Organised activities for 2-year-olds in Oslo

Ensjø, Gamle Oslo

Dance courses for children aged two to twelve in more than twenty dance styles, from children's dance to hip hop, focused on letting children feel seen and experience mastery. The studio is at Ensjø, and they also run courses at several locations in Oslo and Akershus.

ages 2-12

Majorstuen, Frogner

A dance school in Professor Dahls gate at Majorstuen with a broad programme for children and youth, from a parent-and-child group for ages 2-4 and dance play for 3- and 4-year-olds to classical ballet, jazz and hip hop. The institute has groups divided by age and level, with performances for the children to look forward to, and also runs classes at Løren and in Lillestrøm. Dance builds rhythm, posture and confidence.

ages 2-18

Karen Platous vei 31, Stovner

A martial arts club with groups from age two: 2 to 6, 7 to 10 and 11 to 15 train taekwondo, kickboxing and hapkido. Founded in 2005, it draws children from Bjerke, Stovner, Alna and Grorud, training at several venues in Groruddalen.

ages 2-18

Lambertseter bad, Nordstrand

One of Norway's largest swimming schools, with around 2,000 participants a week. Courses are split into toddlers from age two, children from five, and teenagers up to seventeen, following the national federation's levels. Lessons run at Lambertseter, Holmlia and Bøler pools and at Oppsal and Hauketo schools, and those who want more can move on to the club's recruit and competition squads.

ages 2-17

Kantarellen, Søndre Nordstrand

Baby swimming and swimming courses in a warm therapy pool at Mortensrud, for children from newborn to around ten years old. Barn i vann emphasises water safety, play and mastery, with a parent in the water for the youngest. The pool is in the basement of the Kantarellen care and rehabilitation centre, with room for babies and toddlers alike.

ages 0-10

Odalsgata 7, Gamle Oslo

Children's and family group in Framfylkingen, the Norwegian trade union confederation's family organisation, for Gamle Oslo. The group meets about once a month for activities like theatre, outdoor life and community engagement, for children of all ages together with their families. Annual membership costs 50 kroner.

ages 0-16

Hasleveien 28b, Grünerløkka

A dance school by Carl Berner with one of the largest course selections in Oslo, grouped by age. The youngest start in parent-and-child classes, and from there come ballet, hip-hop and breakdance for children and teenagers. New courses start each term, and the school also hosts dance birthday parties.

ages 2-12

Torshov kirke, Sagene

Singing session for the youngest, ages 2 to 6, every other Wednesday at 17:00 in Torshov church, run by the YWCA-YMCA. From 16:00 the family can buy a simple dinner for whatever you can pay before the singing. All children and parents are welcome, just show up; voluntary membership costs 50 kroner.

ages 2-6

Stig skole, Stovner

Baby swimming and swimming courses in a warm pool at 32 to 35 degrees, from the smallest babies up to children around ten years old. Barn i vann builds water confidence through play and regular courses, with a parent in the water for the youngest. The pool is at Stig skole in the Groruddalen valley.

ages 0-10

Idrettens Hus Nordbyen, Stovner

The gymnastics group at Høybråten og Stovner IL, with the motto 'gymnastics for everyone' and offerings from age two. Play, acrobatics and competition at all levels, in a dedicated hall at Idrettens Hus Nordbyen.

ages 2-18

Hauketo skole og to andre bassenger, Søndre Nordstrand

Swimming lessons where an adult stays in the water until the child can swim, from baby swimming upwards. Classes once a week across three pools: Hauketo school, Kantarellenhjemmet and Høyås care centre. Having a parent in the water sets this apart from most swimming courses and makes it possible to start before the child manages alone. Approved for the Oslo leisure card, and when registering you should note in the skills field that the card will be used.

ages 0-12

Bøler kirke, Østensjø

A toddler choir at Bøler church for children from two to five, singing together with an adult. One of few choirs that take children before kindergarten age is over, with the grown-up taking part throughout.

ages 2-5

Nordstrand turnhall, Nordstrand

Gymnastics club at Nordstrand with parent and child classes for ages two and three together with an adult, and play groups for four-year-olds on several weekdays, followed by girls', boys' and team groups.

ages 2-16

Turer i marka og på fjellet, Sentrum

The Norwegian Trekking Association's own programme for families with children, with hikes, play and activities for children aged 0 to 12. Barnas Turlag Oslo arranges everything from short local walks in the forest to mountain trips and camps, both for the whole family and for children on their own. Membership costs around 150 kroner a year - among the most affordable organised children's offerings in the city.

ages 0-12

Haslehallen, Grünerløkka

Norway's largest gymnastics club, with the whole ladder gathered at Haslehallen. Playful gymnastics takes the youngest from around age two, the gymnastics levels follow the first school years, and beyond that come parkour, adaptive gymnastics, team and apparatus gymnastics plus dedicated youth groups. The club runs both community and competitive squads.

ages 2-18

Holmlia kirke, Søndre Nordstrand

Holmlia parish has several choirs, for both children and adults, in one of the city's most multicultural districts. For the youngest there is HoBaKLUZZ, an activity and singing group for all children from nought to ten, meeting on Tuesdays 5.30 to 6.30pm. Tween Sing takes years 5 to 8 straight afterwards, and Sjibbolet Ten Sing is for everyone from year 8 and up, on Thursdays. Church choirs are traditionally among the most affordable and inclusive music offerings there are, and here children sing alongside peers from the neighbourhood.

ages 0-18

Blindern, Nordre Aker

A rugby club at Blindern with its own junior programme, and one of the most established rugby clubs in Oslo. The club also runs toddler rugby for the very youngest, a Sunday session at Bjølsenhallen with play, throwing, catching and balance and no tackling, as preparation for minis rugby from age six. Children's rugby is played without hard tackling pressure at the start, focusing on passing, running and teamwork - and the rugby community is known for a strong club culture where every body type has a place on the pitch. Note that training takes place at several venues, not only at Blindern.

ages 2-18

Youngstorget, St. Hanshaugen

An interdisciplinary cultural institute and non-profit working for children and young people with disabilities. The offerings are concrete and varied: Paraleker and Mini Abloom, holiday activities in Oslo open to everyone, and Rideglede for alle, a riding programme. Abloom also runs its own film festival and awards the Abloom prize, with a children's jury helping to decide. The consistent point is that children and young people should be seen and heard themselves, not merely discussed. Approved for the Oslo leisure card.

ages 0-18

Norges idrettshøgskole, Nordre Aker

Swimming all the way from baby classes to club level. Baby courses take children from ten weeks, toddler courses run from two to four with an adult in the water, and the swimming school then follows the national levels of diving, floating, gliding and propulsion. Courses are held at the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, Lovisenberg and Bergtunet, and the club also offers synchronised swimming.

ages 0-16

Nordahl Bruns gate 14, St. Hanshaugen

Children's and family group in Framfylkingen, the Norwegian trade union confederation's family organisation. The group meets about once a month for activities like theatre, outings and community engagement, for children of all ages together with their families. Annual membership costs 50 kroner.

ages 0-16