Six Things to Do With Kids in Oslo

1. Go Back in Time to Akershus Castle and Fortress

2. Visit Vigeland Sculpture Park

While in Oslo, don’t miss a visit to Vigeland Sculpture Park, the world’s largest sculpture park created by a single artist. This beautifully landscaped park features 192 granite and bronze sculptures by Gustav Vigeland, including the ever-popular The Angry Boy statue.

In addition to designing the sculptures, Vigeland also envisioned the park’s layout, crafting it in the style of a classical European garden.

3. Take the Hop On – Hop Off Mini-Cruise 

Hop on this boat and do the full 1.5-hour rotation on the traditional sailing ship past some of Oslo’s most interesting sites, like the City Hall, the Opera House, and the Akershus Castle before getting off at Bigdøy Museum Island.

4. Go to Museum Island

Museum Island is home to a cluster of museums, including the NORSK Folkemuseum, Maritime Museum, Kon-Tiki and the Viking Ship Museum.

The Kon-Tiki Museum documents the expeditions of world-famous scientist Thor Heyerdahl. The original Kon-Tiki raft that Heyerdahl used to cross the Pacific Ocean in 1947 is on display, as well as the reed boat Ra II and a variety of artifacts from Heyerdahl’s travels.

The Viking Ship Museum houses the three best-preserved Viking ships known.  The ships, discovered in large royal burial mounds in the Oslo fjord, contained burial chambers and an extensive collection of burial gifts for the vessels wealthy “passenger” to use in the afterlife.  Some of the gifts are displayed in the museum and include elaborately carved sleds, wagons, carved animal heads, and kitchen utensils.

5. Discover the Nobel Peace Center 

If you’re looking for an educational and inspiring activity in Oslo, the Nobel Peace Center is a must-visit. This interactive museum, located at the popular V&A Waterfront, introduces visitors to Alfred Nobel, the history of the Nobel Peace Prize, and the powerful stories of past laureates who have worked for peace, human rights, and global change.

Opened in 2005, the museum blends traditional exhibits with modern technology, making it one of the most engaging and family-friendly museums in Oslo. The Children’s Peace Center is especially designed for younger visitors, with creative, age-appropriate displays about war, peace, and conflict resolution. One of the standout exhibits includes an animated film about a young girl living in a refugee camp in the Congo, alongside a powerful profile of Norwegian laureate Fridtjof Nansen, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his work with refugees.

Throughout the main exhibition hall, interactive displays and touchscreen iPads allow visitors to explore the lives and achievements of Nobel laureates in an immersive way. Don’t miss the Nobel Field, a striking light and sound installation that presents short biographies of every Peace Prize winner to date. Visitors will recognize influential figures such as Barack Obama, Nelson Mandela, and Mother Teresa, as well as discover lesser-known heroes like Wangari Maathai, a Kenyan environmentalist and the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize recipient. Her work founding the Green Belt Movement, which promoted tree planting and women’s empowerment, is especially inspiring.

6. Be a Daredevil at Holmenkollen Ski Jump

Holmenkollen Ski Jump looks like a massive piece of modern art in the city’s skyline and is Norway’s most visited tourist attraction. In addition to the ski jump, Holmenkollen includes the world’s oldest ski museum and the ski jump tower, which offers incomparable views of the Nordmarka woods and Oslo. There is also the ski jump simulator, which lets you experience racing downhill against the world’s best skiers.