10 Best Family Things to Do in Stavanger

The Norwegian Children's Museum is one of the collections at the Stavanger Museum, and is therefore located in the same area as the larger complex. This means you can easily spend a full day here - and maybe even longer if you really want to take everything in.

The Children's Museum covers childhood, upbringing and children's culture in a way that few other institutions do in Norway, and therefore contributes to important research fields. There's something to learn for both children and adults here, no matter how much you think you know about growing up.

Since 1986, Kongeparken on Ålgård has been one of Western Norway's major attractions for anyone who likes speed and excitement, and also for those who enjoy being active. When the park opened in May 1986, it was clear that this was a park that appealed to Norwegian preferences, with plenty of opportunities to move and a love of nature incorporated into the attractions.

Cycle paths, bird watching and gold digging are natural elements here, alongside the more traditional amusement park attractions such as merry-go-rounds, roller coasters, arcade games and, of course, plenty of good places to eat, especially aimed at young palates.

Sandnes is more or less connected to Stavanger. Although Sandnes continues to have its own municipality, there is a lot of traffic between these two cities and so many attractions on offer that it's just a case of picking one that appeals to you. One of the most exciting attractions for children and young people in Sandnes is Vitenfabrikken, and it has been luring young inquisitive minds here since it opened in 2008. A trip to Vitenfabrikken will always pique your curiosity and inspire your creativity, so make sure you have plenty of time and patience to spare when you come here - the more you do here, the greater the fun.

This is definitely not a place where you stand around passively observing how things are done - far from it. Vitengarden at Nærbø invites everyone to participate in experiments, so that children and young people - and the adults who participate - get an in-depth understanding of why things are the way they are.

Whether it's about how the animals on a farm feel, whether you want to learn about how to build a house or gain a greater insight into the physics principles that govern our everyday lives, Vitengarden is the place to do it.

Sometimes all you want to do is burn off some energy. Rush Trampoline Park is just the place for this with plenty of bouncy surfaces - and once you start, it's almost impossible to stop!

There's fun for both children and adults here, and you can choose whether to bounce your way round the room or bounce in one place. However you choose to bounce, you're guaranteed to have fun.

Stavanger really is the city to visit if you want to expand your knowledge on a wide range of subjects. And you won't need to go back to university to learn something new, because the city's museums are some of the best and most comprehensive in Norway.

Stavanger Maritime Museum has properties all over the city, but the main address in Muségata features so many exhibitions that you may not have time to visit the others. Unless of course you're particularly interested in some of the topics the other branches have to offer - then it's worth visiting them too.

The fjord arm that extends from Stavanger down to Sandnes is called Gandsfjorden and is a beautiful part of Norway, especially seen from a height. One of the best and easiest ways to see the fjord from a height is with a hike to Dalsnuten. The peak is located in Sandnes municipality on the east side of the fjord, and gives you beautiful views in the direction of both Stavanger and Sandnes.

The hike is very easy, less than four kilometres long and with around 150 metres of ascent. This means that the vast majority will be able to complete it - as long as you can manage the path and gravel.

Stavanger is perhaps best known for being the capital of Norway's oil business, with offices, industry and knowledge related to the black gold concentrated in the city. The harbour even has a museum dedicated to the history of the Norwegian oil industry, and an exciting park has been set up in the museum's outdoor area - namely the Geopark.

There's not much flora here, but the remnants of heavy industry that have been converted into a play area and wonderland not only attract kids who want to play, but also photographers and other colourful characters.

One of Norway's most unique hotels is Byrkjedalstunet in Dirdal. It began as a dairy many years ago, and has since been home to many different entrepreneurs and businesses.

Byrkjedalstunet - as it stands today - has managed to retain a flavour of all the trade that has gone on here over the years. Get ready for some truly unique accommodation, with a food and drinks menu that guarantees to make your experience as authentic as possible.