Here's a weekend itinerary for families visiting Oslo with kids that’s almost guaranteed to be a hit.
Day 1:
Start at Karl Johans Gate: Begin your day with a visit to the Paradox Museum. Located right on Karl Johan, it’s full of fun optical illusions that are great for both kids and adults.
Just down the street, you’ll find the Freia Chocolate Shop, packed with chocolates and treats—a guaranteed favorite with the kids.
If you’re visiting during the holiday season, the Christmas market at Spikersuppa nearby is always a win.
While you’re in the area, stop by the Royal Palace and Palace Park. The kids can see where the king lives and enjoy running around in the park.
Continue to The Viking Planet: This spot offers an immersive digital Viking experience that’s both educational and exciting. Kids especially love the VR adventures here.
Lunch at Der Peppern Gror or KULLT: When you’re ready to eat, I suggest Der Peppern Gror for tasty, spicy dishes or KULLT for delicious grilled food. Both are quite family-friendly.
Explore Akershus Fortress: After lunch, head to Akershus Fortress. As a kid, I loved running around this historic fortress, and they even offer ghost tours for older kids, which can be a thrilling experience! (Check out “Akershus ghost walk” online.)
Day 2:
Island Hopping with Ruter Boats: If the weather’s nice, take a ferry from Aker Brygge to one of the nearby islands. Hovedøya, with its ancient ruins, is great for little adventurers, and Langøyene has a beautiful beach.
Bring swim gear and a picnic—maybe even a disposable grill! It’s perfect for a relaxing day outdoors.
Lunch at The Salmon: Before you set off to the islands, have lunch at The Salmon, just a 5-minute walk from the ferry terminal. It opens at 11:30 and is a cool spot where kids can learn a bit about salmon while they eat.
Dessert at PARADIS Gelateria: No outing is complete without ice cream! After a day on the islands, stop by PARADIS Gelateria for some of the best gelato in Oslo.
What if it rains? If it’s a rainy day, Norsk Teknisk Museum is a great alternative, with loads of interactive exhibits for kids to play and learn.
Oslo Reptile Park is another fun indoor option, filled with cool animals and a great way to spend a few hours.
Finally, Barnas Cinematek at Filmens Hus often has kid-friendly films and activities, perfect for relaxing with a good movie.
Day 3:
Stay overnight at Scandic Holmenkollen Park Hotel. When it comes to hotels, you won’t find one much more Norwegian hotel than this, and in my opinion, it’s one of the most beautiful hotels in Oslo. It is like walking in to a Fairytale.
Visit the Ski Museum and try the ski jump simulator, then head up to the top of the Holmenkollen ski jump for an amazing view of the city. For the extra daring, there’s even a zipline you can ride down!
End the day with dinner at the enchanting Holmenkollen Restaurant, which might just have the best view in all of Oslo.
