10 tips for family activities in autumn

Are you ready for a family vacation? You don't need to travel further than Telemark to enjoy an autumn family holiday. Here you can find water parks with indoor and outdoor pools, climbing parks, child-friendly mountain hikes, science centers, animal encounters, and child-friendly museums. Check out the best tips for exciting fall activities with the family from the coast to the mountains!

1. Langesund Water Park – a paradise for the whole family

Located at the outermost edge of the archipelago in Langesund, you'll find Quality Hotel Skjærgården. Here, you'll find a large water park covering 4,000 m2 with water slides, a wellness area, and indoor and outdoor pools with a delightful temperature of 31 degrees Celsius. And there's a tropical atmosphere all year round.
The hotel is meant to be a family paradise that you'll want to return to. Throughout the year, we are the children's hotel, which means that children are always welcome, and they will always be our focus," says director Paul Dørdal.
The water park offers activities for both big and small children, and especially on weekends and school holidays, mascots Lollo & Bernie will ensure dancing and fun! The coastal trail is also right outside the hotel's door if you want to take a leisurely stroll.

2. Skien Leisure Park – full of activities indoors and outdoors

At Skien Leisure Park you will find all sorts of fun activities. The park offers a variety of outdoor activities such as paddle tennis, mini golf, frisbee golf, bike and hiking trails, as well as a large indoor water park with spa & wellness facilities, which makes the leisure park a paradise for both children and adults. Don't miss the outdoor climbing park, Skien Climbing Park, with its 7 exciting and fun courses. Here, you'll definitely have a thrilling experience on the 130-meter-long zipline.
We offer great experiences for everyone, both indoors and outdoors. Many are surprised by how much we offer. And the best part is that most activities are also adapted for people with various levels of mobility," says Hilde-Kristine Rosenvold, sales manager at Skien Leisure Park.
When you're in Skien, consider combining your visit with a mini-cruise on the Telemark Canal, a ½-hour lock trip between Skien and Løveid on Skotfoss in Skien. The vintage boat MS Henrik Ibsen runs until October 8th. If you need accommodation, family rooms at Hotel fritidsparken are recommended.

3. Brekkeparken – explore, learn, and play your way into history

Who would have thought that a museum could become a favorite for children? Brekkeparken is just a 30-minute walk from Skien Leisure Park and is known for its beautiful flowers, old farmhouses, the manor house Søndre Brekke, a new and modern museum building with a fantastic exhibition, a cafe, and a museum shop that contrasts with the rest of the park. From the Brekkeparken cafe, you'll have a great panoramic view of Skien city. The reason children love to be here is that they can freely roam the park and participate in fun autumn activities, especially on weekends and during the fall holiday. From park detectives, drawing workshops, and tea parties to guided tours and the popular "Skrekkeparken," which offers excitement and spooky stories every year at the end of October. The manor house dating back to 1814, belonging to Minister Niels Aall, has its own story about "The Gray Lady." Keep an eye out for autumn events in Brekkeparken.

4. Family-friendly hikes in Telemark

The beauty of Telemark is that you can find many easy and accessible hiking trails with attractions along the way. Here are three tips for child-friendly hikes; you can also find more at WalkTelemark.com.

Hike 1: Falkeriset in Rauland:

Sherpas have paved the fine hiking trail to Falkeriset in Rauland, making it easy for little legs to follow. The hike to the top of Mount Falkenuten takes about 1 hour at a normal walking pace. There are great viewpoints with panoramic views of the Hardanger mountain plateau, Mount Gausta, and Møsstrond. Enjoy your packed lunch with the most stunning views in all directions.

Hike 2: Mount Venelifjell:

This is a fantastic hike suitable for the whole family and is a very popular destination. Venelifjellet means "the beautiful mountain," and you'll understand why when you get there. The hike takes you across boardwalks through marshes and along trails to Venelitjørni. Here, you can rest and have your packed lunch at a nice picnic area with a fire pit. Follow the trail to Mount Venelifjell for breathtaking views all the way to the sea at Kragerø and the mountains of the Hardanger mountain plateau and Mount Gausta. The hike takes about 2 hours one way, covering a distance of 4 km. You can book accommodation at Straand Hotel or Vrådal Booking for apartments or cabins.

Hike 3: Oldemorsstien at Skinnarbu:

The trail is only 2.2 km in total and offers a fantastic view of lake Møsvatn. It's always gives children a good feeling to reach a summit, even if it's not very high. The trail starts from the parking lot at the Hardangervidda National Park Center. It's recommended to take the kids to the center before or after the hike to learn about the history of the Hardanger mountain plateau and the reindeer. In the center's reception, you can access a nature app with GPS that guides you along Oldemorsstien while teaching you about ecology, plants, and wildlife along the way. The nearest accommodation options are Rauland Feriesenter or Rjukan Admini Hotel.
You will find more child-friendly hiking trails here.

5. "Høyt under taket" – climbing center in Skien

If you're looking for indoor fun, check out "Høyt under taket" in Skien. This exciting activity center has something for the whole family, for all ages and skill levels, with no prior experience required. With climbing walls, obstacle courses, and much more, it's a great way to spend a day, especially as the weather gets colder. Let the kids challenge themselves and have fun in a safe environment. The center has over 30 auto belays (automatic safety devices), as well as several bouldering courses and theme climbing walls for the whole family. Explore more climbing opportunities in Telemark.

6. Alpaca trekking at Svenseid Alpakka

Children love animals, and they'll certainly enjoy cuddling with the adorable alpacas at Svenseid Alpakka, a small farm located between Lunde and Bø in Telemark. Amira, Alvin, and Benjamin love going on trekking adventures, enjoying some good food, and cuddles. They're very photogenic, so if you want to take pictures or videos, they're happy to oblige.

This fun activity can be combined with a canal cruise from Ulefoss to Lunde (seasonal until October 8th), where you can experience the largest locks, as well as a bike ride from Lunde to Svenseid Alpakka. The ride takes about 30 minutes, and bikes can be rented at First Camp Lunde - Telemark. If your energy levels are still high, you can visit Øvre Verket, where you can learn more about Oline's history, explore the small shops on the premises, and enjoy a delicious dinner.

7. DuVerden – Technology and Science in a Fun Way

DuVerden Maritime Museum + Science Center in Porsgrunn is definitely one of the children's favorites! The center offers an exciting way to learn about the history of natural phenomena while having a lot of fun. Here, you can press buttons and test a variety of installations, from knowledge games to operating a crane or experiencing seasickness. The weather table illustrates weather and wind in a new way; spin the dial hard on the table, and a fan will produce wind at storm strength.
At DuVerden, you can learn and have fun at the same time," says director Frode Arntsen.

The new simulator takes you to a busy container port where the task is to load the ship efficiently and safely. It's more challenging than you think, but fortunately, it doesn't matter if you make a mistake. Or you can try your hand at being a captain! In the ship simulator, you can steer a ship on the river, up towards Skien, or out into Brevikstrømmen. The astro theater shows 3D films, providing an incredible cinema experience of outer space," says Arntsen.

8. Dog Sledding with a cart in Rauland

The mountains are popular in the fall. But what can you do with your family that's a bit different? How about dog sledding in Rauland? Telemark Husky Tour offers dog sledding in carts in the autumn. The sturdy carts have wheels and suspension systems that make them perfect for navigating the terrain.
This is a great experience for a family that loves nature and animals. It's fascinating to see how excited the kids get when we start, they completely forget their smartphones and enjoy the ride. And they often appreciate not having to go on a long hike," says Merete Neset, the daily manager.
Telemark Husky Tour offers dog sledding throughout the fall, from 2 people to groups of up to 20 people. Tours can be customized according to your preferences and can last from 1 hour to a full day with a meal break. The price starts from 300 Norwegian kroner for children. It's recommended to book a day in advance. The tours usually go along Kromvikivegen towards Falkeriset in Rauland.
Tip: You can combine this with a hike on the family-friendly Sherpa Trail up to Falkeriset, play frisbee golf, and jump on trampolines at Vierli. If you need accommodation, it's recommended to rent a cabin at Rauland Feriesenter, Austbø Hotell, or a room at Raulandsakademiet. If you're looking for a unique accommodation experience, check out the new Arctic Domes at Telemark Husky Tours.

9. Gausta - an endless adventure

At thousand meters above sea level, fall's highlights await you. At Gausta in the heart of Telemark, you'll be in the middle of the Norwegian mountain wilderness with a view of the iconic Mount Gausta. Gausta has developed significantly in recent years. At the Gausta Activity Center, you can rent mountain bikes, SUP boards, canoes, mini boats, rowboats, and SUP. You can also book guided mountain hikes and children's activities with activity leaders (for children aged 6-12). In addition, you'll find both an indoor pool and floating saunas with a view of Mount Gausta, which are very popular among both young and old.
Tip: Combine it with a trip to the beautiful Mount Gausta. Gaustabanen takes you to the top in just 15 minutes. Set aside a day for an excursion to Rjukan town. Here, you can visit the Norwegian Industrial Workers Museum, Krossobanen (temporarily closed in 2024), and Rjukan Climbing Park, among other attractions. When it comes to accommodation, you can choose from hotels, cabins, or apartments that can be booked on www.gausta.com.

10. Family-friendly bike tours

If you're looking for outdoor family activities, there are several great bike tours in Telemark. Children are usually more interested in speed and excitement. In that case, we recommend mountain biking at Kragerø Resort, which has developed several trails, or Hamaren in Fyresdal, where kids can bike, jump on a tree-top trampoline, and hike along the fantastic trail by lake Fyresvatn or the new treetop path to the top of Hamaren. There's an observation circle with a 45-meter diameter that offers fantastic views of lake Fyresvatn.
In the area arround Lunde and Drangedal, there are also great cycling routes on gravel roads in the midst of nature, such as the cultural trail in Drangedal. Cycling on the Hardanger mountain plateau and around the Telemark Canal is also very popular. You can rent bikes at several locations in Telemark. At www.biketelemark.com you'll find many tips for tours and bike rentals.