Junibacken (Children's Museum), Stockholm (must see)

Children's Museum (Junibacken) is located on the picturesque island of Djurgården in central Stockholm. Opened in 1996 by the Swedish Royal Family, it has become one of Stockholm’s most popular tourist destinations, ranking as the city's fifth most-visited attraction. The museum is dedicated to celebrating Swedish children's literature, with a special focus on the works of beloved author Astrid Lindgren, whose legacy is honored with a bronze statue at the museum's entrance.

The interior of the Children's Museum is a visual delight, thanks to the artistic direction of Marit Törnqvist, a Swedish artist known for her illustrations in more recent editions of Lindgren's books. The museum's design is immersive and whimsical, perfectly capturing the magical world of children's stories. Upon entering, visitors are greeted by a unique display of lockers shaped like giant book spines, each featuring titles of classic works such as Treasure Island and The Jungle Book.

One of the key attractions of the Children's Museum is the Storybook Square, a charming mock public square where each house pays tribute to a different Swedish children's author, from early pioneers like Elsa Beskow to contemporary writers such as Sven Nordqvist. The square leads to a replica of the Vimmerby railway station, which not only serves as a nostalgic nod to Lindgren's hometown but also showcases treasured memorabilia, including a letter of admiration for Lindgren from former Soviet Union President Mikhail Gorbachev.

From the station, visitors embark on a magical train ride through the enchanting worlds created by Astrid Lindgren. Each stage of the ride is dedicated to one of her famous works, such as Madicken, Karlsson-on-the-Roof, Ronia the Robber's Daughter, Emil i Lönneberga, and The Brothers Lionheart. The journey concludes with a delightful half-size reconstruction of Villa Villekulla, the iconic home of Lindgren's most famous character, Pippi Longstocking.

The Children's Museum also features the largest children's bookstore in Sweden, a theatre for live performances, a restaurant, and a space for temporary exhibitions. These exhibitions typically focus on a specific author or character and remain in place for about 11 months.

Tip:
Choose lunchtime wisely or make sure you take sufficient water/juice for your tot as the queues for dining can get quite long.
Make sure that you get tickets for the fairy tale ride, as that is the main attraction of the place.