👨‍👩‍👧‍👦🍂 Family activities after work in Trondheim: ideas for every season

🏙️ Why Trondheim is convenient for ‘short’ evenings

The compact city centre, the Nidelva riverfront and green areas close to residential neighbourhoods allow you to fit a family outing into 60–90 minutes without complicated logistics. Choose your starting point at one of the hubs — Solsiden, Brattøra, Bakklandet, Sluppen — and make a loop with the option of cutting back home early.

🚶‍♂️ Ideas after 5 p.m. (overview)

🌊 Walks along the water

• Elvepromenaden / Midtbyrunden (theme — ‘water’). The city loop runs along the fjord, canal and river; the easiest place to start is from the Old City Bridge or Solsiden. The route is easy for prams and has many places to stop for a short break.
• Marinen → Øya → Nidelva loop. Marinen is a green ‘carpet’ near the cathedral; a pleasant short loop along the waterfront with a view of the water and the possibility of a picnic at the finish.
• Ladestien (Lade). The city's most popular coastal route; take the short section between Ringvebukta and Korsvika. Along the way, you will find beaches, benches and the Sponhuset café (waffles, tea).

⚽ Playgrounds and sports courts

• Tempeparken (renovated in spring 2025). A large wooden climbing structure, slides and balance areas are a great way to warm up for 20-30 minutes.
• Municipal playgrounds. See the list of locations (Ringvebukta, Reppe, etc.) on the municipality website — you can filter by area.

📚🏛️ Libraries/museums: a warm ‘plan B’ for rainy days

• Meråpent libraries (self-service 07:00–23:00 with a ‘pumped’ card). The Byåsen, Heimdal, Klæbu, Moholt, Ranheim, Risvollan, and Saupstad are suitable — you can drop in after a walk, read, and warm up.
• Vitensenteret (science centre). Interactive exhibits, 3D planetarium; children enjoy ‘touching science’ on weekdays and weekends.
• Rockheim (pop and rock music museum). Lifts/spacious halls, exhibitions where you can ‘play with sound’; check the current opening hours.

🥪🧥 Equipment and food

• Light dinner in a container + thermos with tea — saves time in the kitchen.
• Seasonal layers: thin hat/gloves, windbreaker, compact raincoats for adults and children.
• Micro kit: wet wipes, dry socks, bag for wet clothes, small first aid kit.

🦺🚦 Safety and logistics

• Stay behind the railings near water, especially in the rain and in the dark; choose areas with even ground.
• At dusk, wear reflectors with CE marking EN 17353; this will make you more visible at crossings and along roads. Advice and selection criteria are available from Trygg Trafikk.
• Plan an ‘indoor anchor’: the nearest meråpent library or museum in case of wind or rain.

🗺️👣 Ready-made mini-routes (60–90 minutes)

• Marinen ↔ Øya ↔ Old Bridge. A flat loop along grass and paved paths, benches and a view of the cathedral.
• Solsiden ↔ Elvepromenaden ↔ Solsiden. Flat waterfront, cafes at the start/finish; convenient for strollers/scooters.
• Ringvebukta ↔ Korsvika (Ladestien). Short coastal ‘trunk’: beach, rocks, toilet and tables; on the way back — waffles at Sponhuset.

✅🕔 ‘Trondheim in the evening’ checklist

• Loop route with the option to shorten.
• Indoor alternative in case of rain (meråpent/museum).
• Hot tea/snack.
• Reflectors/torch at dusk.