14 Fun Things to do in Poulsbo, WA With Kids!

Poulsbo, Washington is such an awesome little Norwegian themed town and we had a blast visiting! Especially being Norwegian myself, I loved experiencing “Little Norway” and the Scandinavian feel of the town. Despite being small, there are a ton of fun things to do in Poulsbo with kids. Some of our favorite things to do were walking along the waterfront, dinner with a view, and Sluys Bakery of course!

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Where to Stay in Poulsbo, Washington

We live in Washington and hadn’t even heard of this cute little town. And now that we have spent some time there, I can’t believe we didn’t make it there sooner. If you’re looking for where to stay in Poulsbo, here are a few options depending on budget/type of stay.

Where to Camp in Poulsbo:

• Kitsap Memorial State Park – a beautiful small state park located right near Poulsbo. It is located on the Hood Canal Shoreline and has scenic views, a little playground, and even some cabins you can rent depending on your camping style.

Hotels in Poulsbo:

• Hotel Scandi – A stylish Scandinavian style boutique hotel located right downtown in Poulsbo. The building is over 100 years old, so if you’re looking for some historic charm, this is it!
• Poulsbo Inn & Suites – an affordable option with a hot tub on site
• Guesthouse Inn & Suites – hot tub and continental breakfast, what else could you need for kids?

1. Try the Viking Donut at Sluys Bakery

One of the best things to do in Poulsbo with kids? Head to Sluys bakery and try one of their delicious pastries. Even if you’re just driving through, you should make a stop here for some road trip fuel – you won’t regret it. This bakery has a variety of treats including a lot of different Norwegian and Scandinavian pastries. They make everything from scratch and you really can taste it.

You HAVE to try the classic Viking Cup with cream cheese, but other fun desserts you might be hard pressed to find elsewhere are: cardamom bread, rosettes, lefse and so much more.

2. Walk along the Waterfront at the Poulsbo Marina

The Poulsbo waterfront is a fun place to take your kids. There are a few places to run around and play for kids and you can see a cool Viking ship, some Scandinavian buildings, and a beautiful view of the water. It’s a great place to bring a coffee and enjoy the view.

3. Camp at Kitsap Memorial State Park

We were lucky enough to snag a spot for the night at Kitsap Memorial State Park. It was such a cool little state park that we wouldn’t have otherwise visited. The state park is fairly small, but has beautiful views of the Hood Canal (make sure to check out the sunset!) They have a lot of campsites and also some cabins. If your kids need a place to burn off some energy, they also have a little playground.

4. Explore the SEA Discovery Center

The SEA Discovery Center is a public aquarium located in downtown Poulsbo with a suggested donation of $2 per person. Here you can see tide pool creatures, an octopus and more! With this affordable admission price and the convenient downtown location, it’s worth stopping by.

5. Have a Drink at Valholl Brewing

Valholl Brewing is a fun family friendly brewery if you’re looking for a place to grab a drink. This Viking themed brewery has tasty beer (we got a flight and liked all of the beers!) Just a heads up, they don’t serve food here but all outside food is welcome – so order a pizza to be delivered to the door and you’ll be set.

6. Browse the Bookshelves

We always try to find a bookstore wherever we travel, and there are a couple options here in downtown Poulsbo. Away With Words is a combination book and gift store with a cute little kids section. Unfortunately, Liberty Bay Books was closed the few days we were there – but you should definitely make a stop there too while you’re in town.

7. Grab a quick Breakfast at Caffe Cocina

We know that sit down restaurants can be tough with kids, so we always love a good grab and go spot. Caffe Cocina is a beautiful modern cafe that has a lot of tasty options like breakfast burritos and bagel sandwiches and of course coffee for the adults.

They also have a nice rooftop area that gives kids a little extra space to move around – and you can see downtown Poulsbo from up there!

8. Find the Norwegian Flag Staircase

If you walk from downtown to Valholl Brewing, you’ll see this fun painted staircase that is perfect for a family photo op! It’s painted in the colors of the Norwegian flag – which ia fun way to celebrate the Scandinavian theme.

9. Have Dinner With a View

We kind of found The Loft accidentally because we realized the Brass Kracken Pub didn’t allow anyone under 21 years old. The Loft is right next door and is a great spot to visit with kids.

The view from the patio is stunning and our favorite part? They served our kids chicken strips in a viking boat! I might have enjoyed that more than the kids, but it was definitely a fun touch for the kids. I always appreciate the little things like that for families.

10. Take the Ferry

If you’re not familiar with the Seattle area, you may not know how fun taking the ferry is! To get to Poulsbo from Seattle you can take the ferry to Bainbridge Island. We aren’t ferry experts, but we have had really easy fast experiences and some delays. If you have plans at a specific time, make sure to leave enough wiggle room in case the ferry has a delay for some reason.

You can drive right onto the ferry or walk on. I was told the ferries can even accommodate semi trucks!

11. Find the Hidden Playground!

On our last day in Poulsobo we took the trail along the waterfront (to the right if you are facing the water). If you continue walking along the trail and through the woods, you’ll eventually come to a hidden playground. It was a totally unexpected surprise and even though the playground is small, it was fun for the kids.

12. Maritime Museum

If you’re into museums, you could learn about the history of maritime activities in Poulsbo and the surrounding area. They do also have kids activities and exhibits! The museum was not open while we visited so we didn’t get a chance to see it for ourselves.

13. Shop at Nordiska

If you’re interested in buying souvenirs, Nordiska is a Scandinavian gift shop that has a big selection of gifts including apparel, trinkets, books, glassware and a whole bunch of other things. It’s also conveniently located in Poulsbo’s downtown so you can swing by while you browse around town.

14. Explore Olympic National Park

If you’re visiting Poulsbo, it’s not too much farther to get to Olympic National Park. This is one of the best National Parks in the country with SO MUCH to do for families. Get started with our list of easy hikes in Olympic National Park or our 5 favorite Olympic National Park beaches for families!

It’s also possible to take a day trip from Poulsbo to Olympic National Park – here is the best way to spend one day in Olympic National Park or two days or even three days!