Forest Walks and Nature Trails for Families
Stockholm is surrounded by lush forests and nature reserves perfect for family adventures. Trails like Hellasgården or the Royal National City Park offer easy paths for toddlers and longer hikes for older kids, plus lakes where kids can splash, swim, or try a mini canoe trip. Plus, nature walks are a calm, refreshing way to enjoy Stockholm with kids outside the city bustle.
Hellasgården (Nacka Nature Reserve)
Just 15 minutes from the city, you’ll find forest trails, lakes for swimming, and even mini-golf. It’s easy to spend all day in Hellasgården. In summer, it’s great for canoeing or family picnics and in winter, you can ice skate or sled.
Royal Djurgården
Home of Skansen, the Vasa Museum and Gröna Lund, Djurgården is also an enormous and beautiful park. On this island, you can stroll along the waterfront, visit museums, enjoy cafés and restaurants, or simply take in the tranquility of the lush surroundings all year round.
Hagaparken
This large park north of the city is a great place for kids and teens to enjoy nature strolls thanks to its wide open green spaces, walking paths, and beautiful views of the lake. Hagaparken has a mix of forests, meadows, and historic buildings, which makes exploring fun and varied. It’s also safe and accessible, with plenty of spots to stop, such as the Haga Ocean Butterfly House.
Parks and Picnic Spots in Stockholm
From Tantolunden to Djurgården, Stockholm is full of family-friendly parks. Many feature playgrounds, picnic areas and sometimes even food trucks! Bring snacks or pack a lunch and let the kids run free while soaking in the city’s green spaces. And of course, it’s one of the cheapest and most relaxing things to do in Stockholm with kids.
Tantolunden Park (Södermalm)
A huge, very local park with a beach, skatepark, climbing playgrounds, and colorful allotment gardens that look like fairy houses. The closest tunnelbana station to Tantolunden is Hornstull.
Mulle Meck’s Playground (Järvastaden)
Anders Franzéns park
Located in the Hammarby Sjöstad / Henriksdal district, this playground is a creative urban playground named after the Swedish marine archaeologist who discovered the Vasa shipwreck. Therefore, it’s a miniature shipyard-themed playground, featuring a red tugboat named Hildur, a carpentry workshop, a mechanical workshop, and a small-scale harbor village. The park also includes a small skate park and scenic waterfront terraces, which makes it a popular spot for families.
Rålambshovsparken
Rålambshovsparken is a very large park set by the water with plenty of space for picnics and running around. There are also some small playgrounds, a skate area and a boule court/outdoor restaurant here.
Vasaparken
Located between the Odenplan and St. Eriksplan tunnelbana stations, Vasaparken has room for everyone. With an exceptionally fun kids’ playground, plenty of space for picnics and even an ice skating rink in the summer, your kids will enjoy a day out right in the middle of town. In good weather, there’s also minigolf and several small koisks serving sandwiches and ice cream!
Nytorget
Nytorget, on Södermalm in Stockholm, is a lively little park where kids can run wild on the playground while parents relax under the trees. Around the square, cozy cafés, lunch spots, and restaurants spill out onto the sidewalks, so it’s perfect for grabbing a bite or a cold drink. Ice cream stands, sweet treats, and a laid-back neighborhood vibe makes it a super enjoyable place to hang out for the afternoon.
Bryggartäppan (Södermalm)
Bryggartäppan is one of Stockholm’s best playgrounds, located between Skanstull and Medborgarplatsen tunnelbana stations. Built like an old-time, 19th century, miniature village with small houses kids can enter and play in, this park is a picturesque delight for both parents and children. It features handcrafted wooden buildings, including a blacksmith’s shop, a textile factory, and a stable, nestled among fruit trees and lilac bushes. As a bonus, there’s a small café that operates during the summer months, serving waffles, coffee, and ice cream.
Looking for restaurants your kids will love? Check out Where to Eat in Stockholm with Kids.
Canoeing, Kayaking, and Family Water Adventures
Older kids will love exploring Stockholm’s waterways by kayak or stand-up paddleboard. Calm waters around Långholmen or Djurgården make it safe for beginners, and many rental spots offer life jackets for children. Not to mention plenty of boat excursions that are available all round the city. Water adventures are a great way to enjoy the city with kids and see Stockholm from a new perspective.
Rent a kayak
There are many places to rent a kayak around Stockholm. Some of the most popular are Långholmen and Tanto SUP on Södermalm, as well as Kajakkompaniet and Lek Mer on Kungsholmen.
Ocean Bus
Ocean Bus is an amphibious bus that drives through Stockholm’s streets before splashing straight into the water, turning into a boat. Families and kids love it for the fun mix of sightseeing and adventure. Part city tour, part boat ride and total fun!
Ferry to Djurgården
For a somewhat free boat ride, take the ferry to Djurgården from Slussen. If you have an SL travel card, the price is included in public transport.
Boat ride to Vaxholm
Vaxholm is one of the closest islands to explore in the Stockholm archipelago. The ride out is just around an hour – so not too long for kids. And there’s plenty to explore once you arrive – shops, cafes, ice cream, a fortress and even a few hidden swimming spots. Check out Stromma and Waxholmsbolaget for times and prices.
Fjäderholmarna
Take a 25-min boat ride for swimming, exploring, and ice cream in the closest island to Stockholm. Older kids might also enjoy the craft studios and shops on the island where they can try blacksmithing, wood sculpting and more.
Looking for some indoor fun for your kids? Check out Family-Friendly Museums and History in Stockholm
Seasonal Outdoor Fun: Ice Skating and Sledding
In winter, Stockholm becomes a snowy playground. Families can ice skate at Kungsträdgården or sled down hills in local parks. Seasonal outdoor fun is one of the top things to do in Stockholm with kids and keeps the whole family active, even on chilly days.
Sledding in Stockholm
There are lots of places within the city for sledding – though of course, you’ll need to bring your own sled. Try hilly parks like Vasaparken, Tantolunden, Hagaparken, Hellasgården and more.
Ice Skating in Kungsträdgården
Kungsträdgården is the most popular place for ice skating and it’s right in the middle of the city. You can also rent skates here or just bring your own for free.
Skiing at Hammarbybacken
If you’re into skiing, but want to stay in the city, then you might enjoy this family-friendly urban ski hill at Hammarbybacken. It has slopes of varying difficulty plus lifts, snow-park, children’s area and a café for refreshments.
December: Gingerbread House Exhibition at ArcDes Museum
From December through the first week of January, you can visit the free Gingerbread House Contest at the Architecture Museum (ArkDes), which you can find beside the Modern Museum on Skeppsholmen. Everyone from amateurs to professionals create themed masterpieces that never fail to impress. And the best part – it’s free!
December: Gamla Stan Christmas Market (Julmarknad)
From the start of Advent until Christmas, bring the kids to the Gamla Stan Christmas Market in Stortorget, where festive booths overflow with sweets, seasonal foods, and local crafts. Kids will enjoy the games and treats, while adults can shop for Swedish-made holiday handicrafts.