10 Things to Do in Stockholm with Kids

The capital of Sweden is a city that perfectly combines its rich history with a modern and welcoming atmosphere. This Nordic city is known for its beauty, its islands, and its cultural diversity. Discover the best things to do in Stockholm, a destination that will make the little ones in your family daydream.

An amusement park, a natural history museum, another that defies logic, a botanical garden, and a place that captures all the inspiration of the Nobel Prizes. Oh, and a fairy world, my favorite! Keep reading to make your trip to Stockholm with kids a dream come true.

Children may have a slightly different view of the Vikings than we adults do, but both young and old will enjoy this museum, that's for sure!

The Vikings were ancient warriors and explorers who lived in the area of Sweden, Norway, and Denmark between the 8th and 11th centuries AD. So, at the Viking Museum, you and your little ones can immerse yourselves in the world of these warriors and discover how they lived, what they did, and how they dressed. You can even feel like a real Viking! You'll see objects from the period, Viking costumes, films inspired by them, and interactive areas. It's like traveling back in time! In addition, the guides will tell you the most interesting facts about Viking culture.

But that's not all. The best part of the museum is the Viking train, "The Saga of Ragnfrid"! Experience a "magic train" that will take you on a journey through the life of the Vikings. On board, you'll hear sounds that could be heard on a Viking ship, for example, and see special effects that will make you feel like you're sailing and fighting like a real warrior.

The Vikings were also great traders, and their adventures influenced the whole of Europe. So you'll not only learn about their wars, but also how their culture left its mark on Europe.

Skansen is an open-air museum that presents Swedish history through historic buildings and Scandinavian wildlife. Children can interact with reindeer, moose, and other native species. Sounds interesting, right?

This museum is ideal for discovering what Sweden was like before the industrial revolution. Imagine being surrounded by typical Swedish houses, farms, and people dressed in period costumes! Here, children can learn, for example, how farmers used to make butter, how classic Swedish shoes are made, how fabric was produced in the past, and how glass is blown by hand.

There is also a zoo area where you can see moose, brown bears, reindeer, and bison up close . It's like being on a Swedish safari! Finally, don't forget to enjoy "fika," which is what tea or coffee time is called in Sweden. At Skansen Park, you can enjoy this custom by trying some desserts, snacks, and hot drinks that are great when it's cold outside. Which isn't very difficult in Sweden, to be honest.

Just thinking about buying tickets to the Toy Museum gets the imagination going, right? That's why this is an experience you can't miss if you're traveling with children.

With a collection of over 40,000 toys of all kinds and from various eras: from dolls to action figures, comics, stuffed animals, cars, trains, and board games... Children will be amazed to discover toys from different eras and cultures.

An interesting fact about the museum's location: it is housed in a building with a very unusual history, as it was once a secret military bunker used by the Swedish Navy after World War II.

The museum allows you to play some classics such as pinball and Space Race, you can discover the evolution of toys throughout history, and there are always themed exhibitions. Enjoy!

Junibacken is the definition of a fantasy world. It's a treasure trove if you like children's literature, and it's the perfect destination to visit with kids. If you know Astrid Lindgren, author of Pippi Longstocking, you'll enjoy this visit as much as the little ones. And what can you find in Junibacken? I'll tell you in a moment:

Astrid Lindgren's Fairy Tale World

Basically, it's as if her stories have come straight out of the pages and into real life. As you explore these magical settings, you can listen to the stories narrated by Astrid Lindgren herself. Amazing!

You can also hop on the Story Train (which is, literally, a train) and take a tour through the settings of the stories: from Villa Villekulla to the exciting world of Pippi Longstocking.

The largest children's bookstore in Stockholm

If you love reading, you'll be happy to know that Junibacken has the largest children's bookstore in Stockholm. Here you'll find a wide selection of stories in different languages. Best of all, you can also treat yourself to a delicious homemade dessert at the restaurant, which is included in the ticket price. I can't wait to try it again!

If you are planning a visit to Stockholm with your children, you have to include this amusement park. Gröna Lund is not just any park, as it is located on the island of Djurgården. Have you ever imagined riding a roller coaster surrounded by water?

Gröna Lund offers a wide variety of attractions designed for both children and adults (although being older doesn't necessarily mean you have to be the bravest). I don't dare go on some of the rides! Classic carousels, roller coasters, and themed attractions: you're sure to find the perfect place to have a great time.

In addition, you'll find live shows throughout the day, a wide variety of restaurants and food stalls to suit all tastes, and souvenir shops where you're sure to find something to take home with you.

If you're looking for an educational visit for children in Stockholm, the Nobel Prize Museum is the perfect place! At this museum, both children and adults can learn lots of interesting things about brilliant scientists, great writers, inspiring leaders, and peace advocates.

The museum was created by Alfred Nobel, the Swedish inventor, who also founded the renowned Nobel Prizes. You are probably familiar with these awards, but you may not know how many disciplines they cover: science, medicine, literature, economics, and peace. One of them is bound to be your favorite!

During your visit, you will have unlimited access to both temporary and permanent exhibitions that will teach you how these brilliant minds changed the world with their innovative ideas. For example, in the permanent exhibition "Cultures of Creativity," you will discover how Martin Luther King and writer Selma Lagerlöf came to inspire entire generations. Do you know Selma Lagerlöf? She was the first woman to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1909. Fascinating!

The history of the Nobel Prizes, and of this museum, dates back to 1901. Considering that the 20th century has been full of innovation in all fields of knowledge, imagine all you can discover here! Plus, if you're visiting the museum with children, admission is free for those under 18.

This beautiful botanical garden is a peaceful place to stroll with your family, where children can explore its themed areas and learn about Sweden's flora.

It is located on the outskirts of Stockholm, in the Frescati area, but it is easy to reach from the city center by metro on line 14. Remember that you can use the Stockholm tourist card to get around. Read on to find out what awaits you in this garden!

Children will learn the importance of respecting the plants and animals they encounter in the garden. How? Before starting the visit, they will pick up a map of the garden and plan an exploration route based on the areas that interest them most, such as the rose garden or the water lily pond at Victoria House.

This will give them a sense of direction and purpose during the visit. I especially recommend seeing Edvard Anderson's greenhouse, where plants from all over the world are gathered in different areas. From lavender to tea to cocoa!

In addition, during the tour following their map, there will be treasure hunts or games for them. This way, they will be eager to get to the next point on the map! On their website, you can check which activities are available at the time of your visit. Guided tours adapted for children are also available. They will learn a lot more and will love following the plant identification challenges along the way.

Stockholm's old town is known as Gamla Stan. You've probably seen pictures of its beautiful colorful buildings many times! It's a maze of cobbled streets where you can discover charming shops and cafes. If you're traveling to Stockholm with your children, don't miss the opportunity to explore Gamla Stan on a guided tour specially designed for families.

This experience combines the city's rich history with an interesting stroll through the streets, allowing you to soak up the atmosphere and introducing your children to the history of a culture that is new to them. By the way, if you want something more intimate and personalized, there is even the option of booking a private tour. For the little ones, a guided tour will help them see the entire historic center of Stockholm in a very special way. Not only will they walk the streets, they will learn why each place is important or what happened there centuries ago.

And what places can you visit on this type of tour? For example, the Royal Palace, Stortorget Square, and the impressive Stockholm Cathedral. This cathedral has hosted royal coronations, weddings (such as that of Victoria of Sweden in 2010), and other historic events in the city since its founding in the 13th century. In addition, the guides often encourage children to ask questions and participate, sparking their curiosity and helping them learn more.

Imagine a place where paradoxes and illusions take control of reality. That's exactly what you'll find at the Paradox Museum. Here, logic becomes something different from what we usually know.

The idea of the museum is "write your own story, " so feel free to let your mind run wild. And children are the kings of imagination, so they're going to enjoy Paradox in a big way, you'll see. This is undoubtedly one of the best museums in Stockholm.

You can explore more than 70 breathtaking exhibits. Would you like to talk to a talking piano that predicts the future? Or challenge your balancing skills in an otherworldly tunnel? How about seeing a merry-go-round that appears and disappears as it spins in all directions? It can be much more fun than a roller coaster, really.

The key to understanding it is that optical illusions are a true art form, and you will become an active part of the magic of this place.

If you have a budding scientist at home, the Natural History Museum is an essential stop on your trip to Stockholm. Here, you can explore what life was like for dinosaurs, what the climate is like in the polar regions, and what the rocks inside the Earth are like. It also has a planetarium and Cosmonova: an IMAX cinema with impressive documentaries on astronomy, among other sciences. Who knows, maybe your children will discover their future profession here?

This historic museum has lockers where you can leave your luggage or bags if you prefer to be more comfortable, picnic areas to enjoy the outdoors, restaurants, and audio guides. It is approximately 5 kilometers from Gamla Stan, but there is a metro line and city buses that go to the museum from there.

Although to visit this and other museums, the most recommended option is the Stockholm tourist bus, as it has stops nearby and you can get on and off as many times as you like to explore the city at your own pace.