Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
STOCKHOLM FOR CHILDREN
Stockholm is well set up for travelling with children. There are baby-changing tables in al-
most every public bathroom, and even top-end restaurants have high chairs and chil-
dren's menus. Hotel and hostel staff are accustomed to catering to families. Public trans-
port is no problem: your fellow passengers might elbow each other out of the way to help
you lift your stroller onto the bus. Speaking of strollers, they trundle along in huge num-
bers, which means the pavements and paths are adapted to handle them. Stairs usually
have a stroller lane, so you can wheel Junior up or down without jarring. Public play-
grounds are numerous and well maintained.
In terms of entertainment, many of Stockholm's best attractions are targeted specific-
ally at children and families.
Junibacken
draws young readers into Swedish author Astrid
Lindgren's fantastic world, home to Pippi Longstocking and her friends.
Naturhistoriska
Riksmuseet
offers a child's-eye view of the natural world, with an entire section for hands-
on science experiments.
Medeltidsmuseet
provides multimedia displays that transport
visitors back in time to the city's earliest days. The
Postmuseum
includes a miniature
post office for children who want to see how it all works. For slightly older kids and teens,
Gröna Lund Tivoli
offers carnival-ride entertainment.
Tekniska Museet
will entertain in-
quisitive brains for hours. And
Skansen
is essentially a children's paradise, with dozens of
mini-exhibits to explore, snacks everywhere, a petting zoo, singalongs, and guides in old-
timey costumes.
Even if they aren't particularly geared toward children, most of the city's museums
have family playrooms available.
Nobelmuseet
,
for instance, has a 'childrens club'
('Barnens Nobelklubb') where kids aged between seven and 10 years can share ideas and
be creative; other museums have rooms set aside for kid-friendly hands-on learning
activities, such as painting, clay modelling or costume making.
Skeppsholmen
This small island is home to a couple of major museums. To get here, take the footbridge
from the city centre or hop on the Djurgården ferry from Slussen.
