Activities for kids

From rough and technical trails for mountain bikers, fatbike adventures, and road cycling training, to scenic rides through the countryside, adrenaline-filled downhill biking, or a family-friendly tour to a summer café.

See more about biking

Mountain biking in Brunflo Bike Park is fun and challenging. Here are nice trails for beginners as well as for those with more cycling experience. If you feel that jumping feels too challenging, there is always an easier way past.

In the park it is recommended to use a mountain bike or BMX bike and of course always a helmet.

The area is always open to everyone and all cycling is at your own risk.

The small course consists of a straight line with bumps – simple and good for you who are a beginner and like to train your balance.

The larger track requires that you can keep track of the obstacles in front of you and your “fellow” road users”.

One of Sweden’s largest and best pump tracks is situated in Brunflo, just outside Östersund. Here you will also find a wider loop for wheelchair users.

See more about Brunflo Pumptrack

Here, you can swim from the piers, jump from the diving tower, play beach volleyball, or try Stand Up Paddle board, longboarding and wakeboarding.
During summer evenings, gym sessions and yoga classes suitable for both children and adults are usually offered.
In the small cozy café, you will find ice cream, sandwiches, drinks and coffee.

More swimming spots
Bynäset
At Bynäset, on Frösön, you’ll find a shallow bay with a rocky beach and breathtaking views of the mountains.
Andersön 
The island of Andersön is a popular destination located 15 km from Östersund. Along its beautiful stony beaches there are many cosy, long shallow bays where you can enjoy a swim with a view of the mountains.

More information & suggestions for swimmingspots 

Gliding out onto the mirror-like Storsjön
on a summer evening, with the mountains
on the horizon, is a magical experience.

More information & rental

Children’s pool area with warm and nice water for the little ones, cool water slides and trampoline for the slightly older and relaxation area for the parents.
In the large outdoor area there are lawns for picnics, playground and outdoor pools.

On Andersön, there’s a family-friendly trail that stretches for about 2.1 kilometres. Along the way, you’ll find animal tracks and signs with information about local wildlife and nature.
Find your way to Andersön

Tysjöarna Nature reserve just outside the city centre of Östersund is a lovely place for hiking and bird watching.
Find your way to Tysjöarna

Take a trip up Ladängsbacken on Frösön – when you have reached the top, it fits perfectly with a coffee stop at the café Frösötornet.

Also take the opportunity to take a trip up the tower and look towards the expanses as far as the eye can reach. There are also several nature trails nearby, such as Östbergets Naturstig – which runs on top of the mountain. Along the trail you can learn more about the county Jämtland´s nature. The trail is about 1.7 km long with beautiful views of Frösön and Östersund.

The stations symbolize places along the real trail and via mobile and QR codes, the children follow Emma and Magnus on a pilgrimage. Learn more about St. Olav’s life in 1030 and what it was like to be a pilgrim in 1339. Suitable for children 7-12 years in the company of an adult. Start at Sockenstugan, Frösö Church.
The children’s pilgrimage is also found along Pärlstigen in Sunne.

Here you can find more information about the St. Olav trail Read more here.

Fishing from the shores of Storsjön with a rod is free and doesn’t require a permit. Try your luck in Badhusparken or along the beaches of Frösön—imagine reeling in a salmonid fish right in town.

In Lillsjön, just 10 minutes from the centre, family-friendly fishing is available. You might catch perch, pike, or even rainbow trout.

There are several great fishing opportunities around Östersund.
See more information and inspiration.

All the moose are very tame and social and you will be able to pet them and take some lovely photos.

On Frösön, Ändsjön Nature Reserve is one of the best and most accessible birding sites around Östersund. Bring binoculars, climb up the birdwatching towers, and listen carefully—what birds can you spot? Look for species such as the great crested grebe, black-necked grebe, pochard, coot, and teal, as well as cranes, robins, and woodpeckers.

At the Tysjöarna Nature Reserve, just west of the city centre, you might see redshanks, curlews, and both greater and little ringed plovers.

See more about birdwatching

In the cultural-historical environments from 1785 to 1975 you meet people from a different time than our own who will be happy to tell you about their work,
everyday life and dreams. You learn about the hardships of the 18th
century and the flourishing city of 1895.
Take the bus from the 1920s, stop by at the petrol station from 1965
or visit the environment movement of the 1970’s.

At History land there are many opportunities for play and learning. Steer the water wheel at the childrens power plant, become a dairymaid in the dairy, become captain of the steamboat or more agile by the river.

Opening hours 2025:
21 June – 17 August  Monday – Sunday 11-16

This year’s exhibition,
”Life Designed,” showcases examples of design products from the
1960s to the present day and features around 200 objects from the
collections of the National Museum.

Opening hours – see jamtli.com

In a large underground landscape there is plenty to experience and discover.

Here you will meet the first exhibition about how people previously tried to catch the Great Lake Beast. In the league game, the children can play traders and in the exhibition Vikings is Jamtli’s biggest attraction – the 1000-year-old Överhogdal costumes, which are Europe’s oldest complete costumes.

Opening hours Summer 2024:
see jamtli.com

Drive go-karts, bowl and play shuffleboard, billiards or miniature golf. For the little ones there is a fun play area and if you get hungry, there is a large selection of food and drinks at Tiki’s restaurant and café

You can choose between drop-in sessions or book the
entire track.
More information & booking

Bowlinghallen Kitchen & Bar
Tiki Grill & Drinks 

At Multichallenge activity center, you’ll find Tiki Grill/Drinks, serving a menu inspired by Hawaii.
If Italian cuisine is more your style, check out La Fabbrica del Gusto or Restaurant Basta.

More restaurants 

Along Hamngatan, you’ll find cozy inner courtyards like Hamngatan 12 and Norra Station, perfect for a relaxing fika.

For a coffee break with mountain views, head to Frösön. At Tages, you can try the local favorite Frösökyssen, and at Stocketitt Hembygdsgård, you can enjoy homemade fika in a scenic setting. Don’t miss the lookout tower – the views stretch all the way to Åreskutan, the Oviken Mountains, and the Skäckerfjällen peaks.

More cafes

Swedish fika at the heritage homesteads

Here you will find a guide to outdoor dining in Östersund

Experience three action-packed days with
the joy of gaming at the centre. Meet the
tech and gaming innovators of the future,
explore cutting-edge technology, and
discover global gaming trends.

Tickets & more information 

The festival is known for blending popular, beloved artists with exciting new names, offering a mix of the familiar and the unexpected.

This year, Yran will host around forty artists over two days. Some of this year’s names include Victor Leksell, Veronica Maggio, Laleh, Oskar Linnros, Estraden, Y4ska, Ballinciaga and Ellen Krauss.

Tickets & more information at yran.se

Look into the Event calendar to see what’s on during your stay in Östersund.