Tips for Stockholm

[Soymocha]

We're off to Stockholm for a long weekend. We'll be going with the kids (5+7). We had made a list of stuff we wanted to see/do but hadn't realised just how expensive it is! There's no way we can do it all as it would blow our budget. We've looked at the Stockholm Card pass, which is also quite expensive. Did anyone do this and think it's worth it? Don't want to be rushing around to see something just to break even on the card.

We're there for 4 days and would like to fill our days. What would be on your list of must see/do and what do you think is overrated/ok to miss?

If anyone has any tips on where there are some playgrounds as well as nice family friendly restaurants to eat in, that would also be much appreciated!

Ah my advice was take out a second mortgage but I can see you have already worked that one out.

Junibacken is a must! Near to Junibacken, Skansen is an amazing open-air museum and one of the most popular places to visit in Stockholm for families. There are reindeer, bears, wolves, lynx and many other animals. There are also craft demonstrations, such as glass blowing, as well as a monkey house, gardens , a playground, gift shops, and several restaurants.
Royal Armoury
Megamind at the Tekniska Museum was good.
The Vasa Museum is great and numerous activities are offered specifically for children. One of the most popular was a film about apiglet who heads out on an adventure aboard the Vasa. There is also a family trail to followafter you have seen the film that guides youthrough the museum, asking questions based on the piglet’s adventures. The trail is in English and suitable for children 3 to 8 years.
Humelgarden is a wonderful place for a picnic or even a walk. There’s a fantastic playground at the north end, which includes a house where there are toilets and snacks. The Mulle Meck Park is also highly recommended.
The Butterfly House Haga Ocean is worth going to.
My DC also enjoyed the Police Museum. There was a massive car track with lots of police car toys, police jackets, a jail, working pedestrian lights and many more things. I honestly think they could have spent a whole day there and not got bored. Outside, there is also a great play area and the kids can hire bikes to “drive” around on little roads with a set up of a little town. It is great. The only downside of this museum is that not all the information is in English. However, if you are coming here for the dc, that won’t matter at all.
The Science and Technology Museum is right next door to the police museum. It is spread over 4 floors and there is a lot to do. There is a ton of information (not all translated into English) and some fun things to play with. The bottom level is the best with young kids. It is mostly interactive and there is also a play room like area.

Many places seem to have lunch specials. We saw many places with set meals of a main, bread, salad and dessertfor about 80SEK in fabulous locations.

I was there the first time 10 years ago with my then 4 year old. We bought the card and it was absolutely worth it - we visited all kinds of places, including museums, and you can use the public transport with it as well (at least then it was included).
I agree that Junibacken is a must - at least if your children know the Astrid Lindgren stories .... which I think every child should, because they are so wonderful! :)

And absolutely Skansen and the Vasa museum! We've been to a few other museums as well, but I'm not competely sure which ones. I think the ethnological and then national history or something like that. And some others. Anyway, I liked them all and my daughter did too.

Gamla stan is lovely too and a boat ride is great as well for kids, even if it's not a special one around the archipelago, but a simple transport between 2 islands.

In swedish cities you have playground everywhere - just not necessarily easy to see from the (bigger) streets. They are often between houses and around smaller streets, so walk around there. And in parks, of course!

We got the Stockholm card, it was great. Another vote for the Vassa museum and also Tom Titmus (something like that!)

DH's advice - Skansen and the Vasa Museum are must-dos. Skansen in particular with kids, once you have paid to get in, there is loads to do and would prob be a whole day's worth of entertainment.

Leave loads of time for getting around as traffic is a nightmare.

Thanks everyone! Lots of useful tips in here! Seems that the pass is worth buying so we'll get it. I thought I wouldn't shocked at the cost of the weekend but I think, living in London, I've been totally spoilt by the many free (and fantastic) museums we have!

One last question: do you think I need to take out Swedish Kroners? I was hoping to get by just by paying on credit card seeing as I won't be able to use Kroners anywhere else. I am 99% cash free in London now and rarely use cash and wondering is Stockholm is similar.

Thanks so much everyone!

Stockholm is heavily cash free too. Even for very small amounts, people invariably used cards.

Gamla Stan!
Stockholm is one of my favourite places in the world. Enjoy!

We went with a then 3 and 6 year old & absolutely loved it. I would say that Junebaken and Skansen are the must see attractions with kids. Depending on the weather, we also had a great time paddling in the lakes.

You should be fine just with the card.

Thanks. I've just seen that the Junibacken isn't included in the Stockholm Pass, which is a shame. Will need to work out whether a two day pass makes more sense depending how much we can fit in.

Have just seen the weather forecast and it's predicted to rain the entire time we are there!