Erin, mum of 2, spent a family holiday in Skåne County in southern Sweden — here’s her honest lowdown on the trip, and just how family-friendly the region turned out to be.
Getting there
We flew to Copenhagen, though flying into Malmö Airport is also an option. From Copenhagen, we rented a car and drove across the bridge connecting Denmark and Sweden (familiar to anyone who’s watched the TV series The Bridge). It’s a toll bridge, so budget for that cost and check current pricing before you travel. From there, it’s roughly a 2-hour drive into Skåne County, through gorgeous woods and lake scenery.
We based ourselves in Immeln, a small lakeside village popular with tourists, with plenty of swimming, canoeing and family-friendly walks on offer. Airbnb has lots of lovely red cabins near the lakes available to rent — we stayed at this one.
Fun Things To Do with Kids in Southern Sweden
Wänas Konst Art Park
Wänas Konst Art Park is an outdoor art park featuring installations from renowned artists such as Marina Abramović and Yoko Ono. It genuinely encourages children to climb on and interact with the sculptures, which makes it a hit with kids who usually can’t touch the art. There’s a lovely café with outdoor seating, plus picnic tables if you’d rather bring your own food.
Lekoseum
Lekoseum is an interactive toy museum near the old BRIO train factory. It covers the history of Swedish toys, with plenty of hands-on play areas and a café on site.
Santa even has a workshop in the basement staffed by Swedish elves called Tomten, which kids can visit all year round.
Skånes Djurpark
Skånes Djurpark is a zoological park showcasing native Swedish animals — a great chance to get up close to moose.
There’s also a waterpark at the end of the visit, so don’t forget the swimming togs.
Karlshamn
Karlshamn is a lovely seaside village with shops and a market square. It’s also home to Glassbåten, the ice cream boat — reputedly the best ice cream in all of Sweden. Having tried a good dozen ice cream spots around the country, we’d have to agree. Massive scoops, generous toppings, and free syrups.
Final Verdict
We found this part of Skåne very child-friendly, with lots of outdoor activities to fill the days. Eating out worked out a little pricier, but grocery store costs felt comparable to home. Overall, it’s a fantastic self-catering destination for families who love nature and the outdoors.
Have you visited southern Sweden with kids before? Share your tips in the comments below!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Skåne in southern Sweden a good destination for a family holiday?
Yes — Skåne suits families well, especially those who enjoy the outdoors. Between lakeside villages, walking trails, an interactive toy museum, an animal park and a hands-on art park, there’s a good spread of activities for different ages.
How do you get to Skåne from Copenhagen?
You can fly into Copenhagen and drive across the bridge into Sweden, or fly directly into Malmö Airport. The drive from Copenhagen into Skåne County takes roughly 2 hours and passes through pretty woodland and lake scenery.
Where is a good base for families staying in Skåne?
Immeln, a small lakeside village, is a relaxed base with swimming, canoeing and family walks close by. Self-catering cabins, including options on Airbnb, are widely available near the lakes.
Is Skåne an expensive place to visit with kids?
Eating out can be a bit pricier than at home, but grocery shopping is broadly comparable. Self-catering accommodation helps keep costs down, which makes it a practical choice for families.
You Might Also Enjoy
10 Fun Things to Do in Stockholm with Kids and 10 Free Things to Do in Stockholm with Kids — perfect if your Swedish adventure is taking you further north too.
If you’re planning more family days out and trips, browse our other travel ideas for inspiration, or save this one to come back to when you’re planning your Skåne itinerary.
Get More Family Travel Ideas
Want more family-friendly travel inspiration like this straight to your inbox? Sign up for our free weekly newsletter for great ideas, offers and things to do with the kids.
