We know you have already been secretly dreaming about a vacation all year long. So we’ve put together a list of adventurous and cultural family-friendly activities to make your summer planning easier. In this post on summer with the kids, we feature Sweden!

Medieval Week, Gotland.
The annual Medieval Week in Visby, Gotland. Photo: Elin Kero

1. Liseberg Amusement Park – Gothenburg

This is Scandinavia’s biggest amusement park that offers something for everyone, young and old. Enjoy a ride on the Valkyria, Europe’s longest Dive Coaster, with a vertical 50-metre-drop. Try out HELIX, Scandinavia’s fastest rollercoaster, compete against each other in a pentathlon or try your luck on one of the wheels of fortune. There are also larger scale events such as concerts and sing-a-longs during the summer. Did we mention? There’s also a funny house… and maybe, a haunted one.

Liseberg amusement park really has it all, from old-timey carousel to jaw-dropping rollercoasters. Photo: Liseberg

The young and the young at heart are sure to have a good time when spending a day here. Photo: Liseberg

2. Vasamuseet (Vasa Museum) – Stockholm

A really fascinating piece of history. This museum features a warship that was built somewhere during 1626-1628, that sank only 1300 meters into her maiden journey in 1628.  Vasa was salvaged in 1961 – almost entirely intact since the day she sank. A really cool experience. Best part? It is free admission for children and young people up to 18 years. Open: All year long.

The Vasa ship is too big to fit in the museum. Photo: Anneli Karlsson, State Maritime Museums.

The well-preserved wreckage itself. Photo: Anneli Karlsson, State Maritime Museums.

3. Medieval Week – Gotland

What was life like in the Medieval Times? Well, in both Visby and on the countryside of Gotland a range of medieval activities takes place, such as markets jousting, street theatre, craft courses, concerts, tours, lectures etc. And of course you get a chance to see knights on horsebacks and torneys!

An entire week of medieval life during August, for kids and anyone who enjoys a different experience. In fact, this week is an annual highlight in many medieval fans lives and they embrace the theme whole-heartedly.

Tourneys with knights on horses at the Medieval Week in Visby. Photo: Mike Fergusson/Medeltidsveckan.

You can try out different medieval activities, such as archery. Photo: Maria kristiansson/Medeltidsveckan.

4. Kamelranch (Camel ranch) – Öland

Head to a countryside ranch with the kids! This is a ranch run by a couple that hosts camel rides and other fun stuff for kids. Not sure about riding on a camel? There are also llamas and other cute and cuddly non-traditional farm animals. The ranch also hosts a café, playground, souvenirs shop and a flea market.

A bunch of non-traditional farm animals. Photo: Ormöga Kamelranch.

Ever dreamed about cuddling up next to a camel? This is your chance! Photo: Ormöga Kamelranch.

5. High Chaparral – Gnosjö

It’s the wild, wild, west! That’s the focus of this theme park in the Swedish region of Smaland. So strap up cowboy, bring your (and your kids’) cowboy boots, wear your best jeans let your cowboy dreams come to life. Attractions include cowboy-like activities such as horseback riding, watching a train robbery, gold washing and of course, a fun park.

The park is built up to look like an old-timey town in the wild west. Photo: High Chaparral

Howdy, partner. Photo: High Chaparral

6. Kolmården – Norrkoping

The biggest wildlife park in Scandinavia. Featuring a wide range of animals – 76 species and 750 animals to be exact! Find animals typical for the region but also more exotic ones such as lions, tigers, elephants, and giraffes. They also have dolphins and seals that you can pay to pet, as well as roller coasters for the kids and African Spa & Relax for yourself.

Kolmården. Photo: Rana Mostaghel, UnsplashKolmården also has a funicular railway that takes you across the park at a safe distance to any animal.

7. Astrid Lindgren’s World – Vimmerby

A trip to the world of the famous Astrid Lindgren’s fairy tales. Meet Pippi Longstocking, That Emil and Karlsson on the roof. Visit their houses, watch shows, meet your favourite characters and play in their world for the entire day.

All the well-known sites can be seen at Astrid Lindgren's World. Photo: Örjan Karlsson

Have you heard the stories about Emil in Lonneberga? Photo: Örjan Karlsson

8. Sälsafari (Seal Safari) – Lysekil

This is a 1.5h family trip where you get to visit the seals and their families in their natural habitat. Watch them sunbathing on the rocks or feeding their pups. A great combination of fun and learning because you will have an experienced guide who’ll tell you all you want about the seals.

Beautiful Lysekil is a part of the scenic west coast of Sweden.

9. Marinmuseum – Karlskrona

A Naval museum with lots to see and experience if you are into marine life and naval history. As a sea-faring country, Sweden has a rich and eventful history of water and naval adventures. Outside, on the quay, a number of museum ships are docked and inside you can explore a number of different excibitions. Karlskrona city also has a marine military base, one of few military bases left in Sweden.

On a sunny summers day, the tourists line up to get the full story of Swedens' naval history. Photo: State Maritime Museums.

Experience all the details of naval life and machinery. Photo: State Maritime Museums.

10. Folkets Park – Malmö

This park is the oldest people’s park in the world and one of Sweden’s most visited places. It’s  been around for 125 years and has some of Malmö’s most popular playgrounds, attractions (including skateboard ramps, mini-golf and a wading pool), a live scene for theatre, concerts and performances a reptile center called Terrarium - and lots more! Perfect place for picnics and plenty of park space to roam free for the kids. Oh and it’s free admission too! Open all year long and very popular with the locals.

Folkets Park in Malmo on a summer dayThe natural place for locals to spend a day with the kids, due to all the attractions and things to do.

11. Universeum – Gothenburg

Universeum is Scandinavia’s largest Science Centre. Located in the heart of Gothenburg, this university welcomed 550 000 children, young people and adults visited us on Korsvägen last year. Their mission? To have a positive effect on children’s attitudes to science, technology, and maths. Be prepared for a day of activities and experiences that fire up you and your child’s curiosity! Open every day.

Kids at a exhibition at UniverseumAre you ready to spark your kids' enthusiasm for science and technology? Good! Head head straight for Universeum!

Natural science is also science. Photo: Universeum

12. Skara Sommarland - Vastergotland

Last but not least, what’s summer without going to at least one water park! This one is located in the middle of Sweden and features a water cannon, lagoon, 21-meter free fall into the water and the Cobra – a fun family ride for four. The park features over 12 water rides and guarantees a water temperature of at least 25 degrees.

Try a fun ride on land. Photo: Jesper Anhede/Skara Sommarland.

Or a fun ride in the water. Photo: Jesper Anhede/Skara Sommarland.

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SwedenChild-friendlyAttractionsSummer