Camps and holiday courses for kids

Hele Oslo

The City of Oslo's free summer school for all pupils in grades 1-10 living in Oslo, with around 15,000 places across nearly 80 different courses - from science and coding to outdoor life, sports and creative subjects. Courses run for a full week and fill the days with learning and experiences alongside peers from across the city. Registration opens in March and places go fast, so set up your wish list early.

Flere steder i Oslo

A five-day science course for children in grades 4-6, running daytime for a full week of the summer holidays. The children experiment their way through themes like 'Our magical planet', building solar cookers, creating aliens and investigating mysterious soil samples - real science disguised as play. Courses run at several locations in Oslo, and registration opens in early March; the most popular venues fill quickly.

Høyerholmen, Oslofjorden

A classic overnight summer camp on the island of Høyerholmen in the Oslofjord, run since 1960. Children and teens aged 9 to 15 fill their days with sailing, motorboating, water skiing, wakeboarding and other water activities, and their evenings with camp life as it has been for generations. The camp is so popular that weeks can fill up in under two minutes when registration opens.

Killingen, Frognerkilen (Bygdøy)

The Royal Norwegian Yacht Club's summer programme on the island of Killingen in Frognerkilen, running through the entire summer holidays (weeks 27-32) and open to everyone. Children try different dinghies and windsurf boards, sail Optimists, paddle SUPs and fill their days with play and fun on and by the water. A whole week on a little island of their own in the middle of the city, with the sea as their playground.

Lille Herbern, Bygdøy

Oslo Sailing Club's summer camp for children aged 7 to 12 on idyllic Lille Herbern off Bygdøy. The week is about the joy of sailing in the truest sense: mastery in a boat, swimming, play and island life in a safe setting, with no prior experience required. A lovely first encounter with sailing for children who love the sea.

Oksnøen i Vansjø, Råde (ca. 1 time sør for Oslo)

A large overnight camp on a lush 300-acre island in lake Vansjø, 80 km south of Oslo, hosting 150 children and youth aged 6 to 15 per session. The range of activities is enormous: horse riding, climbing and abseiling, sailing, water skiing, canoeing and kayaking, football, archery, fishing and a zip line between two islands. A full week of camp life where boredom is impossible.

Nærsnestangen, Asker

An overnight summer camp at Nærsnestangen by the fjord in Asker, for children aged 8 to 14. Week-long camp stays in July with swimming, activities and camp life at the water's edge, run by a non-profit with a limited number of places - so be quick with registration. A short trip from Oslo, but with a proper camp feel.

Ekebergveien 99, 1181 Oslo

EKT riding school and petting farm on Ekebergsletta runs day courses for children in the school holidays - including the autumn, winter and Christmas breaks - alongside extra riding sessions. Full days among horses, cows, goats and rabbits, ten minutes from the city centre, where children both ride and learn to care for and handle the animals.

Alna

Day camps for children in the school holidays at Alna Ridesenter - including at Easter, one of the few holiday offerings in the city that week. Days are filled with riding, grooming and hands-on learning with the horses, and the centre also runs courses for the youngest from around age three alongside regular riding school courses. Sibling discounts and week packages make it easier to fill a whole holiday week.

Intility Arena, Valle

Vålerenga runs holiday programmes around Intility Arena in several school breaks: development weeks (football school) for football-mad kids, OBOS-Camp in the autumn break, and Vålerenga Samfunn's holiday weeks with activities, day trips and even a mid-week hotel night. Fair play, community and good holiday memories are at the centre, and the programmes suit both keen players and children who simply want an active week.

Grorud

SF Grei in Groruddalen runs OBOS-Camp in the autumn break for children aged 8 to 13, Monday to Thursday. OBOS-Camp is a national football school concept from Norsk Toppfotball focused on development, wellbeing and inclusion - good training for everyone regardless of level or finances. A great local option for families in the north-east of the city.

Tryvannsveien 64, 0791 Oslo

The ski school at Oslo Vinterpark on Tryvann - with roots going back to Tomm Murstad's legendary ski school, the world's oldest for children - runs dedicated camps in the winter break. Three-day courses of play, learning and mastery on the slopes, for children who want to get confident on skis or a board while it's actually winter. Just a metro ride from the city centre, with lift passes and organised days.

Kierschows gate 9, 0462 Oslo

Geitmyra food culture centre for children runs free cooking school in the school holidays for grades 5-7 and dedicated courses for teenagers, plus summer school during parts of the summer holidays. Participants learn knife skills, kitchen hygiene and cooking techniques, make sustainable food from around the world and end each day with a shared meal. Full weeks combining mastery in the kitchen with play and outdoor life on the old farm.

Hudøy, Tønsbergfjorden (vest for Tjøme)

Oslo's classic holiday colony with over a hundred years of history, today run by the Hudøy Foundation (a partnership between the Church City Mission and the City of Oslo). Every summer around 1,370 children in grades 2-7 of Oslo schools get a camp week on the island in the Tønsberg fjord, with swimming, camp life and new friends. Places are allocated by lottery, the price is income-adjusted, and everything is included - even transport from Oslo.

Flere steder i Oslo og omegn

The Norwegian Trekking Association's holiday programmes for children and youth in the school breaks, with the widest range in summer: outdoor schools and holiday camps for children, and the Basecamp summer camp for teens aged 13-19 with climbing, sea kayaking, summit hikes and tent life. Programmes run at several locations in and around Oslo, including DNT's own Sæteren farm in Bærumsmarka with an activity tower, zip line and archery. Outdoor life, mastery and new friends - no gear or experience required.

Carl Kjelsens vei 25D, 0860 Oslo

A tennis and sports camp in the summer holidays at Nordberg Tennis Club, open to all children and youth aged 6 to 15 regardless of level. Camps run in several holiday weeks (typically weeks 26, 27, 32 and 33), with full days of tennis, play and other sports at the Nordberg facility. A great option both for the club's own players and for children who have never held a racket.

Ullern

Ullern Tennis runs summer camps for primary-school-aged children in several holiday weeks (typically weeks 27, 32 and 33), grouped by birth year. Days are filled with tennis school, play and activity at the club's facility in the west of the city - a full week of balls, mastery and new friends for beginners and improvers alike.

Oslo (og digitalt)

A coding camp in the summer holidays for children and teens aged 7 to 16, where participants learn programming through Minecraft, Roblox, Python and AI - in person in Oslo or digitally from home. Small groups with young instructors and level-adjusted tracks mean both curious beginners and experienced young developers get a full week of creative screen time - the good kind.

Rendalen, Østerdalen (egen buss fra Oslo)

A tradition-rich summer camp in Rendalen in Østerdalen, run since 1946, with junior camps for ages 7-14 and a dedicated youth camp for ages 13-17 in several holiday weeks. Although the camp is a couple of hours north of Oslo, the journey is part of the experience: a dedicated bus from Oslo bus terminal with a camp travel leader all the way, check-in at departure and pick-up points along the E6/Rv3. A full week of camp life, activities and mountain air - no parental driving required.

Haslehallen, Hasle

Oslo Turnforening fills several school holidays with gymnastics school for grades 1-4 and 'Salto week' for grades 5-8 at Haslehallen, Monday to Friday 9am-3pm. Days offer trampette, tumbling, trampoline and apparatus like beam, vault and rings, plus obstacle courses, gymnastics treasure hunts and water play - and the programme is open to everyone, no membership required. An energetic holiday choice for children who love to jump, roll and cartwheel.

Fossumveien 81, 0985 Oslo

A summer camp at Øvre Fossum farm (Stovner Ridesenter), where each child takes responsibility for their own horse through the week - grooming, daily riding lessons and instruction in both jumping and dressage. The centre has ponies in all sizes suited to the youngest and experienced riding instructors, and the camp runs at the start of the summer holidays. A rare, all-round equestrian offering in the north-east of the city.

Lambertseter bad

Lambertseter Swimming Club's popular activity week in and around Lambertseter bad, with swimming technique, pool play and outdoor activities on site. The camp runs in weeks of the summer holidays and suits water-loving children from age 7 - participants must be confident in deep water, able to swim at least 25 metres and comfortable underwater without goggles. A full week where the pool is the main arena.

Sonja Henies vei 31, 1311 Høvikodden

A five-day art and activity week at the Henie Onstad Art Center at Høvikodden, for children aged 7-12 (in groups of 7-9 and 10-12). The first half of each day the children explore the exhibitions and experiment with artistic techniques in the workshop; the second half is outdoor activities on sea and land right by the fjord. The week ends with its own exhibition opening where the children's work is shown to family and friends.

Sandstuveien 70B, 0680 Oslo

A parkour and tricking summer school at Oslo Movement at Ryen, Monday to Friday 9am-3pm, for children and youth roughly aged 8-14 (age groups and experience requirements vary a little week to week - some weeks are for beginners, others require a term of classes). Training in the tricking facility is combined with swimming at Bekkelagsbadet and trampoline park visits. Speed, mastery and a safe setting for kids who never sit still.

Sollerudstranda, Lysaker

The Norwegian Society for Sea Rescue's summer day programme for children aged 9-13, at Sollerudstranda by Lysaker. Monday to Friday 9am-4pm the children learn water safety through play, practical learning and boat life - a full week of confidence and mastery on and by the sea, led by people who know the sea better than most. Runs in several holiday weeks (typically weeks 27, 32 and 33), and places fill fast via the RS Sjøliv course portal.

Børsholmen, Asker

Asker Sailing Club's tradition-rich day camp on the islet of Børsholmen, a short walk from the club's facilities in Asker. Children aged 7 to 13 who can swim fill their days with sailing Optimists, Fevas and boards, paddling, rowing, crabbing, knots and safe conduct at sea, in small groups of around six children per instructor. The camp runs in several holiday weeks (typically weeks 26, 27, 32 and 33), Monday to Friday 9am-4pm.

Bygdø Kongsgård, Bygdøy

A riding camp at the King's own farm on Bygdøy, run by the Norwegian Folk Museum, in several weeks of the summer holidays. Through the week the children take part in everything horse life involves: feeding, mucking out, grooming and saddling, and they ride dressage, jumping, relay, vaulting and trail. A full camp week on a living organic farm ten minutes from the city centre, surrounded by animals, nature and farm life all day.

Melnes gård, ca. 45 min øst for Oslo

Oslo Dog School's camp at Melnes farm, forty-five minutes east of Oslo, where children and teens spend a full week living with dogs - a children's camp for ages 8-12 and a youth camp for ages 13-18. Participants learn agility, fun tricks, dog body language and care, and you can bring your own dog or borrow one of the farm's. The camp runs in several summer weeks and in the autumn break, with accommodation, food and activities included for both child and dog.

Konows gate 1-3, 0192 Oslo

A summer camp at Oslo Parkour Park in Gamlebyen for children aged 8 to 14, in several holiday weeks (typically weeks 26, 27, 32 and 33). Days are filled with parkour both inside the hall and out in the city, Monday to Friday, with fruit and waffles along the way and ice cream on the last day. An energetic option for children who love to jump, climb and move - at any level.

Njårdhallen, Smestad

The Njård sports club fills several summer weeks (typically weeks 26, 27, 32 and 33) with summer camps for children, and the tennis section also runs dedicated tennis camps on the outdoor courts with coaches present all day. Days offer varied sports, play and fun in and around Njårdhallen, with morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up. A solid holiday choice in the west of the city for active kids.

Olaf Helsets vei 5, 0694 Oslo

Oslo Klatresenter at Skullerud runs climbing camps for children and teens aged 10 to 16 in both the autumn and winter breaks, with instruction in belaying, climbing and technique alongside play and fun. In summer they offer a five-day activity school together with Oslo Klatrepark, climbing at the centre and on some of Oslo's finest crags, with an activity day at the climbing park and plenty of time for grilling. Mastery at height in three of the school holidays.

Oslo Skatehall, Voldsløkka

The Oslo Skateboard Association runs week-long camps at Oslo Skatehall at Voldsløkka in the summer holidays, where participants have the hall to themselves, with qualified instructors, prizes for everyone and snacks and drinks through the week. Beginners and improvers alike get safe progression on the board in one of Norway's finest skate facilities. Register in advance - places are limited.

Furuset aktivitetspark, Furuset

Furuset sports club and Alnaskolen have run free summer camps for children and youth at Furuset since 2009, with activities at Sletta between Furuset school and Furuset Forum through large parts of the summer holidays, typically in the afternoon. The programme offers football, basketball, dance, parkour, frisbee and much more, all free, and equipment can be borrowed through BUA Furuset. There is also a dedicated adapted camp for children with disabilities.

Nordstrand

POPrommet at Nordstrand fills several summer weeks (typically weeks 26, 32 and 33) with courses in musical theatre, singing, dance and drama for children aged 8 to 14, split into groups for ages 8-10 and 11-14. Each day combines singing, dancing and acting with rehearsals towards a small Friday performance for family and friends. A creative holiday week for children who love the stage - or want to try it for the first time.

Bjølsen (og Fornebu)

West End Dance and Musical Theatre School at Bjølsen runs summer courses in several holiday weeks, both in Oslo and at Fornebu: a dance workshop with ballet, jazz, hip hop and contemporary, a musical theatre summer school with dance, singing, drama and tap, and a dedicated musical camp for children in grades 1-4. The weeks end with a small performance for the family. For dance-loving children and teens at all levels.

Kulturstasjoner flere steder i Oslo

Oslo's municipal school of culture runs dedicated summer holiday courses for children and youth at culture stations around the city, with week-long daytime courses in dance, theatre, drawing, music and more, taught by the school's own teachers. A great way to explore a new art form without committing to a full school year. The programme varies from year to year - see the city's website for this year's courses and registration.

Sagene samfunnshus, Sagene

A creative summer school at Sagene community house under Oslo Kunstakademi, led by artist Maike Sjåfjell, for children aged 8 to 12 (younger and older by arrangement). Over five days the children work with drawing, watercolour, acrylic painting on canvas and sculpture, with all materials included - from canvases and brushes to modelling clay. A calm, creative holiday week for children who love to draw and paint.

Gamle Oslo (og Husbergøya i Oslofjorden)

FRIGO, the outdoor activity centre in Gamle Oslo, is the district's own free holiday programme for children and youth: a summer club with day trips, swimming, canoeing and football in several summer weeks, stays with overnighting at FRIGO's own colony site on the island of Husbergøya in the Oslofjord, and activities in both the autumn and winter breaks. Everything is free, and the centre also lends out skis, skates, bikes and canoes all year round. The programme is primarily for children living in Gamle Oslo.

Semsvannet, Asker

NaKuHel by lake Semsvannet in Asker runs a summer camp for children in grades 1-4 and a dedicated Basecamp for grades 4-7, with morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up at the greenhouse. Days are filled with outdoor life around Semsvannet: dog sledding, riding and pony contact, cooking with a chef, swimming, treasure hunts and basic first aid, in small groups with plenty of adults. Nature joy and mastery in a safe setting, half an hour from Oslo.