11 Fun Things to Do in Oslo with Kids

Jill Holtz

September 3, 2018

vigeland park oslo

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Are you planning a family trip to Oslo? Looking for things to do in Oslo that will amuse your kids? Here are 11 Fun Things To Do In Oslo With Kids:

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Oslo is a very family friendly city and public transport is convenient and easy to use. Kids travel free on weekends and parents can buy a 24 hour pass if you’re planning to go to a few things during the day.

Here are 11 ideas for fun things to do in Oslo with kids:

#1. Enjoy a Walk Around the Centre of Oslo

slottsparken oslo

For an enjoyable easy walk with the kids around the centre of Oslo, start at Slottsparken, the palace gardens, then walk down Karl Johan Gate to see the Norwegian parliament which is called Storting, then finish up at the main shopping area in Oslo.

#2. See the Scream

the scream oslo

There are two originals of Edvard Munch’s famous painting in Oslo one at the National Gallery and one at The Munch museum, both are worth a visit. Kids go free at the National Gallery.

Be sure to also stop by The Fairy Tale Room at the National Gallery showing art depicting princesses, trolls and other fairy tale creatures. Kids will also enjoy The Drawing Room where they can test their sketching skills drawing inspiration from Gustav Vigeland’s sculpture “Mother and Child” (1907).

#3. Enjoy a Kids Art Museum

international museum of children's art oslo

The International Museum of Children’s Art in Oslo hosts children’s art from 180 countries.

See the world through the eyes of children with the help of textiles, drawings, paintings, sculptures and more.

You might also enjoy ideas for things to do with the kids in Stockholm and Copenhagen

#4. Stroll Around Aker Brygge

akerbrygge oslo

Take a stroll around Aker Brygge, a vibrant commercial district, with large open-air areas and an indoor shopping street.

The pedestrian area along the waterfront is lined with restaurants with great views of the marina and the Oslo Fjord.

#5. Visit the Sculptures at Astrup Fearnley and Vigeland

The Astrup Fearnley Collection is a collection of modern and contemporary art in a unique museum building designed by the renowned Italian architect Renzo Piano. It is made up of three pavilions that reside under one distinctive glass roof, which is shaped like a sail.

The museum is flanked by Tjuvholmen Sculpture Park, also designed by Renzo Piano.

vigeland park oslo

Then head to Vigeland Sculpture park in the Frogner Park where you can see more than 200 sculptures by Gustav Vigeland (1869–1943) in bronze, granite and cast iron, including The Angry Boy (Sinnataggen in Norwegian), The Monolith (Monolitten) and The Wheel of Life (Livshjulet). The park is free to enter at all times, all year round. There’s also a big playground there.

#6. Discover Reptiles at Oslo Reptile Park

lizard

Oslo Reptile Park, located on the ground floor and in the basement of St. Olavs plass 2, is an indoor zoo with more than 100 animals, including boa constrictors, grass snakes, geckos, chameleons, lizards, a poison dart frog, tarantellas, a dwarf crocodile, monkeys, turtles and fish – and a black widow, the world’s most poisonous spider.

If you go on a Tuesday at 5 pm you can watch the snakes, crocodile, monkeys and other animals eat. After the feeding you can say hello to a creeping, crawling python if you wish!

#7. Walk on the Roof of the National Opera

national opera house oslo

Oslo’s Opera House is located right at the harbour, with an angled, white exterior that appears to rise from the water.

Visitors can climb its roof and enjoy panoramic views of Oslo and the fjord, all year round.

#8. Take a Boat to Bygdøy

the oslo fjord

Take a boat to Bygdøy, a peninsula on the west side of the city, and visit some of Oslo’s most popular museums. Boats leave from Pier 3 behind the City Hall and take about 15 mins to cross the water. Bygdøy’s museums include:

  • The Fram Museum which has a 19th-century polar ship on display The Kon-Tiki Museum dedicated to the life of adventurer Thor Heyerdahl.
  • The Viking Ship Museum has the best-preserved Viking ships and finds from Viking tombs around the Oslo Fjord.
  • The open-air National Folk Museum which has recreations of traditional Norwegian homes.
  • The Norwegian Maritime Museum where you’ll find Norway’s oldest boat, 2,200 years old, paintings and Norway Is the Sea – an interactive exhibition on Norwegian shipping and maritime activities in recent times.

If the weather is nice there is also a beach nearby.

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#9. Explore the Norwegian Museum of Science & Technology

norsk tekniskmuseum kids

The Norwegian Museum of Science & Technology has more than 80 interactive installations, 25 permanent and temporary exhibitions and an exciting activity programme for weekends and holidays.

In the digital workshop Teknoteket you can build fabulous designs, create inventions with electronics or build imaginative cars that can run on the giant racetrack. Here you have access to tools ranging from hammers and saws to electronic kits, 3D printers and laser cutters.

The Science Centre is a place to play and learn; test your reaction time, chase virtual fish and see who has the most brain control.

#10. Enjoy Nature and Art Outdoors at Ekebergparken

ekebergparken oslo

Ekebergparken is a unique mix of art, history and nature. There’s a Sculpture Park surrounded by beautiful scenery with many spectacular lookout points. Ekebergparken is always open, and is free to visit.

There are free guided tours in the James Turrell’s light installation Skyspace/Ganzfeld on Sundays. Kids will love the climbing park in the Villa gardens outside the museum in Lund’s House.

In the Park you’ll also find sheep, horses and cows, and if you’re lucky you might spot a squirrel or even a deer. There are also family art workshops the last Sunday of every month.

#11. See a Ski Jump and Climb Like a Monkey at Holmenkollen

holmenkollen ski jump

Head to Holmenkollen, one of Norway’s most visited tourist attractions, which includes a ski museum, jump tower, souvenir shop, ski simulator and café.

The viewing platform at the top of the tower is open to the public and offers panoramic views of Oslo and the surrounding forests.

At Tryvann Tower you’ll find the Oslo Summer Park filled with fun activities for young and old. You can enjoy climbing, biking, and other activities as well as picnic spaces.

Over to you now. Have you visited Oslo with the family? Where did you enjoy visiting? Any other tips for fun things to do in Oslo with kids? Tell us in the comments below. 

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Published On: September 3rd, 2018 / Categories: Travel / Last Updated: March 29th, 2021 / Tags: , , , /

About the Author: Jill Holtz

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Jill is one of the co-founders of Mykidstime and a mum of 2 girls

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