Posts Tagged Kids
Østfold in Pictures: Tunevannet
Posted by admin in Nature and the great outdoors, Photos and videos on May 1, 2010
Tunevannet, Sarpsborg
Posted by admin in Nature and the great outdoors on May 1, 2010
A great place for swimming, jogging, cycling, or even indeed just a walk, this lake just outside Sarpsborg is a popular recreational area, particularly in summer, when it buzzes with activity. There are several sandy beaches and creeks here and the main one by Prestegårdstangen, which boasts floating pontoons and a diving board, is accessible for wheelchairs. Personally, though, I prefer looking for a green patch on which to lay my towel – nothing beats lying on the grass by the water, looking at the clear blue sky through the branches of the tall nearby pines if you ask me. There is a playground with several climbing apparatus a bit further in under the trees, as well as BBQs, toilets, and a kiosk (open in season only) near the big car park to the southeast of the lake. If you want to take a rod and try your luck at fishing (or ice fish in winter) – you might get a pike, or perch. Tune Church nearby, rebuilt after a fire in 1908, is worth a visit, and there is a youth hostel nearby if you like the area so much you decide to stay.
How to get there: Off Rv 118 (Tuneveien) opposite Tune Church, itself just off the E6 north of Sarpsborg.
Feeding the goats just outside Gamlebyen
Posted by admin in Travel and practical stuff on April 28, 2010
Top 5: Activities for kids in Fredrikstad
Posted by admin in Travel and practical stuff on April 28, 2010
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.
Sarpsborg Bowling Centre
Celebrating 20 years this year, Sarpsborg Bowlingsenter is one of Norway’s most popular bowling centres, attracting customers from all over eastern Norway and south-western Sweden. Located in Torsbekkdalen, along Rv109, between Sarpsborg and the E6 motorway, the White House, as it is known locally, boasts 16 bowling lanes, a laser world, billiard and snooker tables, and a range of simulators. There is a cafeteria on site, and fully-licensed VIP lounges for corporate events and birthday parties (the centre organises 2,000 such parties every year). A safe, fun environment for children and young people to play in, and a great option for the whole family on a rainy day.
Open seven days a week: Mon-Thu 1100-2300, Fri 1100-0100, Sat 1200-0100 and Sun 1200-2300.
Torsbekkveien 24. Tel: 69 13 05 50, www.sarpsborg-bowlingsenter.no
Swimming pools in Østfold
Fancy a swim? Maybe you’ve decided to get in shape this year. Or you’re just looking for something to keep the kids busy this weekend. Anyway, here is a list of the main swimming pools in Østfold.
- Sarpsborg Superland. Excellent option for families, with 4 swimming pools, sauna, steam room, waterslides, and more. Bjørnstadveien 20, just off the E6. Tel: 69 10 15 00, www.superland.no. Prices: 90Kr during the week, 110Kr weekends and holidays (adults). Children up to 2 go free. Family packages and annual membership available. Discounts for OAPs, youth etc. Open 7 days a week, times vary, check website for more info.
- Remmen Svømmehall, Halden. Swimming pool on the campus of Østfold University College (Høgskolen i Østfold). Tel: 69 17 45 00. Prices: 50Kr adults, 25Kr children, under-3s free. Opening times: 5pm to 8pm Mon, Wed and Fri, 3pm to 7pm Tues and Thu, Sat 10am-3pm. Swimming time up to an hour after closing time.
- Østfoldbadet, Askim. Another good option for families (see former entry on this blog). Askim town centre. Tel: 69 81 99 00, www.ostfoldbadet.no. Prices: 115Kr adult, 85Kr 2-12, youth and OAPs 95 (+ 15Kr weekends). Open 7 days a week, times vary, check website for more info.
- Kongstenhallen, Fredrikstad. The outdoor swimming complex (Olympic pool, 2 extra pools, slide and 10m diving board) is always packed on hot summer days, and for a reason. The indoor pool is nothing special, but cheap. Just outside Gamlebyen at Trosvikveien 12. Tel: 69 95 82 98. Prices: 45Kr adults, 30Kr children (indoor swimming pool), 50Kr and 40Kr outdoors. Open 7 days a week, times vary, ring for info.
- Mossehallen, Moss. Slightly tired-looking pool in need of renovation, but the only option in Moss. One 25 x 12,5m pool, but nothing specifically for children. Kafeteria on site. Tel: 69 24 33 42. Prices: 60Kr and 30Kr. Closed Sundays, times vary, ring for more info.
Østfold in Pictures: Ice-skating on Gamlebyen’s moat
Posted by admin in Photos and videos on January 12, 2010
Keeping safe on the ice
Posted by admin in Nature and the great outdoors, Sport on January 12, 2010
With so many frozen lakes and ponds everywhere this time of year, the thought of venturing on the ice is a tempting one. Particularly if you like ice-skating as much as I do! But safety has to be a priority, if you don’t want an ice-skating session with the family to turn into a bad memory, or worse, a tragedy. So remember the basic ice safety rules.
- Don’t venture on ice that’s less than 10cm (4 inches) thick.
- Don’t skate alone. You should always have someone with you in case of an accident.
- Children should not be allowed to skate on a pond unsupervised.
- Do not congregate in one area, particularly if there are a few of you in your party.
- Ice thickness is not consistent. Water currents, particularly around narrow spots, bridges, inlets and outlets, are always suspect for thin ice.
- Beware of ice around partially submerged objects, such as trees and logs.
- Stay away from cracks, seams, pressure ridges, slushy areas and darker areas that signify thinner ice.
- Don’t skate in the dark. Skate only during the day when the light is good and you can see your surroundings.
- You should carry a rope and some ice picks with you at all times on the ice.
- It’s a good idea to pack a change of clothes to take with you, in case you do fall through.