The children's parade is the heart of Norway's Constitution Day for most families with children. Flags, marching bands, cheers, and a proud line of children marching through the city. But when you have a baby or young children, a swarm of practical questions appears: Should you stand along the route or walk in the parade? Stroller or baby carrier? Where can you best avoid the crowds? And how do you plan the day so naps and feeding do not get drowned out by marching band music?
This guide gives you the answers, grounded in how Norwegian families actually experience the day. You will also find links to our complete Constitution Day hub and the packing list for the day.
A little history: Why the children's parade?
The children's parade in Norway is a tradition older than you might think. Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson led the May 17 committee in Christiania when the first organized children's parade was held in 1870. The boys gathered at the Fortress at 9 AM and walked toward the Parliament and the Royal Palace.
Source: stortinget.no (17.04.2026).
Girls were first allowed to join in 1889, with pupils from Fru Ragna Nielsen's school among the first. Bergen followed in 1877 and Trondheim in 1884. Today, the children's parade is the very symbol of Norway's national day: not a military parade, but a parade of children celebrating democracy.
Source: stortinget.no (17.04.2026).
For children old enough to understand, it is nice to explain this in advance. Young children can know that they are part of a tradition that goes back more than 150 years, and that it is a day for children.
Stroller or baby carrier: The big decision
This is the question that most often shows up in parent groups every spring. There is no single right answer, but there are clear advantages and disadvantages to each option.
Stroller: Advantages and disadvantages
Advantages:
- Your baby can sleep undisturbed in the middle of it all
