wait in line. Someone suggested the castle in Segovia as a side trip from Madrid. Kids love this castle. Are you up for a big climb? Buy tickets to walk up the castle tower if you are in good shape. For lodging, you might check out the Paradores. We found these government run heritage site hotels to be nice, clean and fairly reasonably priced. Good luck in your travels. You may find your family will have a more enjoyable trip if you do the two cities and save the south of Spain for a winter trip.

Thx for the all of your recommendations. My family really wants to see Andulusia (as we are from a islamic background). Can we skip Madrid and just concentrate on the rest.

Is renting a car a good option.

Ali

Your family history is an important piece of information, but I am still emphasizing the impact of HEAT upon this journey with the family. However, to accommodate your desire here are some thoughts:
On the day of arrival in Madrid, take the AVE RENFE train to seville. (If you can change your tickets I would have you continue your air travel onto seville which would eliminate needing to pick up your luggage and travel to the train station).
In seville rent an apt for four nights.
Use train and bus for day trips to cordoba and ronda.
Then use public transport to arrive at Granada. Traveling by car in Andalusia in August makes you want to run the A/c at full blast and not leave the car. August is when you watch the heat waves radiate from the ashpalt.
Stay in Granada for three nights. There is a great public swim park accessible by bus or taxi in Granada.
Fly to barcelona for the remainder of the journey.

Barcelona - 3 nights
Fly to Granada - 2 nights
Train to Seville - 2 nights
Train to Madrid via stop in Cordoba - 3 nights

The Weather Channel is forecasting temperatures for Seville this upcoming weekend of 108°F on Saturday and 107°F on Sunday.

With 112F forecast this weekend for Las Vegas and 110F for Phoenix, I guess it must be summer.

For just 10 days I would suggest you do only 3 places. Madrid, Granada, Barcelona ??? Those 3 seem big enough and offer a lot to see and do.You can do a day trip to Toledo from Madrid, a day trip to Cordoba, Malaga or Nerja from Granada. The least you move the more time to experience the city you are in.