Organised activities for 3-year-olds in Oslo

Ti steder på hverdager, seks i helgene, Sentrum

The Norwegian Ski Association's ski school for children aged 3 to 12, where four-year-olds and up learn basic skiing technique through play. Weekday courses run at ten different ski school locations around the city, and at weekends there are courses for families and individuals at six locations. The classic first encounter with skis for Oslo children.

ages 3-12

Ole Deviks vei 17, Alna

Sports play for the youngest at Teisen IF, the club's offering for children too small for the football teams. The club is based at the clubhouse in Ole Deviks vei and runs the Bryn pitch, and has been the neighbourhood club at Teisen since 1971.

ages 3-5

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

Njårdhallen, Vestre Aker

Gymnastics group adapted for children and youth with intellectual disabilities, at Njårdhallen on Makrellbekken. Njård offers para gymnastics both within the children's programme (ages 3 to 13) and for youth from 14, with training adapted to each gymnast. Gymnastics builds strength, flexibility and body control at every level.

ages 3-18

Grefsen kirke, Nordre Aker

A children's choir for the very youngest, from three to eight years old, rehearsing in Grefsen church every other Monday in even-numbered weeks. Short half-hour sessions are adapted to small children who don't sit still for long, and the barrier is low - all you need is a wish to sing. One of few choirs in the city that welcomes three-year-olds.

ages 3-8

Alnaparken, Alna

A riding centre in Alnaparken with courses for almost every level, from toddler courses for the youngest around age three to regular riding-school groups. The centre offers drop-in riding at weekends (book ahead) and runs day camps in every school holiday, including Easter. One of few riding options in the east of the city with such a wide age range.

ages 3-18

Furuset Forum, Alna

All-round sports school for children aged three to six, Wednesdays 17.00 to 17.55 at Furuset Forum. Play comes first, and the children try a different sport most weeks rather than specialising early.

ages 3-6

Mortensrud, Søndre Nordstrand

All-round sports for children at Mortensrud, Mondays from 17:00 to 18:00, year round. Children try many sports in different settings, in the gym, the forest, on the field, on snow and ice, focusing on solid basic motor skills through play adapted to each child's level.

ages 3-8

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

Konows gate 1-3, Gamle Oslo

A dedicated parkour hall in Gamlebyen with organised sessions for children and youth from three to sixteen, split into four levels from beginner to advanced. Alongside the courses there is free training for children and a youth jam, where you train in the hall with an instructor present. The facility has a sprung floor, bars and permanent parkour elements, so jumps and landings can be practised all year whatever the weather. Membership can be taken by term or by month.

ages 3-16

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

Vinderen, Vestre Aker

A cosy dance studio at Vinderen with courses in most genres for children and youth, from preschool age and up. Whether the child wants to start with classical ballet or try more modern styles, there are groups for both beginners and the experienced. A close, safe dance community on the west side.

ages 3-18

Bygdø Kongsgård, Frogner

A riding school at the King's own farm on Bygdøy, run by the Norwegian Folk Museum. The programme is an introduction to horses and riding as a hobby, for beginners to slightly experienced riders, with all riding on three outdoor arenas and in the area around the farm. The youngest course, Knøttekurs, takes children from 3 to 6/7, and an accompanying adult has to lead the horse. Terms follow the school year, and the farm also runs riding camps in the summer holidays.

ages 3-18

Rustad idrettsplass, Østensjø

All-round sports for kindergarten-age children, three to six, split by birth year into groups of about twenty. Each group trains one day a week, indoors and outdoors, with play and mastery as the aim.

ages 3-6

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

Ljan, Nordstrand

One of Norway's largest private culture schools, offering dance, music, theatre and visual art for children and youth. MAYA teaches at a number of locations across Oslo and Bærum; the address here is the head office at Ljan. A good fit for children who want to combine dance with other art forms.

ages 3-18

Røahallen, Vestre Aker

Røa Allianseidrettslag welcomes the very youngest to Barnegym in Røahallen, for boys and girls aged three to five. Once the children start school they move on to all-round sports, where they try the disciplines the club covers - from bandy and football to athletics, cross-country skiing and cycling. One of the city's broadest neighbourhood offerings for the youngest.

ages 3-12

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

Furuset Forum, Alna

The tennis section of Furuset IF, with a tennis school split into classes for ages 3-6, 6-12 and 13-19. The youngest attend «blue tennis», a 45-minute preparatory class where an adult over sixteen takes part actively alongside the child, and where the exercises are as much about coordination, balance and ball control as about tennis. The club says the class suits five and six year olds best, but that three and four year olds are welcome to try too. From age six the tennis school follows the TennisKids model with colour levels: red tennis on a mini court with balls travelling at 25 per cent of normal speed, then orange tennis on a mid-size court with balls at 50 per cent. Court hire is included in the junior membership.

ages 3-18

Rodeløkka, Grünerløkka

Courses in creative dance for children, based at Rodeløkka with three age groups: 3 to 5, 6 to 8 and 9 to 12. Each course runs for ten weeks, during which the children make their own performance. Teaching starts from the children's own ways of moving rather than a set repertoire, so no previous dance experience is needed. There are usually three teachers on the course, and the offering is open regardless of ability. Approved for the Oslo leisure card.

ages 3-12

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

Høybråten skole, Stovner

A swimming school running courses for children from age three in the pool at Høybråten school, Monday to Thursday. Small groups and progression from water familiarisation upwards. Swimming tuition has been in short supply in Groruddalen, and this is one of few regular course options in the district.

ages 3-18

Helgesens gate, Grünerløkka

A non-profit association in Grünerløkka bringing children and adults together around orchestral playing, concerts and art activities. They offer courses and private lessons for children from age 3 and up, for complete beginners as well as those who have played a little before. It is one of the few music groups in the city where children and adults play together rather than in separate groups. Approved for the Oslo leisure card.

ages 3-17

Uranienborg skole, Frogner

A gymnastics club with a broad children's programme in the gyms at Uranienborg school, from playful gymnastics for the youngest to groups for older children. Registration is per group ahead of each term, and those who want to go further can be selected for the club's competition squad.

ages 3-16

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

Høybråten skole, Stovner

A gymnastics association founded in 1923, training in the gym at Høybråten school. Despite the name it has groups for children and youth of both sexes, and a competition team that takes part in gymnastics festivals. One of the oldest associations in the district.

ages 3-18

Smestad, Ullern

A long-established ballet school at Smestad, founded in 1955, with children's dance for the youngest from three to five in a safe and lively setting. Classical ballet, jazz and modern dance follow up through the age groups, with teachers who hold higher dance education.

ages 3-18

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

Nordstrand, Oppsal og Lambertseter, Nordstrand

An award-winning dance studio with branches in several districts in the south and east of the city. The range is unusually broad: children's ballet, children's dance, musical dance, jazz, hip hop, cheer dance, acrobatics/gymnastics, freestyle disco, modern and competition dance - so children can switch styles without switching school. Welcomes children from kindergarten age.

ages 3-18

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

Haugerud skole, Alna

Toddler judo for children from three to six, and beginners' judo from seven to fourteen. Both intakes start twice a year, in January and August, so it is worth coming just before term begins. The club trains in the gym at Haugerud school.

ages 3-14

Njårdhallen, Vestre Aker

Njård's biggest section, in Njårdhallen at Makrellbekken. Playful gymnastics is split into ages three to four and five to six, the gymnastics school into years one and two, three and four, and five to seven, and from year eight there is a separate group for teenagers. The club also has para gymnastics for both children and youth. The youngest are in the gym hall while the older ones train in the main hall. Gymnastics is the foundation for most other sports and builds strength, suppleness and body control.

ages 3-16

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

Carl Berner, Grünerløkka

A dance school and academy centrally in Oslo with a broad course programme for children and youth from around three to eighteen. In addition to classical ballet there's theatre, breakdance, funk jazz, modern and musical dance, so children can try many styles. A serious environment with clear progression for those who want to commit.

ages 3-18

Lofsrud gård, Mortensrud, Søndre Nordstrand

A riding club founded in 1991 at the municipal Lofsrud farm at Mortensrud, with around 500 members. Pony courses for the youngest from age three in groups of at most five, riding school at all levels and dedicated vaulting courses, with an emphasis on horse welfare. The club also hosts children's birthday parties. The largest equestrian offering in the south of the city.

ages 3-18

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

Jordal idrettspark, Gamle Oslo

A figure-skating club running a skating school at Jordal, in the heart of the district. The youngest (from age 3) get a play-based introduction to skating and figure skating, while older children can move on to the groups for ages 9 to 15. The club also runs a group for beginners and experienced skaters from age 16, so young people who start late can still join. A rare niche sport that's easy to try.

ages 3-18

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

Løren, Bjerke

Norsk Ballettinstitutt's branch at Løren, with its own dance studio in the basement of Løren school. The focus here is courses for children and juniors: dance play from age three, children's ballet, classical ballet, jazz and hip hop.

ages 3-18

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