10 Best Family Things to Do in Trondheim

At Brattøra, close to the station and just a stone's throw from Midtbyen, there are plenty of fun activities for the family, and Pirbadet is the most popular of all. And with good reason. Water slides, splash pools and fitness pools are what you'd expect to see in a modern bathing facility, but the counter-current channel, climbing wall and art on display are somewhat more unusual.

Pirbadet makes you try things you've never done before - in a good way - and everyone who comes here gets caught up in the excitement of the place.

Trondheim Science Centre has gone to great lengths to attract visitors of all ages. There was a time when the science centres were the best the municipalities could offer the locals. The number of centres began to grow, which meant they had to go the extra mile to attract an audience. Trondheim Science Centre did just that.

You and your family can easily spend a whole day here, many even come back the next day to do some of the most fun activities again. The science centre offers birthday packages too, so you can bring your friends and family here on your big day and make it really memorable.

Sverresborg is a former defense facility that was built by King Sverre during the Civil War to defend the city against attacks from the east - from the sea. In addition to this magnificent ruin, the museum's collections house a large number of buildings where you can learn about how people lived in the past.

If you're interested in the post-war period, what life was like on a homestead 200 years ago, or what we thought about the future in the past, then Sverresborg Trøndelag Folk Museum is well worth a visit.

Rockheim was a hot topic long before it was built. It caused a great stir in the capital when the national experience centre for rock and pop was scheduled to be built and the choice of location fell on Trondheim. Strictly speaking, Trøndelag was picked because this is the county where the most and biggest success stories in Norwegian popular music have come from.

However, the Rockheim Museum does cover artists from all over the country, as well as the history of modern music in all of Norway. Play a guitar duel with your hairiest heroes from the 80s, join Trønder rockers on tour, or take in the specially curated exhibitions on rock phenomena, genres and "one hit wonders".

Marinen is located in the far south of Midtbyen, down towards the Nidelva and with the Archbishop's Palace as the natural backdrop. The park slopes down to the river, creating a natural amphitheater where concerts are held throughout the summer.

But there's much more to do here besides concerts and festivals, and not everything has to be as noisy either. In fact the nicest thing to do here is simply to relax, run around barefoot in the grass and just enjoy that it's summer.

Large indoor play areas such as Leos Lekeland have become hugely popular in Norway since they began to appear around the turn of the millennium. Leos Lekeland is a chain with branches throughout large parts of Norway, and there's one in all the major cities. Leo's Lekeland is fun for both kids and adults.

The play area features several trampolines, climbing frames, indoor games and toys and everything else that makes the day more active and fun. Leos in Trondheim is located on Lade, a short distance from the city centre and many other attractions, so it's easy to get here by both public transport and on foot.

Voll's visitor farm is located on Moholt, on the way towards the eastern fields that end in Jonsvatnet. The farm is popular with groups of school children, kindergartens and other children who all come here to see and pet the animals. The farm has cows, pigs, goats and other pets the children can get close to.

They can also help feed the animals and learn about where food comes from. The vegetable garden is just as popular as the barn, and although horses, cows and sheep bring instant excitement, a giant broccoli plucked from the soil can quickly become the highlight of the day.

Rush Trampoline Park on Tiller believes there's no better place to burn off energy than a trampoline, and they have installed enough trampolines to keep an entire regiment of eager jumpers active for hours.

The park also provides other activities that can help both young and old burn some calories, increase their heart rate and make the time go by doing some fun exercise. Once you've bounced to your heart's content, there's plenty to eat and drink in the cafeteria, or you can stop by one of the large shopping malls in the area.

Not all parks in Norway's cities are as clean and inviting as Ilaparken. This pleasant green area has been around for the people of Trondheim since 1891, with improvements and various changes made throughout this time.

The easiest way to get here, if you don't want to leave Midtbyen, is by public transport. Take the Gråkallbanen or the bus to Ila or Skansen - they are just a short walk and a few stops from St. Olavs gate.

The large, modern play area in Ladeparken is great for fun activities such as ball games and climbing, and has plenty of play equipment for the little ones. The park is circus themed and there are lots of opportunities to hone your skills before you take a turn on the stage.

It's quite surprising just how much the municipality has managed to squeeze into the park, and even though it is full of things to do, it doesn't feel crowded. If you need a break from all the fun, the many benches, tables and barbecue spots give the whole family a space to relax together. There are also various concerts and events held here, so check the calendar before you come.