Six of the best: Stockholm's family-friendly attractions

JUNIBACKEN

Cavort through the world of Swedish heroine and world's strongest girl Pippi Långstrump (Aussie kids will know her as Pippi Longstocking) and the book-scapes dreamt by author Astrid Lindgren in Junibacken, which takes kids into a world of Swedish children's literature. Must-dos include climbing aboard Pippi's massive white horse for a photo op and riding The Story Train, which glides past settings of Lindgren's most famous books, both haunting and beautiful (even for jaded adults). Set on the island of Djurgården, start the adventure by catching the N7 tram from the city centre. Costs SEK139 children (2-15 years), SEK159 adults ($20/$23). See junibacken.se.

SKANSEN

Explore the book-scapes dreamt by Pippi Longstocking author Astrid Lindgren in Junibacken.Credit: Folkdanslaget

Look back at pre-industrial Sweden in the world's oldest open-air museum. Kids can spy native Scandinavian animals including lynx, bears and wolverines in forest settings, ride fat-bellied piebald ponies and picnic on the lawns. Lill-Skansen lets tots get up close and personal with rabbits, piglets and other less bitey animals. You can hire prams at the entrance, as there is a huge amount of walking between the little farming hamlets that make up the museum. Set on Djurgården, near Junibacken and Gröna Lund. Costs SEK100/180 ($15/$26). See skansen.se.

BRYGGARTÄPPAN

Sometimes kids just want time in the playground with other kids – no matter that they don't speak the same language. Bryggartäppan is a mini Stockholm streetscape from the 1800s, with wooden houses and shops such as a blacksmith to explore and a summer café, serving organic food, for respite. There are also the usual suspects - swings, sandpit, seesaw and a maze, all set in hip Södermalm, cnr Gotlandsgatan and Bjurholmsgatan, free. See stockholm.se.

BIRKA VIKING CITY

By now, you must have twigged that Swedes love a spot of childhood nostalgia, and Birka Viking city continues the theme. The city is one of the first inhabited areas of Sweden, on the island of Björkö in Lake Mälaren. Visit Viking villages, try traditional crafts such as weaving, The island is a two-hour cruise from Stockholm through the archipelago. It goes off on Sweden's national day, on June 6. From SEK343 kids (6-15 years) and SEK540 adults. ($50/$78) adults including the boat cruise. See birkavikingastaden.se.

GRŐNA LUND

Do fun parks, Swedish style. This waterfront fairground on Djurgården is open in summer and in 2017 sees the introduction of Ikaros, a stomach-churning drop of 95 metres at 90km/hour. It joins more than 30 other rides for adults and children, from baby ferris wheels and bumper cars to Dr Morphio's House of Nightmares and the 80 metre Fritt Fall (giant drop). The grounds include bars, barbeque stands, even a taqueria as well as picnic lawns for BYO feasts. Entrance costs SEK 115 ($17, under 6s and over 65s free), ride coupons from SEK25 ($4). See gronalund.com.

TOM TITS SCIENCE MUSEUM

Swedish science is cool, with four floors of experiments that cater for kids from pre-school upwards. Sticky fingers are encouraged on the interactive challenges that touch all facets of science, from biology to technology, anatomy to chemistry. The outdoor section opens in the peak summer months. Pram and pre-schooler friendly, with a sustainability ethos, onsite café and medieval-style hall for BYO picnics, 40 minutes by train from central Stockholm in Södertälje. From SEK 150 children (3-14 years) and SEK 190 adults, off-peak ($21/$27). See tomtit.se.