Family Guide to Norway: Fun Activities for Kids

Traveling with kids can feel like an adventure in itself, but choosing the right destination can make your family trip a breeze. Norway, with its spectacular landscapes, friendly people, and wide range of kid-friendly activities, offers the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation. Whether you’re traveling to witness the Northern Lights in winter, hiking under the Midnight Sun in summer, or exploring cultural sites, Norway provides a magical playground for families. Here are the top reasons why traveling to Norway with kids is a fantastic idea, with some personal highlights from our own family adventures.

1. Nature and Adventure: A Playground for Kids and Parents

Norway’s jaw-dropping natural beauty offers endless opportunities for outdoor adventures that kids will love. Whether it’s hiking through the fjords, boating on crystal-clear waters, or exploring scenic trails, there’s no shortage of activities for families to enjoy together.

• Hiking with Kids: Norway is packed with family-friendly hikes. One of our favorite activities was hiking after riding the funicular up Mount Floyen in Bergen. Once at the top, our little one loved searching for hidden trolls among the forest trails! Finding these troll statues made the hike even more exciting for him, and we ended up spending hours exploring the area.

• Fjord Exploration: You can’t visit Norway without taking a boat ride through the fjords. Our family took a Fjord Safari in Flåm, which was both thrilling and scenic. The high-speed boat gave us an unforgettable view of the towering fjords, and our 2-year-old couldn’t stop grinning from the excitement of it all.

2. The Magic of Norwegian Clothing: Stay Dry in Any Weather

One thing you’ll quickly learn about Norway is that the weather can be unpredictable. Rain, sun, wind—you can experience it all in a single day. That’s why investing in proper Norwegian outdoor clothing is key, especially for kids.

We bought a rain suit for our 2-year-old, and it was a lifesaver! At one point, he stood under a rain gutter that was pouring water, and he stayed completely dry underneath. These suits are a game changer when you’re traveling with kids because they allow them to play and explore without worrying about the weather. Whether you're hiking or just walking through the city on a rainy day, these rain suits are perfect for keeping little ones dry and comfortable.

3. Endless Summer Sun: Midnight Adventures

If you visit Norway during the summer, you’ll experience the Midnight Sun, which means the sun doesn’t set for weeks on end in certain parts of the country. This offers a rare opportunity for families to enjoy activities late into the evening.

During our summer trip to Norway, we found it so fun to go hiking, swimming (yep we dipped in those freezing cold fjords), and even sightseeing at 10 PM, with the sun still shining. One of the highlights was our visit to Voss, where we took a gondola ride up the mountain. The views were breathtaking, but the real fun came when we found a swing at the top of the mountain. Sitting on that swing made it look like we were swinging off the edge of the world! The kids loved it, and the photos we got are some of our favorite memories from the trip.

4. Winter Wonderland: Northern Lights and Snowy Fun

Norway is a winter paradise, offering a variety of activities for families during the colder months. One of the most magical experiences is witnessing the Northern Lights. If you visit in winter, towns like Tromsø provide excellent chances to see this natural wonder.

• Northern Lights with Kids: Some might think the Northern Lights are too late at night for little ones, but many tour companies offer family-friendly excursions that include activities like sledding, snowshoeing, and reindeer rides, making the whole experience fun for kids and adults alike. We didn't get to see them during our trip, but we've already started planning a winter adventure to come back just for the Northern Lights.

• Winter Sports: If your family enjoys winter sports, Norway has some of the best family-friendly ski resorts, like Trysil and Hemsedal. Many resorts have ski schools for children, making it the perfect place for kids to learn skiing or snowboarding.

5. Safe, Clean, and Kid-Friendly

Norway consistently ranks as one of the safest and cleanest countries in the world, making it an ideal destination for families. Whether you’re navigating cities or the wilderness, you can feel confident that your family will be safe. Public transportation is efficient, food quality is high, and Norwegian people are warm and welcoming, often going out of their way to make sure your kids feel included.

• Easy Transportation: Traveling around Norway is easy and kid-friendly. The train rides, in particular, were a hit with our son. The Flåm Railway is one of the most scenic train rides in the world, and it felt like a mini-adventure of its own. Many stations and ferries are accessible for families with strollers, and there are usually plenty of family seating areas on public transport. We had a rental car for our time in Norway, but our kids LOVED the car ferries (let's be honest, so did us grownups!) and the trains.

6. Cultural Experiences and Viking History for Kids

Norway’s rich history and culture offer plenty of learning opportunities for kids. Visiting Viking museums, like the Viking Ship Museum in Oslo, is not only educational but also interactive.

Another cultural highlight we hope to do on our next visit to Norway is visiting a traditional Sami camp in Northern Norway. You can learn about the Sami people, their history, and their reindeer herding traditions. Meeting the reindeer and learning about their importance to Sami culture looks amazing!

7. Loen and the Turquoise Waters of Lake Lovatnet

One of the most magical places we visited was Lake Lovatnet near Loen. This lake, fed by a glacier, boasts stunning turquoise waters that look almost unreal. The vibrant color of the water comes from glacial sediment, creating a breathtaking contrast against the surrounding mountains. We loved hiking up the glacier, the kids threw rocks in the water FOREVER, we rented a canoe to go across Lake Lovatnet, and we ate traditional Norweigian food at the cutest little restuarant called Kjenndalstova. They had a sandbox outside that our little guy loved playing in and we got breathtaking views while he enjoyed his sand. And shoutout once again to the amazing rain gear, it was sand proof too!

The calm and serene atmosphere at Lake Lovatnet made it an ideal spot for a family picnic, and our son was mesmerized by the crystal-clear water. Loen also offers plenty of kid-friendly hikes and activities, including the Loen Skylift, which takes you up to Mount Hoven for panoramic views of the lake and surrounding fjords. It was one of our most peaceful and memorable days in Norway, and the beauty of the lake made it feel like a scene out of a fairy tale.

Conclusion

Norway offers a perfect blend of adventure, culture, and natural beauty, making it an incredible destination for family travel. Whether you’re hiking through brea

thtaking fjords, marveling at the Northern Lights, or enjoying the endless summer sun, your family will leave with lifelong memories. And with Norway’s focus on safety, cleanliness, and kid-friendly activities, parents can relax and focus on what matters most—chasing memories with their little ones.

So, pack your bags, gear up with some Norwegian rain suits, and get ready for an unforgettable family adventure in Norway!