Stockholm and Sweden?

Question

My husband and I and our two children 11 and 8 are off to Stockholm in December. Any tips on what the weather is like and things to do with the children? Do most people speak English or am I going to have to embarress myself and try to learn Swedish? Anywhere you can going on husky rides etc?

Answer 1

I have lived in Stockholm for a year and have been there on countless vacations.
The weather can be pretty cold, but during the past couple of years it wasn`t like it used to be (global warming??), but you can expect some snow. Actually even if it is the beginning of winter, it will be dark (remember that winter solstice is Dec 21), with sun from about 8:30 am to 3:30 pm.
Almost everyone is fluent in English and you can be sure that everyone in hotels, public transportation, shops, musuems etc...is, so you really don`t have to worry. If you want to be polite, learn just three simple words: Hej (pronounced hay, which means hello), Tack (Thank you) and Hej daa (hay doe, meaning bye).
There are a lot of things which are interesting for children, the yhave a toy museum, a lot of interactive games at the technical museum and special items for kids at the museum of natural history and the naval museum. Your kids may just be old enough to enjoy the Wasa (a must-do) - and the movie they show on the ship is in English or with English subtitles. Then there is Skansen, which is always wonderful for both children and adults. I`m afraid that two of the main attractions for children, Junibacken (Astrid Lindgren`s World) and the amusement park are not open in December, but there are still masses of things to do.
You can walk to most parts of the city, but I would recommend a "Stockholm Card", which gives you unlimited free rides on busses and subways and access to all attractions. It goes along with a detailed booklet with not only opening hours, but detailed description how to get there by public transportation. You can obtain it at the city`s information center Sweden House, located in the heart of the city at Kungstraedgarden opposite the big department store NK.
I`m afraid you won`t be able to get a husky ride, there is most likely not enough snow at that time of the season and sledging is more common in the north - geographically Stockholm is still southern Sweden.
If you need any more information, feel free to contact me by mail: [e-mail]

Answer 2

Sweden is very cold and snowy in the winter - especially in December. It doesn't really matter what part you're going to. Stockholm is close to Central Sweden, but on the East coast and it is a bit colder and darker there than the southern part of the country. It stays dark late into the evening in the winter, but not so much in December since winter is just starting. As far as the language... most everyone there speaks english. It is required in school for everyone. Some older people may not speak english too well, but if you happen to find someone that doesn't - there will be someone right next to them that does, so don't worry about that. There are a lot of things to see and do in Stockholm. If I were you, I would go into one of your local bookstores and look at travel books from Scandanavia and look at the section on Sweden and then Stockholm in particular and you will get a lot of information. You can also search on the internet for things to do for the kids there.

Answer 3

Stockholm in a very beautiful city, and people there is very friendly. and yeah, most european people speaks english. i think you`re not gonna have problems there. just enjoy!!

Answer 4

The answer Dep. gave is very good!
I remember a music museum that had a good display for children, with many things to do and play with. (It has been many years back, so check if it is still there and still child friendly.)