Activities for kids in Oslo

Vulkan 5, 0178 Oslo

A cooking course at Mathallen where one child and one adult cook together - a parent, older sibling, grandparent or another adult. The theme varies between sessions.

Ekebergveien 99, 1181 Oslo

Petting farm on Ekebergsletta, ten minutes from the city centre, with over 100 animals roaming free or in a fenced area you can enter: horses, cows, goats, sheep, pigs, rabbits, geese, chickens and peacocks. Also offers horseback and pony riding. Open all year.

St. Olavs gate 25, 0166 Oslo

Baby swimming for children aged 0 to 2, centrally located in St. Olavs gate. Focus on water safety, motor development, play and parent-child interaction, in small groups with close guidance.

Brynjulf Bulls plass 1, 0250 Oslo

The museum about the Nobel Peace Prize by the City Hall square, with glowing, modern exhibitions and stories of peace laureates from around the world. It's more sensory and visual than an ordinary museum, and the centre runs family tours and workshops. Best for older children, but the room of glowing 'laureates' fascinates most.

Sagene, Oslo

Baby theatre and regular children's theatre performances at Sagene Samfunnshus, including shows by Martemos Teater. The performances are made for the very youngest, with close contact between stage and audience.

Halvdan Svartes gate 58, 0266 Oslo

The city museum in the old Frogner manor in the middle of Frognerparken tells Oslo's story across 1,000 years. Children and young people up to and including age 25 get in free, adults pay, and the first Thursday of every month is free for everyone. Children meet models, old objects and changing exhibitions, and outside lie the whole park and playground. A calm cultural stop that's easy with small children.

Spikersuppa, Karl Johans gate, 0159 Oslo

A free outdoor ice rink in the middle of Karl Johan between the Parliament and the National Theatre, open every day through winter until 9pm. Skates can be rented on site, so you don't need your own gear, and the lights and Christmas atmosphere make it extra special. A classic winter activity in the heart of the city.

Aastatunet 12 A og B, 0988 Oslo

New municipal pool complex at Stovner, the most extensive one in Groruddalen. Six pools, from a children's pool 30 centimetres deep to a diving pool with 1 and 3 metre boards.

Nesodden

Idyllic swimming spot on Nesodden with a sandy beach and smooth rocks good for fishing, with a lovely view over Bunnefjorden. Can be combined with food from Hellviktangen art café, located right next door.

Oslo

The city's most central sea bath, in Bjørvika, with its own sheltered children's pool, bathing ladders and large wooden sun decks. Close to the centre and easy to reach on foot or by tram, but it fills up quickly on sunny days.

Manglerud kirke

Every other Monday at 11:00 at Manglerud Church. Manglerud Church, from 1963, is in Manglerud in the southeastern city. Here parents and babies meet for familiar children's songs, rhymes and rhythmic games in a safe setting.

Oslo

One of Oslo's most popular swimming spots, with large grass and sand areas, a new toilet building (18 toilets, two accessible), a kiosk, showers, drinking water and courts for beach volleyball and basketball. Huk also has its own separate nudist beach, and since 2022 a new arrival area with bicycle parking for more than 200 bikes. The coastal path continues to Paradisbukta to the west and Frognerkilen to the east.

Oslo

Idyllic island eight minutes by boat from Aker Brygge, with several lovely spots for swimming and sunbathing (sand, smooth rocks and grassy areas), a kiosk/café by the monastery ruins, and accessible toilets in summer. There is a universally accessible walkway of about 150 metres from the boat to the beach, going around the hill where the café and monastery ruins stand. At the Lindøysund bathing area there are four toilets and one accessible toilet.

Wergelandsveien 29, 0167 Oslo

Free children's room (Sjeherasad) on the first floor, open to everyone on Mondays from 10am to 2pm outside the school holidays. You can browse the books, climb the climbing frame and jump in the cushion amphitheatre. Litteraturhuset also has a regular children's programme with films, book readings and more, and welcomes kindergarten groups in the mornings.

Oslo

An idyllic cabin island with red and green boathouses, swimming from smooth rocks and a few small patches of sand, and paths around the whole island. Calm surroundings, but mostly rocks, so water shoes are handy for the youngest.

Holmlia senter vei 34, 1255 Oslo

Municipal swimming pool at Holmlia with a 25-metre pool from 0.9 to 1.8 metres deep and a small splash pool of 2.15 x 2.15 metres and 30 centimetres deep. Both are kept at 28 degrees. Sauna, and changing rooms with lockers. Pram parking is set aside outside the ticket office, and the hall has two accessible changing rooms and a pool hoist operated by staff. Children must be over 10 and able to swim to bathe on their own, and one swimming-capable adult in the water may look after up to two children.

Romsås Senter 1, 0970 Oslo

Municipal swimming pool at Romsås shopping centre, and the city pool best set up for the youngest: the splash pool is 4 x 3 metres, half a metre deep and kept at 33 degrees, with a small slide, an umbrella fountain and a side shower. The main pool is 25 metres and 32 degrees. Sauna and changing rooms with lockers - bring your own padlock. The accessible changing rooms have baby changing tables. Children must be over 12 and able to swim to bathe on their own, and one swimming-capable adult in the water may look after up to two children. Check the opening hours before you go, the hall closes for a few weeks in summer.

Kampen kirke

Thursdays at 11:00 and 13:00 in even-numbered weeks (Vålerenga does the same in odd-numbered weeks). Kampen Church, from 1882, is a red-brick landmark high up in Kampen. Baby singing brings parents and little ones together for song and rhythm, a nice regular meeting place during leave.

Dr. Dedichens vei 20, 0675 Oslo (Haukåsen skole)

Baby and toddler swimming focused on safety, confidence and water enjoyment, in pools kept at a comfortable temperature at Haukåsen school. Experienced instructors support each individual family. The courses are split into three levels by age: nought to three, three to five and five to ten years.

Voksen kirke

Mondays 11am-1pm at Voksen Church. Voksen Church is a modern church from 1995 in the Voksen area near Holmenkollen. Baby singing offers song, rhyme and movement for the youngest and a pleasant break for parents on leave.

Oslo

Sheltered, child-friendly cove on Bygdøy with fine sand, calmer and less crowded than Huk. A good choice for those who want to avoid crowds with small children.

Stortingsgata 28, 0161 Oslo

Storytime and author visits one or two Saturdays a month (except summer), best for children aged 3-6. Everyone gets a bun after the reading.

Hegermanns gate 20, 0478 Oslo

Outdoor 18-hole mini golf course by Torshovparken, run by Christiania Minigolf Club. Open daily in summer, noon-9pm, last tee-off at 8pm (weather permitting). 90 kr per round for adults, 60 kr for children. For children under 16, club membership costs 50 kroner a year and includes free play with standard equipment all season.

Veitvetveien 8, 0596 Oslo

Norway's largest bowling hall with 26 lanes, plus billiards, an arcade and a restaurant. Child-friendly lanes with bumper rails and lighter balls mean even the youngest can join in the bowling.

Stovner kirke

Thursdays 11am-1pm at Stovner Church, Stovnerfaret 25 (for Høybråten, Fossum and Stovner). Stovner Church, from 1979, is in Stovnerfaret in Groruddalen. Baby singing brings parents and little ones together for song and rhythm, a nice regular meeting place during leave.

Konows gate 1-3, 0192 Oslo

Indoor parkour hall with obstacles, sprung flooring and climbing elements. Offers parkour courses for children and youth aged 3-16 across several levels, free training sessions for families, birthday parties and holiday camps. The hall offers punch cards and memberships, and the Tren så mye du vil membership gives access to both courses and independent training.

Anne-Cath. Vestlys plass 1, 0150 Oslo

Deichman puts on plays, storytelling sessions and children's films for slightly older kids at several of its 22 branches in Oslo. Check the programme at your local library.

Kongeveien 5, 0787 Oslo

Skiforeningen's ski courses for children, focused on the joy of skiing, play and mastery rather than competition. Weekend courses run over five Saturdays or Sundays, and the youngest from age three can take part together with an adult, while weekday courses run during the day through nurseries and schools. Courses are held at ski school venues in and around Oslo, including Holmenkollen and Sørkedalen. Membership gives a discount on the course fee.

Grønland kirke

Tuesdays at 12:30 at Grønland Church (for Gamlebyen and Grønland). Grønland Church, from 1868, is one of the city's older churches, in the middle of lively Grønland. At baby singing, parents and babies sing songs, rhymes and rhythmic games together, a calm, social drop-in during parental leave.

Havnegata 4, 1441 Drøbak

The only aquarium in eastern Norway, down by the harbour in Drøbak. More than 50 tanks from 30 litres to a 25,000-litre pool, with a children's tunnel, a jellyfish tank and a touch pool where children can handle creatures from the fjord. Small enough for a two-year-old to manage, and concrete enough to hold an eight-year-old. Drøbak makes a good day out in itself, with the Christmas house and the boat to Oscarsborg within walking distance.

Kampen park, Oslo

Splash pool in Kampen park, popular and well-visited by families on warm days. Shallow water for the youngest, a playground and large lawns in one of the city's loveliest neighbourhood parks, at Kampen.

Inga Bjørnsons vei 1B, 0969 Oslo

Skattkammeret is the Church City Mission's free lending service for sports and leisure equipment for children and young people up to 25: skis, skates, snowboards, bikes, tents, fishing rods, ball games and much more, summer and winter. Show up in opening hours with ID, borrow what you need and return it at the agreed time. Opening hours vary through the year, so check their page before you go. The Tokerud branch also runs activities for youth aged 12 to 16: ball games and play in the hall on Mondays, and in season outdoor play, cycling courses and snowboard courses.

Lovisenberggata 5, 0456 Oslo

Baby swimming run by Oslo Idrettslag (OI Svømming) and the Norwegian Life Saving Society, in a warm pool at Lovisenberg. Small groups focused on safety, water adjustment and play give your baby a gentle, reassuring start in the water.

Rødtvet kirke

Wednesdays 12:30-2:00pm at Rødtvet Church. Rødtvet Church, from 1978, is in Rødtvet in the Groruddalen valley. Baby singing brings parents and little ones together for song and rhythm, a nice regular meeting place during leave.

Munch Brygge, Bjørvika, Oslo

Urban paddling in the heart of the city: Mad Goats takes the whole family on guided kayak and SUP tours through Bjørvika and out on the Oslofjord, including through a 300-metre tunnel that ends right by the Opera House. All equipment is included and no paddling experience is needed. Guided tours suit ages 10 and up (separate courses from age 14, and under-18s need written consent from a guardian). They also rent out kayaks and SUPs, and have bases both at Tjuvholmen and in Bjørvika. Note the meeting point: the Akerselva kayak and packraft tour starts from Nedre Foss Park in Grünerløkka and ends out in the fjord by the Opera House, while the vattkort courses and rentals run from Bjørvika.

Oslo

The westernmost of the cabin islands, with swimming from smooth rocks in calm surroundings. Nice for a quiet day on the water, but mostly rocks and little sand, so bring water shoes for the youngest.

Plogveien 22, 0681 Oslo

A cycling park by Manglerud swimming pool where children practise cycling skills on tracks of varying difficulty, built for learning, mastery and the joy of cycling. Suitable from balance-bike age and up, and free. In winter a ski track is prepared on the wide main loop. Skate park and swimming pool right next door.

Bogstad Gård, Sørkedalen, Oslo

Organic, Debio-certified visitor farm by Bogstadvannet, run by the City of Oslo. Children can meet cattle, horses, sheep, goats, rabbits, turkeys and hens, and the area around the farm is great for a walk and a picnic by the lake. Free entry. The visitor barn is open Tuesday to Friday 12-16 and the last Sunday of the month 11-16, but from mid-May to mid-October it is closed because the animals are out grazing around the farm. The farm has a minimum age of 3.

Oslo

Sea bath with a bathing platform, diving tower and large grassy areas to lie on right by the city centre. The beach has small stones at the water's edge, so water shoes are a good idea for the youngest.

Jordalgata 1, 0657 Oslo

One of Norway's largest skateparks: 2,200 square metres of concrete by Jordal sports park, opened in 2022. The elements are laid out for different skill levels, so beginners find gentle ledges while the more advanced have plenty to work on. LED lighting means it can be used once the evenings get dark. Free and open around the clock.

Stockholmsgata 8, 0566 Oslo

Baby massage course with a certified instructor (Anethe Toth). A loving and effective way to build closeness and security between parent and baby, which can ease colic/gas/constipation and promote relaxation and better sleep. For both mothers and fathers, massage oil included.

Bispegata, 0192 Oslo

A park in Gamle Oslo built over the ruins of the medieval city, with remains of old churches and a royal manor and a large reflecting pool. Children can clamber on the ruins, splash by the water in summer and hear about Oslo as the city looked 800 years ago. Free and open around the clock, with plenty of room to play.

Økern Torgvei 2, 0580 Oslo

Municipal swimming pool at Økern with a single 25-metre pool, 1.10 to 1.60 metres deep and 28 degrees. There is no splash pool, no slide and no shallow end where the smallest children can stand, so this is a pool for children who can swim.

Middelthuns gate 26, 0368 Oslo

A large outdoor ice surface next to Frognerparken, with a bandy rink and a 400 metre speed skating oval. The ice is usually laid in October over two to three weeks and stays from November until mid March. The ground is open to the public even when organised sport is going on, and the Church City Mission's Skattekammeret runs a lending centre at the stadium, so you do not need to own skates. The changing rooms open after 4pm. Public and training times are listed in the calendar on oslo.kommune.no. In summer the same surface is an eleven a side artificial grass pitch.

Veitvetveien 8, 0596 Oslo

A free, open meeting place for families run by the Red Cross, at Veitvetveien 8 (Veitvet centre, 3rd floor). Open to all families on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays 4:30-7:30pm, and Saturdays noon-3pm for outings, no registration needed. Wednesdays also feature Norwegian language classes 5-7pm with light refreshments. Families can join free weekly summer outings, including to Tusenfryd, Frognerseteren, the Norwegian Museum of Science and Technology, Ekeberg petting zoo, Oslo climbing park and Jumpyard.

Frognerstranda, 0273 Oslo

Two ramps on the grass between the cycle path and the sea, by the entrance to Bygdøy: a traditional ramp and a spine miniramp. They were moved here from Vika when construction of the National Museum began. A small setup, but with a fjord view and outdoor gym equipment nearby. Free and open around the clock.

Rosenkrantz' gate 11, 0159 Oslo

Interactive illusion museum right by Karl Johan, with sensory challenges and optical illusions that captivate both children and adults. Separate children's tickets from age 4, and children up to and including three go free.

Nordberg

Mondays at 11:30 at Nordberg Church. Nordberg Church, from 1962, is by Sogn and Nordberg near Kringsjå. At baby singing, parents and babies sing songs, rhymes and rhythmic games together, a calm, social drop-in during parental leave.

Middelthuns gate 28, 0368 Oslo

Oslo's classic outdoor pool with a 50-metre pool, diving tower and its own children's pool with a slide. Note: closed for renovation until the 2028 summer season (reopening has been delayed a year from the original 2027 plan) - check status before visiting.

Oppsal kirke

Thursdays 12-2pm at Oppsal Church. Oppsal Church, from 1961, is in Oppsal in eastern Oslo. Baby singing brings parents and little ones together for song and rhythm, a nice regular meeting place during leave.

Nøklevann, Østmarka, Oslo

Old smallholding in the forest by Nøklevann in Østmarka, about 1.3 km from Bøler metro station. Children can say hello to the farm animals, and the walk in pairs nicely with a swim or a picnic by the lake.

Trygve Lies plass 1, 1051 Oslo

A regular program at Deichman for babies and parents: the group gathers to read great picture books together for about half an hour, followed by coffee and socializing. Suitable for babies from about 7 months to a year and a half.

Vollsveien 13H, 1366 Lysaker

Climbing centre with dedicated children's rooms for children aged 2-10: a room with auto-belay for harness climbing, and a bouldering room with rope-free climbing for the youngest. No booking or experience required. Also offers climbing groups for ages 7-9, 10-13 and 13-18, plus climbing camps during school holidays.

Lundveien 3, 1900 Fetsund

A log-driving museum and wetland centre where the Glomma meets Øyeren, about forty minutes from Oslo. Timber was floated and sorted here with booms until 1985, and the site stands as it was, with jetties, boats and buildings to walk between. The mix of open-air industrial history and wetland birdlife works for both younger and older children, and much of it is outdoors.

Gardeveien 15, 0369 Oslo

In the old tram hall from 1913, the family can get up close to historic trams and metro cars, or try being a driver in the simulator inside the Holmenkollen line car. Open Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday 11am-3pm.

Kirsten Flagstads plass 1, 0150 Oslo

The Opera House invites families to free activities: Lørdagssang (Saturday singing) in the Foyer for children aged 0 to 6, one Saturday a month (just over half an hour, no ticket needed), and Lørdagsdans (Saturday dance) in the Rehearsal Hall for children aged 4 to 6 on selected Saturdays (about 40 minutes, ticket collected in advance). Check operaen.no for dates and programme.

Fryds vei 25, 1407 Vinterbro

Norway's largest amusement park, about 20 km south of Oslo, with roller coasters, carousels and dedicated areas for the youngest. Tickets are sold by height rather than age: the park has one ticket for people between 95 and 120 cm and one for people over 120 cm.

St. Olavs gate 2, 0165 Oslo

Small animal park in the middle of central Oslo with over 100 animals: snakes, geckos, lizards, frog species, tarantulas, a dwarf crocodile, monkeys, turtles and fish. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 6pm, and closed on Mondays between 1 September and 31 March.

Pilestredet 60, 0167 Oslo

Baby swimming in partnership with Badenymfene, in a warm pool centrally located at Bislett. Courses build on gentle water adjustment and safety, and the central location makes it easy to reach for many families. The pool is open Monday to Thursday from 6.45am to 9pm, Friday until 8pm, and at weekends from noon to 6pm.

Møllergata 12, 0179 Oslo

Indoor 18-hole mini golf integrated into a bar with a camping theme, near Youngstorget. A nice daytime activity on weekends (opens at noon Saturday and Sunday), but becomes more of a beer-and-drinks venue later in the evening - 20-year age limit applies after 7pm.