Playgroups in Stockholm for kids aren’t as tricky to find as you might expect. You just need to know where to look. We promise, there are no secret handshakes or hidden passwords to get in either! In this edit, Jill collates her top 10 favourite öppna förskola in Stockholm.
Well, of course we were going to put Högalid’s at the top of the list! Högalid Församling öppna förskola is beautifully managed playgroup space with a variety of toys and books. What’s special about it?
It’s the home of Littlebearabroad’s International Playgroup, the only English speaking playgroup in Stockholm.
On Friday afternoons between 2.30pm and 5pm, Littlebearabroad hosts the English-speaking playgroup. But, this isn’t just for native English-speakers, anyone who can speak English is welcome to attend.
It’s hosted by volunteers and is dependent on the donations of those that attend. Coffee, tea and cake are always provided. Plus, healthy snacks for the kids.
Öppna Förskola Villagatan in Östermalm is a favourite among many international parents in the city. It’s well thought out, lots of different toys and books and there is singing once a day.
It can get full quickly, especially in the afternoons for smaller children. Happily there is a specific time slot for under 6 month olds. This is a huge comfort to new parents who are always a bit daunted by older kids running around smalls.
You pay a small fee for coffee, tea and biscuits.
Opening Times:
Kids 0–5 years:
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday – 9.00-12.00, singing kl. 10.00
Kids 0-10 months:
Tuesday: kl. 13.00-16.00, singing 14.15
Wednesday: kl. 13.00-16.00, singing 14.15
Thursday: kl. 9.00-12.00, singing 10.00
Kids 0–6 months:
Thursday kl. 14.00-16.00
Rålamshovsparken gets the number 3 spot because of it’s extensive play ground/lekpark that the Kungsholmen öppna förskola sits within.
The öppna förskola itself is ok, it could do with some touch ups here and there. But, the staff are lovely and there are plenty of toys for all ages to play with.
The lekpark outside is fantastic. It has multiple sand pits and mud kitchens, splash ponds and swings, slides and a mud garage, too. There’s a “spooky forest” and outdoor puzzles.
Opening times are dependent on age group:
Kids:0–5 years:
Monday and Wednesday
09.00-11.30
12.30-15.00
Singing 10.00 and 13.00
Kids: 0-10 months:
Tuesday and Thursday
09.00-11.30
Singing 10.30 and 13.00
Baby: 0-5 months:
09.00-12.00
Singin 10.30
Set within the grounds of Engelbrektskyrkan, between Karlavägen and Valhallavaägen in Östermalm, Lilla Björn öppna förskola is a lovely playgroup.
It’s well maintained and cosy. It has great toys for kids between 0 – 5 years and you can also grab a coffee, too.
The only downside is that it’s not open very often:
Tuesday: 13.00-16.00
Friday: 9.00-13.00
You might be wondering why there isn’t a picture of Blackeberg öppna förskola?
Well, the truth is the outside of the öppna förskola isn’t much to look at (y’know, don’t judge a book by it’s cover and all). Secondly, it was so popular and there were so many children we couldn’t get a good pic without incurring all sorts of legal issues. Plus, no stock photo’s either.
But, please, take it from us, this little öppna förskola is delightful. Colourful and cosy as well as clean and comfortable. There are always home baked goods, tea and coffee for the adults, too.
&nsbp;
Opening times are a bit confusing:
Monday, Thursday and Friday – for all ages 09:00 – 16:00
Wednesday – for all ages 09:00 – 14:00
Tuesday – 0-8 months 09:00 – 16:00
The large öppna förskola at St Matteus Kyrkan is situated at Västmannagatan 92. Depending on the day you attend, the öppna förskola is in different locations.
Please note, depending on which day you go, below.
For kids between the age of 0 – 5 years:
Tuesdays: 13.00–16.00 in St Matteus church hall, Vanadisvägen 35. Öppna förskolan closes on 21 may.
Wednesday: 10.00–13.00 in Michael’s Chapel, Karlbergsvägen 64. Öppna förskolan closes 22 may.
The öppna förskola is situated between Hornsgatan and Tantoberget. Drakens Parklek was renovated in 2015 and has an excellent swing, climb and wooden village area. It’s suitable for all ages.
The öppna förskola is small but very comfortable and, naturally, they have changing facilities, a small kitchen for tea, coffee and home made food.
On Fridays, between 11:00 and 12:00 they host grill afternoons. You can bring your own sausages or buy some when you get there.
Opening timings are:
Monday 09.00 – 12.30
Tuesday 09.00 – 12.00 for kids between 0-10 months
Wednesday 09.00 – 12.00
Thursday 09.00 – 12.30
Friday 09.30 – 12.30 family grill outside 11:00 – 12:00
The öppna förksola in Huvudsta, Pampasparkens, is so lovely! Great toys and lovely staff.
It’s open between 08:30 – 12.00 but doesn’t have any specific times for age groups. Singing normally takes place between 10:30 and 11am.
There are changing facilities, a small cafe and you can get a cup of coffee or tea.
Not too far away are Augenstals 4H Farm and Huvudstabadet. It’s really easy to get to. Take the tube from central Stockholm and get off at Västra Skogen, it’s a 5 minute walk from there.
Liljeholmen’s öppna förskola constantly has a brilliant calendar of activities on it’s schedule. From visiting dieticians, accident prevention specialists and photographers.
It’s also a really comfortable and clean space, well maintained and with a great selection of toys, educational resources and books. The staff are very friendly and the facilities for changing and making food are small, but good.
Opening times are a bit complicated and they do have set times for specific age groups:
Children from 10 months
Tuesdays and Thursdays 09.00 – 16.00. Singing is at 10.15 and 14.00
Children from 0 – 10 months
Wednesday: 9.00-16.00. Singing is at 10.30 and 14.00.
Perhaps we’re biased, perhaps this place holds fond memories of Mammaledig and me getting to know my daughter. But, Ekholmen öppna förskola is on this top list for me.
I appreciate that it’s quite out of the way, there isn’t a many people who would travel this far to go to an öppna förskola. It’s a gorgeous little scout hut in the middle of a forest with a fantastic lekplats right on it’s doorstep. It might look a bit shabby from the outside but it’s what’s inside that counts, right?
S and I spent many an afternoon amongst the trees and the swings and things, just hanging out and for me, this is what an öppna förskola is really about. A safe, comfortable place for you to get to know your new baby. It’s a total bonus when you find somewhere with like-minded individuals who eventually become friends.
Ekholmen is open between Monday – Friday 09.00 – 12.00 and singing is at 10.30.