We are planning a three week vacation this summer to see Norway and Sweden. We have two young kids (3.5 year old and 4 month old) so we need to center the vacation around things/places that they will enjoy.

I was thinking of spending one week on the beach at Stavanger (at some point making a trip to visit the fjords)

One week in Oslo

One week in Stockholm

I am wondering if anyone has visited Norway and/or Sweden with young kids? Are these 3 places fairly family friends, or would you recommend somewhere different? Are there any "must sees" for kids? Also, I really want to see Sweden and that is why I have dedicated one week in Stockholm, but it is quite far from Norway. Is there a better city to visit in Sweden that is closer to Norway? Is Sweden even worth the extra week, or is it just like Norway? We could always spend all three weeks in Norway.

Anyways, I'm just starting to come up with ideas for this trip and would appreciate any advice, tips from others who have visited these places.

Can't comment on your whole trip, but I'm a frequent traveler to Stavanger and if you only have a three week trip, I personally wouldn't spend a whole week there. A couple of days is enough, oil museum and the harbor front (if it's not underwater) and you're good to go. I always found Trondheim a really nice place to visit and the area around there beautiful to experience the vastness and beauty of the country. And as you have much more sunlight in the summer, the further north you go, the more you get to see.

Enjoy your trip in one of the nicest parts of the world.

In Stockholm, your 3.5 year old will probably enjoy the Vasa Museum a lot - a restored warship from the 1600s. I'm not sure that your 4 month old will care

I haven't been to Norway, but thought that Stockholm was beautiful - you can take a day or overnight trip out on a ferry to an island in the archipelago, lots of great museums, and nice outdoor areas.

I have heard that Stavanger has the best beaches in Norway? I was thinking setting up a base camp of sorts on a beach and giving the kids a few days to play in the sand/water and then making a side trip to visit the fjords as well. We are not set on Stanvanger, if there are better kid-friendly beaches in Norway then would would go there.

Go by car (or motorcycle, and yes, my kids were camping by motorcycle at that age), and bring a tent.

Tom

4 month old in a baby bjorn and 3.5 year old riding bitch. Awesome!

I would have to say that the 3 year old would think this would be the best vacation EVER! Of course, from my perspective, camping with the 2 little ones would be more work... but maybe it would be fun for a few of days (in between hotel stays )

We were in Sweeden/Norway/Denmark for a month last summer with our 10 year old son. Stockholm was great (Vasa Museum, Gamla Stan,..). Renting a cabin at the Flam Campgroung (Norway) was great (Lots of possible short day trip, Fjord cruise, Flamsbana train ride, hiking, swimming in the fjord,...). Bergen was great (Museum, fish market,...). Stavanger was not great. Renting a cabin at Lomsesanden Campground (southern Norway) was great (Great beach, playground for kids, lots of kids). Oslo was nice. PM me if you want. The Rick Steves book (on Scandinavia) was useful.

My youngest started at 5 months, albeit in the sidecar, they didn't start riding on the back until 6 or 7 years old.

Even used to bring a baby bed and stroller, along with the tent, etc., all strapped into the luggage rack at the rear of the sidecar.

Tom

I really think you should go to Sweden and if you want a city that is closer to Norway I would go to Gothenburg(second largest city). There you have a big amusement parc, Liseberg which I think the older one of the kids will love! Gothenburg is also a really cosy city with lots of coffee shops, good shopping, museums and you are also close to the ocean.
A heaven for kids is also the "World of Astrid Lindgren" where there is like a village with places/buildings and actors playing people from her fairytales. This is situated in Vimmerby.
A really good reason to go to Sweden is also that is A LOT cheaper than Norway...

As I'm Swedish feel free to ask me if you have questions, I hope you get a great vacation!

Just wondering if you did this trip in the end and if so how was it?
I'm looking into a similar trip (minus the kiddies) in the spring and am trying to find ideas and recommendations.
Thanks