Guest writer: Anna Nilsson Spets
So, as a grandmother, you sometimes have to go back to childhood, for better or worse. Mostly good.
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ShareThe grandchildren had been promised a secret excursion, 6-year-old Alice was super excited and just as curious, what would we do? Aunt Emma and Grandma Anna were silent as the wall.
Junibacken is located on Djurgården and is an adventure museum that was opened in 1996, that was today's destination.
The Enköping-Stockholm stretch was driven in a hurry, parked and our full day could begin.
We were welcomed by lively and cheerful entrance girls, locked in our outerwear and then we went ALL IN, undeniably.
The first station, Sagotorget, shows some of our Swedish fairy tale treasure. We ring the bell at Alfie Atkins' house but he is not home, nor is Milla.
Elsa 3.5 years old sells sausages and bread for fun and we look at what Maja is growing in her corner. Alice steers the sausage string towards further goals.
Mummy Mu offers a seat on her lap and Pettson has his workshop open.
Of course, the world's best Karlsson lives on the roof ridge, although he's probably out flying.
Everything is carefully planned, designed and crafted in a way that allows you to explore the fairytale world in the best possible way. Things on the walls and floors are carefully screwed in place. It feels safe to let the kids loose here.
The fairy tale train is of course the best of all. Alice and Elsa find it exciting when we travel through the different environments from Astrid Lindgren's books.
I myself am mostly nostalgic, almost to the point of tears. My childhood comes back when my mum read Emil, the tumbled books that I then read to my own children.
In Lönneberga, Ida hangs from the flagpole, and at Madicken's house Abbe has just been fishing.
The rat at Nils Karlsson Pyssling is a bit scary, but we call out the guy's name and grow up again.
And now we see Karlsson on the roof, indeed he is flying, high above the rooftops in Vasastan.
With Ronja and Dirk, the robbers sing at the top of their lungs and I remember so well how my own children watched the film over and over again. Memories deep in my heart.
There is a fire at Jonathan and Scorpio's house... Jonathan takes his sick brother and jumps, and we know the rest, how they end up in the beautiful Cherry Valley. A darkness settles over Cherry Valley and when Tengil crawls out of the dark corners of evil, Aunt Emma gets to hold his hand.
The fairytale train itself takes 15 minutes and is included in the admission price.
We have lunch in the circus restaurant which has something good to offer for all ages. The price is reasonable and it tastes good with a good sandwich and coffee for us adults and pancakes for Alice and Elsa.
During the school holidays when we were there, the theme was Superheroes, one of the most popular children's books in recent years. Of course, you can dress up as a superhero.
Theatre days at Villa Villerkulla. We sit on the floor next to Little Old Man and wait with excitement.
The theatre is called Pippi moves in and anyone who knows their Pippi knows that Tommy and Annika would love to have a neighbour, which they get in the form of a very special girl whom the whole world now knows. The theatre consists of dancing and singing and the young actors are very good.
At Junibacken there is of course a shop where you can buy everything from books galore to cuddly toys, mugs and clothes. The grandchildren each get to choose an item, Alice chooses a soft toy in the shape of Little Old Man and Elsa takes a bag of chocolate gold money.
With energy running low for both young and old, we finish in the new Moominvalley-themed playground.
A long day is over, the grandchildren are fast asleep before we have passed Norrtull.
All in all, for me as a grandmother, Junibacken is a fantastic place that presents our beloved storybook characters in a natural and fun way. Highest score.
Junibacken is suitable for children from 3 years and up, tickets can be booked online at junibacken.se.
Photo: Anna Nilsson Spets/Emma Spets Karlström
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bmlarstravellingblog says:
Thanks for the visit to Junibacken, which we have never visited and now the grandchildren are getting a bit too big.....
However, we have visited Astrid Lindgren's World with them several times and I wonder if the visit is not almost equally appreciated by all generations.
07 March 2024 - 7:38
Anna Nilsson Spets says:
Too bad, it is really a nice place. In Vimmerby I was when the children were small, ie around 1992, it was also nice and it will probably be in the future with the grandchildren.
07 March 2024 - 19:48
Monica says:
Suitable for all ages and many Stockholmers who have an annual pass often go with their children to see the performances and play for a while.
Meeting friends in a lovely environment.
An annual pass for pensioners is available with children included, one or more depending on what you pay. Everything applies to it, such as the fairy tale tour and other things.
07 March 2024 - 11:11
Anna Nilsson Spets says:
Yes, but of course it is, it suits all ages, I'm sure it's great in the summer to meet friends and acquaintances there for a coffee.
07 March 2024 - 19:49
Lena - good for the soul says:
How nice to spend time with the grandchildren in a nice place! Valuable for both adults and children, I think.
Hug Lena
07 March 2024 - 20:09
Anna Nilsson Spets says:
Well Lena, I hung out in Wappa for several days too, it was nice to be at home.
07 March 2024 - 21:14