Stockholm with Kids: The Ultimate Travel Guide

Sweden’s capital could not be better described than a city that’s come out of a storybook. With one of the best-preserved historical centers in the world, globally acclaimed culture, and an exquisite taste of style, it’s a difficult destination to resist. Visiting Stockholm with kids is not only a great idea, but we can assure you that it’s going to be a trip difficult to forget. 

Welcome to the ultimate family travel guide to Stockholm! We’ve put down everything you need to know to make your time here as fulfilling as possible; from the best things to do in Stockholm, to the most convenient neighborhoods to stay in, to the tastiest kid-friendly Swedish dishes to try while exploring the city. 

When To Visit Stockholm

Winter

Winter in Stockholm is absolutely beautiful, as the city tends to get covered in snow. Under the snow, the city looks like a Winter Wonderland from an ancient folktale! If you’re traveling to the city in winter, we recommend that you do it in December. There’s no better place to experience the magical spirit of Scandinavian Christmas – you’ll be surrounded by the most original form of traditions and festivals that we’ve actually adopted in our own cultures in many parts of the world. December is also a great month to travel to since the temperatures are not as low yet. However, as you advance further into the colder winter months, it’s important to keep in mind that the sun starts to go down at 3 pm, and temperatures can go as low as -20C, so it may not be the most convenient time to visit Stockholm with kids. 

Spring

In a country where rain and colder weather tends to take over most of the year, spring is generally looked forward to since it’s the driest season. During spring, the days are longer, and the city becomes more cheerful. Although the sun starts to shine and warm up a lot more, cold winds and breezes are still quite present. If you come to Stockholm with kids during this time, you’ll probably still need to pack warm winter clothes. However, in preparation and excitement for the upcoming warmer months, several festivals and markets start popping up around the city. It’s always nice to see.

Summer

Summer is, as you may expect, the happiest and warmest time of the year for Stockholm. From June, the weather improves exponentially until reaching pleasant temperatures of around 77°F (25°C). In weather like this, it becomes very easy to walk endlessly around the city, and to plan for outdoor activities. In the summer, the city tends to plan many public events in open spaces to enjoy the most of the hot weather as possible. For example, there are open air cinema screenings, theatre performances and music shows in parks and squares.

During this time, it tends to be tourist season, and locals tend to spend it in their summer houses. But it still remains the best time to visit Stockholm. It’s also an ideal time to travel if you’re planning on exploring the outskirts of the city. You could indulge in a day trip a little farther away from all the buzz to go hiking or sailing. For us, summer is the best time to plan your trip to Stockholm.

Fall

Stockholm in the fall is also a great time to travel. The city is taken over by colorful autumnal colors from the changing tree leaves to golden, red and auburn. You’ll also be able to see some of the best sunsets; apparently Stockholm has a good reputation for them. With the cold starting to come back, you’ll start seeing the acclaimed Swedish sense of style appear in the restaurants and hotels; warm lighting, fireplaces and a good Swedish meal. 

How To Get Around Stockholm

Buses, metro, trains, trams, and ferries

In Stockholm, all public transport is directed under the same company, so they’re very easy to use. It’s very rare for you to find yourself somewhere without a nearby public transport station. So you can be sure you’ll always have some sort of way in or out of a destination. However, when moving around the city, we think that using the metro ticks the most boxes. It’s the fastest, easiest and cheapest way to get to the most popular places and attractions for visitors. But parents with strollers ride free on the bus…this may just be enough to convince you to try the buses as well.

The Swedish public transport is one of the best in the world. They are reliable, safe, and working towards being entirely eco-friendly; with many of their buses running on ethanol fuel. Don’t forget to keep a special eye out for the metro stations! They tend to be incredibly decorated and designed by many local artists. It’s actually considered to be the world’s longest art gallery!

Tickets for all types of public transport are available at stations, ticket booths or on the SL app. 

Bike

As you may expect from a highly sustainable Scandinavian country, Stockholm is one of the most bike friendly cities in the world. Bikes are used by an incredibly large part of the population, and are deeply embedded in the culture. If you’re up for experiencing local life, moving around on a bike is a great option. There’s several rental bike sites available, with seats for children or children’s bikes. When it comes to riding a bike through the city however, it’s very important to first educate yourself on the road etiquette, rights of passage and rules. There are bike lanes and a well-designed urban planning that incorporates them nicely into the city. But it’s nevertheless important to understand the safest and most appropriate ways of riding a bike in the city.

Foot

Discovering the city by food is of course another great way to explore the best places of the city. Make sure you keep an eye for all the bikes though, the locals are very used to riding across the city at high speed on either sidewalks or allocated bike lanes, and it can be quite dangerous for pedestrian tourists who are not used to them. Remember to keep your eyes open, and hold your kid’s hands whenever you can to avoid accidents or scares! 

Best Areas to Stay in Stockholm

Gamla Stan

Ever since 1252, Stockholm’s medieval city center has managed to stay standing. It’s probably the best place to stay for families and tourists because it has easy access to the main attractions, hotels, restaurants, cafés, shops and museums. These are all very easy to reach by foot, but if you’re planning on visiting other farther areas of Stockholm you’ll always find good public transport options to take you to and from. It’s quite exciting for kids to know that they’re staying in one of the oldest historical grounds, so you should definitely consider it when looking for the best places to stay in Stockholm. 

Djurgården

This neighborhood is considered the best for families visiting Stockholm. It’s a rather quiet area in the city center, but it’s located close to the most popular family-friendly attractions and museums like the Vasa Warship, Nordic museum and the ABBA Museum. There are also many outdoor playgrounds and gardens to discover. Because of its great deal of open spaces, Djurgården is actually considered to be a peaceful oasis in the city, one which locals are very fond of. All parks unique and different from one another, especially in the summer and spring. They’ll never fail to surprise!

Söderman

Södermalm is found in the south of Gamla Stan. It’s the trendiest and coolest area of Stockholm, with many modern art galleries, funky cafes and restaurants with a kick of creativity and fun. Its residents also tend to be young adults and artists, so you can probably imagine it to be rather colorful and enjoyable. There are a couple important landmarks in this area that will be easy to get to like the City Museum, Tantolunden Park and Langholmen Island.

Norrmalm

Norrmalm is a neighbourhood very close to many of the best attractions in Stockholm like the Opera House, the National Museum of Sweden, and the cultural center. It’s a little more upscale than the rest of the neighborhoods in the city, so you may find hotel and restaurant prices to be a little higher than in other areas. But it’s nevertheless a great and central place to stay with your family!

Vasastan

Vasastan is quite a unique area to stay in Stockholm with kids. It’s known to have the coziest and welcoming streets in the city, so you should feel right at home. There’s a great deal of vintage and second-hand stores, art, history and culture to keep you on your toes and surprise you every time you walk into a shop. There’s also several museums within walking distance like the observatory, a contemporary art gallery, and city library. You’ll never run out of great restaurants and bars to enjoy for the evening. In the summer, you should opt for walks and strolls in Vasaparken, one of the most beautiful open spaces this area is known for.

Things To Do in Stockholm with kids

Skansen Open Air Museum

The Skansen Open Air Museum is definitely one of the most unique and best things to do in Stockholm with kids. It’s incredibly well made and curated to show Sweden through history. With the help of actors in costumes and qualified historians, the museum has recreated the farms, traditional houses, workshops, village halls, churches, gardens, pharmacies and workplaces of dozens of other occupations that carried the residents of this wonderful country from the 1720s to the 1960s. It’s definitely a must attraction in Stockholm either with or without children, but of course children find it fascinating. 

Among many things to see and explore, taking a look into the everyday lives of Swedes across history doesn’t stop at visiting their homes and work stations. There are also many local crafts, traditional food and craft demonstrations to discover. There are even native animals like reindeer, bears, wolves and lynxes that live in the grounds, so make sure you keep an eye out for them! There’s also a playground, restaurants, and other dedicated activities and workshops for kids. 

Depending on the time of the year, the museum hosts a number of special events and celebrations that would be wonderful for you to see. If you go in summer, you should definitely plan to visit during the Midsummer celebration. It’s full of folk dances and music; there’s no better way to experience the local culture! Harvesting season in the fall is also a great time to visit the museum. Children and visitors tend to join in and dress up in costumes; and the entire area gets overtaken by fairytale magic and storytelling fantasies. 

Website: Skansen Open Air Museum
Address: Djurgarden 49-51, Stockholm 115 93 Sweden
Hours: Opening hours always start at 10:00 AM throughout the year, and it opens year-round. However, closing times vary greatly across the different months of the year:

         January to February: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
         March to April:  10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
         May to June: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
         June to August: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
        September: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
        October to December: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Cost: The ticket prices also vary according to the time of year. Children’s tickets are always 40% of adult ticket prices. 
         Adult: January - April 70 SEK
                     May - September 90 SEK
                     June - August 110 SEK
                     October - December 65 SEK 

Visit the Old Town – Gamla Stan

In a city as beautiful as Stockholm, it’s clear that you really don’t have to move around a lot to see something incredible. We loved to spend time walking through the old medieval town, Gamlastan, and getting lost in the charming, historical streets.

There are endless local shops and cafés to discover, as well as quite witty and spontaneous things to see such as the oldest squares and streets in Sweden. They have remained quite well preserved since the 14th century, but we suggest you keep your eyes open for the narrowest street of Stockholm. The walls of the alley are only 90 cm apart, and it’s pretty fun for kids as they try to measure themselves as they get through. The Riddarholmen Church is also an important part of the city that you shouldn’t miss. It’s an incredible medieval abbey that is open to the public, and has concerts throughout the year. 

Viking Museum

If you’re looking to learn about the exciting times of the Vikings, the Viking Museum is the place to be. It’s the perfect thing to do in Stockholm with kids as it fuels their imagination in many ways; replicas, movies, sceneries and projections. They do an incredible job of taking you back to this incredible time of mystery and electric energy. There are many amazing kid-targeted activities and workshops available. For example, going on a quest for silver, and listening to the wonderful stories by a wise Ragnfrid man.

Being one of the top countries in education, the museum has evidently been crafted mindfully. It merges together pedagogy and entertainment in the best way possible. All of the hosts, program coordinators and guides are highly educated academics. They’re passionate about showing this incredible moment in history in an exciting and fun way. You can trust it’s an incredible place to visit!

Website: The Viking Museum
Address: Djurgårdsvägen 48, 115 21 Stockholm, Sweden
Hours: 
        January – May 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
        June – September 10:00 AM – 6:00 
        October – December 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Cost: 
       Adult 159 SEK
       Children (7 to 15 years old) 119 SEK
       Seniors & Students 139 SEK
       Family Ticket (2 adults, 2 children) 495 SEK

Gronlund Amusement Park

Gronlund Amusement Park is one of the most incredible amusement parks you can go to in Stockholm with kids, located just above the water. They’ve got 30 thrilling rides for the whole family to enjoy, as well as daily performances and concerts.  Especially in the summertime, the park usually books big names for artists and bands like The Hives and John Legend. They’ve got something for all different ages, so you won’t have to worry about there only being attractions for kids.

Make sure to look out for special occasions! Halloween tends to be an awesome time at Gronlund Amusement Park – it gets decorated from head to toe with pumpkins, huge statues and spooky cobwebs. It’s definitely a popular time to visit the park. We suggest that you take the ferry over to the park – the ride is great, and you’ll have a spectacular view of the city. There are also several picnic areas and over 20 on-site restaurants you can discover, so you won’t have to cut your day short.

Website: Gronalund Amusement Park
Address: Lilla Allmänna Gänd 9 11521 Stockholm
Hours: Their opening hours change constantly throughout the year. It’s best to check their schedule on their website prior to planning a visit.
Cost: 
     General Admission (Ages from  7 to 64 years old) 130 SEK
     Ride Package (Admission and unlimited access to rides) 445 SEK
 

Butterfly House

Stockholm’s butterfly house is a wonderful place, loved by both the locals and tourists who come and visit. The butterfly house is set out as a sacred environment extending past 3000 sq ft, home to not only more than 700 varieties of colorful and eccentric butterflies, but also ro frogs, parrots, ahd even reef sharks. You’ll be able to look through these gorgeous creatures, and if you’re lucky, they’ll even come to stand on your head! Their Incredible colors and wit will never fail to surprise and keep your kids alert. In a city that can be so cold and make it difficult to spend time outside regularly, the Butterfly House is often considered the best feel-good place to go to.  

Website: The Butterfly House
Address: Haga Norra 16970 Solna
Hours: 
      Mon- Sun 10.00: AM - 4:00 PM
Cost: 
     Adults 190 SEK
     Children (4-15 years old) 98 SEK
     Seniors 155 SEK

The Vasa Museum

The best part about the Vasa Museum is its most prized and exciting exhibition, the Vasa ship. It sank to the bottom of the ocean in 1629, but recovered and resent to sea 300 years later. The story of the Vasa ship is incredible; full of secrets, twists, and out-of-this-world anecdotes about one of the most thrilling moments in Swedish modern history. It also happens to be the best-preserved 17th-century ship in Scandinavia! If you wanted your kids to see the most authentic piece of a time of discovery, this is definitely it. It should be on your list when visiting Stockholm with kids. 

 Website: The Vasa Museum
Address: Galärvarvsvägen 14, 115 21 Stockholm, Sweden
Hours: Currently unavailable 
Cost: 
     Adults 150 SEK
     Children (0-18 years old) Free 

Artipelag

Located in Stockholm’s Archipelago, Artipelag is an art gallery that both encourages creativity by offering creative spaces, exhibitions and activities. Their exhibitions include the work of some of the most incredible artists of our time like Andy Warhol and Carouschka Streijffert. But if you think this is your typical modern art museum, you thought wrong. Artipelag has some of the original and inspiring collection of temporary installations throughout the year. You should always prepare to be taken by surprise – in the best way, of course. Their pastry exhibition is a good example. It shows their love for wit and humor, while aligning with highly artistic and cultural standards.  Several workshops and programs for kids are also available.

There are amazing outdoor spaces that are beautifully designed according to Swedish design frameworks you’ll be delighted to walk around. The journey to the gallery is great in itself as well. Most people take a 1.5hr boat ride, which kids love. It’s a great option for a non-touristy museum to visit in Stockholm with kids!

Website: Artipelag
Address: Artipelagstigen  134 40 Gustavsberg
Hours: Currently unavailable 
Cost: Ticket prices vary according to the exhibition you want to see. There is no charge for visiting the outdoor spaces, or the inside of the building. 

Swedish History Museum (Historiska)

The Swedish History Museum is another of the best museums to visit in Stockholm with kids. Besides being one of the largest museums in the country, it’s fair to say that it keeps some of the best secrets of Swedish history. There’s no better place for you and your family to learn about it in a fun, and innovative way. 

Its exhibitions and structure are based on a storytelling approach. They intend to keep kids captivated and engaged through the entire time they are there. Audio guides are also available and are recommended. They keep kids entertained and help create a fun educational activity – without them noticing it’s educational at all. One of the best parts of this museum is that admission is always free!

Website: Swedish History Museum (Historika) 
Address: Narvavägen 13–17 114 84 Stockholm
Hours:
       Tue–Sun 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
       Wed 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Cost: Free

Lida Nature Park

One of the greatest ways to take in the natural scenery of Stockholm with kids is in the Lida Nature Park. Lida is a recreational park with many different activities and attractions to visit, for parents and kids. There is a range of different hiking and biking trails, and even somewhere to try a bit of cross-country skiing in the winter. We suggest that you visit it in the summer as the weather will work a lot more in your favor.

The most popular thing to do here for kids is visiting Accropark. It’s a series of obstacles and challenges installed among the trees of the forest; it’s sort of like a high rope course. The Lida Naturparkour park is great for kids as well. The installations are quite simple; wooden pieces around a pit, but the point of the game is what makes it one of the funnest things to do here. Avoid touching the floor!

There are also sauna cabins, a public beach and houses for rent if you wanted to stay over for a night. Water skiing and canoeing is also possible in the lake during the summer, and ice skating on its frozen waters in the winter. We definitely recommend you to do this! It lies quite outside of the typical tourist itinerary in Stockholm, and we can assure you that it’s something you’ll remember in the most positive light.

Website: Lida Nature Park
Address: Lidavägen 1 146 33 Tullinge 

Rosendals Tradgards

Visiting the Rosendals Tradgards is a beautiful way to learn about Sweden’s biodynamic farming practices, and their farm-to-table philosophy. Besides being able to walk around their amazing gardens with flowers, honey, herbs and vegetables, it’s an amazing place to enjoy a delicious meal – composed from their home grown ingredients, of course.

It’s a great non-tourist attraction that’s wholesome, fulfilling and interesting for kids as well. The gardens are beautiful, and since they’re really focused on explaining and showing this type of education for children, the staff will be more than happy to give you a tour and explain a little more in detail about their philosophy and long term goals for sustainable living.

Website: Rosendals Tradgards
Address: Rosendalsvägen 38, 115 21 Stockholm, Sweden
Hours: Mon - Dun 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Things To Eat In Stockholm With Kids 

Swedish meatballs 

For anyone who’s been to IKEA, keeping away from the meatballs is simply not  possible. There is no doubt that Swedish meatballs will become your kid’s favourite thing to eat during your time in Stockholm. Not only are they available pretty much anywhere, but anywhere they go they’ll be absolutely amazing. Although you’ll be likely to find them in any restaurant you go, you should definitely try them in Fem Sma Hus in the Old Town. Their recipe for this incredible national dish is absolutely revolutionary, and it will very likely become an unforgettable memory of your time in Stockholm. 

Artsoppa (Pea Soup)

During the colder months in Stockholm, there is nothing that warms the soul more than a traditional Swedish pea soup – Artsoppa. The recipe usually contains pieces of ham, which only adds an incredible taste. Especially if you’re traveling in the winter, this delicacy is something you can be sure your kids will enjoy to the fullest, no questions asked. It’s quite a popular dish in the city, but you should definitely try it in Den Gyldene Freden.  It’s a lovely small restaurant that specializes in the best Swedish comfort food. Prices are not that bad either, which is a nice surprise for such an expensive country. 

Hasselbackspotatis (Roasted Potato)

Hasselbackspotatis are Swedish roast potatoes. Their story starts in a small tavern in Stockholm in the 1720s. It’s become a national sensation ever since. For picky eaters, there is no way you could go wrong with this dish. It’s easy to find, and you can be sure that they’ll be begging for more! They typically come as side dishes for larger meat or chicken roasts, so in case you’re craving some yourself, you’ll be happy to find them included in other meals too. 

Marinated Salmon with Dill Potatoes 

Scandinavia, in general, is quite popular for their love for fish and seafood. While you’re visiting Stockholm with kids though, nothing will satisfy your family better than a traditional dish of marinated salmon with dill potatoes. This is a meal that you are probably already familiar with and even make it in your own home. But there is something about the way the Swedes make that simply takes it to a whole new level. Perhaps it’s the freshness of the fish, and the herbs – but whatever it is, we can assure you that the flavors will explode in your palate like never before!

Princess Cake 

One of the best ways to treat your kids in Stockholm is with a slice of Princess Cake. Not only is it a favourite among the Swedish population, but it’s become a famous cake around the world. The icing is made out of green marzipan, and it’s insides are wonderful layers of sponge cake, raspberry jam, whipped cream, and pastry cream. We’re sure that the Princess Cake will make the best impression on your family. We suggest that you hunt around the city to discover the best one. You won’t get tired of it, we promise!

We hope our guide for Stockholm has everything you need to plan your family trip. We found this to be an exquisite city, that although is quite small, seems to be never-ending. Comment below to tell us about your experience in Stockholm…we’d love to know!