Stockholm, Sweden's stunning capital, spans 14 islands where Lake Mälaren meets the Baltic Sea, creating a city of breathtaking waterways, medieval history, and state-of-the-art design. As Scandinavia's largest city, it blends royal palaces and Viking heritage with a thriving food scene and world-class museums.
Family activities
Engaging experiences for travellers of every age.
Junibacken
A magical children's museum on Djurgården dedicated to Astrid Lindgren's stories (Pippi Longstocking, Emil of Lönneberga) with a miniature train journey through storybook scenes and extensive play areas
Duration: 2-3 hours
Skansen Open-Air Museum and Zoo
The world's first open-air museum with 150 historic buildings, a Nordic zoo (moose, bears, wolves, lynx), seasonal events and traditional craftsmen demonstrations — a full-day family experience
Duration: 3-5 hours
Gröna Lund Amusement Park
Historic amusement park on Djurgården with classic wooden roller coasters, gentler rides for younger children, arcade games and spectacular harbour views — one of Scandinavia's most beloved parks
Duration: 3-5 hours
Vasa Museum
Children are fascinated by the sheer scale of the 400-year-old Vasa warship — the largest preserved ship in the world. Interactive exhibits, climbing platforms and children's trails make it very engaging for all ages.
Duration: 2-3 hours
ABBA The Museum
Older children and teenagers love the interactive sections where they can sing and dance on stage with ABBA holograms, try on replica costumes and play with music mixing equipment
Duration: 2-3 hours
Archipelago Ferry Trip
A ferry trip through the Stockholm archipelago is thrilling for children of all ages — spotting islands, seabirds and seals, with the excitement of a boat journey past lighthouses and through narrow channels
Duration: Half day
Aquaria Vattenmuseum
A tropical rainforest and marine aquarium on Djurgården with live sharks, piranhas, tropical fish and a coral reef — older children find the nocturnal animal section and touch tanks especially engaging
Duration: 1.5-2 hours
Tekniska museet (Museum of Technology)
Sweden's largest science and technology museum with hands-on exhibits about engineering, electricity, computing and Swedish industrial history. The Teknorama section has 50+ interactive experiments designed for children.
Duration: 2-3 hours
Changing of the Guard at Royal Palace
The daily Changing of the Guard ceremony at the Royal Palace with a military band and colourful ceremony — takes place at 12:15 on weekdays and 13:15 on weekends in the outer courtyard
Duration: 30-45 minutes
City Hall Tower Climb
Climbing the 365 steps of Stockholm City Hall's 106m tower (May-August) gives children a spectacular bird's-eye view over Stockholm's islands, bridges and waterways — a memorable experience
Duration: 1 hour
Family-friendly hotels
Accommodation designed with families in mind.
Sheraton Stockholm Hotel
A family-friendly five-star hotel with spacious family rooms, an indoor pool, central location and a generous buffet breakfast. One of the best options for families in Stockholm.
Family features: Family rooms, indoor pool, fitness centre, babysitting on request, excellent central location
Downtown Camper by Scandic
An adventure-themed hotel with family rooms, outdoor gear rental and an active, nature-focused atmosphere that appeals to children and outdoors-loving families.
Family features: Family rooms, bike rental, outdoor activity focus, rooftop terrace
Scandic Grand Central
Reliable family-friendly hotel next to Stockholm Central Station with spacious rooms, a large breakfast buffet and excellent transport connections to all family attractions.
Family features: Family rooms, excellent breakfast, directly connected to train station
AF Chapman & Skeppsholmen Hostel
Budget-friendly hostel on a historic sailing ship — an unforgettable adventure for children and teenagers, with private family cabins available.
Family features: Unique ship accommodation, private family cabins, adjacent to Moderna Museet
Dining with kids
Eating out as a family.
Most Swedish restaurants welcome children with high chairs, children's menus and smaller portions on request
Children's menus typically offer meatballs, pasta, fish fingers and pancakes at 75-115 SEK
High chairs available at virtually all family-friendly restaurants — ask when you arrive
Rosendals Trädgård organic café on Djurgården has a beautiful outdoor setting ideal for families
Pack snacks and water for museum visits — museum cafés are expensive
The outdoor Hötorget market is perfect for family lunches on a budget — grab fruit, pastries and hot dogs
Family travel tips
Practical advice for stress-free family trips.
Purchase SL transport cards — children under 7 travel free; children 7-19 pay reduced fares
Djurgården island clusters the best child-oriented attractions together — base your first day here
Book popular attractions like Junibacken and Gröna Lund online in advance in summer
Stockholm's playgrounds (lekplatser) are excellent and free throughout the city
Many museums have family trails, activity sheets and interactive sections specifically for children
Swedish summers have very long evenings — children can stay up later without disrupting routines