Top 10 Toddler-Friendly Activities in Gothenburg, Sweden

When people think of Sweden, Stockholm often steals the spotlight - but let me introduce you to Gothenburg. Situated on the west coast of Sweden, the country's second biggest city offers the perfect blend of city activities and coastal magic. With its walkable city centre, charming canals, old buildings and hundreds of islands, Gothenburg offers all the charm of a Scandinavian getaway - without the crowds. This city definitely deserves a top spot on your travel list.

Having grown up in Gothenburg, it’s always strange seeing your home town as a tourist destination, but the more time I spend away from Gothenburg, the more I appreciate its natural beauty and the way of living, and I feel very privileged to call this place my home!

We visit Gothenburg about 3-4 times a year on average, and over the past 2.5 years since my daughter was born, we have explored most of the baby- and toddler-friendly activities the city has to offer. 

Below are my top 10 recommendations for visiting Gothenburg with a baby or toddler (plus a bonus one at the end!). 

1. Liseberg Amusement Park

Sweden’s largest and most popular amusement park is a must-visit if you’re travelling to Gothenburg with kids for the first time. Located in the heart of the city, the park offers a mix of thrill rides, family-friendly attractions, live entertainment, and seasonal events. If you are going with young children, Kaninlandet (Rabbit Land) is perfect for little ones, with gentle carousels and interactive play areas.

Throughout the year, the park transforms with special events like a magical Christmas market, Halloween celebrations, and summer concerts. The park has great dining options with anything from fast food to fine dining, or you can go to the Heaven 23 restaurant in the Gothia Towers across the street from Liseberg who are famous for their “räkmacka” (open sandwich with shrimps, egg and mayonnaise, which is local to the west coast in Sweden).

I used to go to Liseberg every year when I was a kid, so I was very excited to take my daughter for the first time when we were in Gothenburg in December last year. As it was just before Christmas, the park was transformed into a winter wonderland with markets, ice skating and a million Christmas lights. My daughter loved going on a few of the rides in Kaninlandet, hugging the iconic Liseberg rabbit mascots and visiting Father Christmas in his workshop! I can’t wait to take her again in the summertime.

2. Slottsskogen

Gothenburg’s largest city park is a great place if you are looking to escape the city for a couple of hours. Here you’ll find beautiful trails for a stroll, the massive playground Plikta (arguably the best one in Gothenburg!), seasonal events like Midsummer celebrations, the internationally famous music festival Way Out West, and a free zoo! 

As the park is within walking distance from where my mum lives, I’ve been taking my daughter here since she was a newborn and it’s the perfect spot for kids and adults of all ages. In the zoo you will find Nordic native animals such as moose, reindeer, elks, seals and penguins. The children’s zoo is open seasonally and has a petting zoo with goats, sheep and pigs, as well as pony rides (I did my year 8 work experience here when I was in school!). 

In the park, you will also find Göteborgs Naturhistoriska Museum (Natural History Museum) which is well worth a visit - your toddler will definitely be fascinated by the preserved animals, especially the giant blue whale!   

3. The Archipelago 

Did you know Sweden is the country that has the most islands in the whole world? No trip to Gothenburg is complete without a visit to the archipelago! There are a few different islands to choose from - if you have the time it's worth going a bit further north to some of the more rural islands (especially if you are here in summer) - but if you are looking for a day trip, I would recommend visiting the south archipelago as it is easily accessed from the city centre (tram 11 to Saltholmen and then a short ferry ride to the island of your choice) and because there are no private cars on the islands. Instead, people drive three wheeled mopeds and golf carts, or simply cycle or walk, to get around the islands.  

Having grown up on the island of Styrsö in the south archipelago, I might be slightly biased when I say this is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been (and I have travelled to 45 countries!). The smooth rocks, the colourful wooden houses and the deep blue sea makes it look like something straight out of a fairytale. If you visit in the summer, make sure you bring your swimming gear as the sea gets quite warm thanks to the gulf stream (around 20°C June-August). The islands are also popular places for kids to go crab fishing from the jetties (you can by gear in the supermarket or simply use some string and a clothes peg). There are also supermarkets and dining options on the bigger islands (if you are going to one of the smaller islands you might need to bring a packed lunch!).

4. Sjöfartsmuseet Akvariet (Maritime Museum & Aquarium)

Sjöfartsmuseet Akvariet, (the Maritime Museum & Aquarium), is located in the Majorna district of Gothenburg and is a great museum for both adults and kids, exploring the city’s deep connection to the sea. The museum offers interactive exhibits on Sweden’s maritime history, shipbuilding, and seafaring traditions. Here, you can learn about Gothenburg’s historic role as the country’s main port city, life at sea, and the evolution of naval technology. 

It recently underwent major renovations, and one of the highlights since its renovation is the new state-of-the-art aquarium, featuring diverse marine life from the Nordic waters to tropical coral reefs. The museum is family-friendly, with engaging activities for kids, including ship simulations and hands-on exhibits. 

Entry is 70 SEK for an adult (free for children), or you can get the Museum card valid for a year for 140 SEK which in addition to Sjöfartsmuseet gives you free entry to Gothenburg Art Museum, Röhsska Museum and Gothenburg City Museum for the whole year. 

5. Haga

The area of Haga is Gothenburg’s old town, complete with cobblestone streets, sherbet-coloured wooden houses and old cafes and bakeries. A must-do is indulging in a "fika"(hot drink and a sweet treat) at one of the traditional cafes (make sure you try the famous giant cinnamon bun known as "Hagabullen"!).

You will also find plenty of boutiques and antiques shops, so if you are looking to buy some gifts or souvenirs, this is a great spot. The main street, Haga Nygata, is completely pedestrianised so it’s perfect for letting your little one roam around, and if they need some play time, there is a great little playground just one street up. 

At Christmas time, the street transforms into a cosy festive market, smelling of burnt almonds and hot glögg (gluhwein) and throughout the year there are also several flea markets and events taking place in the neighbourhood. A short walk from Haga Nygata up some stairs takes you to Skansen Kronan fortress, a historical site offering panoramic views of the city. 

6. Stadsmuseet (Gothenburg City Museum) 

Glorious as Sweden can be on a sunny day, it is known for its unpredictable weather, just like England, so it’s handy having a few indoor activities planned for potential rainy days. (Fun fact: Gothenburg is actually nicknamed “Little London” because of the wet and windy weather!)

Stadsmuseet (Gothenburg City Museum) is a great option for one of those days as it is right in the city centre near Brunnsparken. The museum’s exhibitions teaches about the history of the city in a fun and interactive way, with different games, historical clothes for dressing up and impressive exhibits like full-scale ships and models.

On the top floor is the Children’s Museum, a play area for the youngest, equipped with a small slide, foam building blocks and a tram that kids can pretend to drive. The area also has a canteen with microwaves and highchairs for when your child gets hungry. 

7. Universeum

Universeum is one of those places that is just as fun for adults and kids. This massive indoor science and nature centre is packed with interactive exhibits to keep you and your little ones entertained for hours.

You start at the top and then make your way down through the different exhibits - from a tropical rainforest with monkeys and exotic birds, to reptile terrariums and aquariums (including an ocean tunnel where you can get up close with sharks), to educational exhibits on topics like space and the human body.

My toddler absolutely loved Universeum (as did we!) - she particularly liked exploring the various aquariums, watching toucans and sloths in the rain forest and having a play in the mini science zone designed just for toddlers. There is a lot to explore and in order not to rush (or tire ourselves out completely) we decided to break for lunch and had a delicious meal at the onsite restaurant. There are also tables, highchairs and microwaves in the kids zone in case you prefer a packed lunch.

8. Askimsbadet

If you’re visiting in summertime and you want to take your kids swimming, you don’t have to go all the way out to the archipelago to find beautiful beaches - there are lots of great outdoor swimming spots in and around the city (including the newly opened Harbour Bath right in central Gothenburg!). 

One of my favourite places to take my daughter (especially when she was a bit younger) is Askimsbadet. Although it is only 15 minutes by bus from central Gothenburg (Järntorget), it feels very secluded. It has a sandy beach, large green areas perfect for games or a picnic, and a long pier with sunbathing areas and different entry points into the water. There is also a cafe and an outdoor gym, as well as toilets and showers. The water by the beach is very shallow, so it’s the perfect place to take little ones for a splash (this is actually where our daughter went swimming in the sea for the first time when she was 6 months old!).    

9.  Alfons Åbergs Kulturhus

Alfons Åbergs Kulturhus is a delightful and engaging play centre inspired by the beloved children's book character, Alfons Åberg (Alfie Atkins). It's a space designed to spark imagination and creativity in young children, offering interactive exhibits that bring the stories to life. Here you get to fully immerse yourself in Alfons' whimsical world, play in his house, and participate in various activities that encourage learning through play. There is also a café serving kids' treats and a small shop where you can buy the famous books, available in both Swedish and English. At the end of each session there is a short play enacting one of the books - this was a real highlight for my daughter! As this is a character I grew up with as a child, and who is now one of my daughter’s favourite book characters too, it was really special taking her here, and the books are even more fun to read now! 

The Kulturhus is also located right at the start of Trädgårdsföreningen, one of Europe's best-preserved 19th-century parks, featuring beautiful gardens, thousands of roses in the Rosarium during the summer, and the Palm House, an elegant greenhouse from 1878 with palms and tropical plants. The park is free to enter and has a lovely café with tables amongst the rose bushes, as well as a great playground, so you could easily come here afterwards and make a full day out of it.

10.  Gunnebo Slott

When people ask me about good day trip options from Gothenburg, I always recommend Gunnebo Slott (Gunnebo House and Gardens) for something a little different. Located about a 15-minute drive (or about 30 minutes by public transport) from the city in the nearby municipality of Mölndal, this is an 18th-century estate which offers a glimpse into the life of a wealthy merchant family during the late Gustavian era. Here you can explore the elegant main house, wander through the beautiful formal gardens, and discover the working organic farm. 

There is plenty here for kids to do - there is a play area near the kitchen gardens which is open all day, there are some resident animals like chickens, rabbits and blue ducks, and the kitchen gardens are a great place to teach kids about how plants and vegetables are grown. There is also the formal garden and the surrounding parklands which re worth exploring, and if you are here on a hot day, there is a nearby lake with ramps for easy access for kids) - perfect for a swim!  

If you go, make sure you go for lunch at the estate’s restaurant - all the food is organic and made with seasonal herbs and vegetables from the kitchen gardens. They also have an in-house bakery that makes fresh bread and pastries (you can also buy some to bring home!). 

Bonus: Mushroom Picking

If you go to Gothenburg in early autumn/late summer, the woods around Gothenburg are ideal for mushroom picking, especially chanterelles (or the gold of the forest, as they're also called in Swedish). Seriously, is there anything better than a freshly made chanterelle pasta, or buttered chanterelles on toast?

This is a perfect day trip activity with kids - get some wellies on, head into the woods, bring some 'fika', gear up with a basket each and get picking! Chanterelles are also great beginner-safe mushrooms as they can't be confused with any poisonous mushrooms (though you might find some similar ones which aren't very tasty - first time I took my husband, he proudly showed me his full basket of inedible mushrooms).

Unfortunately, a Swede never reveals their mushroom picking spot, so I can't tell you where to go - you'll have to try and find a spot yourself!