Not sure how to keep the kids entertained during your stay in Fredrikstad? Fret not – the options are plentiful. Here are some activity suggestions for children of all ages:

- Bo Grønt Lund’s: This garden centre in Torsnes doubles up as a mini animal park, featuring a pleasant playground with many slides and climbing apparatus, as well as farmyard animals such as sheep, rabbits, etc. Ideal for the little ones. Why not bring a picnic and make an afternoon of it? Torsnesveien, Torsnes (about 5km from Gamlebyen). Prices: 50Kr per person. Open 10am-7pm during the week, Sat 10am-5pm, Sun noon-5pm. Tel: 69 34 92 66, www.bogront.no/lunds/ (Norwegian only)

- Go-karting: Cheap it ain’t (a 9 minute heat, about 10-15 laps, will set you back 155Kr), but go-karing is fun if you want to spoil the kids, or give yourself a bit of an adrenaline kick. Why not indeed. Open Mon-Fri 4pm-9pm, Sat 11am-8pm, Sun 2pm-8pm. Tomteveien 21. Tel: 40 00 19 36, www.activcenter.no (Norwegian only)

- Ice-skating: Nothing better than a spin (or two) on the ice to burn off excess energy. Luckily Stjernehallen, Fredrikstad ice-rink, is open to the general public Wed-Fri 10am-2pm, and Sun 10.30am-12.30pm, and even better, skating here is free! Utfarten 16 (between Bratliparken and Fredrikstadmarka). Tel: 69 36 83 00, www.stjernen.no (Norwegian only)

- Horse riding: There are several riding centres in the area. Try Fredrikstad Riding Centre, just behind the Old Town (Bekkevold 1. Tel: 69 32 31 74) or Hogde Shetland Stud Farm (Hogde 2. Tel. 90 51 74 26), which has Shetland ponies.

- Swimming: Kongstenhall swimming pool complex just outside Gamlebyen is the perfect place to cool off on a hot summer day. It boasts an outdoor Olympic size pool, paddling pool, 10m diving board and pool, and a water slide, plus a smaller indoor pool. Prices: 50Kr adults and 40Kr children for access to the outdoors complex. Open 7 days a week, times vary, ring for info. Trosvikveien 12. Tel: 69 95 82 98.